OPT Structural Engineer Jobs
Structural Engineer OPT jobs are a strong match for F-1 students with degrees in civil or structural engineering. Most roles qualify as STEM OPT, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers in this field routinely sponsor H-1B visas, making it one of the more stable long-term paths for international engineers.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
At DPR, roles and responsibilities are more than describing a job title—they are a commitment to building great things together. The job description(s) below defines core responsibilities and the scope of the role and is a starting point. Every employee is expected to lead from where they are, take ownership of outcomes, and always act in the best interest of the team, customer, project and organization.
As a purpose-driven organization on a journey to be most admired, we rely on trust, shared leadership, open communication, disciplined action and a deep respect for the individual to drive exceptional performance. Success is not just about what we build, but who we build and how we build it: with integrity, enjoyment, uniqueness and an ever-forward mindset.
JOB SUMMARY
Responsible for the development of drawings, specifications, and calculations throughout all phases of project design under close supervision. Assist in developing structural designs and analytical models for various building types and materials and perform calculations and analyses using basic knowledge of all relevant codes. Collaborate with engineers, modelers, detailers and external stakeholders to produce accurate 2D and 3D models using CAD tools, including Tekla Structures, and deliver coordinated, high-quality design solutions within budget and schedule. Support construction administration activities by reviewing submittals, responding to RFIs, and participating in site visits as directed.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assist in the production of drawings, specifications, and calculations, with tasks that are general and system-wide in nature, during a project’s design phase life cycle from conceptual design to completion of construction documents under close supervision and coordination with managers.
- Assist in the development of structural designs and analytical models for various building types and materials using basic knowledge of all relevant codes.
- Supports construction administration activities, including reviewing shop drawings, responding to RFIs, and conducting site visits.
- Utilize working knowledge of CAD software, including Tekla Structures, and other tools to create 2D drawings and 3D models.
- Participates in internal and external coordination meetings to communicate progress and resolve design issues.
- Participates in professional development and identifies opportunities for technical and process enhancements.
EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s degree in engineering with a structural focus or equivalent experience required.
WORK EXPERIENCE
4+ years of experience in structural engineering required.
CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES
Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
NCEES record for licensure maintenance preferred.
LOCATION
This position is located in Phoenix, AZ.
DPR Construction is a forward-thinking, self-performing general contractor specializing in technically complex and sustainable projects for the advanced technology, life sciences, healthcare, higher education and commercial markets. Founded in 1990, DPR is a great story of entrepreneurial success as a private, employee-owned company that has grown into a multi-billion-dollar family of companies with offices around the world.
Working at DPR, you'll have the chance to try new things, explore paths and shape your future. Here, we build opportunity together—by harnessing our talents, enabling curiosity and pursuing our collective ambition to make the best ideas happen. We are proud to be recognized as a great place to work by our talented teammates and leading news organizations like U.S. News and World Report, Forbes, Fast Company and Newsweek.
Explore our open opportunities at www.dpr.com/careers.
INTRODUCTION
At DPR, roles and responsibilities are more than describing a job title—they are a commitment to building great things together. The job description(s) below defines core responsibilities and the scope of the role and is a starting point. Every employee is expected to lead from where they are, take ownership of outcomes, and always act in the best interest of the team, customer, project and organization.
As a purpose-driven organization on a journey to be most admired, we rely on trust, shared leadership, open communication, disciplined action and a deep respect for the individual to drive exceptional performance. Success is not just about what we build, but who we build and how we build it: with integrity, enjoyment, uniqueness and an ever-forward mindset.
JOB SUMMARY
Responsible for the development of drawings, specifications, and calculations throughout all phases of project design under close supervision. Assist in developing structural designs and analytical models for various building types and materials and perform calculations and analyses using basic knowledge of all relevant codes. Collaborate with engineers, modelers, detailers and external stakeholders to produce accurate 2D and 3D models using CAD tools, including Tekla Structures, and deliver coordinated, high-quality design solutions within budget and schedule. Support construction administration activities by reviewing submittals, responding to RFIs, and participating in site visits as directed.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assist in the production of drawings, specifications, and calculations, with tasks that are general and system-wide in nature, during a project’s design phase life cycle from conceptual design to completion of construction documents under close supervision and coordination with managers.
- Assist in the development of structural designs and analytical models for various building types and materials using basic knowledge of all relevant codes.
