STEM OPT Jobs in Montana
F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Montana are concentrated in technology, environmental science, and natural resources sectors, with Billings, Missoula, and Bozeman hosting the highest employer density. Montana's growing university research ecosystem and energy industry create consistent demand for STEM OPT candidates.
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GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Provide engineering and consulting services for a broad array of projects and clients. This may include performing and/or leading field investigations, engineering analysis, calculations, and recommendations, design and development of plans and specifications, observation and inspection, and the writing, preparation, and review of related reports for the services provided. Review drawings and construction to assure compliance with plans and specifications. Prepare proposals and cost estimates, track and evaluate project progress, budgets, and recommend changes. Research and resolve design and construction problems. Assign, review, and evaluate laboratory or field data for inclusion in reports. Apply sound engineering principles and be able to communicate complex engineering issues and concepts to technical and non-technical clients and project teams. Services may be provided for existing or proposed projects in a variety of sectors, including for example public works, transportation, commercial, communications, energy, and industrial.
ESSENTIAL ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
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Follow safety rules, guidelines and standards for all projects. Participate in pre-task planning. Report any safety issues or concerns to management.
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Understand and practice quality acumen.
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Support consistent quality standards on proposal and project delivery.
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Developing engineering professional; assignments are designed to develop knowledge and abilities.
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Assist in research, data collection, field observation, inspection, and field and laboratory testing. Prepare associated reports or sections of larger reports.
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Evaluate mostly routine laboratory and field data for inclusion in reports.
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Consult with other technical people and supervisor on routine and less complex projects.
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May perform basic calculations and engineering analysis.
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Drafts routine proposals and assists in the preparation of more complex proposals.
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Performs plan drafting using CAD software.
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May work with engineering technician crews in testing, observations and data gathering activities on project sites and prepare daily reports documenting activities and findings.
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Works under the supervision of a Professional Engineer.
REQUIREMENTS
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Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
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A valid driver’s license with acceptable violation history may be required.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Engineering Intern (Engineer in Training) (Or ability to obtain)
About us
Terracon is a 100 percent employee-owned multidiscipline consulting firm comprised of more than 8,000 curious minds focused on solving engineering and technical challenges from more than 200 locations nationwide. Since 1965, Terracon has evolved into a successful multi-discipline firm specializing in environmental, facilities, geotechnical, and materials services. Terracon’s growth is due to our talented employee-owners exceeding expectations in client service and growing their careers with new and exciting opportunities in the marketplace. Terracon was recognized as the #1 firm in Asbestos and Lead Abatement.
Terracon’s vision of “Together, we are best at people” is demonstrated through our excellent compensation and benefits package. Based on eligibility, role and job status, we offer many programs including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) plan, paid time off and holidays, education reimbursement, and various bonus programs.
ABOUT THE TEAM
Innovation and hands-on practice come together in our geotechnical consulting services. We provide geotechnical services nationwide for a wide range of projects, drawing on six decades of historical geotechnical data, a fleet of more than 200 drill rigs, 140 accredited laboratories, and thousands of employees to quickly organize or capture site data wherever projects are located. From AI-supported solutions and predictive technologies to geophysics and traditional exploration, we deliver precision, value-added subsurface information and engineering and scientific expertise to solving our clients’ challenges and achieve their goals for project sustainability, quality, and efficiency.
EEO Statement Terracon is an EEO employer. We encourage qualified minority, female, veteran and disabled candidates to apply and be considered for open positions. We do not discriminate against any applicant for employment, or any employee because of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender, disability, age, or military status.
Search F-1 STEM OPT Jobs by Industry in Montana
Tips for Finding STEM OPT Jobs in Montana
Verify your degree's STEM designation first
Before targeting employers, confirm your program appears on USCIS's STEM designated degree program list. Many interdisciplinary programs at University of Montana or Montana State University qualify under codes you might not expect, including environmental science and geospatial technology.
Use O*NET to match roles to your field
Montana employers in natural resources and energy often post roles with broad titles. Cross-reference your offer's job duties against your field's O*NET occupation profile to confirm the role qualifies under your STEM degree before your DSO files the STEM OPT extension.
Target E-Verify enrolled employers early
STEM OPT extension requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify before your I-983 is filed. In smaller Montana metros like Billings or Great Falls, confirm enrollment directly with HR before investing time in the application process, as many mid-size employers have not yet enrolled.
Find Montana STEM OPT sponsors on Migrate Mate
Search Migrate Mate to identify Montana employers with verified F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship history, filtered by industry and city. This cuts the time spent cold-contacting companies that don't have E-Verify enrollment or STEM OPT experience.
Request a formal training plan before your start date
Your employer must complete Form I-983 with specific learning goals tied to your STEM degree before USCIS approves your extension. In Montana's startup and research sectors, negotiate the training plan terms during the offer stage, not after you've already started.
File your STEM OPT extension before OPT expires
USCIS recommends filing at least 90 days before your OPT end date. If you're based in Bozeman or Missoula with a pending extension, your 60-day cap-gap window only applies if your employer files an H-1B visa petition, so don't rely on it as a fallback.
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Get Access To All JobsF-1 STEM OPT Jobs in Montana: Frequently Asked Questions
Which industries in Montana sponsor the most F-1 STEM OPT visas?
Technology, environmental and natural resource science, civil and environmental engineering, and healthcare informatics are the strongest F-1 STEM OPT sponsoring industries in Montana. Energy companies in Billings and Williston Basin-adjacent operations also hire STEM OPT candidates in geosciences and data analytics roles. University research institutions in Bozeman and Missoula are another consistent source of STEM OPT-eligible positions.
Which cities in Montana have the most F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Bozeman has the highest concentration of STEM OPT sponsoring employers, driven by Montana State University's research partnerships and a growing technology sector. Missoula follows, with environmental science and software employers near the University of Montana. Billings, as Montana's largest city, offers STEM OPT opportunities in healthcare technology, energy, and logistics operations requiring E-Verify-enrolled employers.
What types of roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Montana?
Qualifying roles must directly relate to your STEM degree field and require practical application of that training. In Montana, this commonly includes software developer, environmental scientist, civil engineer, data analyst, geologist, and biomedical researcher positions. The role's job duties, not just the job title, must align with your program's CIP code as recognized on USCIS's STEM designated degree list.
How do I find F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Montana?
Use Migrate Mate to filter Montana employers by STEM OPT sponsorship history and industry. This saves you from approaching companies without E-Verify enrollment, which is a hard requirement for the STEM OPT extension. You can also use OFLC Wage Search to research prevailing wages by occupation and county before negotiating offers with Montana employers.
Are there any Montana-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship?
Montana's employer base skews toward smaller companies and public institutions, many of which have not yet enrolled in E-Verify. This matters because STEM OPT extension is only available through E-Verify enrolled employers. Before accepting an offer, confirm enrollment status directly with HR. State university system employers, including Montana State University and University of Montana, are typically E-Verify enrolled and experienced with STEM OPT filings.