Structural Engineer Jobs for OPT Students
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 JobsThe Opportunity:
Tetra Tech is seeking a Structural Engineer (EIT) to join our growing team. In this role, you will contribute to the design and delivery of building structures for government, public, and private clients. Working under the mentorship of Senior Structural Engineers, you will gain hands-on experience with design, construction documentation, and field evaluations. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated EIT to grow into a project design engineer role while advancing toward PE licensure.
Why Tetra Tech:
At Tetra Tech, we are Leading with Science to solve the world’s most complex challenges. Our industry-leading experts in engineering and consulting are committed to driving positive change in communities around the world. For over 50 years, we have been at the forefront of innovation and sustainability. Today we stand as a market leader, offering cutting-edge solutions in water, environment, energy, and international development. Our work has improved more than 625 million lives around the world.
Your Impact:
Join Tetra Tech to make a real difference. Our work leverages cutting-edge technologies, advanced analytics, and the expertise of world-class scientists and engineers to create meaningful change around the world. Discover your full potential – join us to advance your career while leaving a lasting legacy.
Your Role:
- Design structural systems under the guidance of experienced engineers, including calculations, layouts, sizing, and specifications.
- Conduct site visits to evaluate existing structural systems and inspect ongoing/completed work.
- Develop Structural Construction Documents using Revit and/or AutoCAD.
- Review and respond to RFIs, submittals, and design-related inquiries in a timely, professional manner.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering with Structural Engineering focus.
- Master’s Degree in Structural Engineering (preferred).
- Engineer in Training (EIT) Certification required with a desire to pursue PE licensure in the near future.
- 1+ years of relevant engineering experience, including internships or co-op positions.
- Proficient in AutoCAD and Revit/BIM with working knowledge of MS Office.
- Knowledgeable in design standards such as ASCE 7, AISC 360, and ACI 318.
- Knowledgeable in the design of structural steel, reinforced concrete, and masonry.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential.
Life at Tetra Tech:
The perks of working at Tetra Tech include:
- Comprehensive and market-competitive benefits.
- Merit-based financial rewards.
- Flexibility and company-wide commitment to work/life balance.
- Collaborative team atmosphere that values the contributions of all employees.
- Learning and development opportunities for ongoing professional growth.
About Tetra Tech:
Tetra Tech is the leader in water, environment, and sustainable infrastructure, providing high-end consulting and engineering services for projects worldwide. With 30,000 employees working together, Tetra Tech provides clear solutions to complex problems by Leading with Science® to address the entire water cycle, protect and restore the environment, design sustainable and resilient infrastructure, and support the clean energy transition.
Tetra Tech is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law. Tetra Tech is a VEVRAA federal contractor and we request priority referral of veterans.
We invite applications from all interested parties.
The Opportunity:
Tetra Tech is seeking a Structural Engineer (EIT) to join our growing team. In this role, you will contribute to the design and delivery of building structures for government, public, and private clients. Working under the mentorship of Senior Structural Engineers, you will gain hands-on experience with design, construction documentation, and field evaluations. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated EIT to grow into a project design engineer role while advancing toward PE licensure.
Why Tetra Tech:
At Tetra Tech, we are Leading with Science to solve the world’s most complex challenges. Our industry-leading experts in engineering and consulting are committed to driving positive change in communities around the world. For over 50 years, we have been at the forefront of innovation and sustainability. Today we stand as a market leader, offering cutting-edge solutions in water, environment, energy, and international development. Our work has improved more than 625 million lives around the world.
Your Impact:
Join Tetra Tech to make a real difference. Our work leverages cutting-edge technologies, advanced analytics, and the expertise of world-class scientists and engineers to create meaningful change around the world. Discover your full potential – join us to advance your career while leaving a lasting legacy.
Your Role:
- Design structural systems under the guidance of experienced engineers, including calculations, layouts, sizing, and specifications.
- Conduct site visits to evaluate existing structural systems and inspect ongoing/completed work.
- Develop Structural Construction Documents using Revit and/or AutoCAD.
- Review and respond to RFIs, submittals, and design-related inquiries in a timely, professional manner.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering with Structural Engineering focus.
- Master’s Degree in Structural Engineering (preferred).
- Engineer in Training (EIT) Certification required with a desire to pursue PE licensure in the near future.
- 1+ years of relevant engineering experience, including internships or co-op positions.
- Proficient in AutoCAD and Revit/BIM with working knowledge of MS Office.
- Knowledgeable in design standards such as ASCE 7, AISC 360, and ACI 318.
- Knowledgeable in the design of structural steel, reinforced concrete, and masonry.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential.
Life at Tetra Tech:
The perks of working at Tetra Tech include:
- Comprehensive and market-competitive benefits.
- Merit-based financial rewards.
- Flexibility and company-wide commitment to work/life balance.
- Collaborative team atmosphere that values the contributions of all employees.
- Learning and development opportunities for ongoing professional growth.
About Tetra Tech:
Tetra Tech is the leader in water, environment, and sustainable infrastructure, providing high-end consulting and engineering services for projects worldwide. With 30,000 employees working together, Tetra Tech provides clear solutions to complex problems by Leading with Science® to address the entire water cycle, protect and restore the environment, design sustainable and resilient infrastructure, and support the clean energy transition.
Tetra Tech is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law. Tetra Tech is a VEVRAA federal contractor and we request priority referral of veterans.
We invite applications from all interested parties.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Structural Engineer
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 jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently 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.
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