STEM OPT Bridge Engineer Jobs
Bridge Engineer roles in structural and civil engineering qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to 36 months of F-1 work authorization. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and your degree must align with an approved STEM CIP code in civil or structural engineering.
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Get Access To All JobsRail Bridge Engineer
At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?
Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.
We believe transportation is more than movement, it’s the foundation of connected, thriving communities. As part of HDR’s Transportation Business Group, you’ll help shape the systems that move people and goods safely, efficiently, and sustainably. From designing resilient highways and iconic bridges to advancing transit, passenger and freight rail, aviation, federal transportation ports and marine infrastructure, your work will directly support economic vitality, public safety, sustainable and resilient communities and quality of life. We bring together planners, engineers, architects, construction management staff, environmental, strategic communications, economists, management consultants and specialists across disciplines to solve complex mobility challenges with innovation, technical excellence, and a deep understanding of community needs. Whether you're modernizing aging infrastructure or pioneering next-generation transportation solutions, your contributions will help define the future of mobility. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to lead progress, drive meaningful impact, and leave a legacy of smarter, more connected transportation networks. We are all employee-owners at HDR, which is the foundation of our collaborative culture that connects employees around the world.
In the role of Rail Bridge Engineer, we'll count on you to:
- Serve in a technical role on rail bridges and structures engineering/design projects to support HDR’s Freight Rail Market Sector and other market sectors as needed.
- Perform structural engineering/design calculations and develop design details using specialized software, writing specifications, developing cost estimates, and reviewing construction submittals.
- Support Project Managers or Task Leads in the development of proposal, project scope, budget, and schedule elements.
- Work across team-driven environments, across regions, and with a variety of clients that include rail, industrial, terminal, utility, agency, DOT, port, transit, and other industry clients.
- Be involved in project activities ranging from feasibility analysis to final design and through to the construction phase activities.
- Support Project Managers by participating in client and stakeholder visits, site visits, field assessments, and construction inspections as needed.
- Review or check design calculations, estimates, and specifications produced by other staff.
- Assist in the delivery of multi-disciplinary projects, including the planning and environmental clearance process of a project. Mentor less-experienced staff.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree
- Previous experience in bridge design
- Requires professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered. Example: Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license.
- Familiarity with Bluebeam Revu and engineering software packages such as: LEAP Bridge Enterprise, FB-MultiPier, LPile, AASHTOWare BrR, midas Civil, MDX, SAP2000, CSiBridge, RM Bridge, spColumn, STLBridgeLRFD, or STLBridge.
- Knowledge of ADINA, LUSAS, Bentley OpenBridge Designer and OpenBridge Modeler and/or Autodesk Infraworks and Civil3d.
- Experience using Microsoft Office Suite, MicroStation, AutoCAD, MathCAD, LARSA, Prestress Concrete Design
- Experience using structural analysis programs and bridge design software
- Experience managing junior staff
- Excellent communication skills and working in a team environment
- An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master's degree in Structural Engineering
- Experience within the railroad engineering industry and familiarity with railroad design guidelines, specifications, and design criteria
- Preference given to local candidates
What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.
Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.
Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.
Primary Location:
United States-Kentucky-Elizabethtown
Other Locations:
United States-Kentucky-Louisville, United States-Tennessee-Memphis, United States-Kentucky-Paducah, United States-Tennessee-Chattanooga, United States-Kentucky-Lexington, United States-Tennessee-Nashville
Industry:
Freight Rail
Schedule:
Full-time
Employee Status:
Regular
Business Class:
Bridges and Structures
Job Posting:
May 4, 2026
Rail Bridge Engineer
At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?
Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.
We believe transportation is more than movement, it’s the foundation of connected, thriving communities. As part of HDR’s Transportation Business Group, you’ll help shape the systems that move people and goods safely, efficiently, and sustainably. From designing resilient highways and iconic bridges to advancing transit, passenger and freight rail, aviation, federal transportation ports and marine infrastructure, your work will directly support economic vitality, public safety, sustainable and resilient communities and quality of life. We bring together planners, engineers, architects, construction management staff, environmental, strategic communications, economists, management consultants and specialists across disciplines to solve complex mobility challenges with innovation, technical excellence, and a deep understanding of community needs. Whether you're modernizing aging infrastructure or pioneering next-generation transportation solutions, your contributions will help define the future of mobility. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to lead progress, drive meaningful impact, and leave a legacy of smarter, more connected transportation networks. We are all employee-owners at HDR, which is the foundation of our collaborative culture that connects employees around the world.
In the role of Rail Bridge Engineer, we'll count on you to:
- Serve in a technical role on rail bridges and structures engineering/design projects to support HDR’s Freight Rail Market Sector and other market sectors as needed.
- Perform structural engineering/design calculations and develop design details using specialized software, writing specifications, developing cost estimates, and reviewing construction submittals.
- Support Project Managers or Task Leads in the development of proposal, project scope, budget, and schedule elements.
- Work across team-driven environments, across regions, and with a variety of clients that include rail, industrial, terminal, utility, agency, DOT, port, transit, and other industry clients.
