OPT Project Assistant Jobs
Project Assistant jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students because the role's coordination and planning work aligns directly with business, engineering, and liberal arts degrees. Most positions qualify for standard 12-month OPT, and STEM-adjacent project roles in tech or operations may qualify for the 24-month STEM extension.
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QISG leverages Quanta’s comprehensive resources to deliver collaborative solutions for our partners' energy infrastructure needs. We use in-house talent, expertise and resources to plan, design, engineer, manage, conduct maintenance on and construct projects. Our turnkey service capabilities provide our customers with efficiency, consistency, attention to detail and safe execution. The QISG team brings together Engineering, Safety, Quality, Material Procurement, QA/QC, Right-of-Way Acquisition, Scheduling, Environmental Planning, Permitting, Title and Land Management expertise that ensure outstanding results for our clients.
About This Role
QISG is growing our Project Management team in Scottsdale, Arizona, and we’re looking for driven professionals to join us as Regional Assistant Project Managers across multiple experience levels. With a strong pipeline of major transmission, distribution, substation, and EPC projects throughout the western United States, our teams are helping deliver some of the region’s most significant and complex energy infrastructure programs. Whether you’re building the foundation of your project management career or ready to take on greater responsibility, QISG offers the opportunity to work alongside experienced industry leaders, gain exposure to large-scale projects from planning through execution, and grow within an organization that continues to expand its impact across the power and utility industry.
- Coordinates engineering, estimating, project controls, procurement, and construction activities during the development and execution phase(s) of the project
- Assists PM in the development of the initial project schedule in conjunction with engineering, estimating, project controls, procurement, and construction management personnel
- Participates in value engineering and constructability reviews
- Works with procurement to develop subcontractor and vendor scopes of work and schedules exhibits to the contracts for review by PM before processing
- Works with the appropriate Safety personnel on all safety-related issues, including but not limited to, development and implementation of the project-specific safety plan, reporting of incidents, and supporting the investigation of incidents
- Assists the PM with project schedule and helps prepare monthly project review reports for the project management team and Senior Management
- Supports project by conducting financial reviews and closeouts on a monthly basis
- Assists with RFI submittals utilizing QISG’s document management system
- Provides feedback to improve Quality of all technical, commercial, and administrative deliverables for projects
- Assists in procurement of purchase orders and subcontract packages
- Monitors progress of overall design, procurement, and construction of the project
- Facilitates Project Close-Out and Warranty administration
- Performs post-construction cost review and reporting and participates in lessons learned
- Performs any other duties assigned by the PM, including acting as PM when PM is unavailable (when deemed qualified by PM/Operations Director)
- Adheres to internal standards, policies, and procedures
What You'll Bring
Required Experience and Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Construction Science/Management, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or equivalent field; equivalent work experience, or combination of work and education, may be substituted
Skills
- Self-starter
- Ability to work well independently, as well as part of a team
- Strong problem evaluation/solving skills
- Understanding of the project design process for projects
- Understanding of integrated EPC process
- Understanding of construction means and methods
- Ability to interact effectively and professionally with other team members
- Strong computer skills (Microsoft Office)
- Strong organizational and time management skills
- Strong communication skills (verbal and written)
- Familiarity with estimating, scheduling, and project management software and processes
Travel Requirements
- Travel: Yes
- Percent of Time: Up to 50%, or as project needs require
What You'll Get
QISG Benefits Highlights
- Competitive Compensation
- Comprehensive Health Coverage - Multiple Medical, dental & vision plans with 100% preventive care
- 24/7 telehealth (Teladoc)
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Company-funded HSA and pre-tax savings options
- 401(k) Retirement Plan
- No-cost Short- and Long-term Disability
- Employer-paid basic Life & AD&D Insurance
- Paid Time off (PTO) and 10 Paid Holidays
- Paid Parental leave
- Education Reimbursement and Professional Development
- Employee discount program and optional insurance offerings:
- Identity Theft Protection
- Accident Insurance
- Voluntary Life (spouse and child)
- Critical Illness
- Hospital Indemnity
- Pet Insurance
Equal Opportunity Employer
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity), age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and/or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. We prohibit all types of discrimination and are committed to providing access and equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities. For additional information or if reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application, interview, or hiring processes or to perform the essential functions of a position, please contact us the Company’s Human Resources department.
About us
QISG leverages Quanta’s comprehensive resources to deliver collaborative solutions for our partners' energy infrastructure needs. We use in-house talent, expertise and resources to plan, design, engineer, manage, conduct maintenance on and construct projects. Our turnkey service capabilities provide our customers with efficiency, consistency, attention to detail and safe execution. The QISG team brings together Engineering, Safety, Quality, Material Procurement, QA/QC, Right-of-Way Acquisition, Scheduling, Environmental Planning, Permitting, Title and Land Management expertise that ensure outstanding results for our clients.
About This Role
QISG is growing our Project Management team in Scottsdale, Arizona, and we’re looking for driven professionals to join us as Regional Assistant Project Managers across multiple experience levels. With a strong pipeline of major transmission, distribution, substation, and EPC projects throughout the western United States, our teams are helping deliver some of the region’s most significant and complex energy infrastructure programs. Whether you’re building the foundation of your project management career or ready to take on greater responsibility, QISG offers the opportunity to work alongside experienced industry leaders, gain exposure to large-scale projects from planning through execution, and grow within an organization that continues to expand its impact across the power and utility industry.
