OPT Project Engineer Jobs
Project Engineer jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in civil, mechanical, electrical, or industrial engineering. Most roles qualify as STEM OPT extensions, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers in construction, manufacturing, and infrastructure regularly sponsor international engineers for H-1B visas.
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Veolia in North America is the top-ranked environmental company in the United States for three consecutive years, and the country’s largest private water operator and technology provider as well as hazardous waste and pollution treatment leader. It offers a full spectrum of water, waste, and energy management services, including water and wastewater treatment, commercial and hazardous waste collection and disposal, energy consulting and resource recovery. Veolia helps commercial, industrial, healthcare, higher education and municipality customers throughout North America. Headquartered in Boston, Veolia has more than 10,000 employees working at more than 350 locations across North America.
Job Description
Position Purpose:
Responsible for the execution of Material Capital Repair and Replacement (MCRR) projects. Works closely with plant and conveyance Operations & Maintenance (O&M) personnel to define project needs, develops bid plans/specifications, and oversees Contractor work. Teams with Capital Project Coordinator Manager to schedule work flow. Interfaces with client to ensure necessary processes/procedures are followed related to MCRR work, and customer expectations are being met.
Primary Duties/Responsibilities:
- Works closely with O&M planners and supervisors to define MCRR projects. Develops MCRR project request reports under the guidance of the Capital Project Manager for submittal to Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) Contract Compliance Office (CCO).
- Analyzes Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) data to support MCRR project development.
- Ability to understand and use reference materials (manuals, schematics, etc.).
- Closely interfaces with Capital Project Coordinator Manager to schedule work flow and coordinate assigned work.
- Prepares technical scope for public bid packages.
- Closely works with procurement to assemble complete bid package and review with MMSD CCO.
- For MCRR projects which require public bidding, attends prebid meeting, records prebid questions, and reviews bids.
- Oversees Contractor work on MCRR projects to ensure compliance with specifications, tracks progress, and confirms project completion. Responsible for prompt identification and MMSD CCO notification of scope changes. Documents work through photographs and other written communications.
- Builds and maintains a relationship with MMSD CCO representative to ensure a high level of customer satisfaction.
- Proactively manages Contractors to ensure compliance with on-site safety requirements including training.
- Provides monthly status of assigned MCRR projects to Capital Project Coordinator for departmental reporting.
- Completes required company training including safety topics.
- Participates in annual performance management program.
- Performs other projects/tasks/duties as assigned.
Work Environment:
- Spends approximately 50% in office environment and 50% in field environment.
Qualifications
Education/Experience/Background:
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering or related field.
- In addition, preferred 1-3 years of experience using a CMMS system.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
- Strong PC skills with proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet, database and project management software (Google and Microsoft products).
- Demonstrated effective communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills in order to interface with and motivate all levels of personnel.
- Demonstrated commitment to compliance with applicable laws and regulations, the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and other Company policies and procedures.
- Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work in team environment.
Required Certification/Licenses/Training:
- Registration as a Professional Engineer or Engineer-in-Training.
- Confined space training certification.
Physical Requirements:
- Field work requires frequent visits to MCRR project locations at Jones Island Water Reclamation Facility, South Shore Water Reclamation Facility, or Conveyance Facilities, that could include heights, below ground, or confined space entry.
Additional Information
Benefits:
Veolia’s comprehensive benefits package includes paid time off policies, as well as health, dental, vision, life insurance, savings accounts, tuition reimbursement, paid volunteering and more. In addition, employees are also entitled to participate in an employer sponsored 401(k) plan, to save for retirement.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer! All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.
Company Description
Veolia in North America is the top-ranked environmental company in the United States for three consecutive years, and the country’s largest private water operator and technology provider as well as hazardous waste and pollution treatment leader. It offers a full spectrum of water, waste, and energy management services, including water and wastewater treatment, commercial and hazardous waste collection and disposal, energy consulting and resource recovery. Veolia helps commercial, industrial, healthcare, higher education and municipality customers throughout North America. Headquartered in Boston, Veolia has more than 10,000 employees working at more than 350 locations across North America.
Job Description
Position Purpose:
Responsible for the execution of Material Capital Repair and Replacement (MCRR) projects. Works closely with plant and conveyance Operations & Maintenance (O&M) personnel to define project needs, develops bid plans/specifications, and oversees Contractor work. Teams with Capital Project Coordinator Manager to schedule work flow. Interfaces with client to ensure necessary processes/procedures are followed related to MCRR work, and customer expectations are being met.
Primary Duties/Responsibilities:
- Works closely with O&M planners and supervisors to define MCRR projects. Develops MCRR project request reports under the guidance of the Capital Project Manager for submittal to Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) Contract Compliance Office (CCO).
- Analyzes Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) data to support MCRR project development.
- Ability to understand and use reference materials (manuals, schematics, etc.).
- Closely interfaces with Capital Project Coordinator Manager to schedule work flow and coordinate assigned work.
- Prepares technical scope for public bid packages.
