STEM OPT Resident Engineer Jobs
Resident Engineer roles in construction management, infrastructure, and systems oversight qualify for STEM OPT when tied to an accredited engineering degree. Your 24-month STEM OPT extension applies as long as your employer is enrolled in E-Verify and your role directly uses your STEM degree field.
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Get Access To All JobsPosting closes on 9/24/2026
Salary Range: $87,932 - $101,114
This position is responsible for assisting the Resident Engineer in overall operation of the office, monitoring assigned contract construction projects to ensure the operations and construction adhere to prescribed standards, policies, and procedures.
Examples of Work
The following examples are intended only as illustrations of various types of work performed. No attempt is made to be exhaustive. Related, similar, or other logical duties are performed as assigned. The Department may require employees to perform functions beyond those contained in job descriptions. The Department may modify job descriptions based on Department needs. The Arkansas Department of Transportation is an "at will" employer.
- Act for, and in the name of, the Resident Engineer in that person's absence.
- Analyze construction plans and monitor construction to ensure possible problems are identified and any necessary changes are recommended and implemented.
- Exercise judgment and initiative in supervising and coordinating the activities of field personnel to ensure compliance with Department specifications, plans or procedures.
- Assist in the guidance and training of office and field personnel.
- Review field record management to facilitate proper current and final estimate payments to the contractor.
- Maintain professional human relations with contractor, public, etc. to facilitate cooperation and coordination of the project.
- Employee is required to frequently drive a Department vehicle to various locations within the District.
Minimum Requirements
Possession of a current Arkansas license* to practice professional engineering. Thorough knowledge of highway engineering, construction techniques and procedures, material testing methods and surveying. Effective leadership and communication skills. Ability to interpret and apply Department policies and procedures contained in the Resident Engineer's Manual, Manual of Field Sampling and Testing Procedures, Erosion and Sediment Control Design and Construction Manual, Standard Specifications for Highway Construction, Safety Manual, Accounting Manual and Personnel Manual. Certification by the CTTP in Portland Cement Concrete and Soils Testing, or equivalent certification preferred. Good human relations techniques. Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite. Working knowledge of the Department’s project documentation, payment, and reporting software; earthwork quantity calculation software; and document management software; or equivalent systems. Valid driver’s license.
- The Department will consider applicants with Professional Engineering licenses from other states, with the condition that a reciprocal Arkansas license be obtained within 180 days of hire. Failure to obtain the Arkansas license within this time period may result in immediate termination. Candidates are responsible for verifying eligibility for reciprocity with the Arkansas PE Board before accepting a position.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
Posting closes on 9/24/2026
Salary Range: $87,932 - $101,114
This position is responsible for assisting the Resident Engineer in overall operation of the office, monitoring assigned contract construction projects to ensure the operations and construction adhere to prescribed standards, policies, and procedures.
Examples of Work
The following examples are intended only as illustrations of various types of work performed. No attempt is made to be exhaustive. Related, similar, or other logical duties are performed as assigned. The Department may require employees to perform functions beyond those contained in job descriptions. The Department may modify job descriptions based on Department needs. The Arkansas Department of Transportation is an "at will" employer.
- Act for, and in the name of, the Resident Engineer in that person's absence.
- Analyze construction plans and monitor construction to ensure possible problems are identified and any necessary changes are recommended and implemented.
- Exercise judgment and initiative in supervising and coordinating the activities of field personnel to ensure compliance with Department specifications, plans or procedures.
- Assist in the guidance and training of office and field personnel.
- Review field record management to facilitate proper current and final estimate payments to the contractor.
- Maintain professional human relations with contractor, public, etc. to facilitate cooperation and coordination of the project.
- Employee is required to frequently drive a Department vehicle to various locations within the District.
