Construction STEM OPT Jobs in Iowa
Construction F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Iowa are concentrated in civil engineering, structural design, and construction management roles, with employers such as Shive-Hattery, IMEG Corp, and HOK active in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City. Iowa's infrastructure investment and commercial development pipeline create consistent demand for degreed construction professionals eligible for STEM OPT authorization.
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Job Description:
Ryan Companies has an immediate need for a Senior Construction Project Engineer for its Des Moines OR Cedar Rapids, Iowa office. Recent college graduates with a degree in construction management, civil engineering, or an engineering discipline with a strong interest in a career in construction management are invited to apply.
With more than 80 years in business and 15 offices (and growing!), Ryan offers comprehensive commercial real estate solutions to customers across the US. We bring a collaborative, relationship-driven approach to delivering spaces where people thrive and businesses succeed. Join a company with an outstanding culture and competitive benefits. At Ryan, we don’t just build buildings – we build stories.
Some things you can expect to do:
- Work with preconstruction team and project managers to develop conceptual and detailed estimates
- Perform quantity take-offs of all construction systems
- Create project estimates individually and with a team
- Solicit subcontractor pricing for budgeting and bid proposals
- Scope and select subcontractors based on best value and project requirements
- Record final estimates and maintain cost history
- Create, track, and manage project scope
- Participate and review buyout and GMP estimates
- Create preconstruction schedules with project management and field personal
- Support development, architectural and construction teams with preconstruction expertise including value design, cost validation, project scheduling, procurement and project pursuits
- Consistently achieves appropriate project estimates
- Review and provide feedback on project estimates created by the project managers
- Provide direction for understanding project scope, market pricing and available resources
- Assist clients and developers with conceptual budgets of various types of projects
- Capable of cost modeling using Uniformat II system costs
- Learn CSI and Uniformat II
Some things we would like you to have:
- 4-year construction engineering or construction management degree
- Knowledge of construction means and methods, building types and procurement methods
- Ability to read and understand project plans and details
- Ability to perform thoughtful and accurate quantity take offs, and summarize data in a meaningful way
- Positive and effective communication abilities
- Ability to teach skills and knowledge to others
- Ability to listen, prioritize and value the opinions of others
- Prior construction experience in the field or office is a PLUS.
- An interest in learning Destini Estimating platform, OST, Bluebeam, BuildingConnected, JOIN, VICO, Navisworks, and Revit.
- Recent college graduates WILL be considered.
- You will really stand out if you have construction internship experience and up to 3 or 4 years of construction management experience.
Eligibility:
Position requires verification of employment to work in the U.S.
Benefits:
- Competitive Salary
- Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits
- Retirement and Savings Benefits
- Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
- Life Insurance
- Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
- Educational Assistance
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Employee Assistance and Wellness Programs
- Parenting Benefits
- Employee Discount Programs
- Pet insurance
- Ryan Foundation – charitable matching funds
- Paid Time for Volunteer Events
Disclaimer: Eligibility may vary based on factors such as role, hours worked, employment status, length of service, location, and other considerations. Detailed information will be shared with eligible candidates during the hiring process, and the official terms and conditions will be outlined in each individual offer document.
Ryan Companies is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Notice to Candidates:
Please be advised that initial outreach regarding employment at Ryan Companies will only occur via email from the domain @ryancompanies.com email address. If you receive communication from someone you believe is impersonating Ryan Companies, please report it to us at humanresources@ryancompanies.com.
Non-Solicitation Notice to Recruitment Agencies:
Ryan Companies kindly requests that recruitment agencies and third-party recruiters do not submit unsolicited resumes or candidate information to any Ryan Companies employee or office. Ryan Companies will not be responsible for any fees or expenses associated with unsolicited submissions. If recruitment services are required, we will reach out directly to agencies on our approved vendor list. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
STEM OPT Construction Job Roles in Iowa
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Search Construction Jobs in IowaConstruction STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which construction companies sponsor F-1 STEM OPT visas in Iowa?
Engineering and architecture-led construction firms are the most active sponsors of F-1 STEM OPT workers in Iowa. Companies like Shive-Hattery, IMEG Corp, and Stanley Consultants have filed Labor Condition Applications for civil and structural engineering roles. Larger general contractors with dedicated engineering departments, such as Ryan Companies and Miron Construction, also hire STEM OPT-eligible candidates for project engineering and estimating positions across Iowa project sites.
Which cities in Iowa have the most construction F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Des Moines leads Iowa for construction STEM OPT sponsorship activity, driven by its commercial real estate growth and infrastructure investment. Cedar Rapids is a secondary hub, particularly for civil and industrial construction engineering roles tied to manufacturing expansion. Iowa City, home to the University of Iowa, sees demand for construction management and facilities engineering positions. Ames also attracts STEM OPT candidates given its proximity to Iowa State University and its engineering talent pipeline.
What types of construction roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship?
Roles that qualify for STEM OPT in the construction sector are those tied to a STEM-designated degree and involve applying technical knowledge directly. Civil engineering, structural engineering, construction project engineering, geotechnical engineering, environmental engineering, and building information modeling coordination positions commonly qualify. General construction site supervision or purely administrative roles typically do not meet the STEM OPT criteria, as the position must align with the student's STEM field of study as recognized by USCIS.
How do I find construction F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Iowa?
Migrate Mate is built specifically to surface construction jobs in Iowa where employers have a documented history of sponsoring F-1 STEM OPT workers, using DOL Labor Condition Application filing data to verify sponsorship activity. You can filter by state, industry, and visa type to see which Iowa construction and engineering firms are actively hiring STEM OPT candidates. This removes the guesswork of applying to employers who may not be familiar with STEM OPT authorization requirements.
Are there any Iowa-specific or construction-industry considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship?
Iowa's construction sector is heavily tied to agricultural infrastructure, commercial development, and public works projects, which can affect the types of STEM roles employers need. STEM OPT employers in Iowa must be enrolled in E-Verify, a federal requirement regardless of state. Iowa does not impose additional state-level work authorization requirements beyond federal USCIS rules. Students should confirm with their Designated School Official that their specific role and employer meet all STEM OPT training plan requirements before accepting an offer.