Resident Engineer Jobs for OPT Students
Resident Engineer jobs on OPT require active F-1 work authorization through STEM OPT or standard OPT. Most roles sit within construction, infrastructure, or systems integration and expect on-site presence, making employer sponsorship conversations straightforward since the work is inherently U.S.-based.
See All Resident Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 47+ Resident Engineer jobs
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all 47+ Resident Engineer jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Resident Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsCompany Description
We are Olsson. We engineer and design solutions that improve the world around us. As a company, we promise to always be responsive, transparent, and focused on results – for our people, our clients, and our company. We’re a people-centric firm, so it’s no surprise our greatest asset is our people. The impact this creates is an environment that encourages our people to grow and be creative with their talents. This approach builds a culture that is uniquely Olsson. It allows us to grow our people as we grow our business. This, in turn, creates a lasting impact on the world around us.
Job Description
Olsson delivers multidisciplinary design services for some of the world’s most innovative companies. Our U.S. data center projects rank among the largest and most complex engineering efforts today, giving you the chance to shape critical infrastructure that powers global connectivity. We are seeking a skilled Engineer to join our industry-leading Data Center team. In this role, you will oversee large, multidiscipline design projects during the construction phase, ensuring the project adheres to the approved design, specifications, and contractual agreements while promptly resolving issues during construction. You will be responsible for driving the project forward through project closeout, ensuring successful delivery on time, within scope, and on budget.
We currently have one opening and are considering candidates based in Cedar Rapids, IA, Hickory, NC, or Conover, NC. Future opportunities may include relocation, remote, or hybrid options.
Qualifications
You are passionate about:
- Working collaboratively with others
- Having ownership in the work you do
- Using your talents to positively affect communities
- Empowering others to use their talents
- Providing core knowledge of engineering and design terminology, contracts, financials, and operations
- Addressing challenges head-on and finding solutions that foster a collaborative environment
- Utilizing dynamic decision-making, leadership, and negotiation skills
You Bring To The Team
- Strong communication skills
- Ability to contribute and work well on a team
- A minimum of 4 years of project experience in the AEC industry, demonstrating increasing responsibility
- At least 2 years of experience in project or construction management within a relevant industry, potentially concurrent with project experience
- Outstanding organizational strength, effective time management, and a keen attention to detail
- Demonstrated expertise in exceeding client expectations through project and construction management aptitude
Additional Information
Olsson specializes in engineering and design, client advisory services, planning, field services, and environmental. Improving the world has been our mindset from the very beginning, back when Olsson first opened for business in 1956. And it will be our mindset for years to come.
As An Olsson Employee, You Will
- Receive a competitive 401(k) match
- Be empowered to build your career with tailored development paths
- Have the possibility for flexible work arrangements
- Engage in work that has a positive impact on communities
- Participate in a wellness program promoting balanced lifestyles
In addition, full-time employees will receive our traditional benefits package (health care, vision, dental, paid time off, etc.) and the opportunity to participate in a bonus system that rewards performance.
Olsson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage qualified minority, female, veteran, and disabled candidates to apply and be considered for open positions. We do not discriminate against any applicant for employment or any employee because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender, disability, age, military status, or other protected status. Olsson understands the importance of privacy and is committed to protecting job applicants’ personal information. Pursuant to the California Consumer Privacy Act, as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (collectively, the “CCPA”), this notice explains Olsson’s practices regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information for job applicants residing in California. Please read this Notice carefully to understand our privacy practices. For more information about the types of information we collect and how we use it in connection with your general access and use of our website, please review our general California Privacy Notice here.
Company Description
We are Olsson. We engineer and design solutions that improve the world around us. As a company, we promise to always be responsive, transparent, and focused on results – for our people, our clients, and our company. We’re a people-centric firm, so it’s no surprise our greatest asset is our people. The impact this creates is an environment that encourages our people to grow and be creative with their talents. This approach builds a culture that is uniquely Olsson. It allows us to grow our people as we grow our business. This, in turn, creates a lasting impact on the world around us.
Job Description
Olsson delivers multidisciplinary design services for some of the world’s most innovative companies. Our U.S. data center projects rank among the largest and most complex engineering efforts today, giving you the chance to shape critical infrastructure that powers global connectivity. We are seeking a skilled Engineer to join our industry-leading Data Center team. In this role, you will oversee large, multidiscipline design projects during the construction phase, ensuring the project adheres to the approved design, specifications, and contractual agreements while promptly resolving issues during construction. You will be responsible for driving the project forward through project closeout, ensuring successful delivery on time, within scope, and on budget.
We currently have one opening and are considering candidates based in Cedar Rapids, IA, Hickory, NC, or Conover, NC. Future opportunities may include relocation, remote, or hybrid options.
