STEM OPT Architect Jobs
Architecture roles qualify for STEM OPT when your degree falls under an eligible CIP code in architecture or a related STEM field. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify to hire you, and the 24-month STEM OPT extension gives you up to 36 months total to build licensure experience, complete IDP hours, and pursue long-term sponsorship.
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Get Access To All JobsHow to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.
Who We Are
Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) manages the planning, design and construction of the University of Michigan's physical campus. A division of Facilities and Operations, our professional staff has the expertise to manage a wide range of facility improvement projects. We are committed to providing outstanding customer service and safely completing projects on time and within budget.
Reporting to the Associate Director for Design, you will:
- Evaluate courses of action and make independent decisions on matters of significance within the scope of responsibilities, free from immediate direction.
- Manage the activities of architects, engineers, interior designers, and other professionals retained for planning, programming and designing assigned capital building projects.
- Develop architectural program statements, building programs and conceptual designs for assigned capital building projects.
- Maintain the highest quality standards in architecture, while managing the design process for capital building projects.
- Prepare and execute contracts for engaging professional consultant firms to develop and document capital building projects.
- Advise client administrators and faculty on criteria for facility planning, building design, and construction.
- Prepare and oversee the preparation of graphics and narrative reports for programming and design projects and create presentation.
Required Qualifications*
- Bachelor's Degree in Architecture
- 3 or more years of related experience managing the design efforts for multiple medium-sized capital projects
- Licensed architect or qualified to take the architect licensing exam.
Why Work at Michigan?
Being part of something greater, of serving a larger mission of discovery and care - that's the heart of what drives people to work at Michigan. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. It's adding a purpose to your profession. Work at Michigan and become a victor for the greater good.
In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:
- Generous time off, including Family care, Maternity and Parental paid leaves
- A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
- Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
- Dental, Vision, and Life insurance
- Long-term disability coverage
- Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Additional Information
Facilities & Operations is a positive organization dedicated to the principles of being respectful, collaborative, solutions-based and proactive.
Background Screening
The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.
Job Opening ID
278652
Working Title
Architect
Job Title
Architect Intermediate
Work Location
Ann Arbor Campus
Ann Arbor, MI
Modes of Work
Hybrid
Full/Part Time
Full-Time
Regular/Temporary
Regular
FLSA Status
Exempt
Organizational Group
Aec
Department
AEC-Project Management
Posting Begin/End Date
6/10/2026 - 7/10/2026
Salary
$75,000.00 - $90,000.00
Career Interest
Engineering & Architecture
How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.
Who We Are
Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) manages the planning, design and construction of the University of Michigan's physical campus. A division of Facilities and Operations, our professional staff has the expertise to manage a wide range of facility improvement projects. We are committed to providing outstanding customer service and safely completing projects on time and within budget.
Reporting to the Associate Director for Design, you will:
- Evaluate courses of action and make independent decisions on matters of significance within the scope of responsibilities, free from immediate direction.
- Manage the activities of architects, engineers, interior designers, and other professionals retained for planning, programming and designing assigned capital building projects.
- Develop architectural program statements, building programs and conceptual designs for assigned capital building projects.
- Maintain the highest quality standards in architecture, while managing the design process for capital building projects.
- Prepare and execute contracts for engaging professional consultant firms to develop and document capital building projects.
- Advise client administrators and faculty on criteria for facility planning, building design, and construction.
- Prepare and oversee the preparation of graphics and narrative reports for programming and design projects and create presentation.
Required Qualifications*
- Bachelor's Degree in Architecture
- 3 or more years of related experience managing the design efforts for multiple medium-sized capital projects
- Licensed architect or qualified to take the architect licensing exam.
Why Work at Michigan?
Being part of something greater, of serving a larger mission of discovery and care - that's the heart of what drives people to work at Michigan. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. It's adding a purpose to your profession. Work at Michigan and become a victor for the greater good.
