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
Thornton Tomasetti applies engineering and scientific principles to solve the world’s challenges. An independent organization of creative thinkers and innovative doers collaborating from offices worldwide, our mission is to bring our clients' ideas to life and, in the process, lay the groundwork for a better, more resilient future. We provide support and opportunities to our employees to achieve their full potential and cultivate a rewarding career.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Thornton Tomasetti, Inc. seeks Project Engineer in Chicago, IL to be responsible for helping lead the coordination, planning, and execution of engineering projects within area of responsibility.
- Communicate with clients to understand their needs and ensure work aligns with their goals.
- Plan and develop engineering programs and organize project teams based on project requirements.
- Perform structural analysis and design for a wide range of building types (data centers, schools, airports and offices) and materials, using tools like SAP2000, ETABS, RAM, ADAPT, Enercalc, RISA, SAFE and Revit, while adhering to applicable building codes.
- Manage and oversee the work of other team members, including engineers and draftspersons.
- Direct the preparation of detailed contract documents, such as drawings and specifications, to support accurate and efficient project delivery.
- Lead the Construction Administration for projects which include reviewing shop drawings, responding to RFIs and performing site visits for projects, providing solutions for issues raised by construction team and preparing field reports.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s degree or foreign equivalent in Civil Engineering or a related field and three (3) years of experience in the job offered or related occupation: performing structural analysis and design using software such as SAP2000, STAAD Pro, ETABS, RAM, ADAPT, Enercalc, SAFE, RISA or Revit for modeling; analyzing building systems in compliance with industry standards and building codes including IBC, ASCE 7, ACI, and AISC; utilizing experience with load path analysis, seismic and wind load design, and material-specific design for reinforced concrete, steel, masonry, and post-tensioned systems; and preparing detailed contract documents and overseeing construction coordination.
- Two (2) years of experience must include: working on Data Centers.
- PE License required.
Telecommuting and/or working from home may be permissible pursuant to company policies. When not telecommuting, must report to work site.
COMPENSATION
- Offered salary is between $124,093 and $124,093 per year.
- The rate for this position generally is $90,000 - $115,000 annually. This range is a good faith estimate provided pursuant to the Illinois State Pay Transparency Law. It is based on what a successful Illinois State applicant might be paid and assumes that the successful candidate will be in Illinois State or perform the position from Illinois State. Similar positions located outside of Illinois State will not necessarily receive the same compensation. Actual pay rates may vary from the range, as permitted by Illinois Equal Pay Transparency Law. Compensation offers will be based on various factors, including operational needs, individual education, qualifications and experience, work location and comparison to employee already in the role, as well as other considerations permitted by law. A potential new employee’s pay history will not be used in compensation decisions.
BENEFITS
Depending on your employment status, benefits may include:
- Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, Disability and other voluntary benefits
- Flexible Spending Accounts for Medical and Childcare
- Paid Time Off, Family Leave for New Parents, Volunteer Time
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Commuter Transit (where available)
- 401k retirement savings with Company matching on employee contributions and/or qualified student loan repayments
- Fitness Reimbursement
- And other various wellness, diversity/inclusion and employee resource programs and initiatives
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Thornton Tomasetti is proud to be an equal employment workplace. Individuals seeking employment at Thornton Tomasetti are considered without regards to age, ancestry, color, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, national origin, protected family care or medical leave status, race, religion (including beliefs and practices or the absence thereof), sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Thornton Tomasetti Global Terms of Use and Privacy Statement
Carefully read these Terms of Use before using this website. Your access to and use of this website and application for a job at Thornton Tomasetti are conditioned on your acceptance and compliance with these terms.
Please access the linked document by clicking here, select the country where you are applying for employment, and review. Before submitting your application you will be asked to confirm your agreement with the terms.
To request a reasonable accommodation during the application process for this role, please contact talentconcierge@throntontomasetti.com
Beware Of Recruitment Fraud: Scammers may attempt to impersonate Thornton Tomasetti. Messages from our firm come only from the ThorntonTomasetti.com domain, Thornton Tomasetti does not use any third-party recruiters. When in doubt, please contact us through our web form here and see how you can protect yourself online here.
