STEM OPT Geophysicist Jobs
Geophysicist roles in oil and gas, environmental consulting, and federal agencies regularly hire F-1 graduates with STEM degrees in geoscience, geophysics, or earth science. Your 24-month STEM OPT extension applies to qualifying roles, and your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify to sign your I-983 training plan.
Find STEM OPT Geophysicist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 26+ Geophysicist jobs
See all Geophysicist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Geophysicist roles.
Get Access To All JobsGeophysicist 1
- (193705)
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.
At HDR, our employee‑ownership model shapes everything we do, including how we support and care for our people. Our diverse service lines, including Water, Architecture, Building Engineering Services, Field Services, Power, Waste, Industrial, and Transportation reflect our commitment to shaping resilient, sustainable, and forward‑thinking communities around the world. Across these disciplines, our teams design and deliver solutions that safeguard public health, enhance quality of life, power innovation, and drive responsible growth. Whether advancing clean water, creating healing and learning environments, engineering next‑generation facilities, or building the infrastructure that moves people and energy, our work is rooted in technical excellence and a shared sense of purpose. Our employee‑owners collaborate across specialties, combining creativity, precision, and deep expertise to solve the most complex challenges facing our clients and communities.
In the role of Geophysicist, we'll count on you to:
- Manage and execute engineering geophysics projects, both field and in office, in support of various clients (e.g., transportation, oil and gas, water resources, environmental, etc.).
- Support proposal development efforts and contribute to the expansion of HDR's Engineering Geophysics capabilities.
- Manage geophysical projects involving, Utilities, Seismic, Electro-magnetics, Magnetics, GPR as they come available, including field work, data processing and reporting.
- Manage sampling projects local to Colorado.
- Provide pothole oversight for Utility projects.
- Work on site with data collection during the execution of munitions response projects in support of HDR's Program Manager and Project Managers.
- Travel to support HDR projects and support Project Managers with planning and reporting before and after project execution.
- Work on engineering geophysics projects as necessary.
- Handle the following support activities: data collection, data processing, work planning, reports, equipment logs, field forms, check lists, daily reports and associated tasks/documents.
- Communicate any geophysical project issues and concerns to management and support the development of solutions.
- Interpret seismic data utilizing advanced geophysical techniques.
- Work in a collaborative environment with an integrated team of geoscientists, engineers and negotiators.
- Assist with the planning, supervision and quality control of the acquisition and processing of geophysical data.
- Complete integrated interpretations of geophysical, geological and well data to define prospective areas, to position exploratory well locations and to define areas for further exploratory effort.
- Take on projects and tasks as assigned by management.
- Will report to the HDR Englewood office and most local fieldwork will include picking up equipment and/or other team members there.
- Position is primarily in the field.
Preferred Qualifications
- Work includes travel out of state and ability to travel with overnight stays. Travel duration 1-3 weeks at a time.
- No restrictions with working on Federal facilities.
- Ability to work primarily in the field.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Geophysics or closely related field
- Minimum of 1 year of industry experience
- Technical understanding of exploration geophysics
- Experience with Oasis montaj Geosoft Geophysical Data Analysis software and Matlab Computational Software
- An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must
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.
We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement. The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.) {Colorado}: $63,063 - $90,090
Primary Location:
United States-Colorado-Englewood
Industry:
Federal
Schedule:
Full-time
Employee Status:
Regular
Business Class:
Geomatics and Remote Sensing
Job Posting:
Jun 15, 2026
Geophysicist 1
- (193705)
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.
At HDR, our employee‑ownership model shapes everything we do, including how we support and care for our people. Our diverse service lines, including Water, Architecture, Building Engineering Services, Field Services, Power, Waste, Industrial, and Transportation reflect our commitment to shaping resilient, sustainable, and forward‑thinking communities around the world. Across these disciplines, our teams design and deliver solutions that safeguard public health, enhance quality of life, power innovation, and drive responsible growth. Whether advancing clean water, creating healing and learning environments, engineering next‑generation facilities, or building the infrastructure that moves people and energy, our work is rooted in technical excellence and a shared sense of purpose. Our employee‑owners collaborate across specialties, combining creativity, precision, and deep expertise to solve the most complex challenges facing our clients and communities.
In the role of Geophysicist, we'll count on you to:
- Manage and execute engineering geophysics projects, both field and in office, in support of various clients (e.g., transportation, oil and gas, water resources, environmental, etc.).
- Support proposal development efforts and contribute to the expansion of HDR's Engineering Geophysics capabilities.
- Manage geophysical projects involving, Utilities, Seismic, Electro-magnetics, Magnetics, GPR as they come available, including field work, data processing and reporting.
- Manage sampling projects local to Colorado.
- Provide pothole oversight for Utility projects.
- Work on site with data collection during the execution of munitions response projects in support of HDR's Program Manager and Project Managers.
