OPT Structural Project Engineer Jobs
Structural Project Engineer jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in civil or structural engineering. Most roles qualify as STEM-designated positions, making you eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Employers in this field routinely sponsor H-1B visas, giving you a realistic path beyond your initial OPT period.
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Get Access To All JobsCompany Description
At KPFF Consulting Engineers, we are more than just an engineering design firm. For over 60 years, we have dedicated ourselves to innovative, sustainable engineering that shapes the built environment and tackles complex infrastructure challenges. Our team culture emphasizes balance, growth, and well-being, supporting each member’s professional journey with flexibility, generous benefits, and a collaborative approach to work-life integration.
With over 1,400 professionals across 27 offices nationwide, KPFF’s decentralized structure allows each office the flexibility to pursue projects aligned with their regional strengths.
Job Description
We are seeking a Structural Engineer to join our team and contribute to a wide range of projects, including civic and institutional buildings, healthcare facilities, residential construction, and research laboratory structures. The Structural Engineer will be responsible for performing structural analysis and seismic design, developing construction documents, and supporting projects through all phases from planning and permitting to construction. The role involves both technical design and collaboration across disciplines, with opportunities for leadership and mentorship.
What You Will Be Doing:
- Designing gravity, lateral, and foundation systems (shallow and deep foundations) for new buildings and retrofit projects in high seismic hazard zones.
- Performing structural analysis and seismic design using finite element analysis (FEA) software such as ETABS, RISA, SAFE, and RAM Steel.
- Designing main building systems—including columns, beams, footings, diaphragms—and secondary systems such as anchorage, bracing, partitions, and retaining walls.
- Analyzing and designing structural members in concrete, steel, and masonry using hand calculations and software (Enercalc, spCol) in compliance with ACI 318, AISC 360, and TMS 402/602 standards.
- Designing new concrete, steel, and masonry structures in accordance with ASCE 7 and the California Building Code (CBC), and developing retrofit schemes for existing buildings in accordance with ASCE 41 and the California Existing Building Code (CEBC).
- Producing comprehensive calculation packages, structural drawings, and details for permit and construction.
- Supporting Construction Administration activities, including submittal review, RFI coordination, and drawing development.
- Collaborating with the BIM department to maintain organizational standards for drawing production.
- Coordinating with project managers, architects, and other engineering disciplines to ensure integrated project delivery.
- Providing technical guidance and oversight to junior engineers to ensure conformance with project design requirements.
- Supervising design engineers in construction administration tasks and ensuring quality control of construction documents.
Salary
Pay Range $100,000-$120,000 salary depending on education, licensure, and applicable experience.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Five years of full-time work experience as an engineer in a structural consulting organization.
- BS in Civil Engineering (with an emphasis in Structures).
- At least a 3.0 cumulative GPA in Undergraduate coursework.
- Transcripts showing completed courses in:
- Structural Analysis
- Mechanics of Materials
- Concrete
- Steel or Wood Design
- Professional Engineer (PE) license.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Eight years of full-time work experience as an engineer in a structural consulting organization.
- Five years of experience training and supervising junior engineers.
- Master’s degree in Structural Engineering or in Civil Engineering with an emphasis in Structures.
- At least a 3.0 cumulative GPA in Graduate coursework.
- Transcripts showing completed graduate level courses in:
- Structural Design
- Steel or Wood Design
- Concrete
- Seismic
- Professional Engineer (PE) license in California.
- Structural Engineer (SE) License in California.
- Highly qualified candidates have full-time work experience as an engineer in a structural consulting organization.
- Proficiency in FEA and structural design software, including ETABS, RISA, SAFE, RAM Steel, Enercalc, and spCol.
- Strong knowledge of relevant codes and standards, including ACI 318, AISC 360, TMS 402/602, ASCE 7, ASCE 41, CBC, and CEBC.
- Ability to design multiple structural materials (concrete, steel, CMU, wood).
- Experience with HCAI/OSHPD projects and/or DSA projects.
- Experience developing retrofit schemes for existing structures.
- Experience designing healthcare, laboratory, or other highly regulated facilities.
- Solid understanding of seismic design principles and experience working in high seismic hazard zones.
- Skilled in preparing technical documents, structural drawings, and calculation packages.
- Strong coordination and communication skills for cross-team collaboration.
- Ability to supervise and mentor design engineers, and provide quality control oversight.
- Strong organizational and time-management abilities to balance multiple projects.
APPLICATION PROCESS
If you are interested in this position, please apply on our careers page. Resumes sent elsewhere will not be considered.
Please provide transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate courses as well as a cover letter. In your cover letter (PDF) please respond to the following prompts:
- Describe a time when you were assigned a project or task that turned out to be really difficult. How did you work through it, and what was the outcome?
- Who has most influenced you and why?
Physical Demands and Work Environment
- Duties are performed in a normal office environment while sitting at a desk or computer table.
- Duties require the ability to actively engage with a computer for several hours per day.
