Transportation Engineer Jobs for OPT Students
Transportation Engineer jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in civil, traffic, or transportation engineering. Most roles qualify as STEM OPT, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers typically sponsor H-1B after OPT, especially at infrastructure firms, transit agencies, and consulting practices with active DOL filing histories.
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Get Access To All JobsCompany Description
We are Olsson. We engineer and design solutions that improve the world around us. As a company, we promise to always be responsive, transparent, and focused on results – for our people, our clients, and our company. We’re a people-centric firm, so it’s no surprise our greatest asset is our people. The impact this creates is an environment that encourages our people to grow and be creative with their talents. This approach builds a culture that is uniquely Olsson. It allows us to grow our people as we grow our business. This, in turn, creates a lasting impact on the world around us.
Job Description
Are you passionate about making a positive impact on communities through collaborative work? Do you thrive on taking ownership of your projects and utilizing your talents to shape transportation systems? Olsson provides multidisciplinary design services for transportation-related projects including urban and rural highways, interchanges, and municipal roadways. As a Licensed Engineer on the Roadway team in our St. Louis office, you will perform various engineering and project management duties on roadway projects including prepare planning and design documents, process design calculations and preparing costs estimates. You will coordinate with other Olsson teams, professional staff, technical staff, and clients. You may also travel to job sites for observation and attend client meetings. As a Transportation Engineer, you will play a key role in shaping the future of roadway infrastructure. Your passion for collaborative work and commitment to positively impacting communities will drive you to lead highway and roadway design, corridor planning, and infrastructure improvement projects. You'll have the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the development of safe, efficient, and sustainable transportation networks while supporting the growth of our St. Louis office.
Qualifications
You are passionate about:
- Working collaboratively with others.
- Having ownership in the work you do.
- Using your talents to positively affect communities.
You Bring To The Team
- Strong communication skills.
- Ability to contribute and work well on a team.
- Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, with an emphasis in transportation preferred.
- A minimum of 4+ years of related engineering experience.
- Experience with MicroStation OpenRoads Designer or AutoCAD Civil 3D.
- Registered Professional Engineer (PE) in the state of Missouri, or the ability to obtain within six months.
- Knowledge of local municipal and DOT standards and procedures.
Additional Information
Olsson specializes in engineering and design, client advisory services, planning, field services, and environmental. Improving the world has been our mindset from the very beginning, back when Olsson first opened for business in 1956. And it will be our mindset for years to come.
As An Olsson Employee, You Will
- Receive a competitive 401(k) match
- Be empowered to build your career with tailored development paths
- Have the possibility for flexible work arrangements
- Engage in work that has a positive impact on communities
- Participate in a wellness program promoting balanced lifestyles
In addition, full-time employees will receive our traditional benefits package (health care, vision, dental, paid time off, etc.) and the opportunity to participate in a bonus system that rewards performance.
Olsson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage qualified minority, female, veteran, and disabled candidates to apply and be considered for open positions. We do not discriminate against any applicant for employment or any employee because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender, disability, age, military status, or other protected status.
Olsson understands the importance of privacy and is committed to protecting job applicants’ personal information. Pursuant to the California Consumer Privacy Act, as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (collectively, the “CCPA”), this notice explains Olsson’s practices regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information for job applicants residing in California. Please read this Notice carefully to understand our privacy practices. For more information about the types of information we collect and how we use it in connection with your general access and use of our website, please review our general California Privacy Notice here.
Company Description
We are Olsson. We engineer and design solutions that improve the world around us. As a company, we promise to always be responsive, transparent, and focused on results – for our people, our clients, and our company. We’re a people-centric firm, so it’s no surprise our greatest asset is our people. The impact this creates is an environment that encourages our people to grow and be creative with their talents. This approach builds a culture that is uniquely Olsson. It allows us to grow our people as we grow our business. This, in turn, creates a lasting impact on the world around us.
Job Description
Are you passionate about making a positive impact on communities through collaborative work? Do you thrive on taking ownership of your projects and utilizing your talents to shape transportation systems? Olsson provides multidisciplinary design services for transportation-related projects including urban and rural highways, interchanges, and municipal roadways. As a Licensed Engineer on the Roadway team in our St. Louis office, you will perform various engineering and project management duties on roadway projects including prepare planning and design documents, process design calculations and preparing costs estimates. You will coordinate with other Olsson teams, professional staff, technical staff, and clients. You may also travel to job sites for observation and attend client meetings. As a Transportation Engineer, you will play a key role in shaping the future of roadway infrastructure. Your passion for collaborative work and commitment to positively impacting communities will drive you to lead highway and roadway design, corridor planning, and infrastructure improvement projects. You'll have the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the development of safe, efficient, and sustainable transportation networks while supporting the growth of our St. Louis office.