- Travel to support HDR projects and support Project Managers with planning and reporting before and after project execution.
- Work on engineering geophysics projects as necessary.
- Handle the following support activities: data collection, data processing, work planning, reports, equipment logs, field forms, check lists, daily reports and associated tasks/documents.
- Communicate any geophysical project issues and concerns to management and support the development of solutions.
- Interpret seismic data utilizing advanced geophysical techniques.
- Work in a collaborative environment with an integrated team of geoscientists, engineers and negotiators.
- Assist with the planning, supervision and quality control of the acquisition and processing of geophysical data.
- Complete integrated interpretations of geophysical, geological and well data to define prospective areas, to position exploratory well locations and to define areas for further exploratory effort.
- Take on projects and tasks as assigned by management.
- Will report to the HDR Englewood office and most local fieldwork will include picking up equipment and/or other team members there.
- Position is primarily in the field.
Preferred Qualifications
- Work includes travel out of state and ability to travel with overnight stays. Travel duration 1-3 weeks at a time.
- No restrictions with working on Federal facilities.
- Ability to work primarily in the field.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Geophysics or closely related field
- Minimum of 1 year of industry experience
- Technical understanding of exploration geophysics
- Experience with Oasis montaj Geosoft Geophysical Data Analysis software and Matlab Computational Software
- An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must
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.
We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement. The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.) {Colorado}: $63,063 - $90,090
Primary Location:
United States-Colorado-Englewood
Industry:
Federal
Schedule:
Full-time
Employee Status:
Regular
Business Class:
Geomatics and Remote Sensing
Job Posting:
Jun 15, 2026
See all STEM OPT Geophysicist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Geophysicist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization in Geophysicist
Verify your CIP code before applying
Your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code determines STEM OPT eligibility. Geophysics and earth science programs typically fall under CIP 40.06, but confirm with your DSO that your specific program is on the STEM-designated degree list before targeting employers.
Check E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Only employers enrolled in E-Verify can legally employ STEM OPT students. Search the E-Verify employer search tool directly to confirm enrollment status before you invest time in an application process or accept any offer.
Target employers with active federal contracts
Federal contractors are required by law to use E-Verify, making agencies like USGS, NOAA, and DOE contractors structurally compliant. Geophysicist roles with these employers remove one common STEM OPT obstacle from the equation.
Benchmark your offer against prevailing wages
Your I-983 training plan requires that your compensation meets the prevailing wage for geophysicists in your work location. Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the Level I through Level IV wage bands for SOC code 19-2042 before finalizing your offer.
Find STEM OPT geophysicist roles on Migrate Mate
Filter by STEM OPT eligibility and geoscience roles on Migrate Mate to surface employers who have already hired on work authorization. This cuts prospecting time and focuses your applications on companies with a demonstrated track record of supporting OPT students.
File your I-983 before your start date
USCIS requires a signed I-983 training plan on file before you begin working under the STEM OPT extension. Coordinate with your employer's HR team early so signatures and the formal training goals are documented before your first day, not after.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a geophysics or earth science degree qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, provided your program appears on the STEM-designated degree list maintained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Geophysics degrees typically fall under CIP code 40.06, and related programs in geological and earth sciences often qualify as well. Confirm the exact CIP code on your diploma with your DSO before your STEM OPT extension application, since the classification on file determines eligibility.
What E-Verify requirement applies to employers hiring me as a geophysicist on STEM OPT?
Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify for the specific worksite location where you'll be employed. This is a federal requirement for all STEM OPT placements, not just a best practice. Before signing an offer letter, verify enrollment through the E-Verify employer search. Federal agencies and most large energy and environmental consulting firms are already enrolled, but smaller regional firms may not be.
What goes into the I-983 training plan for a geophysicist role?
The I-983 must document specific learning objectives tied to your STEM degree, the practical skills you'll develop, how your supervisor will evaluate your progress, and how the role relates to your geoscience or geophysics coursework. Generic job descriptions don't satisfy this requirement. Your employer needs to articulate measurable outcomes, such as proficiency in seismic interpretation software, fieldwork methodology, or subsurface modeling techniques relevant to your program of study.
How does cap-gap protection apply if my employer files an H-1B petition during my STEM OPT?
If your employer submits a timely H-1B visa petition before your STEM OPT authorization expires and you're selected in the lottery, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year. You can continue working as a geophysicist during this period without interruption. USCIS confirms cap-gap coverage through an updated I-20 issued by your DSO, not through a separate filing.
How do I find geophysicist jobs where employers are already familiar with STEM OPT?
Search Migrate Mate to find geophysicist roles filtered for STEM OPT eligibility, where employers have a history of hiring international students on work authorization. This matters because geophysicist hiring often involves fieldwork logistics, security clearance questions, and project-based contracts that can complicate STEM OPT placements at employers who haven't navigated the process before.