In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:
- Generous time off, including Family care, Maternity and Parental paid leaves
- A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
- Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
- Dental, Vision, and Life insurance
- Long-term disability coverage
- Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Additional Information
Facilities & Operations is a positive organization dedicated to the principles of being respectful, collaborative, solutions-based and proactive.
Background Screening
The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.
Job Opening ID
278652
Working Title
Architect
Job Title
Architect Intermediate
Work Location
Ann Arbor Campus
Ann Arbor, MI
Modes of Work
Hybrid
Full/Part Time
Full-Time
Regular/Temporary
Regular
FLSA Status
Exempt
Organizational Group
Aec
Department
AEC-Project Management
Posting Begin/End Date
6/10/2026 - 7/10/2026
Salary
$75,000.00 - $90,000.00
Career Interest
Engineering & Architecture
See all 575+ STEM OPT Architect Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Architect Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization in Architect
Verify your CIP code matches architecture
Not every architecture-adjacent degree qualifies for STEM OPT. Cross-reference your degree's CIP code against the official STEM Designated Degree Program List through USCIS to confirm eligibility before targeting employers or filing your extension.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Architecture firms, especially smaller studios, often aren't enrolled in E-Verify. Ask the hiring manager or HR directly before your offer stage. Firms not enrolled cannot legally employ STEM OPT students, and retroactive enrollment takes time that your OPT timeline may not absorb.
Target firms with active federal or public contracts
Federal contractors are required to use E-Verify, so architecture practices with government project portfolios are more likely to already be enrolled. Prioritize firms working on public infrastructure, federal buildings, or GSA-funded projects when building your application list.
Use Migrate Mate to filter for verified sponsoring employers
Search Migrate Mate for architect roles at employers with confirmed E-Verify enrollment and H-1B visa filing history. This cuts the research time of vetting individual firms and surfaces practices already experienced in hiring international design professionals.
Structure your I-983 training plan around licensure milestones
Your I-983 must show a direct connection between your work and your STEM degree. Map your training objectives to AXP experience areas like Project Management and Construction Evaluation so your plan reflects the professional development architects are formally required to document.
Align your OPT timeline with H-1B cap-gap protection
If your employer files an H-1B petition before April 1, cap-gap rules automatically extend your STEM OPT work authorization through September 30. Coordinate with your employer's HR or immigration counsel to make sure the petition is submitted within the registration window.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my architecture degree qualify me for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your specific degree's CIP code. Architecture degrees under CIP 04.02 (Architecture) are included on the STEM Designated Degree Program List maintained by USCIS. Degrees in architectural engineering, construction science, or urban planning may also qualify under separate CIP codes. Check your degree audit or transcript for the exact code and cross-reference it against the official USCIS list before filing your extension.
Can I work for a small architecture firm on STEM OPT?
Yes, but only if the firm is enrolled in E-Verify. Firm size doesn't determine eligibility. Many boutique and mid-size studios aren't enrolled because they've never hired international students before. Ask during the interview process, not after an offer. If a firm wants to hire you, they can enroll in E-Verify, but the process takes time and you can't start until enrollment is complete.
What goes into the I-983 training plan for an architect role?
Your I-983 training plan must detail how your day-to-day architectural work connects to your STEM degree. For architects, that means documenting objectives tied to design development, technical documentation, project coordination, and site observation. Reference AXP experience areas where possible. Your DSO and employer must both sign the plan, and it should be updated if your responsibilities change significantly during the extension period.
How does cap-gap work if my employer files for H-1B while I'm on STEM OPT?
If your STEM OPT expires between April 1 and September 30 and your employer files a timely H-1B petition before that expiration, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that year. You can continue working for the same employer during this period. USCIS issues no separate document for cap-gap; your continued authorization is based on the filed petition and your existing status.
Where can I find architect jobs at employers who already hire STEM OPT students?
Migrate Mate filters architecture roles by employers with verified E-Verify enrollment and a history of sponsoring international candidates. This is faster than vetting individual firms through E-Verify's public search tool. You can browse by role type and location to find practices already set up to onboard STEM OPT students without internal delays on the compliance side.