OPT Structural Designer Jobs
Structural Designer jobs on OPT typically fall under civil or mechanical engineering roles, which are STEM-designated and qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Most employers require proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit, or STAAD.Pro, and many will sponsor H-1B visa after your OPT period.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The Hargrove Recruiting Team is looking for talented Civil/Structural Designers to join our team in Kingsport, Tennessee. This position is a full-time, long-term opportunity as a part of Hargrove's Technical Services team providing a "One Team" culture. This role offers a highly competitive compensation package, including paid time off, health insurance benefits, and matching retirement contributions.
Location: Kingsport, TN (Onsite Required)
This position is based onsite in Kingsport, TN and requires a regular on-site presence.
Relocation assistance in the form of a one-time relocation bonus of up to $5,000 less applicable taxes may be offered for eligible candidates. To qualify, the candidate’s primary residence must be located more than 75 miles from the Kingsport, TN client site.
What You'll Be Doing
Job Summary: Generally responsible for performing all aspects for complete design of civil/structural assignments using theoretical knowledge and practical design methods. With experience in this level, you are expected to assist in the design of larger and more complex civil/structural assignments. This work will be performed under general supervision.
Primary responsibilities will include but not be limited to:
- Familiarity with and utilization of department design and drafting standards.
- Recognizing and communicating project scope, specifications and design criteria upon assignment to a project task team.
- Reviewing and comprehending the latest information available regarding civil/structural calculations, equipment drawings and layouts or drawings from other disciplines before initiating design effort on specific drawings.
- Drafting civil/structural plans under minimal supervision.
- Being knowledgeable of basic civil material specifications to the extent that all information required for material purchase, fabrication and construction is reflected on the finished drawings.
- Recognizing and communicating scope and design changes promptly.
- Performing field related work collecting design information and verifying designs for tie-ins, function and clearances to existing facility.
- On-site assistance during startup.
- Performing field support activities, where assigned, for engineering support during construction.
- Assisting engineers with cost and material estimates and preliminary design studies.
- Checking the accuracy and quality of drawings developed by drafters, when assigned, based on information conveyed by engineering direction, equipment and discipline drawings.
- Providing technical guidance to less experienced drafting personnel in the department.
- Coordinating & delegating work activities with other teammates and the discipline leads.
- Producing civil/structural construction scopes with engineering review and approval.
- Ability to serve in role as a mentor for entry level and new teammates.
This position offers a highly competitive compensation package, including paid time off, health insurance benefits, and matching retirement contributions.
Ideal Background
Education: Associate degree in Engineering Technology or Computer-Aided Drafting is required.
Certification: Certification is not required at this level.
Experience: This position requires 4+ years of relevant industrial experience in civil/structural drafting and design.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Knowledge and application of AISC and ACI standard details. Ability to produce drawings for concrete and structural steel, and/or civil disciplines.
- Familiarity with specifications and installation details of construction bulk materials and equipment.
- Knowledge and application of company engineering design and CAD drafting standards.
- Ability to create accurate civil/structural construction documents from the information found on vendor equipment drawings.
- Knowledge and understanding of work flow/information flow between disciplines.
- Knowledge and understanding of schedule constraints and information requirements for the production of all civil/structural deliverables.
- Ability to accurately estimate completion of assigned tasks.
- Ability to develop a construction cost estimate, a detailed engineering schedule and a man-hour budget for a small project or an area for a larger project with engineering review and approval.
- Ability to lead a small team to deliver on commitments.
- Ability to deliver good presentations of Hargrove Engineers + Constructors services.
- Good communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Good presentation skills.
- Virtual team skills and cross divisional relationships are developed, and able to provide interoffice execution support under general supervision. Interoffice execution leadership skills are developing.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to sit, stand, or walk for long periods of time.
Hargrove Culture
We work to create an environment founded on trust, personal integrity, and a “team mentality” so that each person understands the value of their contributions both on a project and company-wide level. We know that each person on our team contributes to the success of our company by pairing expertise and passion to meet and exceed the needs of the clients we serve across the globe.
