OPT Traffic Engineer Jobs
Traffic Engineer jobs on OPT require a degree in civil engineering or transportation engineering, and most roles qualify as STEM-designated positions, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers typically sponsor H-1B visa after OPT, making this field a viable long-term path in the U.S.
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INTRODUCTION
Bowman has an opportunity for a Traffic Engineer II to join our team. The position is flexible to be based out of Boston, MA, Taunton, MA, Westfield, MA, or Lincoln RI. At Bowman, we believe in creating opportunities for aspiring professionals to thrive and achieve ambitious goals. A career at Bowman is more than just a job - it’s an opportunity to help grow and shape our four offices across New England, contributing to the expansion and success of a dynamic organization. You’ll work with a team that is collaborative, adaptive, energized, and experienced, where your expertise is valued and your ideas have an impact. As a Traffic Engineer II at Bowman, you will have the opportunity to work on a variety of public and private projects, both locally and in other states, giving you broad exposure and meaningful experience in roadway and highway design.
Being part of Bowman means joining a diverse and engaged community of professionals, where you are treated as a respected and integral member of a motivated team. You will be empowered to do exceptional work that advances the best interest of our clients and the communities we serve. We are committed to creating a work environment that is both rewarding and supportive, fostering professional growth while delivering unparalleled service and innovative solutions to every project.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Execute complex technical transportation engineering techniques, procedures and criteria for transportation and infrastructure projects. Assist in developing sustainable transportation solutions to make communities more livable by reducing traffic congestion, promoting multiple modes of transportation, supporting land development, and improving safety for all users.
Responsibilities:
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Leadership and Direction: Receive general instruction on key objectives for execution. Receive direction as needed, and especially complex assignments, modified techniques, and new approaches on assignments with conflicting criteria. Work is completed using advanced engineering techniques and design principles and is reviewed by more senior staff to ensure application of sound professional judgement. Review work produced by junior staff for quality assurance. May serve as a lead in the technical direction over other less experienced engineers and provide direction, guidance, mentorship, and delegation of assignments.
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At the Operational and Company Level: Work closely with more senior members to learn about and assist with transportation engineering and planning work. Assist with the marketing of the firm's capabilities to establish new clients and enhance relationships. Coordinate with other disciplines and internal services/groups/offices as necessary.
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Do the Work: Work side by side with the project team on given specialty in transportation projects. Prepare maps and graphics for public and client meetings, data analysis, performing fields reviews and data collection, conducting research on trends and best practices, contributing to stakeholder and public engagement efforts, developing solutions to complex problems, and presenting recommendations. Prepare engineering plans and reports. Assist in the preparation of grant applications and associated services related to funding programs. Participate in construction-related assignments. Draft transmittals, memos, meeting minutes, letters, proposals, and other documentation/communications. Prepare reports, plans, specifications, construction schedules, cost estimates, permits and/or designs for projects. Coordinate and conduct field visits and ensure appropriate data collection and field observations occur. Direct tasks on projects and monitor project progress for technical accuracy and adherence to schedule and budget. Provide internal and external technical presentations. Provide technical quality control of multiple assigned projects. Assist with client and outside agency communication and attend project/public meetings. Develop and maintain accurate and organized project files. Follow established firm's goals, SOPs and QA/QC procedures and assist in the QA/QC review of technical work of other staff. Assist and mentor junior staff. Prepare and serve in a lead role on various analyses and concept design aspects of engineering projects which may include traffic studies, corridor/regional studies, safety studies, and other associated engineering services.
Success Metrics and Competencies:
- Ability to work both independently and within a collaborative team environment.
- Ability to effectively manage multiple time-sensitive projects/tasks.
- Effective communication, presentation, writing, and graphic skills, including public speaking, written reports, presentation materials and technical writing.
- Experience with the preparation of construction plans and/or studies for roadway or traffic projects.
- Ability to effectively communicate with all levels of the organization and external partners.
- Effective working relationship with internal leaders and peers, as well as external clients.
- High degree of discretion and ability to manage confidential information.
- Highly motivated and problem-solving attitude with a strong work ethic.
- Strong sense of urgency in responding to work-related and project needs.
- Commitment to promoting the reputation of the company through quality of work.
- Aspirations to grow professionally and advance within the company.
- Strong data analysis and interpretation skills.
- Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
- Desire, aptitude, and motivation to learn and apply new concepts.
- Commitment to driving profitability and growth.
- Commitment to becoming a "citizen" of the broader organization, breaking down barriers and silos.
- Active participation in a professional society/organization.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or related field required.
- Completed coursework in transportation engineering and/or highway design preferred.
- Three or more (3+) years of professional engineering experience with an emphasis on transportation engineering or related field.
- Successful completion of the Fundamentals of Engineering exam (EIT) preferred.
- Professional Engineer (PE) Registration or ability to receive within six (6) months preferred.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
- Valid state driver's license and ability to successfully pass a motor vehicle check or reliable form of transportation to/from the office and/or project site strongly preferred.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
- Primarily indoor professional office environment which may include bright/dim light, noise, fumes, odors, and traffic.