- Supports construction administration activities, including reviewing shop drawings, responding to RFIs, and conducting site visits.
- Utilize working knowledge of CAD software, including Tekla Structures, and other tools to create 2D drawings and 3D models.
- Participates in internal and external coordination meetings to communicate progress and resolve design issues.
- Participates in professional development and identifies opportunities for technical and process enhancements.
EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s degree in engineering with a structural focus or equivalent experience required.
WORK EXPERIENCE
4+ years of experience in structural engineering required.
CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES
Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
NCEES record for licensure maintenance preferred.
LOCATION
This position is located in Phoenix, AZ.
DPR Construction is a forward-thinking, self-performing general contractor specializing in technically complex and sustainable projects for the advanced technology, life sciences, healthcare, higher education and commercial markets. Founded in 1990, DPR is a great story of entrepreneurial success as a private, employee-owned company that has grown into a multi-billion-dollar family of companies with offices around the world.
Working at DPR, you'll have the chance to try new things, explore paths and shape your future. Here, we build opportunity together—by harnessing our talents, enabling curiosity and pursuing our collective ambition to make the best ideas happen. We are proud to be recognized as a great place to work by our talented teammates and leading news organizations like U.S. News and World Report, Forbes, Fast Company and Newsweek.
Explore our open opportunities at www.dpr.com/careers.
See all 463+ OPT Structural Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Structural Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Structural Engineer
Target firms with an active H-1B filing history
Engineering consultancies and construction firms that file H-1B petitions regularly are far more likely to extend OPT students. Check public LCA disclosure data to confirm a firm has sponsored engineers before applying.
Apply your STEM OPT extension early
File your STEM OPT extension application at least 90 days before your initial OPT expires. Missing this window means losing work authorization, which makes employer sponsorship conversations far more complicated and urgent.
Align your degree field with the job description
Structural Engineer roles require a degree in civil, structural, or architectural engineering. Confirm your diploma field matches before applying. A mismatch between your degree and role can create complications for both OPT eligibility and future H-1B petitions.
Highlight PE exam progress in your applications
Many structural engineering roles expect candidates to be working toward Professional Engineer licensure. Mentioning your EIT credential or exam progress signals long-term commitment and makes employers more willing to invest in sponsorship.
Focus on mid-sized engineering consultancies
Large infrastructure and structural engineering firms often have established international hiring pipelines. Mid-sized firms with government or infrastructure contracts also sponsor frequently and tend to have faster hiring decisions than large corporations.
Be transparent about your OPT timeline upfront
Disclose your work authorization status before the offer stage, not after. Structural engineering hiring cycles can be long. Employers who know your timeline early can plan H-1B sponsorship without feeling blindsided by a deadline.
Structural Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Structural Engineer jobs qualify for STEM OPT extension?
Yes. Structural engineering roles almost always qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension because civil and structural engineering degrees appear on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. That gives eligible F-1 students up to 36 months of total OPT work authorization, which is enough time to go through two H-1B lottery cycles.
How common is H-1B sponsorship for structural engineers?
Structural and civil engineering is one of the more sponsorship-friendly fields. Engineering consultancies, infrastructure contractors, and firms working on federal or state projects regularly file H-1B petitions for foreign national engineers. The specialty occupation requirement is straightforward to satisfy because the role demands a specific engineering degree, which makes approvals more predictable than in fields with broader degree requirements.
Can I work on a project site on OPT as a structural engineer?
Yes, working on construction or project sites is permitted under OPT as long as the work is directly related to your degree field. Structural engineering fieldwork, site inspections, and project coordination all qualify. Your employer should document how your on-site responsibilities connect to your engineering degree in case your DSO ever needs to verify compliance.
Where can I find Structural Engineer jobs that sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters jobs by visa sponsorship willingness. Searching for structural engineer roles there surfaces employers who have already indicated openness to sponsoring international candidates, saving you time you'd otherwise spend filtering out positions that won't consider OPT or H-1B applicants.
Does consulting or contract work count toward my OPT employment requirement?
It can, but with important conditions. OPT allows self-employment and independent contracting as long as the work is directly related to your major field of study and meets the minimum 20-hours-per-week threshold. If you take contract structural engineering work, keep clear records of your projects, hours, and how each engagement ties to your engineering degree. Report any employer changes to your DSO promptly.