Our safety culture protects and promotes the well-being of every person who works with us and every person touched by our work.
As a 100% Teammate owned company, we proudly offer a comprehensive benefits package including, paid holidays, personal paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, 401(k), and other benefits to eligible Teammates.
Equal Opportunity Employment Statement
Hargrove is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex (including gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, sexual identity, marital or family status), disability, military service or obligations, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Hargrove is a drug-free workplace.
The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.
INTRODUCTION
The Hargrove Recruiting Team is looking for talented Civil/Structural Designers to join our team in Kingsport, Tennessee. This position is a full-time, long-term opportunity as a part of Hargrove's Technical Services team providing a "One Team" culture. This role offers a highly competitive compensation package, including paid time off, health insurance benefits, and matching retirement contributions.
Location: Kingsport, TN (Onsite Required)
This position is based onsite in Kingsport, TN and requires a regular on-site presence.
Relocation assistance in the form of a one-time relocation bonus of up to $5,000 less applicable taxes may be offered for eligible candidates. To qualify, the candidate’s primary residence must be located more than 75 miles from the Kingsport, TN client site.
What You'll Be Doing
Job Summary: Generally responsible for performing all aspects for complete design of civil/structural assignments using theoretical knowledge and practical design methods. With experience in this level, you are expected to assist in the design of larger and more complex civil/structural assignments. This work will be performed under general supervision.
Primary responsibilities will include but not be limited to:
- Familiarity with and utilization of department design and drafting standards.
- Recognizing and communicating project scope, specifications and design criteria upon assignment to a project task team.
- Reviewing and comprehending the latest information available regarding civil/structural calculations, equipment drawings and layouts or drawings from other disciplines before initiating design effort on specific drawings.
- Drafting civil/structural plans under minimal supervision.
- Being knowledgeable of basic civil material specifications to the extent that all information required for material purchase, fabrication and construction is reflected on the finished drawings.
- Recognizing and communicating scope and design changes promptly.
- Performing field related work collecting design information and verifying designs for tie-ins, function and clearances to existing facility.
- On-site assistance during startup.
- Performing field support activities, where assigned, for engineering support during construction.
- Assisting engineers with cost and material estimates and preliminary design studies.
- Checking the accuracy and quality of drawings developed by drafters, when assigned, based on information conveyed by engineering direction, equipment and discipline drawings.
- Providing technical guidance to less experienced drafting personnel in the department.
- Coordinating & delegating work activities with other teammates and the discipline leads.
- Producing civil/structural construction scopes with engineering review and approval.
- Ability to serve in role as a mentor for entry level and new teammates.
This position offers a highly competitive compensation package, including paid time off, health insurance benefits, and matching retirement contributions.
Ideal Background
Education: Associate degree in Engineering Technology or Computer-Aided Drafting is required.
Certification: Certification is not required at this level.
Experience: This position requires 4+ years of relevant industrial experience in civil/structural drafting and design.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Knowledge and application of AISC and ACI standard details. Ability to produce drawings for concrete and structural steel, and/or civil disciplines.
- Familiarity with specifications and installation details of construction bulk materials and equipment.
- Knowledge and application of company engineering design and CAD drafting standards.
- Ability to create accurate civil/structural construction documents from the information found on vendor equipment drawings.
- Knowledge and understanding of work flow/information flow between disciplines.
- Knowledge and understanding of schedule constraints and information requirements for the production of all civil/structural deliverables.
- Ability to accurately estimate completion of assigned tasks.
- Ability to develop a construction cost estimate, a detailed engineering schedule and a man-hour budget for a small project or an area for a larger project with engineering review and approval.
- Ability to lead a small team to deliver on commitments.
- Ability to deliver good presentations of Hargrove Engineers + Constructors services.
- Good communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Good presentation skills.
- Virtual team skills and cross divisional relationships are developed, and able to provide interoffice execution support under general supervision. Interoffice execution leadership skills are developing.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to sit, stand, or walk for long periods of time.