INTRODUCTION
Thornton Tomasetti applies engineering and scientific principles to solve the world’s challenges. An independent organization of creative thinkers and innovative doers collaborating from offices worldwide, our mission is to bring our clients' ideas to life and, in the process, lay the groundwork for a better, more resilient future. We provide support and opportunities to our employees to achieve their full potential and cultivate a rewarding career.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Thornton Tomasetti, Inc. seeks Project Engineer in Chicago, IL to be responsible for helping lead the coordination, planning, and execution of engineering projects within area of responsibility.
- Communicate with clients to understand their needs and ensure work aligns with their goals.
- Plan and develop engineering programs and organize project teams based on project requirements.
- Perform structural analysis and design for a wide range of building types (data centers, schools, airports and offices) and materials, using tools like SAP2000, ETABS, RAM, ADAPT, Enercalc, RISA, SAFE and Revit, while adhering to applicable building codes.
- Manage and oversee the work of other team members, including engineers and draftspersons.
- Direct the preparation of detailed contract documents, such as drawings and specifications, to support accurate and efficient project delivery.
- Lead the Construction Administration for projects which include reviewing shop drawings, responding to RFIs and performing site visits for projects, providing solutions for issues raised by construction team and preparing field reports.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s degree or foreign equivalent in Civil Engineering or a related field and three (3) years of experience in the job offered or related occupation: performing structural analysis and design using software such as SAP2000, STAAD Pro, ETABS, RAM, ADAPT, Enercalc, SAFE, RISA or Revit for modeling; analyzing building systems in compliance with industry standards and building codes including IBC, ASCE 7, ACI, and AISC; utilizing experience with load path analysis, seismic and wind load design, and material-specific design for reinforced concrete, steel, masonry, and post-tensioned systems; and preparing detailed contract documents and overseeing construction coordination.
- Two (2) years of experience must include: working on Data Centers.
- PE License required.
Telecommuting and/or working from home may be permissible pursuant to company policies. When not telecommuting, must report to work site.
COMPENSATION
- Offered salary is between $124,093 and $124,093 per year.
- The rate for this position generally is $90,000 - $115,000 annually. This range is a good faith estimate provided pursuant to the Illinois State Pay Transparency Law. It is based on what a successful Illinois State applicant might be paid and assumes that the successful candidate will be in Illinois State or perform the position from Illinois State. Similar positions located outside of Illinois State will not necessarily receive the same compensation. Actual pay rates may vary from the range, as permitted by Illinois Equal Pay Transparency Law. Compensation offers will be based on various factors, including operational needs, individual education, qualifications and experience, work location and comparison to employee already in the role, as well as other considerations permitted by law. A potential new employee’s pay history will not be used in compensation decisions.
BENEFITS
Depending on your employment status, benefits may include:
- Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, Disability and other voluntary benefits
- Flexible Spending Accounts for Medical and Childcare
- Paid Time Off, Family Leave for New Parents, Volunteer Time
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Commuter Transit (where available)
- 401k retirement savings with Company matching on employee contributions and/or qualified student loan repayments
- Fitness Reimbursement
- And other various wellness, diversity/inclusion and employee resource programs and initiatives
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Thornton Tomasetti is proud to be an equal employment workplace. Individuals seeking employment at Thornton Tomasetti are considered without regards to age, ancestry, color, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, national origin, protected family care or medical leave status, race, religion (including beliefs and practices or the absence thereof), sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Thornton Tomasetti Global Terms of Use and Privacy Statement
Carefully read these Terms of Use before using this website. Your access to and use of this website and application for a job at Thornton Tomasetti are conditioned on your acceptance and compliance with these terms.
Please access the linked document by clicking here, select the country where you are applying for employment, and review. Before submitting your application you will be asked to confirm your agreement with the terms.
To request a reasonable accommodation during the application process for this role, please contact talentconcierge@throntontomasetti.com
Beware Of Recruitment Fraud: Scammers may attempt to impersonate Thornton Tomasetti. Messages from our firm come only from the ThorntonTomasetti.com domain, Thornton Tomasetti does not use any third-party recruiters. When in doubt, please contact us through our web form here and see how you can protect yourself online here.
See all 743+ STEM OPT Structural Project Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Structural Project Engineer Jobs.
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.