OPT Project Architect Jobs
Project Architect jobs on OPT require strong design portfolio work and demonstrated project management experience. Most roles qualify as specialty occupations under F-1 OPT, supporting STEM OPT extension eligibility for architecture graduates. Firms actively sponsor H-1B visas for licensed or license-track architects, making this one of the stronger visa pathways in the built environment.
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Work with Us. Change the World.
At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world's most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.
There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of nearly 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.
We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.
Job Description
AECOM Technical Services, Inc. is seeking a Senior Project Architect in Houston, TX.
Job Details:
- Responsible for leading architectural design and project delivery from concept through construction administration for complex municipal/transportation projects, with a specialization in sustainable, zero-emission transit facilities
- Lead design development and technical documentation
- Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams and ensure compliance with applicable building codes, zoning, and sustainability requirements
- Serve as a client-facing lead for programming, space planning, presentations, and stakeholder coordination
- Provide oversight of schedules, budgets, QA/QC, and constructability reviews
- Integrate BEB charging implementation requirements into facility designs by translating operational needs into buildable infrastructure and coordinating electrical/utilities and life-safety interfaces
- Mentor junior staff and support a collaborative, high-performance project environment
- Up to 5% domestic travel required
- Telecommuting permitted up to 2 days per week
Qualifications
Candidates must have a Master's degree in Architecture or a related field of study and 4 years of experience as an Architect or in a related occupation.
Alternatively, the employer will accept a Bachelor's of Architecture degree or a related field of study and 6 years of experience as an Architect or in a related occupation.
Position requires experience in the following:
- Texas Architect License
- Zero-emission transit and BEB charging integration projects, including facility planning for charging layouts, routing constraints, utility coordination, equipment clearances, and phased implementation in operating facilities
- Revit
- AutoCAD
- SketchUp
- Visualization tools, including Enscape and Lumion
- Construction documentation (SD, DD, and CD), including QA and QC standards
Additional Information
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.
About AECOM
AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.
AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com.
What makes AECOM a great place to work
You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community—where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
Company Description
Work with Us. Change the World.
At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world's most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.
There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of nearly 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.
We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.
Job Description
AECOM Technical Services, Inc. is seeking a Senior Project Architect in Houston, TX.
Job Details:
- Responsible for leading architectural design and project delivery from concept through construction administration for complex municipal/transportation projects, with a specialization in sustainable, zero-emission transit facilities
- Lead design development and technical documentation
- Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams and ensure compliance with applicable building codes, zoning, and sustainability requirements
- Serve as a client-facing lead for programming, space planning, presentations, and stakeholder coordination
- Provide oversight of schedules, budgets, QA/QC, and constructability reviews
- Integrate BEB charging implementation requirements into facility designs by translating operational needs into buildable infrastructure and coordinating electrical/utilities and life-safety interfaces
- Mentor junior staff and support a collaborative, high-performance project environment
- Up to 5% domestic travel required
- Telecommuting permitted up to 2 days per week
Qualifications
Candidates must have a Master's degree in Architecture or a related field of study and 4 years of experience as an Architect or in a related occupation.
Alternatively, the employer will accept a Bachelor's of Architecture degree or a related field of study and 6 years of experience as an Architect or in a related occupation.
Position requires experience in the following:
- Texas Architect License
- Zero-emission transit and BEB charging integration projects, including facility planning for charging layouts, routing constraints, utility coordination, equipment clearances, and phased implementation in operating facilities
- Revit
- AutoCAD
- SketchUp
- Visualization tools, including Enscape and Lumion
- Construction documentation (SD, DD, and CD), including QA and QC standards
Additional Information
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.
About AECOM
AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.
AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com.
What makes AECOM a great place to work
You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community—where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
See all OPT Project Architect Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Project Architect Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Project Architect
Target firms with a history of H-1B sponsorship
Architecture firms that have sponsored H-1B visas before are far more likely to do it again. Search OFLC disclosure data to verify a firm's sponsorship history before investing time in their application process.
Get your ARE progress on your resume
Firms evaluating OPT candidates want to see a clear path to licensure. List the divisions you've passed and your target completion timeline. It signals long-term commitment and makes sponsorship feel like a lower-risk investment.
Clarify your OPT timeline upfront
Project Architect roles involve long project cycles. Hiring managers need to know how much time you have on OPT and whether STEM extension applies. Addressing this early prevents late-stage surprises that kill offers.
Prioritize mid-size firms over large studios
Mid-size architecture firms often sponsor more readily than large corporate studios with rigid HR policies. They move faster, give OPT candidates real project ownership sooner, and are more willing to invest in retaining strong performers.
Lead with your software and delivery skills
Revit proficiency, BIM coordination experience, and construction documents expertise are the skills that make Project Architect candidates immediately billable. Firms weigh sponsorship costs against your ability to contribute from day one.
Negotiate the H-1B filing timeline before accepting
Before signing an offer, confirm exactly when the firm plans to file your H-1B petition. The April lottery deadline is fixed. If your OPT expires before October 1, a cap-gap or STEM extension bridge strategy needs to be in place.
Project Architect OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Project Architect on F-1 OPT without being a licensed architect?
Yes. The Project Architect title does not require an active license in most states during OPT. Firms commonly hire unlicensed candidates who are in the ARE process and supervise their work under a licensed principal. Your architecture degree is what establishes OPT eligibility, not your licensure status.
Does a Project Architect role qualify for STEM OPT extension?
Architecture programs accredited by NAAB are classified under CIP code 04.0201, which is listed on the STEM Designated Degree Program list. If your degree is from a qualifying program, you're eligible to apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to three years of total OPT work authorization.
What type of employers sponsor H-1B visas for Project Architects?
Mid-size and large architecture firms, multidisciplinary design studios, real estate developers with in-house design teams, and construction management firms with integrated architecture practices all sponsor H-1B visas for Project Architects. To find firms actively hiring OPT candidates in this role, browse Migrate Mate, which focuses specifically on visa-sponsoring employers.
How does the Project Architect role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
A specialty occupation requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field as a minimum entry requirement for the role. Architecture clearly meets this standard, and USCIS has consistently approved H-1B petitions for architecture positions. Your employer will need a certified Labor Condition Application and must demonstrate the role requires at minimum a bachelor's in architecture or a related field.
What happens to my OPT authorization if the firm delays my H-1B filing?
If your employer misses the April H-1B lottery registration window, you cannot be selected for that fiscal year. If your OPT expires before the following October 1 start date, you'll need to either have a valid STEM OPT extension bridging the gap or leave the country. Confirming the filing plan before accepting an offer is essential.