OPT Systems Engineer Jobs
Systems Engineer jobs are among the most sponsorship-friendly roles for F-1 OPT students, with STEM OPT extension eligibility giving you up to three years of work authorization. Defense contractors, cloud infrastructure teams, and enterprise IT departments hire actively in this field, making it a strong fit for OPT timelines.
See All OPT Systems Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 2,764+ Systems Engineer jobs


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?
See all 2,764+ Systems Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Systems Engineer roles.
Get Access To All Jobs
INTRODUCTION
As an Intelligent Traffic Systems (ITS) Engineering Designer, you will support the delivery of a wide range of transportation design projects, including intelligent transportation systems, connected vehicle and emerging technologies, traffic signal design, signing and striping design, and various traffic studies. You’ll play a key role in design development, plan production, and technical analysis while working under the guidance of licensed engineers.
Salary Range: $70,000 – $90,000 (dependent on experience) Compensation for candidates with experience exceeding the minimum requirements may be considered above this range.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Support the development of roadway, traffic, and ITS design packages for transportation projects
- Prepare CADD designs and assist with plan production
- Develop project specifications and cost estimates
- Perform engineering calculations and technical analyses
- Monitor compliance with applicable design standards, codes, and engineering practices
- Collect and process data for surveys, traffic studies, and right-of-way engineering
- Assist in the preparation of technical reports and documentation
- Follow internal quality control procedures to ensure high-quality deliverables
- Collaborate effectively with team members and maintain strong working relationships
- Work under the direction and mentorship of a licensed Professional Engineer (PE)
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- 0-4+ years of transportation engineering experience
- Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering
- Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification (or ability to obtain shortly after hire)
- Working knowledge of CAD software (MicroStation and/or AutoCAD preferred)
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Exposure to ITS, traffic signal design, or transportation systems
- Familiarity with traffic analysis or modeling tools
- Interest in emerging transportation technologies (connected/automated vehicles)
This hybrid job operates between an office environment and a field environment and routinely requires the use of standard office equipment such as computers, phones and copy machines. May require occasional exposure to work environments that may include inclement weather, heat, humidity, noise, hazard, atmospheric conditions, and bodies of water, depending on project requirements.
While performing the duties of this job, physical demands of the employee include frequent sitting, moving, standing, talking, hearing, and occasional balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, handling, grasping, and feeling. This job may occasionally require operating a company vehicle, and lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling up to 35 lbs.
WHY JOIN US
- Opportunity to work on innovative ITS and transportation projects
- Collaborative team environment with mentorship from experienced engineers
- Career growth and professional development support
WHAT BENEFITS YOU’LL ENJOY
We invest in us. Because our team members go above, below, and beyond the surface to care for our communities (inside and out), we do our best to take care of you by providing a comprehensive benefits package! Eligibility for some of the benefits outlined below is based on full-time work status; part-time and contingent positions are only eligible based on hours worked. If you have questions, contact careers@consoreng.com.
- Career Growth & Development – Tuition reimbursement program, paid professional training, major license achievement bonus, extensive on-demand learning center, and paid professional memberships.
- Work-Life Alignment – Industry-competitive PTO, seven paid holidays and two floating holidays, flexible work schedules, paid parental leave, and eligibility for hybrid and remote work options for some employees based on role responsibilities.
- Wellness – Medical, dental and vision insurance, employee assistance program, fitness and wellness reimbursement, and HSA and FSA options.
- Life – Employer-paid STD and LTD, employer-paid term life insurance, and retirement 401(k) with company match.
- Community – Quarterly social events, paid group volunteering events, and employee networks and groups.
HOW YOUR CAREER WILL GROW
We know career growth is not always linear or streamlined—it’s often squiggly. You may want to explore a management track, try a new technical track, or move laterally to reposition your skills and talents. No matter what level you join us at or how you want to shape your career, we want Consor to be a place where you can learn and grow.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE CONSOR
At Consor, you’ll work with a network of water and transportation professionals who specialize in planning, engineering design, structural assessment, and construction services. Across geographies, you’ll have access to the resources and nationwide expertise found in a large consulting firm, while experiencing a community feel at the local level. You’ll experience a culture where we share in our successes and support one another through challenges. Here, there are countless opportunities to explore your career path by working on projects that help you expand your potential and take your career to new heights! Join our diverse team of experts who live and work alongside client partners, providing thoughtful solutions to create inspiring communities together.
