STEM OPT Senior Staff Engineer Jobs
Senior Staff Engineer roles in software, hardware, and systems engineering qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to 36 months of F-1 work authorization. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and sign a Form I-983 training plan. A STEM-designated degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or a related field is required.
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Get Access To All JobsLOCATION: Midvale, Utah
Job ID: 1642
General Responsibilities:
Provide engineering and consulting services for a broad array of projects and clients. This may include performing and/or leading field investigations, engineering analysis, calculations, and recommendations, design and development of plans and specifications, observation and inspection, and the writing, preparation, and review of related reports for the services provided. Review drawings and construction to assure compliance with plans and specifications. Prepare proposals and cost estimates, track and evaluate project progress, budgets, and recommend changes. Research and resolve design and construction problems. Assign, review, and evaluate laboratory or field data for inclusion in reports. Apply sound engineering principles and be able to communicate complex engineering issues and concepts to technical and non-technical clients and project teams. Services may be provided for existing or proposed projects in a variety of sectors, including for example public works, transportation, commercial, communications, energy, and industrial.
Essential Roles and Responsibilities:
-
Follow safety rules, guidelines and standards for all projects. Participate in pre-task planning. Report any safety issues or concerns to management.
-
Integrate quality leadership practices into daily regimen.
-
Provide consistent quality standards on proposal and project delivery.
-
Mid-level, experienced engineering professional responsible for managing and executing small to medium projects and sometimes more complex projects.
-
Develop the scope of work for routine projects.
-
Prepare cost estimates, specifications, and other project related documents.
-
Analyze data, and perform engineering calculations and analysis.
-
Coordinate and supervise field investigations, laboratory testing, and evaluation of respective data, development of recommendations.
-
Develop plans, schedules, conducts, and/or coordinates detailed phases of assigned project work.
-
Work closely with senior-level project manager to gain project management and engineering experience.
-
Make design recommendations, adaptations and modifications.
-
Prepare work scope, proposals and reports and plans investigations for approval by senior level professionals for routine projects.
-
Serve as a technical adviser to junior-level project team members.
-
Supervise field staff including graduate/field engineers, engineering technicians, exploration teams, laboratory staff and other support personnel.
-
Interact with client and project team in developing scope of services and communicating project progress.
-
Works under the supervision of a Professional Engineer and a Terracon Authorized Project Reviewer.
Requirements
-
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
-
Minimum 3-5 years’ experience.
-
Master’s degree in Engineering preferred.
-
A valid driver’s license with acceptable violation history may be required.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Engineering Intern (Engineer in Training) (Or ability to obtain)
About us
Terracon is a 100 percent employee-owned multidiscipline consulting firm comprised of more than 8,000 curious minds focused on solving engineering and technical challenges from more than 200 locations nationwide. Since 1965, Terracon has evolved into a successful multi-discipline firm specializing in environmental, facilities, geotechnical, and materials services. Terracon’s growth is due to our talented employee-owners exceeding expectations in client service and growing their careers with new and exciting opportunities in the marketplace. Terracon was recognized as the #1 firm in Asbestos and Lead Abatement.
Terracon’s vision of “Together, we are best at people” is demonstrated through our excellent compensation and benefits package. Based on eligibility, role and job status, we offer many programs including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) plan, paid time off and holidays, education reimbursement, and various bonus programs.
About the Team
Innovation and hands-on practice come together in our geotechnical consulting services. We provide geotechnical services nationwide for a wide range of projects, drawing on six decades of historical geotechnical data, a fleet of more than 200 drill rigs, 140 accredited laboratories, and thousands of employees to quickly organize or capture site data wherever projects are located. From AI-supported solutions and predictive technologies to geophysics and traditional exploration, we deliver precision, value-added subsurface information and engineering and scientific expertise to solving our clients’ challenges and achieve their goals for project sustainability, quality, and efficiency.
EEO Statement Terracon is an EEO employer. We encourage qualified minority, female, veteran and disabled candidates to apply and be considered for open positions. We do not discriminate against any applicant for employment, or any employee because of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender, disability, age, or military status.
LOCATION: Midvale, Utah
Job ID: 1642
General Responsibilities:
Provide engineering and consulting services for a broad array of projects and clients. This may include performing and/or leading field investigations, engineering analysis, calculations, and recommendations, design and development of plans and specifications, observation and inspection, and the writing, preparation, and review of related reports for the services provided. Review drawings and construction to assure compliance with plans and specifications. Prepare proposals and cost estimates, track and evaluate project progress, budgets, and recommend changes. Research and resolve design and construction problems. Assign, review, and evaluate laboratory or field data for inclusion in reports. Apply sound engineering principles and be able to communicate complex engineering issues and concepts to technical and non-technical clients and project teams. Services may be provided for existing or proposed projects in a variety of sectors, including for example public works, transportation, commercial, communications, energy, and industrial.
Essential Roles and Responsibilities:
-
Follow safety rules, guidelines and standards for all projects. Participate in pre-task planning. Report any safety issues or concerns to management.
-
Integrate quality leadership practices into daily regimen.
-
Provide consistent quality standards on proposal and project delivery.
-
Mid-level, experienced engineering professional responsible for managing and executing small to medium projects and sometimes more complex projects.
-
Develop the scope of work for routine projects.
-
Prepare cost estimates, specifications, and other project related documents.
-
Analyze data, and perform engineering calculations and analysis.
-
Coordinate and supervise field investigations, laboratory testing, and evaluation of respective data, development of recommendations.
-
Develop plans, schedules, conducts, and/or coordinates detailed phases of assigned project work.
-
Work closely with senior-level project manager to gain project management and engineering experience.
-
Make design recommendations, adaptations and modifications.