- Mobility around an office environment.
- Frequent and prolonged use of standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.
- Occasional outdoor work environment which may include adverse weather conditions, varying temperatures, excessive noise, and/or potential hazards.
- Mobility around a job/construction site to include walking, bending, crawling, climbing, squatting, or kneeling and wearing of required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
- Primarily local travel during the business day, although some out-of-the-area and overnight travel may be required according to the needs of the business.
- Occasional lifting or carrying up to 20 pounds.
- Occasional pushing or pulling up to 20 pounds.
- Occasional reaching outward or above shoulder.
ABOUT BOWMAN
Are you ready to build a career that makes a lasting impact? At Bowman, our people are at the center of everything we do. We’re committed to creating an environment where employees can thrive both personally and professionally, while helping to shape the infrastructure of tomorrow.
A career at Bowman means being part of a collaborative, forward-thinking organization where innovation, inclusion, and growth are encouraged at every level. We offer competitive compensation, a supportive work environment, and benefits designed to help our employees succeed.
Our comprehensive benefits package includes:
- Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
- 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match
- Paid time off, sick leave, and paid holidays
- Tuition reimbursement and professional development support
- Discretionary bonuses and other performance-based incentives
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP), wellness initiatives, and employee discounts
Eligibility for certain benefits may vary based on position, location, and employment status.
JOB DESCRIPTION DISCLAIMER:
Note: While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the job requirements, it is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties from particular jobs and to assign other duties as necessary at any time with or without notice.
Bowman is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees feel valued and respected. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
Bowman has an obligation to provide and maintain a safe, healthy, and productive environment for its employees and clients. We are committed to maintaining a drug and alcohol-free workplace.
If you have any questions about the application process, please email recruiting@bowman.com.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Traffic Engineer
Target transportation agencies and infrastructure firms
State DOTs, metropolitan planning organizations, and civil engineering consultancies like AECOM and WSP regularly hire traffic engineers and have established visa sponsorship pipelines. These employers are accustomed to OPT timelines and H-1B visa processes.
Confirm your degree qualifies for STEM OPT extension
Civil engineering and transportation engineering degrees are STEM-designated, giving you 24 additional months beyond standard OPT. Verify your specific CIP code with your DSO before applying so you can communicate your full authorization window to employers accurately.
Lead with your software skills in applications
Proficiency in Synchro, VISSIM, AutoCAD, or ArcGIS significantly improves your candidacy. These tools are specialty requirements that strengthen your visa petition by demonstrating the technical degree-level expertise required for traffic engineering roles.
Apply before your OPT start date approaches
Begin your job search at least four months before graduation. Traffic engineering hiring cycles at government agencies can run 8 to 12 weeks, and you need time to apply for OPT authorization through your DSO before your end date.
Highlight PE licensure progress or EIT certification
Passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam and pursuing your Engineer-in-Training credential signals long-term commitment to U.S. employers. Many sponsoring firms explicitly prefer candidates already on the PE licensure path when evaluating H-1B sponsorship decisions.
Be explicit about your OPT status in early conversations
Tell recruiters your exact OPT end date and whether you qualify for the STEM extension. Employers need accurate timelines to plan H-1B sponsorship around the April lottery filing window and avoid gaps in your work authorization.
Traffic Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a traffic engineering role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most traffic engineering positions qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension because the underlying degrees, typically civil engineering, transportation engineering, or systems engineering, carry STEM-designated CIP codes. Confirm your specific program code with your DSO before accepting an offer, since the designation applies to your degree, not the job title itself.
Do state DOTs and government transportation agencies sponsor OPT students?
Many state departments of transportation and metropolitan planning organizations hire OPT students, though sponsorship policies vary by agency and state. Federal government positions generally require U.S. citizenship or permanent residency. Private transportation consultancies, such as Kimley-Horn, AECOM, and Stantec, tend to have more consistent OPT and H-1B sponsorship programs than public agencies.
Where can I find traffic engineer jobs that sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters traffic engineering roles by sponsorship willingness. Searching there saves significant time compared to manually screening postings that don't accept OPT candidates. Prioritize employers with existing H-1B filing histories in transportation engineering, which signals genuine sponsorship infrastructure rather than theoretical openness.
How does the H-1B lottery affect traffic engineering OPT students?
Traffic engineering roles at for-profit firms are subject to the annual H-1B cap and lottery, which opens in March for an October 1 start date. If you're on standard OPT, your 12 months may not cover the full gap between application and approval. The STEM extension is specifically valuable here because it gives you up to 36 total months to survive one or more lottery cycles.
What makes traffic engineering a strong field for long-term U.S. visa sponsorship?
Traffic engineering sits within civil engineering, a field with consistent domestic labor demand that supports strong H-1B approval rates. USCIS classifies it as a specialty occupation requiring at minimum a bachelor's degree in a specific technical field, which satisfies petition requirements cleanly. Infrastructure investment trends have also increased employer demand, making sponsoring a qualified candidate a practical hiring decision for many firms.