Hargrove Culture
We work to create an environment founded on trust, personal integrity, and a “team mentality” so that each person understands the value of their contributions both on a project and company-wide level. We know that each person on our team contributes to the success of our company by pairing expertise and passion to meet and exceed the needs of the clients we serve across the globe.
Our safety culture protects and promotes the well-being of every person who works with us and every person touched by our work.
As a 100% Teammate owned company, we proudly offer a comprehensive benefits package including, paid holidays, personal paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, 401(k), and other benefits to eligible Teammates.
Equal Opportunity Employment Statement
Hargrove is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex (including gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, sexual identity, marital or family status), disability, military service or obligations, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Hargrove is a drug-free workplace.
The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.
See all 211+ OPT Structural Designer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Structural Designer
Highlight Your STEM OPT Eligibility Upfront
Structural design roles typically qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension under CIP codes for civil or mechanical engineering. Mentioning your STEM eligibility in your resume and cover letter reduces employer hesitation about your work authorization timeline.
Lead With Software Proficiency
Employers sponsoring OPT structural designers prioritize technical skills. List AutoCAD, Revit, STAAD.Pro, SAP2000, and any BIM experience prominently. These tools are hiring signals that justify sponsorship investment for engineering and architecture firms.
Target Engineering Consulting and Infrastructure Firms
Large civil and structural engineering firms sponsor OPT students with more consistency than boutique practices. Focus your search on companies with active federal or infrastructure contracts, which tend to have established visa sponsorship processes and dedicated HR teams.
Frame Your OPT Period as Low-Risk for Employers
With STEM OPT, you can work legally for up to three years before H-1B visa is needed. Communicating this timeline clearly in interviews removes the urgency employers fear and positions sponsorship as a future step, not an immediate burden.
Get Licensed or Start the Process Early
The EIT or Engineer-in-Training credential signals commitment to a U.S. engineering career. Employers sponsoring structural designers want long-term hires, and starting your PE licensure path during OPT demonstrates exactly that kind of investment in your professional trajectory.
Negotiate the E-Verify Requirement Before Accepting Offers
OPT STEM extension requires your employer to be E-Verify enrolled. Confirm this before your final interview round, not after receiving an offer. Most large engineering firms already participate, but smaller firms or subcontractors may need time to enroll.
Structural Designer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Structural Designer roles qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes. Structural Designer positions typically fall under civil or mechanical engineering degree programs, both of which carry STEM-designated CIP codes. That qualifies you for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to three years of total OPT work authorization. Your degree must be from a U.S. accredited institution and listed as STEM by your DSO.
Do employers in structural design commonly sponsor OPT students?
Large civil and structural engineering firms, particularly those working on public infrastructure or government contracts, sponsor OPT students with reasonable frequency. Smaller residential or boutique firms are less consistent. Migrate Mate filters job listings by sponsorship willingness, so you can focus your search on employers who have actively hired OPT and visa-sponsored candidates.
What is the E-Verify requirement for STEM OPT in a structural design role?
To extend your OPT from 12 to 36 months under the STEM extension, your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify. This is a federal employment eligibility verification system. Most engineering firms with federal contracts are already enrolled, but you should confirm enrollment before accepting an offer. Your DSO also needs to approve the STEM extension before your initial OPT expires.
Can I work on a structural design project basis during OPT, or does it need to be full-time employment?
OPT requires that your work authorization is used for employment directly related to your degree. Full-time employment is standard and easiest to document. Project-based or contract work can qualify, but you must be able to demonstrate at least 20 hours per week of work related to your field. Independent contracting arrangements require careful documentation and DSO guidance to avoid jeopardizing your status.
What happens to my OPT status if my structural design employer is acquired or restructured?
If your employer is acquired, merged, or significantly restructured, you need to report the change to your DSO within 10 days. Your OPT authorization is tied to your job being in a field related to your degree, not to a specific employer, but your employer of record must still be E-Verify enrolled for STEM OPT. Confirm the acquiring company's E-Verify status and update your SEVP portal accordingly.