STEM OPT Structural Engineer Jobs
Structural Engineer roles in civil and architectural engineering qualify for STEM OPT when your degree maps to an eligible CIP code. The 24-month extension gives you up to 36 months of F-1 work authorization, provided your employer is enrolled in E-Verify and signs your I-983 training plan.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Take Your Design Career to the Next Level
Are you ready to be challenged, make a difference, and experience professional growth in your career? Kleinfelder’s Design team is looking for you! From bridge and structural engineering to civil, electrical, mechanical, and process engineering, Kleinfelder’s collaborative Design Services create synergy across multiple disciplines.
ROLE
Step into Your New Role
As a talented Structural Engineer, you will perform engineering tasks in the transportation and structural engineering field through application of relevant design criteria, standards, and processes. You will participate in and contribute to a diverse range of engineering services in our team-oriented environment providing public and private clients with professional engineering services for structural design projects including bridges, culverts, retaining walls, developing design calculations, load ratings and specifications. This hybrid opportunity is available in our Mechanicsburg, PA office.
Responsibilities
- Develop design plans for new transportation structures and for the maintenance, repair, rehabilitation, and replacement of bridges/culverts.
- Utilize CADD and engineering software to create detailed design plans and technical drawings.
- Prepare structural design calculations in compliance with relevant design standards and client preferences.
- Perform structural analysis on both new and existing transportation structures using specialized design software.
- Prepare construction cost estimates and specifications for various transportation projects.
QUALIFICATIONS
- BSCE from an ABET accredited engineering program (MSCE preferred).
- 2 to 6 years of relevant experience in structural engineering.
- E.I.T. (Engineer-in-Training) certificate, or the ability and motivation to obtain it in the first year of employment.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and MicroStation.
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
- Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with team members, project managers, and clients.
- PennDOT and/or Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) bridge design experience preferred.
- Familiarity with AASHTO, PennDOT, and PTC standards preferred.
- Experience with the design and analysis of transportation structures (bridges, culverts, retaining walls, sign structures) preferred.
Following an offer, candidates will be required to satisfactorily complete employment reference checks, verification of professional licensure and/or educational credentials, a motor vehicle report (MVR), and a comprehensive background check.
MOVE FORWARD WITH KLEINFELDER
Kleinfelder and its subsidiaries and affiliates have been connecting great people to the best work since 1961. We are engineers, scientists, and construction professionals providing solutions that improve our clients’ transportation, water, energy, and other private infrastructure. As a responsive, cross-disciplinary team of bright, curious, and innovative problem-solvers, we are dedicated to doing the right thing, every day, on every project from over 110 offices in the US, Canada, and Australia. Connecting great people to the best work is our purpose – together, we deliver.
PROGRESS WITH AN EMPLOYER THAT VALUES YOU
Kleinfelder, and its subsidiaries and affiliates, is an inclusive organization free from discrimination. We are a stronger organization when we are a diverse workforce and believe that through diversity, equity, and inclusion comes creativity, innovation, and unity. We are proud to offer the following:
Benefits:
Kleinfelder, and its subsidiaries and affiliates, offers an excellent compensation and benefits package, including: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) plan, and paid holidays.
Career Development:
We are committed to investing in the professional development of our staff, offering each employee every opportunity to grow, develop, and take control of their career paths. We support these efforts through reimbursements for continuing education as well as many of the expenses associated with trainings and certifications, and opportunities for career development through our internal Mentoring Program.
Equal Opportunity:
Kleinfelder, and its subsidiaries and affiliates, is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Minorities/Women/Disabled/Veterans. (Compliant with the new VEVRAA and Section 503 rules).
NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES
Please note that Kleinfelder, and its subsidiaries and affiliates, does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Recruitment Fee Agreement, Kleinfelder, and its subsidiaries and affiliates, will not consider or agree to payment for any referral compensation or recruiter fee. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement, Kleinfelder, and its subsidiaries and affiliates, explicitly reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited resume, including those submitted to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of Kleinfelder.
INTRODUCTION
Take Your Design Career to the Next Level
Are you ready to be challenged, make a difference, and experience professional growth in your career? Kleinfelder’s Design team is looking for you! From bridge and structural engineering to civil, electrical, mechanical, and process engineering, Kleinfelder’s collaborative Design Services create synergy across multiple disciplines.
ROLE
Step into Your New Role
As a talented Structural Engineer, you will perform engineering tasks in the transportation and structural engineering field through application of relevant design criteria, standards, and processes. You will participate in and contribute to a diverse range of engineering services in our team-oriented environment providing public and private clients with professional engineering services for structural design projects including bridges, culverts, retaining walls, developing design calculations, load ratings and specifications. This hybrid opportunity is available in our Mechanicsburg, PA office.
Responsibilities
- Develop design plans for new transportation structures and for the maintenance, repair, rehabilitation, and replacement of bridges/culverts.
- Utilize CADD and engineering software to create detailed design plans and technical drawings.
- Prepare structural design calculations in compliance with relevant design standards and client preferences.
- Perform structural analysis on both new and existing transportation structures using specialized design software.
- Prepare construction cost estimates and specifications for various transportation projects.
QUALIFICATIONS
- BSCE from an ABET accredited engineering program (MSCE preferred).
- 2 to 6 years of relevant experience in structural engineering.
- E.I.T. (Engineer-in-Training) certificate, or the ability and motivation to obtain it in the first year of employment.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and MicroStation.
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
- Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with team members, project managers, and clients.
- PennDOT and/or Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) bridge design experience preferred.
