STEM OPT Staff Engineer Jobs
Staff Engineer roles in software, systems, and hardware engineering qualify for the STEM OPT 24-month extension, giving you up to 36 months of F-1 work authorization. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and your degree must fall under an eligible STEM CIP code. Most Staff Engineer positions at tech and engineering firms meet both requirements.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Join American Structurepoint and become part of a team that goes the extra mile for our clients and communities. We live by our values - respect, staff development, results and family. Our team is encouraged to explore new ideas and turn our clients' dreams into reality. With exceptional benefits, training, and mentorship, we pave the way for a rewarding career. Ready for more than just a job? Explore opportunities with us and help improve the quality of life in the communities we serve.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
We are seeking a talented and motivated Staff Engineer to join our Traffic Group and work on a diverse range of small- and large-scale transportation infrastructure projects. This is a great opportunity for early-career engineers to jumpstart their career and gain hands-on experience in roadway design, construction, and transportation planning.
- Assist with roadway geometric design, drainage design, and permitting support
- Perform signing and pavement marking design and pavement analysis
- Prepare construction plan sets and technical drawings
- Calculate quantities and assist with construction cost estimates for bid documents
- Conduct horizontal and vertical roadway alignment calculations
- Review roadway plans and perform utility research and coordination
- Support the development of transportation studies and infrastructure design reports
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and support project delivery goals
- Ensure compliance with applicable design standards (e.g., AASHTO, state DOT)
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering (BSCE required)
- 0–2 years of relevant transportation or roadway design experience
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and engineering design tools
- Experience with MicroStation and Geopak preferred
- EIT certification required
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to see at close range for computer work, reading, and reviewing documents.
- Occasional standing, walking, bending, or reaching as required.
- Ability to lift up to 10–15 pounds.
- Regular, reliable attendance and punctuality.
LOCATION
Location: Cincinnati, OH (on site)
INTRODUCTION
Join American Structurepoint and become part of a team that goes the extra mile for our clients and communities. We live by our values - respect, staff development, results and family. Our team is encouraged to explore new ideas and turn our clients' dreams into reality. With exceptional benefits, training, and mentorship, we pave the way for a rewarding career. Ready for more than just a job? Explore opportunities with us and help improve the quality of life in the communities we serve.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
We are seeking a talented and motivated Staff Engineer to join our Traffic Group and work on a diverse range of small- and large-scale transportation infrastructure projects. This is a great opportunity for early-career engineers to jumpstart their career and gain hands-on experience in roadway design, construction, and transportation planning.
- Assist with roadway geometric design, drainage design, and permitting support
- Perform signing and pavement marking design and pavement analysis
- Prepare construction plan sets and technical drawings
- Calculate quantities and assist with construction cost estimates for bid documents
- Conduct horizontal and vertical roadway alignment calculations
- Review roadway plans and perform utility research and coordination
- Support the development of transportation studies and infrastructure design reports
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and support project delivery goals
- Ensure compliance with applicable design standards (e.g., AASHTO, state DOT)
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering (BSCE required)
- 0–2 years of relevant transportation or roadway design experience
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and engineering design tools
- Experience with MicroStation and Geopak preferred
- EIT certification required
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to see at close range for computer work, reading, and reviewing documents.
- Occasional standing, walking, bending, or reaching as required.
- Ability to lift up to 10–15 pounds.
- Regular, reliable attendance and punctuality.
LOCATION
Location: Cincinnati, OH (on site)
See all 1,689+ STEM OPT Staff Engineer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Staff Engineer
Verify your CIP code before applying
Pull up your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code and cross-check it against the DHS STEM OPT designated degree list before you apply. Degrees in computer science, electrical engineering, and systems engineering typically qualify, but interdisciplinary programs sometimes don't.
Filter employers by E-Verify enrollment status
Staff Engineer hiring managers at mid-size companies often don't know their firm's E-Verify status offhand. Search the E-Verify employer database directly and confirm enrollment before your first interview to avoid offers that can't legally proceed.
Target companies with active LCA filings for engineering roles
Use Migrate Mate to filter Staff Engineer openings by employers who have filed Labor Condition Applications for engineering positions, showing they've already navigated the DOL process and are equipped to support your STEM OPT training plan.
Draft your I-983 training plan before receiving an offer
Prepare a working draft of your I-983 that maps Staff Engineer responsibilities to your STEM degree's learning objectives. Arriving at the offer stage with a draft ready shortens the DSO review cycle and signals professionalism to the hiring team.
Benchmark your offer against the OFLC Wage Search
STEM OPT regulations require that your compensation not adversely affect similarly situated U.S. workers. Run your job title and location through the OFLC Wage Search to confirm your offered compensation meets the prevailing wage level before you sign.
Understand cap-gap coverage if your employer files for H-1B
If your employer files an H-1B visa petition before your STEM OPT expires and you're selected in the lottery, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30. Talk to your DSO as soon as your employer confirms intent to file so your I-20 reflects the extension.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Staff Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT 24-month extension?
Yes, if two conditions are met: your employer is enrolled in E-Verify, and your degree falls under a DHS-designated STEM CIP code. Staff Engineer positions in software, electrical, mechanical, and systems engineering consistently qualify because they require a directly related STEM degree. Confirm your specific CIP code with your DSO before applying, since interdisciplinary or professionally focused degrees occasionally fall outside the eligible list.
What does the I-983 training plan require for a Staff Engineer position?
The I-983 must describe how your Staff Engineer duties directly relate to your STEM degree's goals, identify a supervising employee who will oversee your training, and confirm that your compensation is commensurate with similarly situated U.S. workers. Both you and your employer sign it, and your DSO must authorize it before your STEM OPT extension begins. USCIS expects updates if your role or employer changes materially during the extension period.
How do I confirm that a Staff Engineer employer is enrolled in E-Verify?
Search the E-Verify employer database by company name or FEIN to confirm active enrollment before you reach the offer stage. Some large companies enroll only certain subsidiaries or locations, so verify the specific legal entity that will appear on your employment contract. An employer who is not enrolled cannot legally employ you on STEM OPT, and retroactive enrollment after the fact doesn't resolve the compliance gap.
How do I find Staff Engineer jobs that support STEM OPT?
Migrate Mate filters Staff Engineer openings by employers with documented LCA filing histories, so you can focus on companies that have already engaged with DOL's labor certification process and are structured to support F-1 work authorization. That's a more reliable signal than asking recruiters cold whether the company is E-Verify enrolled.
What happens to my STEM OPT if my employer initiates an H-1B petition before my extension expires?
If your employer files a timely H-1B petition on your behalf and you are selected in the lottery, cap-gap protection automatically extends your F-1 status and employment authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year. If the petition is denied or withdrawn, your authorization ends and you enter the standard 60-day grace period. Notify your DSO as soon as your employer confirms they'll file so your I-20 end date is updated before any gap appears.