STEM OPT Project Engineer Jobs

Project Engineer roles in construction, manufacturing, and systems integration are strong fits for STEM OPT students with engineering or applied science degrees. Your 24-month STEM OPT extension applies here, but your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and sign a formal training plan before your extension start date.

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Overview

Open Jobs3,470+
Top Visa TypeF-1 OPT
Work Type86% On-site
Median Salary$99K
Top LocationHouston, TX
Most JobsHDR

Showing 5 of 3,470+ Project Engineer jobs

Genesis AEC
Project Engineer, Plumbing
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Genesis AEC
Added 1d ago
Project Engineer, Plumbing
Genesis AEC
Medford, Massachusetts
Specialized Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Construction
Engineering (Non-Software)
Plumbing
Hybrid
2+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
201-500

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Ryan Companies US, Inc.
Project Engineer - Mission Critical
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Ryan Companies US, Inc.
Added 1d ago
Project Engineer - Mission Critical
Ryan Companies US, Inc.
Lubbock, Texas
Project & Program Management
Construction Management
Project Management
Not listed
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Ardurra
Project Engineer - Water/Wastewater
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Ardurra
Added 1d ago
Project Engineer - Water/Wastewater
Ardurra
North Charleston, South Carolina
Specialized Engineering
Civil & Structural Engineering
Project & Program Management
Engineering (Non-Software)
Civil Engineering
Project Management
On-Site
4+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's

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Superior Construction
Project Engineer I
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Superior Construction
Added 1d ago
Project Engineer I
Superior Construction
Kissimmee, Florida
Project & Program Management
Construction Management
Specialized Engineering
Project Management
Engineering (Non-Software)
On-Site
Bachelor's
51-200

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Clayco
Project Engineer 2
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Clayco
Added 1d ago
Project Engineer 2
Clayco
St. Louis, Missouri
Project & Program Management
Specialized Engineering
Project Management
Engineering (Non-Software)
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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Tips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Project Engineer

Verify your degree's CIP code eligibility

Not every engineering degree automatically qualifies for STEM OPT. Cross-reference your degree program against USCIS's official STEM Designated Degree Program List using your CIP code before applying, so you're not caught off guard after accepting an offer.

Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers

Project Engineer roles span construction firms, manufacturers, and consultancies with uneven compliance records. Ask HR directly whether the company is currently enrolled in E-Verify, since enrollment lapses are common and your STEM OPT extension is invalid without it.

Target employers with active DOL LCA filings

Use Migrate Mate to filter Project Engineer openings by employers with verified E-Verify enrollment and Labor Condition Application history, so you're only applying to companies already set up to extend your work authorization.

Build your I-983 training plan around engineering deliverables

Your I-983 must tie specific learning objectives to your day-to-day Project Engineer tasks, like cost estimation, schedule management, or technical drawing review. Generic training plans draw scrutiny from DSOs, so draft it with your supervisor before your extension start date.

Check prevailing wage requirements before negotiating salary

Your employer's LCA must certify your wage meets the prevailing rate for Project Engineer roles in your metro area. Run the OFLC Wage Search before your offer negotiation so you know the floor and can flag any underpayment risk early.

Use your OPT cap-gap window strategically if transitioning to H-1B

If you're in your STEM OPT extension when an H-1B petition is filed on your behalf, cap-gap rules automatically extend your work authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year. Plan project handoffs and contract renewals around that timeline to avoid gaps in employment continuity.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does a Project Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?

Project Engineer positions typically qualify if your underlying degree is in a STEM-designated field such as civil, mechanical, electrical, or industrial engineering, and your CIP code appears on USCIS's STEM Designated Degree Program List. The role itself must provide practical training directly related to that degree. Your DSO confirms eligibility when approving your I-20 endorsement for the extension.

What E-Verify requirement applies to my Project Engineer employer?

Your employer must be actively enrolled in E-Verify at the time your STEM OPT extension begins. Enrollment must cover the specific site where you'll work, not just the company's headquarters. If your employer acquired the company or changed legal entities recently, ask HR to confirm the E-Verify company ID is current, since those changes can disrupt enrollment status.

What goes into the I-983 training plan for a Project Engineer role?

Your I-983 must identify specific learning objectives tied to Project Engineer tasks, such as project scheduling, budget tracking, technical specification review, or contractor coordination, and connect each objective to your STEM degree field. Both you and your supervisor sign it before your extension start date. USCIS allows amendments if your responsibilities change materially, but your DSO must receive an updated form within five business days.

How does cap-gap protection work if I'm on STEM OPT and get H-1B selected?

If your employer files a timely H-1B petition while your STEM OPT extension is valid, cap-gap automatically continues your work authorization through September 30 of the fiscal year the H-1B takes effect. You can keep working as a Project Engineer during that gap without any additional filing. Your EAD card may expire during this period, but your I-20 with a cap-gap notation serves as proof of continued authorization.

Where can I find Project Engineer jobs at companies that support STEM OPT?

Migrate Mate lists Project Engineer openings filtered for employers with verified E-Verify enrollment and active DOL filing history, so you're not spending applications on companies that can't legally extend your status. You can search by industry, location, and engineering discipline to find roles where the employer already understands the STEM OPT training plan requirement and has completed it before.

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