Construction F-1 STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Kentucky
Construction F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Kentucky are concentrated in Louisville and Lexington, where firms like Messer Construction, Barton Malow, and Turner Construction manage large commercial and infrastructure projects. Civil engineering, construction management, and project controls roles frequently qualify for STEM OPT authorization, giving graduates a structured entry point into Kentucky's active building sector.
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Get Access To All JobsAbout us
At Gresham Smith, we call it Genuine Ingenuity. Our culture is the cornerstone of who we are, and our people are at the heart of everything we do. United by our Core Purpose—to plan, design, and consult to create healthy and thriving communities—we deliver innovative solutions for life’s essential infrastructure and institutions.
What sets us apart is our dedication to care for our people, our clients, and the places we call home. We are more than a team of professionals—we’re a community built on commitment, integrity, respect, and teamwork.
Why Gresham Smith?
When you join Gresham Smith, you’re joining a place where you can connect and thrive. Our employees consistently recognize us as a Best Place to Work because we go above and beyond to ensure that you feel valued, supported, and empowered.
About You
We’re looking for someone who has:
- A B.S. in Civil Engineering or Civil Engineering Technology
- 0 to 4 years of roadway design experience
- EIT certification preferred
- Knowledge of standard office practices and procedures
- Ability to learn Department of Transportation systems, policies, and procedures
- Ability to learn standard operations, policies, and procedures of a firm, preferably within the A/E industry
- Advanced knowledge of practical engineering principles, practices, and techniques, including AASHTO guidelines
- Skill in MicroStation V8i, Geopak, or OpenRoads Designer desired but not required
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word and Excel
- Strong attention to detail, organizational, and time management skills
- Ability to build and maintain excellent interpersonal relationships
- Ability to work independently on multiple tasks without immediate and constant supervision
Most importantly, you bring genuine curiosity, creativity, and a collaborative spirit—someone who wants to do great work with great people.
About the Role
As a Roadway Engineer-in-Training, you will:
- Assist in designing roadway projects, including coordination with traffic, bridge design, transportation planning, and environmental.
- Participate in the development and preparation of engineering reports, plans, and specifications for major and minor projects.
- Prepare and review preliminary and final plans and technical specifications, contract documents, and estimates; make recommendations for additions, deletions, and substitutions when modifications are necessary.
- Communicate and interact with project team members, client representatives, review agencies, and others, as appropriate to the project; assist in resolving a variety of complex problems (e.g., conflicting design requirements, unsuitability of conventional materials, difficult coordination requirements).
Your work will directly contribute to shaping environments where people live, work, and thrive, all while growing your career within a supportive, people-first culture.
Join Us
If you’re excited to bring your talents to a collaborative, people-first environment where you can make an impact while growing your career, we’d love to hear from you.
Here’s what you can expect:
Professional Growth: In-house Learning, Tuition Reimbursement, Licensure Support, Professional Organization Engagement.
Culture that Cares: 93% of employees say they feel cared for, and 96% are confident in our future success.
Competitive Benefits:
- Flexible Schedules & Generous PTO
- Healthcare (Medical, Dental, Vision, Wellness Programs)
- 401(k) with Company Match
- Short- & Long-term Disability, Paid Life & AD&D
- Supplemental, Critical Care, Pet, Legal & ID Theft Insurance
- Family Planning and Parental Leave
- Mass/Public Transit Program
- Telemedicine and Employee Assistance Program
Gresham Smith is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate. Everyone is invited to apply!
GRESHAM SMITH does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, headhunters, search firms, or agencies. No referral or recruiter fees will be paid without a fully executed GRESHAM PLACEMENT SERVICES AGREEMENT (PSA) in advance. Submissions made without a PSA may be recruited and hired by GRESHAM SMITH with no financial obligation to the submitting party. Any such unsolicited resumes or candidate information sent to hiring managers or any employee becomes the property of GRESHAM SMITH.
About us
At Gresham Smith, we call it Genuine Ingenuity. Our culture is the cornerstone of who we are, and our people are at the heart of everything we do. United by our Core Purpose—to plan, design, and consult to create healthy and thriving communities—we deliver innovative solutions for life’s essential infrastructure and institutions.
What sets us apart is our dedication to care for our people, our clients, and the places we call home. We are more than a team of professionals—we’re a community built on commitment, integrity, respect, and teamwork.
Why Gresham Smith?
When you join Gresham Smith, you’re joining a place where you can connect and thrive. Our employees consistently recognize us as a Best Place to Work because we go above and beyond to ensure that you feel valued, supported, and empowered.
