STEM OPT Entry Level Jobs
Entry level jobs are a strong fit for STEM OPT students: most require the bachelor's degrees that qualify you for the 24-month extension, and entry-level hiring cycles give you time to confirm E-Verify enrollment before your initial OPT period ends. Your 36 months of total work authorization covers a full early-career runway.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Kimley-Horn is looking for Engineering graduates to join our Roadway Team in our Miami, Florida (FL) office in 2026! This is not a remote position.
Responsibilities
- Utilize technical software programs on a regular basis to analyze, produce, and QC deliverables for our clients.
- Contribute to the pre-construction civil engineering design, planning, modification, permitting, and analysis for multiple projects ranging in size and scope.
- Solve complex problems, assist project managers, and collaborate across disciplines to produce our clients’ visions for the future built environment.
- Develop familiarity with the federal, state, and local regulations, as well as Kimley-Horn’s and our client’s practices, procedures, and standards.
- Analysts will learn one or more software programs specific to their disciplines: AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Excel, Microstation, VISSIM, Open Roads, Synchro and/or GIS.
QUALIFICATIONS
- An ABET accredited engineering degree (Bachelors or Masters) by Summer 2026 in one of the following majors:
- Civil and/or Environmental Engineering
- Mechanical, Electrical, Biological, Biosystems, Chemical, or Agricultural Engineering
- Engineering Technology
WHY KIMLEY-HORN?
At Kimley-Horn, we do things differently. People, clients, and employees are at the forefront of who we are. Clients know we prioritize achieving their goals and growing their success. Employees know our culture and approach to business are built on a desire to provide an environment for everyone to flourish. Our commitment to quality is only as good as the people behind it—that’s why we welcome and develop passionate, hardworking, and proactive employees. We take pride in how our employee retention, robust benefits package, and company values have led to Kimley-Horn’s placement on the Fortune “100 Best Companies to Work” list for 19 years!
Key Benefits at Kimley-Horn
- Exceptional Retirement Plan: 2-to1- company match on up to 4% of eligible compensation (salary + bonus) and additional profit-sharing contribution.
- Comprehensive Health Coverage: Low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance options.
- Time Off: Personal leave, flexible scheduling, floating holidays, and half-day Fridays.
- Financial Wellness: Student loan matching in our 401(k), and performance-based bonuses.
- Professional Development: Tuition reimbursement and extensive internal training programs.
- Family-Friendly Benefits: New Parent Leave, family building benefits, and childcare resources.
INTRODUCTION
Kimley-Horn is looking for Engineering graduates to join our Roadway Team in our Miami, Florida (FL) office in 2026! This is not a remote position.
Responsibilities
- Utilize technical software programs on a regular basis to analyze, produce, and QC deliverables for our clients.
- Contribute to the pre-construction civil engineering design, planning, modification, permitting, and analysis for multiple projects ranging in size and scope.
- Solve complex problems, assist project managers, and collaborate across disciplines to produce our clients’ visions for the future built environment.
- Develop familiarity with the federal, state, and local regulations, as well as Kimley-Horn’s and our client’s practices, procedures, and standards.
- Analysts will learn one or more software programs specific to their disciplines: AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Excel, Microstation, VISSIM, Open Roads, Synchro and/or GIS.
QUALIFICATIONS
- An ABET accredited engineering degree (Bachelors or Masters) by Summer 2026 in one of the following majors:
- Civil and/or Environmental Engineering
- Mechanical, Electrical, Biological, Biosystems, Chemical, or Agricultural Engineering
- Engineering Technology
WHY KIMLEY-HORN?
At Kimley-Horn, we do things differently. People, clients, and employees are at the forefront of who we are. Clients know we prioritize achieving their goals and growing their success. Employees know our culture and approach to business are built on a desire to provide an environment for everyone to flourish. Our commitment to quality is only as good as the people behind it—that’s why we welcome and develop passionate, hardworking, and proactive employees. We take pride in how our employee retention, robust benefits package, and company values have led to Kimley-Horn’s placement on the Fortune “100 Best Companies to Work” list for 19 years!
Key Benefits at Kimley-Horn
- Exceptional Retirement Plan: 2-to1- company match on up to 4% of eligible compensation (salary + bonus) and additional profit-sharing contribution.
- Comprehensive Health Coverage: Low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance options.
- Time Off: Personal leave, flexible scheduling, floating holidays, and half-day Fridays.
- Financial Wellness: Student loan matching in our 401(k), and performance-based bonuses.
- Professional Development: Tuition reimbursement and extensive internal training programs.
- Family-Friendly Benefits: New Parent Leave, family building benefits, and childcare resources.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization in Entry Level
Verify your CIP code before applying
Check that your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code maps to a DHS-designated STEM field. Your DSO can confirm this from your I-20, and mismatches discovered after filing delay or invalidate your extension.
Screen job postings for E-Verify language
Look for 'E-Verify employer' or 'authorized to work in the U.S.' disclosures in the job listing. If neither appears, ask the recruiter directly before investing time in the process, since E-Verify enrollment is a hard requirement for STEM OPT.
Search verified sponsors on Migrate Mate
Filter entry level roles by employers already confirmed as E-Verify participants on Migrate Mate. This removes the guesswork of vetting sponsorship eligibility yourself and puts you in front of roles structured for OPT students from day one.
Draft your I-983 training plan early
The I-983 must document specific learning objectives tied to your STEM degree before your employer signs it. Prepare a draft outlining your role, skills you'll develop, and how each maps to your field so the employer review goes quickly.
Confirm the role qualifies as a training experience
USCIS requires that your entry level position provide practical training directly related to your degree. Review the job description against your I-983 objectives before accepting an offer to avoid a denial or a required amendment later.
Entry Level jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Entry Level JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can I work in an entry level job on STEM OPT?
Yes. Entry level roles qualify for STEM OPT as long as the position provides practical training directly related to your STEM degree and your employer is enrolled in E-Verify. The role doesn't need to be senior or highly specialized. What matters is the connection between your job duties and your degree field, which you document on the I-983 training plan.
How do I know if an entry level employer is enrolled in E-Verify?
Ask the recruiter or HR contact directly whether the company is an E-Verify participant. Some job postings include this disclosure, but many don't. You can also ask for the company's E-Verify company ID as confirmation. Migrate Mate filters entry level listings by verified E-Verify employers, so you can skip this vetting step and apply with confidence.
What STEM degrees qualify me for the 24-month OPT extension?
Your degree must fall under a DHS-designated STEM Classification of Instructional Programs code. Common qualifying fields include computer science, engineering, mathematics, biology, chemistry, and data science, but the full list is maintained by DHS and tied to the CIP code on your I-20. Your DSO can confirm your eligibility before you file. Degrees outside designated codes don't qualify regardless of how technical the role is.
What is the I-983 and what do I need from my entry level employer?
The I-983 is a training plan that documents how your entry level role connects to your STEM degree. You and your employer complete it together before your extension is filed. Your employer must describe your job duties, identify the skills you'll gain, and sign the form. USCIS can request it during a site visit, so both you and your employer should keep copies for the full duration of your authorization.
Does cap-gap coverage apply while my STEM OPT extension is pending?
Cap-gap applies to F-1 students whose H-1B petition is filed before their OPT expires, not to the STEM OPT extension itself. If you're in your initial OPT period and your employer files an H-1B petition on your behalf, cap-gap extends your work authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year. The STEM OPT extension is a separate process filed with USCIS and doesn't trigger cap-gap coverage on its own.
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