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.

Find STEM OPT Structural Engineer Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs2,765+
Work Type86% On-site
Top LocationHouston, TX
Most JobsWestwood Professional Services

Showing 5 of 2,765+ Structural Engineer jobs

Bureau Veritas
Structural Engineer
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Bureau Veritas
New 11h ago
Structural Engineer
Bureau Veritas
Memphis, Tennessee
Specialized Engineering
Civil & Structural Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Civil Engineering
Structural Engineering
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Mss Steel Tubes - USA
Mechanical / Civil Structural Engineer
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Mss Steel Tubes - USA
New 22h ago
Mechanical / Civil Structural Engineer
Mss Steel Tubes - USA
Memphis, Tennessee
Specialized Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Civil & Structural Engineering
Manufacturing Operations
Engineering (Non-Software)
Civil Engineering
Structural Engineering
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Clayco
Structural Engineer II
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Clayco
Added 2d ago
Structural Engineer II
Clayco
Kansas City, Missouri
Specialized Engineering
Civil & Structural Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Civil Engineering
Structural Engineering
On-Site
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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Hargrove Engineers + Constructors
Civil/Structural Engineer II
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Hargrove Engineers + Constructors
Added 2d ago
Civil/Structural Engineer II
Hargrove Engineers + Constructors
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Specialized Engineering
Civil & Structural Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Civil Engineering
Structural Engineering
On-Site
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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Westinghouse Electric Company, LLC
Structural Engineer 1
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Westinghouse Electric Company, LLC
Added 2d ago
Structural Engineer 1
Westinghouse Electric Company, LLC
Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania
Specialized Engineering
Civil & Structural Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Civil Engineering
Structural Engineering
$58k - $73k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's
5,001-10,000

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Tips 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.

Frequently 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 visa 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.