- Familiarity with AASHTO, PennDOT, and PTC standards preferred.
- Experience with the design and analysis of transportation structures (bridges, culverts, retaining walls, sign structures) preferred.
Following an offer, candidates will be required to satisfactorily complete employment reference checks, verification of professional licensure and/or educational credentials, a motor vehicle report (MVR), and a comprehensive background check.
MOVE FORWARD WITH KLEINFELDER
Kleinfelder and its subsidiaries and affiliates have been connecting great people to the best work since 1961. We are engineers, scientists, and construction professionals providing solutions that improve our clients’ transportation, water, energy, and other private infrastructure. As a responsive, cross-disciplinary team of bright, curious, and innovative problem-solvers, we are dedicated to doing the right thing, every day, on every project from over 110 offices in the US, Canada, and Australia. Connecting great people to the best work is our purpose – together, we deliver.
PROGRESS WITH AN EMPLOYER THAT VALUES YOU
Kleinfelder, and its subsidiaries and affiliates, is an inclusive organization free from discrimination. We are a stronger organization when we are a diverse workforce and believe that through diversity, equity, and inclusion comes creativity, innovation, and unity. We are proud to offer the following:
Benefits:
Kleinfelder, and its subsidiaries and affiliates, offers an excellent compensation and benefits package, including: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) plan, and paid holidays.
Career Development:
We are committed to investing in the professional development of our staff, offering each employee every opportunity to grow, develop, and take control of their career paths. We support these efforts through reimbursements for continuing education as well as many of the expenses associated with trainings and certifications, and opportunities for career development through our internal Mentoring Program.
Equal Opportunity:
Kleinfelder, and its subsidiaries and affiliates, is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Minorities/Women/Disabled/Veterans. (Compliant with the new VEVRAA and Section 503 rules).
NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES
Please note that Kleinfelder, and its subsidiaries and affiliates, does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Recruitment Fee Agreement, Kleinfelder, and its subsidiaries and affiliates, will not consider or agree to payment for any referral compensation or recruiter fee. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement, Kleinfelder, and its subsidiaries and affiliates, explicitly reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited resume, including those submitted to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of Kleinfelder.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Structural Engineer
Confirm your CIP code before applying
Check your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code against the DHS STEM OPT designated degree list. Civil Engineering (14.0801) and Structural Engineering (14.0802) both qualify, but some interdisciplinary programs use codes that don't appear on the list.
Verify E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Structural engineering firms, especially small and mid-size practices, aren't always enrolled in E-Verify. Search the E-Verify employer search tool before your offer stage, not after. An unenrolled employer cannot legally supervise your STEM OPT extension.
Use Migrate Mate to find verified sponsoring employers
Search Migrate Mate to filter structural engineering roles by employers with confirmed E-Verify enrollment and active OPT hiring history. This cuts out the manual research of cross-referencing firm websites against E-Verify records.
Align your I-983 goals with PE licensure milestones
Your I-983 training plan must include specific learning objectives. Frame your goals around FE exam preparation, project experience toward Professional Engineer licensure, and exposure to IBC or ASCE load standards. Generic plans draw more DSO scrutiny.
Target firms with active DOL wage certifications
Run your target employers through the OFLC Wage Search to confirm they've filed prevailing wage certifications for structural roles. Prior LCA filings signal that the firm understands visa compliance obligations and has supported international engineers before.
File your extension application 90 days before OPT ends
USCIS requires your STEM OPT extension application to be filed during the 90-day window before your current EAD expires. Your DSO must recommend the extension in SEVIS before you file I-765, so start your school's internal process at least 120 days out.
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Find Structural Engineer JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does a Structural Engineering degree qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your degree program carries an eligible CIP code. Civil Engineering (14.0801) and Structural Engineering (14.0802) both appear on the DHS STEM designated degree list. If your degree is in a related field like Architectural Engineering or Mechanics, verify the exact CIP code on your transcript against the published list before your DSO submits the SEVIS recommendation.
Does my structural engineering employer need to be enrolled in E-Verify?
Yes. E-Verify enrollment is a federal requirement for any employer who wants to supervise a STEM OPT student. Engineering firms that have never hired international graduates are often not enrolled. Confirm enrollment through the E-Verify employer search before you reach the offer stage. An employer who enrolls after you accept can still qualify, but the enrollment must be complete before your extension begins.
What goes into the I-983 training plan for a structural engineer?
The I-983 must list specific learning objectives tied to your STEM degree. For structural engineering roles, that typically means project experience in load analysis, connection design, or code compliance under standards like ASCE 7 or the IBC. Include milestones tied to FE exam preparation or exposure to structural analysis software such as ETABS or RISA. Vague objectives increase the risk your DSO will request revisions before approving the plan.
How does cap-gap protection apply if my employer files an H-1B petition while I'm on STEM OPT?
If your employer files a timely H-1B petition before your STEM OPT EAD expires, cap-gap protection automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year. If the petition is selected in the lottery and approved with a premium processing upgrade, you can begin H-1B status on October 1. USCIS issues an updated I-20 reflecting the cap-gap period, which you carry with your expired EAD as proof of continued authorization.
Where can I find structural engineering jobs where employers are already set up for STEM OPT?
Migrate Mate filters structural engineering roles by employers with E-Verify enrollment and a history of hiring F-1 students, so you're not cold-applying to firms that have never navigated OPT paperwork. You can also cross-reference target employers through the OFLC Wage Search to see whether they've previously filed prevailing wage certifications for engineering roles, which is a practical proxy for visa compliance experience.
See which Structural Engineer employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
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