About You
We’re looking for someone who has:
- A B.S. in Civil Engineering or Civil Engineering Technology
- 0 to 4 years of roadway design experience
- EIT certification preferred
- Knowledge of standard office practices and procedures
- Ability to learn Department of Transportation systems, policies, and procedures
- Ability to learn standard operations, policies, and procedures of a firm, preferably within the A/E industry
- Advanced knowledge of practical engineering principles, practices, and techniques, including AASHTO guidelines
- Skill in MicroStation V8i, Geopak, or OpenRoads Designer desired but not required
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word and Excel
- Strong attention to detail, organizational, and time management skills
- Ability to build and maintain excellent interpersonal relationships
- Ability to work independently on multiple tasks without immediate and constant supervision
Most importantly, you bring genuine curiosity, creativity, and a collaborative spirit—someone who wants to do great work with great people.
About the Role
As a Roadway Engineer-in-Training, you will:
- Assist in designing roadway projects, including coordination with traffic, bridge design, transportation planning, and environmental.
- Participate in the development and preparation of engineering reports, plans, and specifications for major and minor projects.
- Prepare and review preliminary and final plans and technical specifications, contract documents, and estimates; make recommendations for additions, deletions, and substitutions when modifications are necessary.
- Communicate and interact with project team members, client representatives, review agencies, and others, as appropriate to the project; assist in resolving a variety of complex problems (e.g., conflicting design requirements, unsuitability of conventional materials, difficult coordination requirements).
Your work will directly contribute to shaping environments where people live, work, and thrive, all while growing your career within a supportive, people-first culture.
Join Us
If you’re excited to bring your talents to a collaborative, people-first environment where you can make an impact while growing your career, we’d love to hear from you.
Here’s what you can expect:
Professional Growth: In-house Learning, Tuition Reimbursement, Licensure Support, Professional Organization Engagement.
Culture that Cares: 93% of employees say they feel cared for, and 96% are confident in our future success.
Competitive Benefits:
- Flexible Schedules & Generous PTO
- Healthcare (Medical, Dental, Vision, Wellness Programs)
- 401(k) with Company Match
- Short- & Long-term Disability, Paid Life & AD&D
- Supplemental, Critical Care, Pet, Legal & ID Theft Insurance
- Family Planning and Parental Leave
- Mass/Public Transit Program
- Telemedicine and Employee Assistance Program
Gresham Smith is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate. Everyone is invited to apply!
GRESHAM SMITH does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, headhunters, search firms, or agencies. No referral or recruiter fees will be paid without a fully executed GRESHAM PLACEMENT SERVICES AGREEMENT (PSA) in advance. Submissions made without a PSA may be recruited and hired by GRESHAM SMITH with no financial obligation to the submitting party. Any such unsolicited resumes or candidate information sent to hiring managers or any employee becomes the property of GRESHAM SMITH.
Construction Job Roles in Kentucky
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Search Construction Jobs in KentuckyConstruction Jobs in Kentucky: Frequently Asked Questions
Which construction companies sponsor F-1 STEM OPT visas in Kentucky?
Large general contractors and engineering firms operating in Kentucky are the most consistent sources of STEM OPT sponsorship. Companies like Messer Construction, Barton Malow, and Turner Construction have historically hired engineering and construction management graduates on work authorization. Infrastructure-focused firms working on Kentucky Transportation Cabinet projects and university campus expansions also hire STEM OPT candidates for technical roles. Smaller regional contractors are less likely to have formal sponsorship processes in place.
Which cities in Kentucky have the most construction F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Louisville leads Kentucky for construction STEM OPT opportunities, driven by sustained commercial development, healthcare facility construction, and logistics infrastructure tied to its position as a major distribution hub. Lexington is the second most active market, with university-related construction and growing mixed-use development. Bowling Green and Northern Kentucky, which benefits from proximity to Cincinnati's construction market, also generate STEM OPT-eligible roles in civil and structural engineering.
What types of construction roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship?
Roles that qualify for STEM OPT must fall under a STEM-designated Classification of Instructional Programs code tied to your degree. In construction, positions like civil engineer, structural engineer, construction project manager, BIM coordinator, and project controls analyst commonly qualify when the hiring employer holds a valid E-Verify enrollment. O*NET occupation profiles can help confirm whether a specific job title aligns with STEM OPT requirements. General labor or non-degree field supervisor roles typically do not qualify.
How do I find construction F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Kentucky?
Migrate Mate filters construction job listings by visa type, making it straightforward to identify Kentucky employers actively posting F-1 STEM OPT roles. Because STEM OPT requires E-Verify enrollment on the employer side, searching through a platform that surfaces sponsorship history saves significant research time. Focus your search on Louisville and Lexington, filter for civil engineering and construction management titles, and prioritize firms that have documented prior sponsorship activity through DOL Labor Condition Application records.
Are there state-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Kentucky's construction industry?
Kentucky does not impose state-level visa sponsorship requirements beyond federal USCIS rules, but practical factors matter. Kentucky's construction market is heavily tied to public infrastructure funding, and contractors working on state or federally funded projects must comply with E-Verify requirements, which aligns well with STEM OPT's mandatory E-Verify condition. Kentucky also has active apprenticeship and workforce programs through the Kentucky Labor Cabinet that are geared toward domestic workers, so STEM OPT candidates should target private-sector or federally contracted employers specifically.