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
Denham-Blythe Company is a people-focused, design-build construction company committed to providing the best possible construction service in the industry. We exceed expectations in order to earn clients' trust for life. Founded in 1976, Denham-Blythe has completed over 10,000 projects to date, with 90% of our projects with repeat clients.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Structural Engineer will design and detail building structures for a wide range of design-build projects. Will work to coordinate the design between other in-house disciplines and provide construction administration to field staff for the duration of the project. Expected to select structural systems, perform all necessary analysis and calculations, develop construction drawings and specifications, self-perform drafting and technical reports and review shop drawings. Site visits to perform special inspections during construction are encouraged.
Essential Functions
- Designs structures by calculating the loads and stresses the construction will have to safely withstand.
- Factors in the different qualities and strengths delivered by a range of building materials, and understands how to incorporate support beams, columns and foundations.
- Investigates and surveys build sites to determine the suitability of the proposed location for the requirements of the upcoming project.
- Coordinates and consults with other members of their projects, including engineers and architects.
- Assists government bodies in their inspections relating to the project.
- Solves technical problems and provides advice.
- Prepares reports, designs and drawings.
- Obtains planning and/or building regulations approval.
- Monitors and inspects work undertaken by contractors.
- Inspects properties to check conditions/foundations.
- Other duties as assigned.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 4+ years of relevant experience in Structural Design
- Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from an ABET accredited institution
- Professional licensure in the state of KY or ability to do so
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Knowledge and application of the International Building Code and associated standards (ASCE, AISC, ACI, etc.)
- Strong comprehension of load path, whole building systems, mechanics of building materials, etc.
- Ability to oversee projects from proposal to completion and throughout construction
- Experience in production of construction drawings and specifications
- Ability to navigate through Revit and AutoCAD and implement corrections, annotate, etc.
- Proficient in RAM or similar structural analysis software
- Ability to work with other designers, both inter-disciplinary and among the structural team
- Good communication skills, both written and oral
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
- Must be eligible for work in the United States.
JOB TYPE
- Job Type: Full-time
COMPENSATION
- Pay: $90,000.00 - $150,000.00 per year
BENEFITS
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Referral program
- Relocation assistance
- Vision insurance
Education
- Bachelor's (Required)
Experience
- Structural Design: 4 years (Required)
LICENSE/CERTIFICATION
- Professional Engineer (Preferred)
WORK LOCATION
- In person
INTRODUCTION
Denham-Blythe Company is a people-focused, design-build construction company committed to providing the best possible construction service in the industry. We exceed expectations in order to earn clients' trust for life. Founded in 1976, Denham-Blythe has completed over 10,000 projects to date, with 90% of our projects with repeat clients.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Structural Engineer will design and detail building structures for a wide range of design-build projects. Will work to coordinate the design between other in-house disciplines and provide construction administration to field staff for the duration of the project. Expected to select structural systems, perform all necessary analysis and calculations, develop construction drawings and specifications, self-perform drafting and technical reports and review shop drawings. Site visits to perform special inspections during construction are encouraged.
Essential Functions
- Designs structures by calculating the loads and stresses the construction will have to safely withstand.
- Factors in the different qualities and strengths delivered by a range of building materials, and understands how to incorporate support beams, columns and foundations.
- Investigates and surveys build sites to determine the suitability of the proposed location for the requirements of the upcoming project.
- Coordinates and consults with other members of their projects, including engineers and architects.
- Assists government bodies in their inspections relating to the project.
- Solves technical problems and provides advice.
- Prepares reports, designs and drawings.
- Obtains planning and/or building regulations approval.
- Monitors and inspects work undertaken by contractors.
- Inspects properties to check conditions/foundations.
- Other duties as assigned.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 4+ years of relevant experience in Structural Design
- Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from an ABET accredited institution
- Professional licensure in the state of KY or ability to do so
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Knowledge and application of the International Building Code and associated standards (ASCE, AISC, ACI, etc.)
- Strong comprehension of load path, whole building systems, mechanics of building materials, etc.
- Ability to oversee projects from proposal to completion and throughout construction
- Experience in production of construction drawings and specifications
- Ability to navigate through Revit and AutoCAD and implement corrections, annotate, etc.
- Proficient in RAM or similar structural analysis software
- Ability to work with other designers, both inter-disciplinary and among the structural team
- Good communication skills, both written and oral
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
- Must be eligible for work in the United States.
JOB TYPE
- Job Type: Full-time
COMPENSATION
- Pay: $90,000.00 - $150,000.00 per year
BENEFITS
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Referral program
- Relocation assistance
- Vision insurance
Education
- Bachelor's (Required)
Experience
- Structural Design: 4 years (Required)
LICENSE/CERTIFICATION
- Professional Engineer (Preferred)
WORK LOCATION
- In person
See all 342+ 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.