Qualifications
You are passionate about:
- Working collaboratively with others
- Having ownership in the work you do
- Using your talents to positively affect communities
- Empowering others to use their talents
- Providing core knowledge of engineering and design terminology, contracts, financials, and operations
- Addressing challenges head-on and finding solutions that foster a collaborative environment
- Utilizing dynamic decision-making, leadership, and negotiation skills
You Bring To The Team
- Strong communication skills
- Ability to contribute and work well on a team
- A minimum of 4 years of project experience in the AEC industry, demonstrating increasing responsibility
- At least 2 years of experience in project or construction management within a relevant industry, potentially concurrent with project experience
- Outstanding organizational strength, effective time management, and a keen attention to detail
- Demonstrated expertise in exceeding client expectations through project and construction management aptitude
Additional Information
Olsson specializes in engineering and design, client advisory services, planning, field services, and environmental. Improving the world has been our mindset from the very beginning, back when Olsson first opened for business in 1956. And it will be our mindset for years to come.
As An Olsson Employee, You Will
- Receive a competitive 401(k) match
- Be empowered to build your career with tailored development paths
- Have the possibility for flexible work arrangements
- Engage in work that has a positive impact on communities
- Participate in a wellness program promoting balanced lifestyles
In addition, full-time employees will receive our traditional benefits package (health care, vision, dental, paid time off, etc.) and the opportunity to participate in a bonus system that rewards performance.
Olsson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage qualified minority, female, veteran, and disabled candidates to apply and be considered for open positions. We do not discriminate against any applicant for employment or any employee because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender, disability, age, military status, or other protected status. Olsson understands the importance of privacy and is committed to protecting job applicants’ personal information. Pursuant to the California Consumer Privacy Act, as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (collectively, the “CCPA”), this notice explains Olsson’s practices regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information for job applicants residing in California. Please read this Notice carefully to understand our privacy practices. For more information about the types of information we collect and how we use it in connection with your general access and use of our website, please review our general California Privacy Notice here.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Resident Engineer
Target infrastructure-heavy employers first
Large engineering and construction firms, transit agencies, and utilities regularly hire Resident Engineers and have established OPT onboarding processes. These employers file Labor Condition Applications routinely, making OPT-to-H-1B transitions more predictable than at smaller firms.
Emphasize your on-site availability clearly
Resident Engineers are expected to be physically present at project sites. Explicitly stating your local availability and willingness to be on-site removes a common employer hesitation about hiring international students on work authorization.
Apply before your OPT start date if possible
Many employers need four to eight weeks to process paperwork for OPT hires. Starting your search two to three months before your OPT begins gives you a realistic runway to receive an offer and complete onboarding on time.
Know your STEM OPT extension eligibility
Engineering degrees in civil, mechanical, electrical, and systems disciplines typically qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirming your program's CIP code eligibility before interviews lets you confidently discuss your three-year total authorization window.
Connect your degree field directly to the role
OPT authorization must align with your degree field. When applying, make clear how your engineering degree maps to Resident Engineer duties like construction oversight, quality control, or systems commissioning to satisfy both employers and your DSO.
Prepare your employment verification documents in advance
Have your EAD card, I-20 with OPT authorization, and university DSO contact details ready before any offer is extended. Employers unfamiliar with OPT move faster when you remove uncertainty by presenting complete documentation proactively.
Resident Engineer jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Resident Engineer JobsSee all 47+ Resident Engineer jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Resident Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Resident Engineer on OPT?
Yes, provided your OPT is authorized for your engineering degree field and the Resident Engineer role falls within that field. Most Resident Engineer positions in civil, mechanical, or systems engineering align directly with qualifying STEM degrees, making OPT authorization straightforward. Confirm the fit with your DSO before accepting an offer.
Do Resident Engineer employers commonly sponsor OPT students?
Infrastructure contractors, transit agencies, and engineering consulting firms hire OPT students regularly because Resident Engineer roles require on-site U.S. presence, making international remote workarounds impractical. Employers in these sectors are generally familiar with OPT documentation requirements. Migrate Mate lists Resident Engineer roles specifically from employers open to OPT candidates, so you can filter for those opportunities directly.
Does a Resident Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree's CIP code, not the job title itself. If your engineering degree is listed on the STEM Designated Degree Program list, and your Resident Engineer duties substantively relate to that field, you qualify for the 24-month extension. Check your I-20's CIP code against the official STEM list and confirm with your DSO.
What happens if my OPT expires mid-project?
Your employer would need to file an H-1B petition or another nonimmigrant work visa to keep you on. For Resident Engineers, employers often pursue H-1B sponsorship because replacing someone mid-project carries real operational cost. Proactively discuss the H-1B timeline with your employer well before your OPT end date to avoid a gap in authorization.
How do I find Resident Engineer jobs that accept OPT students?
Standard job boards rarely filter for OPT eligibility, which means significant time spent applying to roles where sponsorship was never an option. Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and surfaces Resident Engineer roles from employers who have sponsored work visas before, so you can focus your applications where authorization is genuinely on the table.
See which Resident Engineer employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
Search Resident Engineer Jobs