Minimum Requirements
Possession of a current Arkansas license* to practice professional engineering. Thorough knowledge of highway engineering, construction techniques and procedures, material testing methods and surveying. Effective leadership and communication skills. Ability to interpret and apply Department policies and procedures contained in the Resident Engineer's Manual, Manual of Field Sampling and Testing Procedures, Erosion and Sediment Control Design and Construction Manual, Standard Specifications for Highway Construction, Safety Manual, Accounting Manual and Personnel Manual. Certification by the CTTP in Portland Cement Concrete and Soils Testing, or equivalent certification preferred. Good human relations techniques. Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite. Working knowledge of the Department’s project documentation, payment, and reporting software; earthwork quantity calculation software; and document management software; or equivalent systems. Valid driver’s license.
- The Department will consider applicants with Professional Engineering licenses from other states, with the condition that a reciprocal Arkansas license be obtained within 180 days of hire. Failure to obtain the Arkansas license within this time period may result in immediate termination. Candidates are responsible for verifying eligibility for reciprocity with the Arkansas PE Board before accepting a position.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Resident Engineer
Verify your CIP code matches engineering
Pull your degree's CIP code from your DSO before applying. Resident Engineer roles typically require civil, structural, or systems engineering degrees. A mismatch between your CIP code and the job's technical scope can invalidate your STEM OPT extension eligibility.
Check E-Verify enrollment before interviewing
Confirm the employer is enrolled in E-Verify before you spend time on their process. Ask the recruiter directly or search the E-Verify employer search tool. Unenrolled employers cannot legally hire you on STEM OPT, regardless of how willing they are.
Target infrastructure and government contractors first
Federal and state infrastructure contractors are required to use E-Verify, making them structurally compatible with your STEM OPT status. Resident Engineer roles on publicly funded projects are especially consistent entry points because the E-Verify requirement is contractually mandated.
Build your I-983 training plan around site deliverables
Your I-983 must show a direct connection between your daily Resident Engineer tasks and your STEM degree's learning objectives. Document specific on-site responsibilities like materials testing oversight, RFI management, or inspection reporting rather than using generic engineering language.
Use Migrate Mate to filter by verified STEM OPT employers
Search Resident Engineer listings on Migrate Mate to find employers with confirmed E-Verify enrollment and STEM OPT hiring history. Filtering early saves you from deep into a process only to find the employer can't meet the enrollment requirement.
Negotiate your start date around your OPT end date
If your initial OPT expires before your STEM extension is approved, you have a 180-day cap-gap bridge. Align your Resident Engineer start date with your EAD validity window and flag this timeline to the hiring manager during the offer stage, not after.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Resident Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if the position directly applies knowledge from your STEM degree and your employer is enrolled in E-Verify. Resident Engineer roles in civil, structural, systems, or construction engineering typically qualify. Your DSO will confirm eligibility by matching your degree's CIP code to the role's technical requirements before approving the STEM OPT extension through USCIS.
What STEM degrees make me eligible for Resident Engineer STEM OPT jobs?
Civil engineering, structural engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and construction management degrees with qualifying CIP codes are the most common pathways. Environmental and systems engineering degrees also qualify for certain Resident Engineer specializations. Check the STEM Designated Degree Program List published by USCIS and confirm your specific CIP code with your DSO before applying.
How do I verify that a Resident Engineer employer is enrolled in E-Verify?
Ask the recruiter or HR contact directly whether the company is an E-Verify participant. You can also search the E-Verify employer search tool by company name. For public infrastructure projects, federal contractors are required by law to use E-Verify, so those roles are generally safe. Don't assume enrollment based on company size or industry reputation.
What goes into the I-983 training plan for a Resident Engineer position?
The I-983 must document specific learning objectives tied to your STEM degree field, not just your general job duties. For Resident Engineer roles, this means listing tasks like field inspection protocols, materials compliance review, or design drawing interpretation as concrete training goals. Your supervisor and DSO both sign the form, and it must be updated every 12 months during your STEM OPT period.
Where can I find Resident Engineer jobs that accept STEM OPT students?
Migrate Mate lists Resident Engineer openings filtered for employers with E-Verify enrollment and STEM OPT hiring history, so you're not spending time on roles that can't legally hire you. Infrastructure firms, general contractors on public projects, and engineering consulting companies with federal contracts are the most consistent sources of compatible Resident Engineer positions.