- May occasionally need to lift items up to 15 lbs.
- Duties require in-person attendance, Monday through Friday, during our business hours of 8 AM to 5 PM at our office in Irvine for the training period.
- Following a satisfactory training period a hybrid schedule of 2 days per week in the office may be accommodated.
Our Offices
Our Greater Los Angeles Structural office has two locations at the Bloc in Downtown Los Angeles and at the Irvine Towers in Irvine. A warm and friendly environment, we are dedicated to growing with our employees and allowing people to pursue their passions.
KPFF Consulting Engineers participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
Our Employees
Are valued and empowered, collaborative and team oriented, innovative in their approach and passionate about their work. They are reliable, trustworthy, and open with a high level of integrity. They value diversity, are inclusive and are committed to critically thinking through problems and finding solutions.
KPFF Consulting Engineers participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
KPFF Consulting Engineers is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, religion, marital status, sex/gender (including sexual orientation or gender identity), pregnancy, veteran status, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, or any other protected basis.
Company Description
At KPFF Consulting Engineers, we are more than just an engineering design firm. For over 60 years, we have dedicated ourselves to innovative, sustainable engineering that shapes the built environment and tackles complex infrastructure challenges. Our team culture emphasizes balance, growth, and well-being, supporting each member’s professional journey with flexibility, generous benefits, and a collaborative approach to work-life integration.
With over 1,400 professionals across 27 offices nationwide, KPFF’s decentralized structure allows each office the flexibility to pursue projects aligned with their regional strengths.
Job Description
We are seeking a Structural Engineer to join our team and contribute to a wide range of projects, including civic and institutional buildings, healthcare facilities, residential construction, and research laboratory structures. The Structural Engineer will be responsible for performing structural analysis and seismic design, developing construction documents, and supporting projects through all phases from planning and permitting to construction. The role involves both technical design and collaboration across disciplines, with opportunities for leadership and mentorship.
What You Will Be Doing:
- Designing gravity, lateral, and foundation systems (shallow and deep foundations) for new buildings and retrofit projects in high seismic hazard zones.
- Performing structural analysis and seismic design using finite element analysis (FEA) software such as ETABS, RISA, SAFE, and RAM Steel.
- Designing main building systems—including columns, beams, footings, diaphragms—and secondary systems such as anchorage, bracing, partitions, and retaining walls.
- Analyzing and designing structural members in concrete, steel, and masonry using hand calculations and software (Enercalc, spCol) in compliance with ACI 318, AISC 360, and TMS 402/602 standards.
- Designing new concrete, steel, and masonry structures in accordance with ASCE 7 and the California Building Code (CBC), and developing retrofit schemes for existing buildings in accordance with ASCE 41 and the California Existing Building Code (CEBC).
- Producing comprehensive calculation packages, structural drawings, and details for permit and construction.
- Supporting Construction Administration activities, including submittal review, RFI coordination, and drawing development.
- Collaborating with the BIM department to maintain organizational standards for drawing production.
- Coordinating with project managers, architects, and other engineering disciplines to ensure integrated project delivery.
- Providing technical guidance and oversight to junior engineers to ensure conformance with project design requirements.
- Supervising design engineers in construction administration tasks and ensuring quality control of construction documents.
Salary
Pay Range $100,000-$120,000 salary depending on education, licensure, and applicable experience.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Five years of full-time work experience as an engineer in a structural consulting organization.
- BS in Civil Engineering (with an emphasis in Structures).
- At least a 3.0 cumulative GPA in Undergraduate coursework.
- Transcripts showing completed courses in:
- Structural Analysis
- Mechanics of Materials
- Concrete
- Steel or Wood Design
- Professional Engineer (PE) license.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Eight years of full-time work experience as an engineer in a structural consulting organization.
- Five years of experience training and supervising junior engineers.
- Master’s degree in Structural Engineering or in Civil Engineering with an emphasis in Structures.
- At least a 3.0 cumulative GPA in Graduate coursework.
- Transcripts showing completed graduate level courses in:
- Structural Design
- Steel or Wood Design
- Concrete
- Seismic
- Professional Engineer (PE) license in California.
- Structural Engineer (SE) License in California.
- Highly qualified candidates have full-time work experience as an engineer in a structural consulting organization.
- Proficiency in FEA and structural design software, including ETABS, RISA, SAFE, RAM Steel, Enercalc, and spCol.
- Strong knowledge of relevant codes and standards, including ACI 318, AISC 360, TMS 402/602, ASCE 7, ASCE 41, CBC, and CEBC.
- Ability to design multiple structural materials (concrete, steel, CMU, wood).
- Experience with HCAI/OSHPD projects and/or DSA projects.
- Experience developing retrofit schemes for existing structures.
- Experience designing healthcare, laboratory, or other highly regulated facilities.
- Solid understanding of seismic design principles and experience working in high seismic hazard zones.
- Skilled in preparing technical documents, structural drawings, and calculation packages.
