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 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 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.