STEM OPT Geotechnical Engineer Jobs
Geotechnical Engineer roles qualify for STEM OPT because they fall under civil and geotechnical engineering CIP codes recognized by ICE. Your F-1 status gives you up to 36 months of work authorization, but every employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and sign a Form I-983 training plan before your first day.
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Get Access To All JobsWhat You'll Do:
Responsibilities:
- Supports preparation of geotechnical reports, including analysis and recommendations
- Manages construction materials testing (CMT) tasks, including daily report review and issue tracking
- Assists with project budgeting and prepares invoices
- Supports preparation of proposals for geotechnical and CMT projects
- Performs or assists with boring and test pit layout and site access evaluation
- Prepares drilling packages and obtains utility clearances
- Conducts research on local geologic conditions
- Assists with supervision of field investigations and drilling activities
- Performs or supports in-situ testing and soil classification
- Reviews field reports and supports documentation of project data
- Communicates with project teams, contractors, and field personnel
- Performs other technical, field, and project support tasks as assigned
What We're Looking For:
Required Qualifications:
- 0 years of related experience
- Bachelor and/or Master of Science in Civil Engineering, Geological Engineering, Geology, or similar is required
- A professional license is not required in this position, but it is necessary to progress in your career
- If driving for or on behalf of any ECS subsidiary, a valid driver's license is required
- Strong communication skills (verbal and written)
- Strong organizational and time management skills
- Basic knowledge of geotechnical principles and applications
- Basic knowledge of construction materials testing and ASTM standards
- Ability to work effectively with teams, clients, and supervisors
- Developing project management and client communication skills
- Basic familiarity with geotechnical software (developing)
- Self-motivated and responsible work ethic
Military Qualifications:
The following US Military ranks will qualify for this position IF they also meet the education and licenses requirements from the above section titled "Required Qualifications":
-
- E-5
Who We Are:
ECS Group of Companies (ECS) was founded in 1988 with the goal to raise the standards of professional engineering consulting. Today, we are a leader in geotechnical, construction materials, environmental and facilities consulting services. We are employee-owned with more than 3,000 employees in 100+ offices and testing facilities coast to coast. ECS is currently ranked #60 in Engineering News-Record’s Top 500 Design Firms (April 2026), #148 in Engineering News-Record’s Top 200 Environmental Firms (October 2025) and #50 in Zweig Group’s Hot Firm List (May 2025).
ECS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To learn more, click here.
What You'll Do:
Responsibilities:
- Supports preparation of geotechnical reports, including analysis and recommendations
- Manages construction materials testing (CMT) tasks, including daily report review and issue tracking
- Assists with project budgeting and prepares invoices
- Supports preparation of proposals for geotechnical and CMT projects
- Performs or assists with boring and test pit layout and site access evaluation
- Prepares drilling packages and obtains utility clearances
- Conducts research on local geologic conditions
- Assists with supervision of field investigations and drilling activities
- Performs or supports in-situ testing and soil classification
- Reviews field reports and supports documentation of project data
- Communicates with project teams, contractors, and field personnel
- Performs other technical, field, and project support tasks as assigned
What We're Looking For:
Required Qualifications:
- 0 years of related experience
- Bachelor and/or Master of Science in Civil Engineering, Geological Engineering, Geology, or similar is required
- A professional license is not required in this position, but it is necessary to progress in your career
- If driving for or on behalf of any ECS subsidiary, a valid driver's license is required
- Strong communication skills (verbal and written)
- Strong organizational and time management skills
- Basic knowledge of geotechnical principles and applications
- Basic knowledge of construction materials testing and ASTM standards
- Ability to work effectively with teams, clients, and supervisors
- Developing project management and client communication skills
- Basic familiarity with geotechnical software (developing)
- Self-motivated and responsible work ethic
Military Qualifications:
The following US Military ranks will qualify for this position IF they also meet the education and licenses requirements from the above section titled "Required Qualifications":
-
- E-5
Who We Are:
ECS Group of Companies (ECS) was founded in 1988 with the goal to raise the standards of professional engineering consulting. Today, we are a leader in geotechnical, construction materials, environmental and facilities consulting services. We are employee-owned with more than 3,000 employees in 100+ offices and testing facilities coast to coast. ECS is currently ranked #60 in Engineering News-Record’s Top 500 Design Firms (April 2026), #148 in Engineering News-Record’s Top 200 Environmental Firms (October 2025) and #50 in Zweig Group’s Hot Firm List (May 2025).