-
Prepare work scope, proposals and reports and plans investigations for approval by senior level professionals for routine projects.
-
Serve as a technical adviser to junior-level project team members.
-
Supervise field staff including graduate/field engineers, engineering technicians, exploration teams, laboratory staff and other support personnel.
-
Interact with client and project team in developing scope of services and communicating project progress.
-
Works under the supervision of a Professional Engineer and a Terracon Authorized Project Reviewer.
Requirements
-
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
-
Minimum 3-5 years’ experience.
-
Master’s degree in Engineering preferred.
-
A valid driver’s license with acceptable violation history may be required.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Engineering Intern (Engineer in Training) (Or ability to obtain)
About us
Terracon is a 100 percent employee-owned multidiscipline consulting firm comprised of more than 8,000 curious minds focused on solving engineering and technical challenges from more than 200 locations nationwide. Since 1965, Terracon has evolved into a successful multi-discipline firm specializing in environmental, facilities, geotechnical, and materials services. Terracon’s growth is due to our talented employee-owners exceeding expectations in client service and growing their careers with new and exciting opportunities in the marketplace. Terracon was recognized as the #1 firm in Asbestos and Lead Abatement.
Terracon’s vision of “Together, we are best at people” is demonstrated through our excellent compensation and benefits package. Based on eligibility, role and job status, we offer many programs including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) plan, paid time off and holidays, education reimbursement, and various bonus programs.
About the Team
Innovation and hands-on practice come together in our geotechnical consulting services. We provide geotechnical services nationwide for a wide range of projects, drawing on six decades of historical geotechnical data, a fleet of more than 200 drill rigs, 140 accredited laboratories, and thousands of employees to quickly organize or capture site data wherever projects are located. From AI-supported solutions and predictive technologies to geophysics and traditional exploration, we deliver precision, value-added subsurface information and engineering and scientific expertise to solving our clients’ challenges and achieve their goals for project sustainability, quality, and efficiency.
EEO Statement Terracon is an EEO employer. We encourage qualified minority, female, veteran and disabled candidates to apply and be considered for open positions. We do not discriminate against any applicant for employment, or any employee because of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender, disability, age, or military status.
See all 58+ STEM OPT Senior Staff Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Senior Staff Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Senior Staff Engineer
Verify your CIP code before applying
Check that your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code maps to a STEM-designated field recognized by DHS. Your DSO can confirm this using the official STEM CIP code list, which determines whether your program qualifies for the 24-month extension.
Filter employers by E-Verify enrollment status
STEM OPT requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify before you start. Search the E-Verify employer search tool to confirm enrollment before accepting an offer. Companies that aren't enrolled can't legally employ STEM OPT students, regardless of their hiring intent.
Target engineering teams with established OPT pipelines
Senior Staff Engineer roles at companies that regularly recruit from university research programs tend to have HR teams familiar with I-983 training plan requirements. Look for engineering organizations with dedicated university relations or early-career programs as a signal of OPT familiarity.
Negotiate your I-983 training plan before day one
Your Form I-983 must specify learning objectives tied to your STEM degree, not just your job description. Discuss the training plan structure with your hiring manager or HR during the offer stage so reporting obligations and mentor assignments are agreed on before you file with your DSO.
Use Migrate Mate to find Senior Staff Engineer roles at E-Verify employers
Migrate Mate filters Senior Staff Engineer listings by employers enrolled in E-Verify, so you're not wasting applications on companies that can't support STEM OPT. Search by engineering discipline to surface roles where your STEM degree is a direct hiring requirement.
Check prevailing wage alignment before signing an offer
Senior Staff Engineer salaries vary significantly by metro area and specialization. Use the OFLC Wage Search to verify that your offered compensation meets the prevailing wage for your SOC code and location, which protects your standing if USCIS reviews your training plan filing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Senior Staff Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your STEM degree maps to a DHS-approved CIP code and your job duties are directly related to that field. Senior Staff Engineer roles in software, electrical, mechanical, and systems engineering typically qualify. Your DSO confirms eligibility by cross-referencing your degree's CIP code against the official STEM designated degree program list before filing the extension with USCIS.
What E-Verify requirement applies to my STEM OPT employer?
Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify before your STEM OPT extension begins. This isn't optional. If a company isn't enrolled at the time you start, your employment doesn't qualify under the extension rules, even if you've already filed Form I-983. Confirm enrollment through the E-Verify employer search before signing any offer. Migrate Mate surfaces only E-Verify-enrolled employers in its Senior Staff Engineer listings.
What goes into the Form I-983 training plan for a Senior Staff Engineer?
Form I-983 must document specific learning objectives that connect your day-to-day engineering work to your STEM degree field. Generic job descriptions don't satisfy the requirement. You'll need a named supervisor or mentor, defined goals tied to engineering competencies, and a reporting schedule. Your employer co-signs the form, and your DSO submits it to update your SEVIS record before your extension start date.
How does cap-gap protection work if I'm selected in the H-1B lottery as a Senior Staff Engineer?
If your STEM OPT is active when you're selected in the H-1B lottery with an October 1 start date, cap-gap automatically extends your F-1 work authorization through September 30. You can continue working as a Senior Staff Engineer during this period without any gap in authorization. Your employer doesn't need to take additional steps, but your I-20 should reflect the cap-gap extension from your DSO.
How do I find Senior Staff Engineer jobs where the employer already understands STEM OPT?
Search Migrate Mate for Senior Staff Engineer roles filtered by E-Verify enrollment. Beyond the enrollment check, look for engineering teams at companies that participate in university research partnerships or that consistently appear in DOL Labor Condition Application disclosure data for STEM roles. These signals suggest HR and legal teams already have STEM OPT onboarding processes in place, which reduces delays in getting your I-983 signed.