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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Get Access To All JobsHighway Bridge Engineer
- (194061)
At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we work to weave diversity, equity, and inclusion into our work and foster a sense of belonging throughout the company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?
We believe transportation is more than movement, it’s the foundation of connected, thriving communities. As part of HDR’s Transportation Business Group, you’ll help shape the systems that move people and goods safely, efficiently, and sustainably. From designing resilient highways and iconic bridges to advancing transit, passenger and freight rail, aviation, federal transportation ports and marine infrastructure, your work will directly support economic vitality, public safety, sustainable and resilient communities and quality of life. We bring together planners, engineers, architects, construction management staff, environmental, strategic communications, economists, management consultants and specialists across disciplines to solve complex mobility challenges with innovation, technical excellence, and a deep understanding of community needs. Whether you're modernizing aging infrastructure or pioneering next-generation transportation solutions, your contributions will help define the future of mobility. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to lead progress, drive meaningful impact, and leave a legacy of smarter, more connected transportation networks. We are all employee-owners at HDR, which is the foundation of our collaborative culture that connects employees around the world.
Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.
In the role of Highway Bridge Engineer, we'll count on you to:
- Apply structural engineering and detailing techniques
- Work on projects that typically include bridge (steel plate girder, prestress concrete, segmental and cable) box culvert, and interchange design for highway projects
- Select standard bridge engineering/design procedures, develop structural details using specialized structural design and analysis software, and perform structural load calculations and assist with geometric layout and quantity development
- Review, assign work and/or check design calculations, estimates, and specifications produced by junior engineers and EITs
- Perform other duties as needed
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in Structural Engineering
- A minimum of 3 years' experience in bridge design.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree
- Previous experience in bridge design
- Professional Engineer (PE) license
- Familiarity with Bluebeam Revu and engineering software packages such as: LEAP Bridge Enterprise, FB-MultiPier, LPile, AASHTOWare BrR, midas Civil, MDX, SAP2000, CSiBridge, RM Bridge, spColumn, STLBridgeLRFD, or STLBridge.
- Knowledge of ADINA, LUSAS, Bently OpenBridge Designer and OpenBridge Modeler and/or Autodesk Infraworks and Civil3d.
- Experience using Microsoft Office Suite, MicroStation, AutoCAD, MathCAD, LARSA, Prestress Concrete Design
- Experience using structural analysis programs and bridge design software
- Experience managing junior staff
- Excellent communication skills and working in a team environment
- An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must
What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.
Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.
Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.
We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement. The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.) {Montana}: $74,015- $109,630
Primary Location:
United States-Montana-Missoula
Other Locations:
United States-Montana-Billings, United States-Montana-Helena, United States-Montana-Kalispell, United States-Montana-Bozeman, United States-Montana-Butte
Industry:
Bridges
Schedule:
Full-time
Employee Status:
Regular
Business Class:
Bridges and Structures
Job Posting:
Jun 26, 2026
Highway Bridge Engineer
- (194061)
At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we work to weave diversity, equity, and inclusion into our work and foster a sense of belonging throughout the company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?
We believe transportation is more than movement, it’s the foundation of connected, thriving communities. As part of HDR’s Transportation Business Group, you’ll help shape the systems that move people and goods safely, efficiently, and sustainably. From designing resilient highways and iconic bridges to advancing transit, passenger and freight rail, aviation, federal transportation ports and marine infrastructure, your work will directly support economic vitality, public safety, sustainable and resilient communities and quality of life. We bring together planners, engineers, architects, construction management staff, environmental, strategic communications, economists, management consultants and specialists across disciplines to solve complex mobility challenges with innovation, technical excellence, and a deep understanding of community needs. Whether you're modernizing aging infrastructure or pioneering next-generation transportation solutions, your contributions will help define the future of mobility. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to lead progress, drive meaningful impact, and leave a legacy of smarter, more connected transportation networks. We are all employee-owners at HDR, which is the foundation of our collaborative culture that connects employees around the world.
Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.
In the role of Highway Bridge Engineer, we'll count on you to:
- Apply structural engineering and detailing techniques
- Work on projects that typically include bridge (steel plate girder, prestress concrete, segmental and cable) box culvert, and interchange design for highway projects
- Select standard bridge engineering/design procedures, develop structural details using specialized structural design and analysis software, and perform structural load calculations and assist with geometric layout and quantity development
- Review, assign work and/or check design calculations, estimates, and specifications produced by junior engineers and EITs
- Perform other duties as needed
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in Structural Engineering
- A minimum of 3 years' experience in bridge design.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree
- Previous experience in bridge design
- Professional Engineer (PE) license
- Familiarity with Bluebeam Revu and engineering software packages such as: LEAP Bridge Enterprise, FB-MultiPier, LPile, AASHTOWare BrR, midas Civil, MDX, SAP2000, CSiBridge, RM Bridge, spColumn, STLBridgeLRFD, or STLBridge.
- Knowledge of ADINA, LUSAS, Bently OpenBridge Designer and OpenBridge Modeler and/or Autodesk Infraworks and Civil3d.
- Experience using Microsoft Office Suite, MicroStation, AutoCAD, MathCAD, LARSA, Prestress Concrete Design
- Experience using structural analysis programs and bridge design software
- Experience managing junior staff
- Excellent communication skills and working in a team environment
- An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must
What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.
Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.
Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.
We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement. The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.) {Montana}: $74,015- $109,630
Primary Location:
United States-Montana-Missoula
Other Locations:
United States-Montana-Billings, United States-Montana-Helena, United States-Montana-Kalispell, United States-Montana-Bozeman, United States-Montana-Butte
Industry:
Bridges
Schedule:
Full-time
Employee Status:
Regular
Business Class:
Bridges and Structures
Job Posting:
Jun 26, 2026
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.
See all 40+ F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Montana
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Montana.
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.