HOW WE SUPPORT DIVERSITY
Consor welcomes and celebrates equality and diversity in the workplace. Throughout our teams and across leadership, Consor pursues an environment in which each employee and prospective employee is treated respectfully, valuing the uniqueness of individuals and differing perspectives and experiences. At the heart of this is ensuring employment practices at Consor provide and promote equal employment and development opportunity for all employees and prospective employees, in accordance with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations governing personnel activities. As such, Consor is an equal opportunity employer and pursues a program of affirmative action across its offices and worksites.
If you need more information or special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, contact Human Resources at 888-451-6822 ext. 55214. Persons with hearing and speech impairments can contact Consor by using the Virginia Relay Service, a toll-free telecommunication device for the deaf (TDD). Call 711 for TTY/TDD.
If any applicant believes they have been discriminated against or desires further information or assistance, contact us at 888-451-6822 ext. 55214.
NOTICE: The above job description is intended to relay a general sense of the position's responsibilities and expectations. It does not describe all tasks that may be assigned. As business demands change, the essential functions of this position may also change. The position requires the successful completion of applicable pre-employment substance screening and background checks.
LI-SK1
LI-Hybrid
See all 2,764+ OPT Systems Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Systems Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Systems Engineer
Lead with your STEM OPT eligibility upfront
Systems Engineer roles almost always qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Mention your STEM eligibility early in applications and conversations so employers understand you bring three full years of OPT work authorization, not just one.
Target employers with active E-Verify enrollment
STEM OPT extensions require your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify. Prioritize companies that already use it, which includes most large defense contractors, tech firms, and federal government contractors. This saves critical time during your extension process.
Align your degree field to the job description
Systems Engineer roles typically qualify under Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science degrees. Confirm your specific degree field directly supports the role before applying, since USCIS reviews the connection between your degree and job duties.
Prepare a clear explanation of your systems experience
Hiring managers unfamiliar with OPT often conflate sponsorship complexity with risk. Walk them through what OPT authorization actually means for your start date and work eligibility. A calm, factual explanation often resolves hesitation before it becomes a barrier.
Apply early relative to your OPT start date
Systems Engineer hiring cycles at large employers often run eight to twelve weeks from application to offer. Start your search at least three months before your OPT authorization begins so your start date aligns with your employer's onboarding timeline without gaps.
Flag security clearance considerations honestly
Many Systems Engineer roles, especially in defense and government contracting, require security clearances that OPT holders cannot currently obtain. Filter for roles that do not list clearance as a requirement, and address the topic directly if it comes up during interviews.
Systems Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Systems Engineer jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most Systems Engineer roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension because they typically fall under CIP codes tied to Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Computer Science. Your degree field must match the STEM designated degree list, and your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify. Confirm both conditions before accepting an offer.
Can I work as a Systems Engineer on OPT without H-1B sponsorship?
Yes. OPT is independent of H-1B visa sponsorship. You can work as a Systems Engineer for up to 12 months on standard OPT, and up to 36 months total if your degree qualifies for the STEM extension. H-1B sponsorship becomes relevant only if you want to stay beyond your OPT authorization period.
Where can I find Systems Engineer jobs that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate lists Systems Engineer roles from employers that are actively open to hiring F-1 OPT students. Filtering by OPT eligibility saves significant time compared to applying broadly and discovering sponsorship restrictions late in the process. Browse current openings on Migrate Mate to find roles matched to your authorization status.
Do Systems Engineer roles at defense contractors hire OPT students?
Some do, but security clearance requirements create real limitations. Many Systems Engineer positions at defense contractors require a U.S. security clearance, which OPT holders are not eligible to obtain. Focus your search on commercial technology companies, cloud infrastructure teams, and enterprise IT organizations, where OPT authorization is a much smaller obstacle.
What happens to my Systems Engineer job if my OPT expires before H-1B approval?
If your H-1B petition is filed before your OPT expires and you receive a receipt notice, you enter a cap-gap period that extends your work authorization until October 1 of the fiscal year. This allows you to continue working as a Systems Engineer without interruption, provided your employer files the H-1B petition on time.