- Coordinates engineering, estimating, project controls, procurement, and construction activities during the development and execution phase(s) of the project
- Assists PM in the development of the initial project schedule in conjunction with engineering, estimating, project controls, procurement, and construction management personnel
- Participates in value engineering and constructability reviews
- Works with procurement to develop subcontractor and vendor scopes of work and schedules exhibits to the contracts for review by PM before processing
- Works with the appropriate Safety personnel on all safety-related issues, including but not limited to, development and implementation of the project-specific safety plan, reporting of incidents, and supporting the investigation of incidents
- Assists the PM with project schedule and helps prepare monthly project review reports for the project management team and Senior Management
- Supports project by conducting financial reviews and closeouts on a monthly basis
- Assists with RFI submittals utilizing QISG’s document management system
- Provides feedback to improve Quality of all technical, commercial, and administrative deliverables for projects
- Assists in procurement of purchase orders and subcontract packages
- Monitors progress of overall design, procurement, and construction of the project
- Facilitates Project Close-Out and Warranty administration
- Performs post-construction cost review and reporting and participates in lessons learned
- Performs any other duties assigned by the PM, including acting as PM when PM is unavailable (when deemed qualified by PM/Operations Director)
- Adheres to internal standards, policies, and procedures
What You'll Bring
Required Experience and Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Construction Science/Management, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or equivalent field; equivalent work experience, or combination of work and education, may be substituted
Skills
- Self-starter
- Ability to work well independently, as well as part of a team
- Strong problem evaluation/solving skills
- Understanding of the project design process for projects
- Understanding of integrated EPC process
- Understanding of construction means and methods
- Ability to interact effectively and professionally with other team members
- Strong computer skills (Microsoft Office)
- Strong organizational and time management skills
- Strong communication skills (verbal and written)
- Familiarity with estimating, scheduling, and project management software and processes
Travel Requirements
- Travel: Yes
- Percent of Time: Up to 50%, or as project needs require
What You'll Get
QISG Benefits Highlights
- Competitive Compensation
- Comprehensive Health Coverage - Multiple Medical, dental & vision plans with 100% preventive care
- 24/7 telehealth (Teladoc)
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Company-funded HSA and pre-tax savings options
- 401(k) Retirement Plan
- No-cost Short- and Long-term Disability
- Employer-paid basic Life & AD&D Insurance
- Paid Time off (PTO) and 10 Paid Holidays
- Paid Parental leave
- Education Reimbursement and Professional Development
- Employee discount program and optional insurance offerings:
- Identity Theft Protection
- Accident Insurance
- Voluntary Life (spouse and child)
- Critical Illness
- Hospital Indemnity
- Pet Insurance
Equal Opportunity Employer
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity), age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and/or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. We prohibit all types of discrimination and are committed to providing access and equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities. For additional information or if reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application, interview, or hiring processes or to perform the essential functions of a position, please contact us the Company’s Human Resources department.
See all 780+ OPT Project Assistant Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Project Assistant
Lead with your degree connection
Project Assistant roles require a direct tie between your job duties and your field of study for OPT authorization. Frame your application around how your degree prepared you for planning, coordination, or stakeholder management in that specific industry.
Target employers familiar with OPT
Mid-size and large companies with established HR teams are more likely to have processed OPT authorization before. Browse Migrate Mate to identify employers in your field who have a track record of hiring international students into project support roles.
Clarify your OPT timeline upfront
Project Assistants are often hired for defined project cycles. Make clear how much OPT time you have remaining and whether you qualify for a STEM extension, so employers can plan around your authorization window without surprises mid-project.
Emphasize tools and methodologies on your resume
Employers hiring Project Assistants look for familiarity with project management tools and frameworks. Listing specific skills signals immediate productivity and reduces the perceived cost of hiring someone who needs visa authorization to start work.
Address the sponsorship question directly
Many employers confuse OPT with H-1B visa sponsorship. Be ready to explain that OPT is already authorized work authorization requiring nothing from the employer except normal onboarding. A short, confident explanation removes the most common hiring hesitation.
Apply early relative to your OPT start date
Project teams often need assistants to start on a fixed schedule tied to project kick-offs. Starting your search at least 60 to 90 days before your OPT start date gives employers enough runway to move through hiring without feeling constrained by your authorization timeline.
Project Assistant OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Project Assistant role qualify for OPT work authorization?
Yes, as long as the position is directly related to your field of study. A business administration graduate working as a Project Assistant in operations or consulting would qualify. An engineering graduate in a project support role within a technical team would also qualify. USCIS requires the job duties, not just the title, to connect to your degree.
Can I qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension as a Project Assistant?
It depends on your degree and the employer. If you hold a STEM-designated degree and the Project Assistant role is at an E-Verify employer in a qualifying field, such as engineering operations or data-driven project management, you may be eligible for the STEM extension. The role itself must still be directly tied to your STEM field of study.
How do I explain OPT work authorization to a Project Assistant employer who hasn't hired international students before?
Keep it simple: OPT is a federal work authorization program that allows F-1 students to work in their field of study for up to 12 months after graduation, with no action required from the employer beyond standard I-9 verification. You can show your Employment Authorization Document as proof. Most employers who hire Project Assistants already complete I-9s for every hire, so the process is familiar even if the document isn't.
Where can I find Project Assistant jobs that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters for employers open to candidates on work authorization. Searching there saves time compared to applying broadly and discovering late in the process that a company doesn't hire on OPT. Project Assistant roles across business, tech, nonprofits, and consulting are regularly listed.
What happens if my Project Assistant contract ends before my OPT expires?
Your OPT authorization remains valid through its expiration date, so you can job search and accept another qualifying role without losing status. However, you are allowed a maximum of 90 days of unemployment during standard OPT. Starting your next job search as soon as you know the contract end date is important to stay within that limit.