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
Kimley-Horn's Princeton, New Jersey (NJ) office is looking for Engineering graduates to join their Structural team in 2027! This is not a remote position.
Responsibilities
- You will have the opportunity to work on a variety of structures like high rises, apartment buildings, hotels, commercial buildings, bridges, retaining walls, and other structural design efforts.
- As a critical member of the team, you will perform a variety of engineering tasks and will receive both on-the-job and formal training as well as mentorship and exposure to plan production, project financials, and client interactions.
- Assist in the design and analysis of vertical structures, ensuring compliance with engineering standards, codes, and regulations.
- Perform structural calculations and prepare detailed design documents, including drawings and specifications.
- Collaborate with senior engineers and project managers to develop innovative solutions and address technical challenges.
- Utilize structural design software and tools to support design efforts and produce accurate models.
- Participate in field inspections and site visits to gather data and ensure the integrity of structures as needed.
- Contribute to project coordination meetings and provide input on design-related matters.
- Support the preparation of reports, presentations, and technical documentation for client and stakeholder review.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- An ABET accredited engineering degree (Bachelors or Masters) by Summer 2027 in one of the following majors:
- Civil and/or Environmental Engineering
- Structural Engineering
- Working knowledge of Revit, Civil 3D
- Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal skills
- Strong sense of urgency and self-initiative to meet client deadlines
- Detail-oriented with an ability to contribute to a positive work environment
- Ability to work independently and as a team
WHY KIMLEY-HORN?
At Kimley-Horn, we do things differently. People, clients, and employees are at the forefront of who we are. Clients know we prioritize achieving their goals and growing their success. Employees know our culture and approach to business are built on a desire to provide an environment for everyone to flourish. Our commitment to quality is only as good as the people behind it—that’s why we welcome and develop passionate, hardworking, and proactive employees. We take pride in how our employee retention, robust benefits package, and company values have led to Kimley-Horn’s placement on the Fortune “100 Best Companies to Work” list for 19 years!
Key Benefits at Kimley-Horn
- Exceptional Retirement Plan: 2-to-1 company match on up to 4% of eligible compensation (salary + bonus) and additional profit-sharing contribution.
- Comprehensive Health Coverage: Low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance options.
- Time Off: Personal leave, flexible scheduling, floating holidays, and half-day Fridays.
- Financial Wellness: Student loan matching in our 401(k), and performance-based bonuses.
- Professional Development: Tuition reimbursement and extensive internal training programs.
- Family-Friendly Benefits: New Parent Leave, family building benefits, and childcare resources.
INTRODUCTION
Kimley-Horn's Princeton, New Jersey (NJ) office is looking for Engineering graduates to join their Structural team in 2027! This is not a remote position.
Responsibilities
- You will have the opportunity to work on a variety of structures like high rises, apartment buildings, hotels, commercial buildings, bridges, retaining walls, and other structural design efforts.
- As a critical member of the team, you will perform a variety of engineering tasks and will receive both on-the-job and formal training as well as mentorship and exposure to plan production, project financials, and client interactions.
- Assist in the design and analysis of vertical structures, ensuring compliance with engineering standards, codes, and regulations.
- Perform structural calculations and prepare detailed design documents, including drawings and specifications.
- Collaborate with senior engineers and project managers to develop innovative solutions and address technical challenges.
- Utilize structural design software and tools to support design efforts and produce accurate models.
- Participate in field inspections and site visits to gather data and ensure the integrity of structures as needed.
- Contribute to project coordination meetings and provide input on design-related matters.
- Support the preparation of reports, presentations, and technical documentation for client and stakeholder review.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- An ABET accredited engineering degree (Bachelors or Masters) by Summer 2027 in one of the following majors:
- Civil and/or Environmental Engineering
- Structural Engineering
- Working knowledge of Revit, Civil 3D
- Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal skills
- Strong sense of urgency and self-initiative to meet client deadlines
- Detail-oriented with an ability to contribute to a positive work environment
- Ability to work independently and as a team
WHY KIMLEY-HORN?
At Kimley-Horn, we do things differently. People, clients, and employees are at the forefront of who we are. Clients know we prioritize achieving their goals and growing their success. Employees know our culture and approach to business are built on a desire to provide an environment for everyone to flourish. Our commitment to quality is only as good as the people behind it—that’s why we welcome and develop passionate, hardworking, and proactive employees. We take pride in how our employee retention, robust benefits package, and company values have led to Kimley-Horn’s placement on the Fortune “100 Best Companies to Work” list for 19 years!
Key Benefits at Kimley-Horn
- Exceptional Retirement Plan: 2-to-1 company match on up to 4% of eligible compensation (salary + bonus) and additional profit-sharing contribution.
- Comprehensive Health Coverage: Low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance options.
- Time Off: Personal leave, flexible scheduling, floating holidays, and half-day Fridays.
- Financial Wellness: Student loan matching in our 401(k), and performance-based bonuses.
- Professional Development: Tuition reimbursement and extensive internal training programs.
- Family-Friendly Benefits: New Parent Leave, family building benefits, and childcare resources.
See all 363+ STEM OPT Structural Engineer Jobs
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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.
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.