Qualifications
You are passionate about:
- Working collaboratively with others.
- Having ownership in the work you do.
- Using your talents to positively affect communities.
You Bring To The Team
- Strong communication skills.
- Ability to contribute and work well on a team.
- Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, with an emphasis in transportation preferred.
- A minimum of 4+ years of related engineering experience.
- Experience with MicroStation OpenRoads Designer or AutoCAD Civil 3D.
- Registered Professional Engineer (PE) in the state of Missouri, or the ability to obtain within six months.
- Knowledge of local municipal and DOT standards and procedures.
Additional Information
Olsson specializes in engineering and design, client advisory services, planning, field services, and environmental. Improving the world has been our mindset from the very beginning, back when Olsson first opened for business in 1956. And it will be our mindset for years to come.
As An Olsson Employee, You Will
- Receive a competitive 401(k) match
- Be empowered to build your career with tailored development paths
- Have the possibility for flexible work arrangements
- Engage in work that has a positive impact on communities
- Participate in a wellness program promoting balanced lifestyles
In addition, full-time employees will receive our traditional benefits package (health care, vision, dental, paid time off, etc.) and the opportunity to participate in a bonus system that rewards performance.
Olsson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage qualified minority, female, veteran, and disabled candidates to apply and be considered for open positions. We do not discriminate against any applicant for employment or any employee because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender, disability, age, military status, or other protected status.
Olsson understands the importance of privacy and is committed to protecting job applicants’ personal information. Pursuant to the California Consumer Privacy Act, as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (collectively, the “CCPA”), this notice explains Olsson’s practices regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information for job applicants residing in California. Please read this Notice carefully to understand our privacy practices. For more information about the types of information we collect and how we use it in connection with your general access and use of our website, please review our general California Privacy Notice here.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Transportation Engineer
Target STEM OPT-eligible roles
Transportation Engineering falls under CIP code 14.0804, which qualifies for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your degree program is on the STEM Designated Degree Program List before applying to maximize your authorized work period.
Focus on firms with active H-1B histories
Large transportation consultancies like AECOM, WSP, and HDR file H-1B petitions regularly. Prioritize employers with documented sponsorship histories over smaller firms that may lack the HR infrastructure to support visa transitions after your OPT period ends.
Highlight PE exam progress on your resume
Employers in transportation engineering value candidates pursuing Professional Engineer licensure. Noting your EIT certification or FE exam completion signals long-term commitment to the field and makes you a stronger candidate for roles that lead to H-1B sponsorship.
Align your job search with federal infrastructure funding
Federal infrastructure investment has expanded hiring at transportation firms across planning, design, and construction management. Roles tied to active federal contracts tend to offer longer project timelines, improving your chances of employer commitment through an H-1B transition.
Transportation Engineer jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Do Transportation Engineer roles qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes. Transportation Engineering degrees typically fall under STEM-designated CIP codes, making graduates eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension on top of the standard 12-month OPT period. To qualify, your degree program must appear on the STEM Designated Degree Program List, and your employer must enroll in E-Verify. Confirm your specific CIP code with your DSO before applying.
Which types of employers are most likely to sponsor Transportation Engineers on H-1B after OPT?
Large engineering consultancies, state Departments of Transportation, metropolitan planning organizations, and transit authorities are the most active H-1B sponsors for this role. Firms like AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP have consistent DOL filing records. You can browse transportation engineering roles from verified sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate, which filters jobs by OPT and visa sponsorship eligibility.
Can I work on federal transportation projects while on OPT?
Yes, in most cases. OPT authorization allows you to work for private employers on federally funded projects. However, some positions classified as direct federal employment require U.S. citizenship or a security clearance that restricts non-citizens. Contractor and consultant roles on federal highway, transit, or rail projects are generally open to OPT holders without those restrictions.
Does a Professional Engineer license affect my OPT or visa sponsorship prospects?
Holding or pursuing a PE license does not affect your OPT authorization directly, but it meaningfully improves your sponsorship prospects. Employers are more likely to invest in H-1B sponsorship for engineers who demonstrate long-term value. Passing the FE exam and documenting EIT status signals professional trajectory. Some state DOT roles also give preference to candidates on a clear path to licensure.
What happens to my OPT authorization if my transportation engineering employer loses a federal contract?
If your employment ends, your OPT authorization does not end immediately. You have a 90-day unemployment allowance for standard OPT and 150 days total across the full STEM OPT period. You must report the change to your DSO and begin searching for a new qualifying position promptly. Staying within those limits keeps your status valid while you pursue a new role.
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