STEM OPT Jobs in Illinois
F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Illinois cluster around Chicago's tech, finance, and healthcare employers, with secondary hubs near the research universities in Urbana-Champaign and Evanston. To qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, your employer must be E-Verify enrolled and the role must directly apply your STEM-designated degree. Manufacturing and data analytics roles across the state add further depth to the sponsorship market.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Description:
Detail-oriented, reliable, creative team player to lead field evaluations of industrial structures, analyze data, evaluate root cause of failure, develop models, conduct calculations, and develop engineered rehabilitation/replacement plans & specifications.
Job Duties/Responsibilities:
- Lead field evaluation of existing structures
- Develop calculations and analytical models in steel, concrete, and other materials
- Design rehabilitation and/or replacement plans
- Specify materials, write reports
- Technical support for and quality control of structural construction
Minimum Qualifications:
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Civil / Structural Engineering
Experience:
Min Yr = 3+
Licensure:
E.I.T. Required, P.E. preferred
Technical Skills:
Knowledge of STAAD/SAP, ACI 318, AISC, ASCE-7, IBC required
Familiarity with AWS D.1. & AutoCAD preferred
Management:
Basic team coordination experience required
Other Skills:
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Professional Development Opportunities:
- Work under licensed P.E.’s and S.E.’s to progress towards professional licensure
- Exposure to fieldwork environments in various industrial facilities
- Start developing multi-discipline experience
- Develop expertise in calculations and analytical modeling
- Lead root cause failure analysis of defects
- Obtain industry and skill specific certifications
- Develop expertise in a variety of design and analytical programs
Individual field assignments typically each have their own unique requirements. Prior to deployment on any field assignment, you must be able to meet all client-specific site requirements. Should you be unable or unwilling to meet assignment-specific requirements, your continued employment would then be subject to the availability of other assignments whose requirements can be met. These unique requirements may include:
- You must possess physical mobility (on the ground and at heights).
- You may be required to pick up, lift, carry, and move up to 50 lbs.
- You may be required to work at heights, climb ladders and stairways, and may occasionally work off platforms/scaffolding/ladders using the appropriate and required fall protection.
- You must be able to work in all weather conditions (including heat, rain, cold, and wind) while wearing the appropriate PPE. This may include but not be limited to a hard hat, safety glasses/goggles, ear plugs, masks/respirators, hi-vis safety vests, leather gloves, and leather, steel-toed work boots.
- You may be required to position yourself to work in confined spaces
- You may be required to adhere to a client’s random drug testing program prior to entering their site.
- You may be required to meet a client’s facial hair safety policy prior to entering their site.
Pay Range: $90,000 - $140,000 annually
The above pay range represents a general guideline; however, Brindley considers several factors when determining base salary that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to the candidate's depth of experience, skill set, certifications, specific work location, and current market conditions. Employees may be eligible for discretionary bonus and/or other applicable incentive compensation plans in addition to base pay to reward individual contributions and allow employees to share in company results.
In addition, BE provides a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees, including health, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability insurance, 401(k) savings plan with employer matching, company paid holidays, paid parental leave, compensatory time off, and paid time off (PTO). Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.
Brindley Engineering is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.
BE participates in E-Verify. For additional information regarding E-Verify, please go to www.e-verify.gov.
Job Description:
Detail-oriented, reliable, creative team player to lead field evaluations of industrial structures, analyze data, evaluate root cause of failure, develop models, conduct calculations, and develop engineered rehabilitation/replacement plans & specifications.
Job Duties/Responsibilities:
- Lead field evaluation of existing structures
- Develop calculations and analytical models in steel, concrete, and other materials
- Design rehabilitation and/or replacement plans
- Specify materials, write reports
- Technical support for and quality control of structural construction
Minimum Qualifications:
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Civil / Structural Engineering
Experience:
Min Yr = 3+
Licensure:
E.I.T. Required, P.E. preferred
Technical Skills:
Knowledge of STAAD/SAP, ACI 318, AISC, ASCE-7, IBC required
Familiarity with AWS D.1. & AutoCAD preferred
Management:
Basic team coordination experience required
Other Skills:
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Professional Development Opportunities:
- Work under licensed P.E.’s and S.E.’s to progress towards professional licensure
- Exposure to fieldwork environments in various industrial facilities
- Start developing multi-discipline experience
- Develop expertise in calculations and analytical modeling
- Lead root cause failure analysis of defects
- Obtain industry and skill specific certifications
- Develop expertise in a variety of design and analytical programs
Individual field assignments typically each have their own unique requirements. Prior to deployment on any field assignment, you must be able to meet all client-specific site requirements. Should you be unable or unwilling to meet assignment-specific requirements, your continued employment would then be subject to the availability of other assignments whose requirements can be met. These unique requirements may include:
- You must possess physical mobility (on the ground and at heights).
