STEM OPT Structural Project Engineer Jobs
Structural Project Engineer roles qualify for STEM OPT because they require a STEM degree in civil or structural engineering. Your 24-month STEM OPT extension gives you up to 36 months of total work authorization, provided your employer is enrolled in E-Verify and you complete an 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 Project Engineer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Structural Project Engineer
Verify your CIP code before applying
Civil Engineering (CIP 14.0801) and Structural Engineering (CIP 14.0803) are both STEM-designated. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO before you apply, so you don't lose weeks chasing employers on an ineligible degree.
Check E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
STEM OPT requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify at the worksite level, not just the parent company. Search the E-Verify employer search tool by company name and location before signing anything.
Target firms with active LCA filings in structural roles
Use Migrate Mate to filter for structural and civil engineering employers with DOL Labor Condition Application filing history. That filing record tells you which firms have actually hired F-1 graduates before, not just which ones claim they will.
Negotiate your I-983 training plan scope during hiring
Structural Project Engineers often rotate across disciplines. Get your hiring manager to document each rotation's engineering learning objectives in the I-983 before your start date, not after your first 90-day evaluation triggers USCIS review.
Align your prevailing wage tier with your offer letter
Pull the OFLC Wage Search for SOC code 17-2051 (Civil Engineers) in your target metro before negotiating. If your offer falls below Level I prevailing wage for that area, the employer's LCA will fail DOL certification regardless of your qualifications.
Time your H-1B registration around your OPT end date
If your STEM OPT expires before October 1 and your H-1B visa is selected, cap-gap automatically extends your authorization. Apply with your employer in March so your status is protected if selection runs into summer adjudication delays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a structural engineering degree qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your degree is coded under a STEM-designated Classification of Instructional Programs code. Civil Engineering (CIP 14.0801) and Structural Engineering (CIP 14.0803) both qualify. Your DSO confirms eligibility based on the CIP code attached to your specific degree program, not the department name on your diploma.
Does my employer need to be enrolled in E-Verify to hire me on STEM OPT?
Yes. E-Verify enrollment is a legal requirement for STEM OPT employers, and it must cover the specific worksite where you'll work, not just corporate headquarters. Before accepting an offer, search the E-Verify employer search tool by location to confirm the hiring site is enrolled. If it isn't, the employer must enroll before your STEM OPT extension is approved.
What goes into the I-983 training plan for a Structural Project Engineer?
The I-983 must describe how the role provides practical training in structural analysis, load calculations, project coordination, or related engineering competencies tied to your STEM degree. Generic job descriptions don't satisfy USCIS. Your employer and DSO both sign the plan, and you update it every 12 months or any time your role changes substantially.
What happens to my STEM OPT if my employer loses E-Verify enrollment?
Your STEM OPT authorization is tied to the employer's E-Verify status. If your employer's enrollment lapses or is terminated, you're no longer authorized to work there under STEM OPT. USCIS requires you to report the change to your DSO within five days. You'll need to find a new E-Verify-enrolled employer or transition to another status.
Where can I find Structural Project Engineer jobs with employers who hire STEM OPT students?
Migrate Mate filters structural and civil engineering roles by employers with documented DOL LCA filing history, so you're not guessing which firms have hired F-1 graduates before. This matters because E-Verify enrollment and LCA experience significantly affect how smoothly your STEM OPT paperwork gets handled once you have an offer.