Traffic Engineer Jobs for OPT Students
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 after OPT, making this field a viable long-term path in the U.S.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
At HNTB, you’re not just designing roads, you’re shaping how people move. As part of our dynamic Northern New England team, the Traffic Engineer II will collaborate with more than 20 traffic engineers regionally to deliver innovative solutions for the most challenging and impactful projects across New England and beyond. From fast-paced, quick-impact projects with the Maine Turnpike Authority to cutting-edge traffic modeling, ITS design, and real-time operational strategies, this role puts you at the forefront of transportation innovation. If you’re eager to learn, ready to tackle complex problems, and want to be part of something truly special, this is your opportunity to make a difference.
Locally, working from either our Bedford NH or South Portland ME offices, you'll find a collaborative, supportive multidisciplinary team environment with access to regional and national expertise, plus opportunities for professional development and growth at every stage of your career. We offer exposure to diverse, high-impact projects that shape communities and improve lives, along with cutting-edge tools, technology, and resources to help you succeed, all within a culture that values innovation, ownership, and growth.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Completes assigned work within the schedule and number of hours provided.
- Responsible for preparation and/or modification for select portions of project reports, plans, designs, and calculations.
- Develops project quantities and assists with development of cost estimates.
- Assists engineering teams with organization and administrative support of design files.
- Able to self-sufficiently complete various tasks and duties including but not limited to research, data collection, field investigations, development, and design of projects.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering and 2 years of relevant experience, or
- Master’s degree in Engineering and 1 year of relevant experience
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Familiarity with MicroStation.
- Understanding of traffic analysis programs like HCM, VISSIM, Synchro, or similar tools.
- Exposure to traffic analysis, modeling, or ITS design concepts.
- Ability to quickly learn new software and tools, we’ll give you the resources, you bring the drive.
- Enthusiasm for professional development, we’ll support your growth every step of the way.
If you’re ready to move beyond the ordinary and join a team that’s shaping the future of mobility, this is your chance. At HNTB, you’ll work on projects that matter, with people who care, and you’ll have the freedom to grow into the engineer you’ve always wanted to be. The possibilities are endless: let’s build something extraordinary together.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Click here for benefits information: HNTB Total Rewards
Click here to learn more about Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran
Visa sponsorship is available for this position.
JOB TYPE: Regular
FULL/PART TIME: Full time
JOB CATEGORY: Engineering Group
REQID: R-29291
LOCATION:
Bedford, NH, South Portland, ME (Portland)
NOTICE TO THIRD-PARTY AGENCIES:
HNTB does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or agencies. Any staffing/employment agency, person or entity that submits an unsolicited resume to this site does so with the understanding that the applicant's resume will become the property of HNTB. HNTB will have the right to hire that applicant at its discretion and without any fee owed to the submitting staffing/employment agency, person or entity. Staffing/employment agencies who have fee agreements with HNTB must submit applicants to the designated HNTB recruiter to be eligible for placement fees.
INTRODUCTION
At HNTB, you’re not just designing roads, you’re shaping how people move. As part of our dynamic Northern New England team, the Traffic Engineer II will collaborate with more than 20 traffic engineers regionally to deliver innovative solutions for the most challenging and impactful projects across New England and beyond. From fast-paced, quick-impact projects with the Maine Turnpike Authority to cutting-edge traffic modeling, ITS design, and real-time operational strategies, this role puts you at the forefront of transportation innovation. If you’re eager to learn, ready to tackle complex problems, and want to be part of something truly special, this is your opportunity to make a difference.
Locally, working from either our Bedford NH or South Portland ME offices, you'll find a collaborative, supportive multidisciplinary team environment with access to regional and national expertise, plus opportunities for professional development and growth at every stage of your career. We offer exposure to diverse, high-impact projects that shape communities and improve lives, along with cutting-edge tools, technology, and resources to help you succeed, all within a culture that values innovation, ownership, and growth.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Completes assigned work within the schedule and number of hours provided.
- Responsible for preparation and/or modification for select portions of project reports, plans, designs, and calculations.
- Develops project quantities and assists with development of cost estimates.
- Assists engineering teams with organization and administrative support of design files.
- Able to self-sufficiently complete various tasks and duties including but not limited to research, data collection, field investigations, development, and design of projects.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering and 2 years of relevant experience, or
- Master’s degree in Engineering and 1 year of relevant experience
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Familiarity with MicroStation.
- Understanding of traffic analysis programs like HCM, VISSIM, Synchro, or similar tools.
- Exposure to traffic analysis, modeling, or ITS design concepts.
- Ability to quickly learn new software and tools, we’ll give you the resources, you bring the drive.
- Enthusiasm for professional development, we’ll support your growth every step of the way.
If you’re ready to move beyond the ordinary and join a team that’s shaping the future of mobility, this is your chance. At HNTB, you’ll work on projects that matter, with people who care, and you’ll have the freedom to grow into the engineer you’ve always wanted to be. The possibilities are endless: let’s build something extraordinary together.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Click here for benefits information: HNTB Total Rewards
Click here to learn more about Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran
Visa sponsorship is available for this position.
JOB TYPE: Regular
FULL/PART TIME: Full time
JOB CATEGORY: Engineering Group
REQID: R-29291
LOCATION:
Bedford, NH, South Portland, ME (Portland)
NOTICE TO THIRD-PARTY AGENCIES:
HNTB does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or agencies. Any staffing/employment agency, person or entity that submits an unsolicited resume to this site does so with the understanding that the applicant's resume will become the property of HNTB. HNTB will have the right to hire that applicant at its discretion and without any fee owed to the submitting staffing/employment agency, person or entity. Staffing/employment agencies who have fee agreements with HNTB must submit applicants to the designated HNTB recruiter to be eligible for placement fees.
How to Get Visa 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 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.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently 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.
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