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 JobsINTRODUCTION
RK&K is hiring a Geotechnical Engineer to join our Asheville Office. RK&K is a civil engineering firm offering qualified candidates the opportunity to partner with an industry leader while experiencing unparalleled growth and career development.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As a Geotechnical Engineer at RK&K you will have the opportunity to work across disciplines to prepare plans and reports related to a variety of geotechnical projects for a variety of clients in the transportation and municipal sectors; you will conduct and supervise field investigations and develop design computations; and prepare geotechnical recommendations, contract plans, specifications, and construction cost estimates.
Essential Functions
- Assist in the development geotechnical portion of proposals and subsurface exploration programs
- Perform geotechnical analysis using approved software
- Aid in preparation of bridge, roadway, retaining wall foundation, and structure recommendations
- Assist in the preparation of Geotechnical Sheets
- Collaborate on innovative design concepts related to Geotechnical Engineering
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's in Civil Engineering
- Passion for client service and engineering
- Experience in Geotechnical Design and gINT
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- MS or advanced degree in Civil Engineering preferred
- Two (2) + years of experience in geotechnical services
- Engineer Intern license
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
What We Offer
RK&K offers excellent potential for career advancement and professional growth. We also offer attractive compensation packages commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits package including:
- Paid time off
- Hybrid work (home and office)
- Tuition reimbursement
- Health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurances
- Matching 401(k) plan
- Paid Holidays
- Much, much more!
Why RK& K?
As a full-service engineering and construction management firm, RK&K gives you the opportunity to directly impact the communities in which we live and work. What sets RK&K apart is an award-winning culture that has fostered a spirit of collaboration and trust for over 100 years. To its clients, the firm delivers concepts, processes, and outcomes that are designed for success. RK&K has earned its reputation as a trusted partner, responsive employer, and community steward.
Design your career at RK&K, Apply Today!
INTRODUCTION
RK&K is hiring a Geotechnical Engineer to join our Asheville Office. RK&K is a civil engineering firm offering qualified candidates the opportunity to partner with an industry leader while experiencing unparalleled growth and career development.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As a Geotechnical Engineer at RK&K you will have the opportunity to work across disciplines to prepare plans and reports related to a variety of geotechnical projects for a variety of clients in the transportation and municipal sectors; you will conduct and supervise field investigations and develop design computations; and prepare geotechnical recommendations, contract plans, specifications, and construction cost estimates.
Essential Functions
- Assist in the development geotechnical portion of proposals and subsurface exploration programs
- Perform geotechnical analysis using approved software
- Aid in preparation of bridge, roadway, retaining wall foundation, and structure recommendations
- Assist in the preparation of Geotechnical Sheets
- Collaborate on innovative design concepts related to Geotechnical Engineering
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's in Civil Engineering
- Passion for client service and engineering
- Experience in Geotechnical Design and gINT
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- MS or advanced degree in Civil Engineering preferred
- Two (2) + years of experience in geotechnical services
- Engineer Intern license
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
What We Offer
RK&K offers excellent potential for career advancement and professional growth. We also offer attractive compensation packages commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits package including:
- Paid time off
- Hybrid work (home and office)
- Tuition reimbursement
- Health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurances
- Matching 401(k) plan
- Paid Holidays
- Much, much more!
Why RK& K?
As a full-service engineering and construction management firm, RK&K gives you the opportunity to directly impact the communities in which we live and work. What sets RK&K apart is an award-winning culture that has fostered a spirit of collaboration and trust for over 100 years. To its clients, the firm delivers concepts, processes, and outcomes that are designed for success. RK&K has earned its reputation as a trusted partner, responsive employer, and community steward.
Design your career at RK&K, Apply Today!
See all 236+ 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.