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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INTRODUCTION
RRC is seeking a talented Structural Engineer I to help us build the future of U.S. and Canadian energy production. This position will be based in Minneapolis, MN. RRC is a multi-disciplinary engineering firm that specializes in energy projects, particularly renewable energy, throughout the United States. Founded in 2007, RRC provides a culture where employees are valued while contributing to meaningful projects. This is an opportunity to work at the forefront of the evolving energy production landscape.
RRC CORE VALUES
Must understand and personify RRC’s core values:
- Client Satisfaction – understands the goal of always exceeding our client’s expectations
- Employee Happiness – able to work well with others, communicate clearly with coworkers, promote a positive work environment, and mediate conflicts between team members
- Quality Work – able to take ownership, work independently, prioritize workload, and deliver quality results on time while working on multiple projects simultaneously
- Above and Beyond – versatile, flexible, able to anticipate the needs of the company, take the initiative, and willing to go out of your way to assist others
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Take directions from senior-level engineers to assist with design related tasks while gaining experience and learning the skills necessary to carry out successful projects.
- Review project-related design documents, such as fabrication shop drawings, for completion and errors.
- Help model various structures using finite element modeling to be used for design.
- Review various design codes to apply the appropriate design standards.
- Assist in preparing engineering calculations, technical reports, design packages, and construction documents.
- Perform value engineering design analyses to determine the most cost-competitive design.
- Coordinate with multidisciplinary project teams to support successful project execution.
- Ability to manage detailed project information and prioritize tasks.
- Utilize Microsoft Excel and Word to analyze and communicate design information.
- Project site-visits to inspect construction quality are possible on occasion.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES)
- Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Structural Engineering from an ABET-accredited program (required); Master’s degree preferred.
- 0 - 3+ years of engineering experience.
- Successful completion of the F.E. exam (Engineer in Training (E.I.T.) registration) is required with the goal of pursuing professional licensure once the required experience has been acquired.
- Prior experience within the energy industry is preferred but not required.
- An interest in reinforced concrete is preferred.
- Possess strong oral and writing skills to effectively communicate between project team members and clients.
- Ability to manage detailed project information and prioritize tasks.
- Interest in using several different structural design codes including IBC, ACI, ASCE 7, AISC, etc.
- Well versed in Microsoft Excel and Word.
- AutoCAD and/or finite element analysis experience is preferred, but not required. All necessary training will be provided.
- Must be willing to travel to project locations for short durations (typically one to two days per trip) around the U.S. at least a few times per year. Must have the ability to walk on and inspect structural reinforcement.
BENEFITS
RRC is committed to investing in talented employees because we recognize that healthy, happy employees provide the best path to sustaining a successful business. RRC offers competitive salaries and benefits for full-time employees, including:
- Flexible work hours to accommodate work-life balance.
- Health, dental, and vision insurance.
- 401k matching.
- Bonus eligibility.
- Tuition reimbursement for certain pre-approved education pursuits.
- RRSP matching (Canada), 401k matching (US).
RRC thanks you for your interest in joining RRC. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
No recruiters or staffing firms please.
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.
RRC Companies is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment and assessment process. If you require an accommodation, please contact Human Resources or the recruitment contact listed in this posting.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
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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.