- Strong coordination and communication skills for cross-team collaboration.
- Ability to supervise and mentor design engineers, and provide quality control oversight.
- Strong organizational and time-management abilities to balance multiple projects.
APPLICATION PROCESS
If you are interested in this position, please apply on our careers page. Resumes sent elsewhere will not be considered.
Please provide transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate courses as well as a cover letter. In your cover letter (PDF) please respond to the following prompts:
- Describe a time when you were assigned a project or task that turned out to be really difficult. How did you work through it, and what was the outcome?
- Who has most influenced you and why?
Physical Demands and Work Environment
- Duties are performed in a normal office environment while sitting at a desk or computer table.
- Duties require the ability to actively engage with a computer for several hours per day.
- May occasionally need to lift items up to 15 lbs.
- Duties require in-person attendance, Monday through Friday, during our business hours of 8 AM to 5 PM at our office in Irvine for the training period.
- Following a satisfactory training period a hybrid schedule of 2 days per week in the office may be accommodated.
Our Offices
Our Greater Los Angeles Structural office has two locations at the Bloc in Downtown Los Angeles and at the Irvine Towers in Irvine. A warm and friendly environment, we are dedicated to growing with our employees and allowing people to pursue their passions.
KPFF Consulting Engineers participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
Our Employees
Are valued and empowered, collaborative and team oriented, innovative in their approach and passionate about their work. They are reliable, trustworthy, and open with a high level of integrity. They value diversity, are inclusive and are committed to critically thinking through problems and finding solutions.
KPFF Consulting Engineers participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
KPFF Consulting Engineers is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, religion, marital status, sex/gender (including sexual orientation or gender identity), pregnancy, veteran status, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, or any other protected basis.
See all 940+ OPT Structural Project Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Structural Project Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Structural Project Engineer
Target firms with active H-1B filing histories
Large structural engineering firms and ENR 500 contractors file H-1B petitions regularly. Prioritizing employers with a documented sponsorship track record reduces the risk of accepting a role that dead-ends at the OPT expiration date.
Confirm your degree qualifies the role as STEM OPT
Structural Project Engineer roles tied to a civil or structural engineering degree typically qualify for the 24-month STEM extension. Verify your specific CIP code with your DSO before accepting an offer to lock in that timeline.
Raise sponsorship before the offer stage
Ask about H-1B sponsorship during the final interview round, not after receiving an offer. Structural engineering hiring managers expect this question and a clear yes or no saves both sides significant time and avoids late-stage surprises.
Get your PE licensure process started early
Many senior structural roles require a Professional Engineer license. Beginning your FE exam and experience hours during OPT signals long-term commitment to U.S. practice and makes you a stronger H-1B sponsorship candidate in the eyes of hiring managers.
Emphasize software proficiency in your application materials
Proficiency in ETABS, SAP2000, RISA, or Revit Structure strengthens your case as a specialty occupation candidate, which is the legal standard H-1B sponsorship requires. List specific software and project types prominently on your resume.
Understand your OPT reporting obligations when changing projects
Structural engineers often move between project sites or get reassigned between office locations. Each substantive change in employer address or job duties may require a SEVIS update. Keep your DSO informed to stay in lawful status throughout your OPT period.
Structural Project Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Structural Project Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It typically does, provided your degree is in civil engineering, structural engineering, or a closely related STEM-designated field. The qualifying factor is your CIP code, not the job title itself. Confirm with your DSO that your degree program appears on the current STEM OPT designated degree program list before you begin the extension application process.
How do I find Structural Project Engineer employers who sponsor OPT and H-1B visas?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for visa-sponsoring employers, making it the most direct way to find Structural Project Engineer roles open to OPT students. Outside of that, reviewing DOL Labor Condition Application disclosure data for engineering firms shows which companies have filed H-1B petitions for similar roles in previous years, which is a reliable proxy for sponsorship willingness.
Can I work on multiple construction sites or projects across different states on OPT?
Yes, but each new work location may require a SEVIS address update, and if you move to a new primary employer site, your DSO needs to be notified. Structural engineers who rotate between project sites should keep a clear record of work locations and confirm with their DSO what reporting thresholds trigger a required update to avoid any status issues.
Does the PE licensure process affect my OPT or visa sponsorship eligibility?
Pursuing your FE exam or accumulating PE experience hours has no direct effect on your OPT work authorization or H-1B eligibility. However, some states require a U.S. engineering degree or specific residency for PE licensure, so research your target state's board requirements early. Having an active PE pathway strengthens your value as a long-term H-1B sponsorship candidate.
What happens to my OPT if my employer's project ends and I'm between assignments?
OPT does not allow for extended unemployment. F-1 regulations permit a maximum of 90 days of unemployment during standard OPT and 150 days across the full 36-month STEM OPT period. If a project ends and you're between assignments, that time counts against your unemployment limit. Securing a new role or transitioning to a new employer before the gap extends is essential.