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.
Find Construction JobsOverview
Showing 3 of 5+ Construction STEM OPT Jobs in Iowa






See all Construction STEM OPT Jobs in Iowa
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Construction STEM OPT Jobs in Iowa.
Get Access To All Jobs
Job Description:
Ryan Companies US, Inc. has an immediate career opportunity for a Project Engineer to join our team! The Project Engineer assists the project team in the completion of designated projects with a focus on learning Ryan processes, procedures and business policies. The position objective is to educate the employee in field and office operations while working from a construction project site for a minimum of six months and preferably for the duration of an entire construction project.
Do you enjoy working in a fast, fun, inclusive and collaborative workspace? Do you want the next chapter of your career to be with an industry leader in commercial building services? If this describes you, we encourage you to apply today.
To be successful in this role, you must have a solid foundation in estimating techniques, cost control, and material pricing. A bachelor's degree in construction engineering, construction management, or a related field is preferred (or an associate degree/equivalent certificate with at least 2 years of industry experience). You must be able to perform mathematical calculations, interpret architectural and engineering drawings, and understand purchase orders, contracts, and financial management systems. Excellent communication skills, personal responsibility, and the ability to interface effectively with diverse teams are essential.
What You Can Expect To Do:
- RFIs & Documentation: Help generate Requests For Information (RFIs), track approvals, and keep office and jobsite plans updated with RFIs and ASIs.
- Shop Drawings: Monitor and maintain the shop drawing log and coordinate approvals. Learn project dimensional control requirements while field-verifying dimensions.
- Quality & Safety: Complete thorough drawing reviews utilizing Ryan checklists. Assist the Project Manager and Superintendent in creating and executing the Project Specific Quality Plan (PSQP) and learn Ryan Safety Policies and Procedures.
- Logistics & Deliveries: Assist in coordinating and tracking vendor and subcontractor deliveries while gaining a strong understanding of overall site logistics.
- Permits & Inspections: Participate in and gain an understanding of the city and jurisdictional permit inspection process. Accompany Ryan personnel and Owners on punchlist inspections, record items, and monitor completion.
- Meetings & Scheduling: Prepare agendas and minutes for weekly construction meetings and take an active role. Participate in preparing, updating, and milestone-tracking the project schedule.
- Procurement & Estimating: Support project procurement by developing subcontractor RFP bid forms and evaluation spreadsheets. Support the estimating process, learn take-off software, and perform unit cost analyses.
- Perform additional assignments to support the Superintendent and Project Manager as directed.
You Will Really Stand Out If You Have:
- Previous internship experience in commercial construction.
- Familiarity with industry-standard estimating, take-off, or scheduling software.
- A willingness to travel or relocate as needed to support regional projects.
- A proactive drive to lead selective bid solicitation calls and manage bid lists.
Compensation:
The base rate may vary within the anticipated range based on factors such as the ultimate location of the position and the selected candidate's knowledge, skills and abilities.
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
See all Construction STEM OPT Jobs in Iowa
Sign up for free to filter by visa type, set job alerts, and find employers with verified sponsorship history.
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.