- Closely works with procurement to assemble complete bid package and review with MMSD CCO.
- For MCRR projects which require public bidding, attends prebid meeting, records prebid questions, and reviews bids.
- Oversees Contractor work on MCRR projects to ensure compliance with specifications, tracks progress, and confirms project completion. Responsible for prompt identification and MMSD CCO notification of scope changes. Documents work through photographs and other written communications.
- Builds and maintains a relationship with MMSD CCO representative to ensure a high level of customer satisfaction.
- Proactively manages Contractors to ensure compliance with on-site safety requirements including training.
- Provides monthly status of assigned MCRR projects to Capital Project Coordinator for departmental reporting.
- Completes required company training including safety topics.
- Participates in annual performance management program.
- Performs other projects/tasks/duties as assigned.
Work Environment:
- Spends approximately 50% in office environment and 50% in field environment.
Qualifications
Education/Experience/Background:
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering or related field.
- In addition, preferred 1-3 years of experience using a CMMS system.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
- Strong PC skills with proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet, database and project management software (Google and Microsoft products).
- Demonstrated effective communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills in order to interface with and motivate all levels of personnel.
- Demonstrated commitment to compliance with applicable laws and regulations, the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and other Company policies and procedures.
- Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work in team environment.
Required Certification/Licenses/Training:
- Registration as a Professional Engineer or Engineer-in-Training.
- Confined space training certification.
Physical Requirements:
- Field work requires frequent visits to MCRR project locations at Jones Island Water Reclamation Facility, South Shore Water Reclamation Facility, or Conveyance Facilities, that could include heights, below ground, or confined space entry.
Additional Information
Benefits:
Veolia’s comprehensive benefits package includes paid time off policies, as well as health, dental, vision, life insurance, savings accounts, tuition reimbursement, paid volunteering and more. In addition, employees are also entitled to participate in an employer sponsored 401(k) plan, to save for retirement.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer! All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.
See all 4,692+ OPT Project Engineer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Project Engineer
Target engineering firms with active H-1B histories
Large construction, infrastructure, and manufacturing companies file H-1B petitions regularly for engineers. Focusing your search on firms with established sponsorship pipelines significantly improves your odds of converting OPT to long-term work authorization.
Confirm your degree qualifies for STEM OPT extension
Project Engineer roles typically fall under STEM-designated CIP codes in civil, mechanical, or electrical engineering. Verify your specific program is on the STEM OPT list before accepting an offer, since your extension eligibility depends on it.
Apply early relative to your OPT end date
Many engineering firms have hiring cycles tied to project pipelines. Starting your search at least four to six months before your OPT expires gives employers time to initiate H-1B sponsorship without feeling rushed by your timeline.
Frame your EIT or PE progress clearly on your resume
Engineer-in-Training certification or progress toward a Professional Engineer license signals long-term commitment to U.S. employers. Mentioning it directly addresses a common hesitation around sponsoring early-career engineers on OPT.
Prepare a concise explanation of your OPT timeline
Hiring managers in engineering often have limited immigration knowledge. A clear, one-paragraph summary of your current status, STEM extension eligibility, and H-1B timeline helps move conversations forward without making sponsorship feel complicated or uncertain.
Prioritize roles tied to long-term projects
Multi-year infrastructure, construction, or manufacturing projects give employers a strong business reason to sponsor you. Roles on projects with defined timelines beyond 18 months make the cost of H-1B sponsorship easier for hiring managers to justify internally.
Project Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Project Engineer jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most Project Engineer roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as civil, mechanical, electrical, or industrial engineering. The extension requires your employer to enroll in E-Verify and submit a formal training plan with your DSO. Confirm your specific CIP code is on the official STEM OPT list before relying on extension eligibility.
How do I find Project Engineer employers willing to sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate filters Project Engineer jobs by OPT and visa sponsorship eligibility, so you can focus on employers who are already open to international candidates. Large engineering, construction, and infrastructure firms tend to have the most established sponsorship processes, but mid-size firms with active federal or state contracts also sponsor engineers regularly.
Can I start a Project Engineer job while my OPT application is still pending?
No. You must have your EAD card in hand before starting work. USCIS recommends filing your OPT application 90 days before your program end date, and processing takes up to 90 days. Coordinate your offer acceptance and start date carefully to avoid a gap between your I-20 program end date and EAD receipt.
What happens to my OPT status if a Project Engineer contract ends early?
F-1 OPT students are allowed an unemployment period of up to 90 cumulative days on standard OPT, reduced to 60 days during the STEM extension. If a contract ends unexpectedly, you need to find new qualifying employment within that window or your OPT status falls out of compliance. Report any employment changes to your DSO promptly.
Is a Project Engineer role considered qualifying employment for OPT purposes?
Yes, as long as the work is directly related to your degree field. A civil engineering graduate working on construction project management clearly qualifies. A mechanical engineering graduate in a manufacturing coordination role also qualifies. The key is that your job duties must connect to your major field of study, which most Project Engineer roles do by definition.