- Be involved in project activities ranging from feasibility analysis to final design and through to the construction phase activities.
- Support Project Managers by participating in client and stakeholder visits, site visits, field assessments, and construction inspections as needed.
- Review or check design calculations, estimates, and specifications produced by other staff.
- Assist in the delivery of multi-disciplinary projects, including the planning and environmental clearance process of a project. Mentor less-experienced staff.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree
- Previous experience in bridge design
- Requires professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered. Example: Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license.
- Familiarity with Bluebeam Revu and engineering software packages such as: LEAP Bridge Enterprise, FB-MultiPier, LPile, AASHTOWare BrR, midas Civil, MDX, SAP2000, CSiBridge, RM Bridge, spColumn, STLBridgeLRFD, or STLBridge.
- Knowledge of ADINA, LUSAS, Bentley OpenBridge Designer and OpenBridge Modeler and/or Autodesk Infraworks and Civil3d.
- Experience using Microsoft Office Suite, MicroStation, AutoCAD, MathCAD, LARSA, Prestress Concrete Design
- Experience using structural analysis programs and bridge design software
- Experience managing junior staff
- Excellent communication skills and working in a team environment
- An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master's degree in Structural Engineering
- Experience within the railroad engineering industry and familiarity with railroad design guidelines, specifications, and design criteria
- Preference given to local candidates
What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.
Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.
Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.
Primary Location:
United States-Kentucky-Elizabethtown
Other Locations:
United States-Kentucky-Louisville, United States-Tennessee-Memphis, United States-Kentucky-Paducah, United States-Tennessee-Chattanooga, United States-Kentucky-Lexington, United States-Tennessee-Nashville
Industry:
Freight Rail
Schedule:
Full-time
Employee Status:
Regular
Business Class:
Bridges and Structures
Job Posting:
May 4, 2026
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Bridge Engineer
Verify your CIP code before applying
Check that your degree's CIP code appears on the USCIS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Civil engineering (14.0801) and structural engineering (14.0803) both qualify, but dual-degree or interdisciplinary programs sometimes carry a non-STEM CIP code that disqualifies the extension.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Ask your recruiter to confirm E-Verify employer ID or search the E-Verify employer search portal directly. Engineering firms with federal contracts are usually enrolled, but smaller regional bridge consultancies often are not, which would block your STEM OPT extension.
Target firms with active federal infrastructure contracts
Firms holding FHWA or Army Corps of Engineers contracts must comply with federal contractor E-Verify requirements, making them structurally more likely to be enrolled and experienced with OPT students than state-only or private-sector firms.
Build your I-983 training plan around PE licensure milestones
Your I-983 must list specific learning objectives tied to your STEM degree. Frame objectives around structural analysis software proficiency, load rating methodologies, and AASHTO standards, which directly map to bridge engineering job duties and strengthen DSO approval.
Use Migrate Mate to filter by E-Verify enrollment
Search Bridge Engineer roles on Migrate Mate, which filters listings by verified E-Verify employer status using DOL LCA data, so you're not spending time on firms that can't legally support your STEM OPT extension.
Understand cap-gap timing relative to PE exam schedules
If your employer files an H-1B petition before your OPT expires, cap-gap protection extends your work authorization through September 30. Align your EIT exam and PE exam prep timeline with this window so a status gap doesn't interrupt licensure requirements.
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Find Bridge Engineer JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does a civil engineering or structural engineering degree qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, both civil engineering and structural engineering degrees are on the USCIS STEM Designated Degree Program List and qualify for the 24-month extension. Confirm your exact CIP code with your DSO before applying to roles, since interdisciplinary programs sometimes carry a non-qualifying code even when the coursework is technical.
Is the E-Verify requirement a real barrier for bridge engineering firms?
It can be. Large engineering consultancies and firms holding federal or state transportation contracts are typically enrolled in E-Verify as a condition of those contracts. Smaller regional firms or niche specialty contractors may not be. Always confirm enrollment directly with HR before investing time in an application process, since your STEM OPT extension is blocked without it.
What goes into the I-983 training plan for a Bridge Engineer role?
Your I-983 must connect your daily job duties to your STEM degree's learning objectives. For bridge engineering, that means listing specific technical skills you'll develop: structural load analysis, finite element modeling, inspection methodology, or bridge rating software. Generic job descriptions are often rejected. Work with your DSO and employer supervisor to draft objectives that reference actual project types and engineering standards you'll apply on the job.
How do I find Bridge Engineer employers who are already enrolled in E-Verify?
Migrate Mate filters Bridge Engineer job listings by verified E-Verify enrollment using DOL LCA disclosure data, so you can focus only on employers who can legally support your STEM OPT extension. For additional verification, the E-Verify employer search tool lets you look up any firm by name or employer ID before you apply.
What happens to my STEM OPT authorization if my employer files an H-1B petition before my OPT expires?
If your employer files a timely H-1B petition and it's selected in the lottery, cap-gap protection automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that year, or until USCIS makes a decision if the petition is still pending. You can continue working for the same employer without interruption. Your DSO must issue a new I-20 reflecting the cap-gap extension for your records.
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