- You may be required to pick up, lift, carry, and move up to 50 lbs.
- You may be required to work at heights, climb ladders and stairways, and may occasionally work off platforms/scaffolding/ladders using the appropriate and required fall protection.
- You must be able to work in all weather conditions (including heat, rain, cold, and wind) while wearing the appropriate PPE. This may include but not be limited to a hard hat, safety glasses/goggles, ear plugs, masks/respirators, hi-vis safety vests, leather gloves, and leather, steel-toed work boots.
- You may be required to position yourself to work in confined spaces
- You may be required to adhere to a client’s random drug testing program prior to entering their site.
- You may be required to meet a client’s facial hair safety policy prior to entering their site.
Pay Range: $90,000 - $140,000 annually
The above pay range represents a general guideline; however, Brindley considers several factors when determining base salary that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to the candidate's depth of experience, skill set, certifications, specific work location, and current market conditions. Employees may be eligible for discretionary bonus and/or other applicable incentive compensation plans in addition to base pay to reward individual contributions and allow employees to share in company results.
In addition, BE provides a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees, including health, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability insurance, 401(k) savings plan with employer matching, company paid holidays, paid parental leave, compensatory time off, and paid time off (PTO). Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.
Brindley Engineering is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.
BE participates in E-Verify. For additional information regarding E-Verify, please go to www.e-verify.gov.
Search F-1 STEM OPT Jobs by Industry in Illinois
Tips for Finding STEM OPT Jobs in Illinois
Confirm Your Role Aligns With Your STEM Degree
USCIS requires the job to be directly related to your STEM-designated degree, with the link documented on Form I-983. Use O*NET to pull typical duties for your target job title and check how they apply your coursework. Engineering, computer science, and data science roles typically have a clean match to qualifying STEM degrees, even before you reach the offer stage.
Target E-Verify enrolled Illinois employers directly
STEM OPT requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify, and not every Illinois company is. Filter your search to E-Verify participants from the start so you don't spend weeks pursuing roles that can't legally sponsor you.
Use Sponsorship History to Find Real Illinois Employers
Identifying which Illinois employers have actually sponsored international workers tells you far more than a recruiter's vague answer. Migrate Mate surfaces Chicago-area and Downstate employers with recent visa sponsorship activity, so you can target companies that already understand the process and have a documented track record.
Ask about the training plan in your first interview
USCIS requires a signed Form I-983 training plan before your STEM OPT extension is approved. Raise this in early conversations with Illinois employers so hiring managers aren't caught off guard, which is a common sticking point at mid-size firms outside Chicago.
See all 831+ F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Illinois
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Get Access To All JobsF-1 STEM OPT Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
Which industries in Illinois sponsor the most F-1 STEM OPT roles?
Technology, financial services, and healthcare consistently lead F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship activity in Illinois. Chicago's concentration of fintech firms, management consulting companies, and large hospital systems generates substantial demand for software engineers, data scientists, biostatisticians, and quantitative analysts. Manufacturing and agri-tech employers in Central and Southern Illinois also sponsor STEM OPT roles, particularly in process engineering and supply chain analytics.
Which cities in Illinois have the most F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Chicago and its suburbs, including Schaumburg, Naperville, and Deerfield, account for the overwhelming majority of F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Illinois. Champaign-Urbana is a secondary hub, with employers near the University of Illinois campus actively hiring STEM OPT candidates in software development and engineering. Rockford and Peoria offer smaller but active manufacturing and healthcare sponsorship markets.
What types of roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Illinois?
Roles qualify for F-1 STEM OPT in Illinois when they directly apply your STEM-designated degree. The DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List sets which degrees qualify, while Form I-983 documents how the job applies your coursework. Common qualifying positions in Illinois include software developer, data analyst, electrical engineer, biomedical researcher, and financial analyst roles. Use O*NET to check whether a job title's typical duties align with your degree.
How do I find F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Illinois that actually sponsor?
Look for Illinois employers with a documented history of sponsoring international workers, since prior sponsorship is the strongest signal they'll do it again. Migrate Mate lists Illinois employers by visa sponsorship activity, so you can confirm an employer has hired international engineers and analysts before applying. Filter for E-Verify enrolled employers separately, since enrollment is required for STEM OPT.
Are there any Illinois-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship?
Illinois does not impose state-level restrictions on STEM OPT employment, but Chicago's competitive tech and finance labor market means many employers receive applications from both domestic and international candidates. Smaller Illinois employers outside the Chicago metro, particularly in manufacturing, may be unfamiliar with Form I-983 training plan requirements, so proactively sharing USCIS guidance on the training plan obligation can accelerate their decision to sponsor.