ECS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To learn more, click here.
See all 225+ STEM OPT Geotechnical Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Geotechnical Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Geotechnical Engineer
Verify your CIP code covers geotechnical work
Your degree's CIP code must appear on the STEM OPT designated degree list. Civil Engineering (14.0801) and Geological and Earth Sciences (40.0601) both qualify, but confirm with your DSO before applying so you don't lose time chasing roles under the wrong authorization.
Check E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
An employer must be actively enrolled in E-Verify, not just registered. Ask the hiring manager or HR to confirm their E-Verify company ID number. USCIS requires enrollment before your STEM OPT extension start date, and a lapsed account disqualifies an otherwise valid job offer.
Target firms with active geotechnical LCA filings
Use the OFLC Wage Search to find employers who have filed Labor Condition Applications for geotechnical or civil engineering roles. Past LCA filings signal that a firm already understands DOL prevailing-wage requirements and has processed international employees in technical site-assessment or soil-investigation roles.
Find STEM OPT geotechnical roles on Migrate Mate
Search Migrate Mate to filter geotechnical engineer positions by employers verified to hire STEM OPT students. The platform surfaces DOL filing history by occupation, so you can prioritize companies with a documented record of hiring in your specific engineering discipline.
Draft your I-983 training plan around site-specific duties
Your Form I-983 must connect your engineering degree to your day-to-day tasks. For geotechnical roles, document specific learning objectives like soil classification, slope stability analysis, or foundation design. Generic descriptions of 'engineering tasks' get flagged by DSOs and delay your STEM OPT approval.
Time your STEM OPT extension filing to field project cycles
USCIS recommends filing your STEM OPT extension 90 days before your initial OPT expires. Geotechnical firms often ramp hiring around spring and summer field seasons, so submit your extension paperwork in winter to avoid authorization gaps that could delay your start on active site-investigation projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a civil or geotechnical engineering degree qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your degree's CIP code appears on the ICE STEM designated degree list. Civil Engineering (14.0801), Geological and Earth Sciences (40.0601), and Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering (14.0802) all qualify. Confirm the exact CIP code on your transcript with your DSO before applying, since the listed code on your diploma determines eligibility, not your job title.
What does the Form I-983 training plan require for a geotechnical engineer role?
The I-983 must document how your day-to-day responsibilities connect to your STEM degree. For geotechnical roles, that means listing specific learning goals tied to tasks like subsurface investigation, slope stability analysis, or soil classification. Your employer signs the plan, and your DSO approves it before USCIS processes your extension. The plan must be updated if your duties or employer change materially.
How do I confirm my employer is enrolled in E-Verify before accepting a geotechnical job offer?
Ask HR for the company's E-Verify employer ID number and verify active enrollment status directly through E-Verify. Enrollment must be current, not expired, on the date your STEM OPT extension begins. This applies to every employer including subcontractors and joint-venture firms on public infrastructure or environmental remediation projects where your geotechnical work is based.
How do cap-gap rules affect geotechnical engineers waiting on an H-1B petition?
If your employer files an H-1B visa petition before your OPT expires and USCIS selects it in the lottery, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that year. You can continue geotechnical fieldwork and project reporting without interruption. Your I-20 must reflect the cap-gap extension, and your DSO issues an updated document once USCIS confirms your petition was accepted.
Where can I find geotechnical engineer jobs that hire STEM OPT students?
Migrate Mate filters geotechnical engineer roles by employers with verified E-Verify enrollment and DOL Labor Condition Application filing history in civil and geotechnical engineering occupations. You can also cross-reference O*NET for the occupation profile under SOC code 17-3051, which covers geotechnical and materials testing roles commonly staffed by STEM OPT candidates at environmental and infrastructure firms.