STEM OPT Jobs in Texas
Texas draws F-1 STEM OPT candidates to its dense clusters of technology, energy, aerospace, and semiconductor employers across Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, and San Antonio. E-Verify enrollment requirements make STEM OPT extension filings routine for most large Texas employers, shortening the path from offer to authorization.
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Get Access To All JobsABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY:
SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a highly experienced, dynamic, self-motivated Lead Project Manager – Environmental Planning with strong interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and experience providing natural resources management, biological studies, and project management across multiple client sectors in the Gulf Coast and broader Southeast region. This individual will successfully drive projects through all phases from early planning and permitting to construction while collaborating with peers across offices, supporting a diversity of state and federal agencies, and delivering technical excellence for clients. The ability to work directly with clients, manage a variety of project needs in any given week, and support high-performing teams is imperative.
This Lead Resources Project Manager should have technical experience in a range of activities managing and coordinating environmental field surveys; Endangered Species Act compliance; National Environmental Policy Act compliance support for federally funded projects or federal permitting processes (e.g., FERC, FEMA, HUD, BLM, etc.); USACE Clean Water Act Section 404/401 permitting; and agency interactions at all levels.
This individual will provide natural resources, cultural resources, and permitting services to clients across a variety of market sectors, supporting project development and regulatory compliance needs. Experience supporting energy development projects is a plus. Skills include the ability to manage small to medium-sized projects and track milestones within schedule and budget expectations. You will also support or be responsible for QA/QC oversight of field data and technical deliverables to support reporting, permitting, and environmental compliance efforts.
This is a regular (with benefits) full-time, salaried and exempt position reporting to the Gulf Coast’s Environmental Planning Director. Pay rate will be based on individual qualifications and experience. SWCA offers a team-oriented work environment, competitive salaries, and a competitive benefits package, including an employee stock ownership retirement plan (ESOP). Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted through September 16, 2026 at 5:00 PM CDT.
ABOUT SWCA:
SWCA Environmental Consultants is a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm providing full spectrum environmental services across the United States. Our North Star is to be the best place to work and a leader in sustainability, delivering sound science and creative solutions to complex environmental challenges. We are guided by our core values every day. We collaborate as #OneSWCA, we are #AlwaysLearning, we #NeverSettle, and we #GiveBack to our communities. With offices nationwide, SWCA offers a collaborative, team-focused environment where employees can build meaningful and long-term careers.
WHAT YOU WILL ACCOMPLISH:
- Strategic Project Leadership: Strategically consults on and leads complex projects in pursuit of client objectives, overseeing the technical approach and ensuring quality assurance and quality control.
- Exemplary Leadership: Leads by example in both technical and soft skills, navigating client and team priorities to deliver projects that meet professional and oversight agency standards.
- Technical Expertise & Innovation: Innovates standards and practices to enhance the quality and efficiency of client projects and outcomes, ensuring alignment with industry and regulatory standards. Serves as a go-to technical expert and consultant, providing novel project strategies and applying technical excellence that considers client needs to meet project requirements.
- Project Accountability: Continuously guides projects, executing accountability for the performance of projects or delegated tasks and ensuring that project milestones are met and outcomes align with SWCA’s values and client expectations. Assesses risks and implements strategies for problem-solving. Revises or suggests revisions to project scopes, schedules, and budgets as necessary to meet evolving project requirements and ensure successful outcomes.
- Business Growth & Innovation: Drives business growth and client success through technical excellence, innovation, and development of new methods and standards that advance SWCA's technical reputation. Contributes to SWCA's strategic planning.
- Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Champions cross-disciplinary collaboration, working closely with specialists to provide comprehensive technical support for projects.
- Mentorship & Team Development: Mentors staff for impactful influence, coaching others in technical excellence, leadership, and strategy, and also develops specialized programs and protocols. Fosters team development and cross-training, modeling and promoting knowledge sharing and collaboration among team members to enhance project outcomes, as well as team depth and redundancy.
- Relationship Management: Establishes and grows effective consultative relationships with external and internal clients and/or agency regulators and industry partners (if applicable) to support successful projects.
- Follows applicable federal, Tribal, state, local, industry, contractual, and company regulations, standards, and specifications.
- Performs related work as assigned.
ADDITIONAL JOB-SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
In this role, you will be responsible for managing multi-disciplinary projects and overseeing project field studies, reporting, and permitting. You will play a key role in shaping technical approaches, strengthening client relationships, and advancing SWCA’s reputation for quality and innovation. Periodic travel throughout the region will be required to support client engagement, project oversight, and team collaboration.
Specific Responsibilities Include:
- Coordinate and support multidisciplinary teams providing environmental planning, natural resources, cultural resources, and permitting services to clients.
- Manage and lead project teams supporting energy, infrastructure, land development, and other client projects, including FERC and BLM-regulated projects and third-party NEPA documentation.
- Act as the regulatory and permit compliance liaison between agencies and clients, proactively addressing compliance issues.
- Work closely with corporate accounting to review invoices, expenditures, and project audits.
- Provide peer review for technical reports and environmental permits, ensuring scientific and professional integrity.
- Implement and enforce SWCA's safety procedures and ethical standards.
- Communicate effectively with diverse project stakeholders, including regulatory agencies, field crews, trade workers, clients, and third parties.
- Utilize strong organizational, verbal, written, and graphic communication skills in project execution and stakeholder engagement.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Six years of relevant, progressively responsible experience, including 3 years of managing projects and some experience managing others. Eight years of related experience and PMP certification is preferred; or any equivalent combination of experience, performance, training, and/or education. Knowledge normally obtained through a bachelor's degree.
EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS FOR SUCCESS:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, or other related field.
- Experience with project financials (budgets, forecasting, invoicing).
- Demonstrated client management and business development experience (seller-doer).
- Demonstrated ability to develop and supervise staff.
PREFERRED OR HELPFUL QUALIFICATIONS:
- At least five (5) years of project management experience in a consulting environment, including proposal writing, scheduling, setting and adhering to project budgets and delivery schedules, change management, and leading meetings with clients and agencies.
- First-hand experience in developing environmental permit applications and documents pertaining to FERC, BLM, USACE and similar federal agency permit authorizations.
- Established credibility with reviewing agencies and clients.
- Effectively engaged in resource agency consultations, received stakeholder/agency input and provide informed responses.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and technical writing, in a variety of professional settings.
PAY RANGE:
SWCA is committed to salary equity and transparency.
The expected pay range for this Houston, Texas-based position is $87,141/year to 114,660/year. Actual pay may vary based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other factors permitted by law. Eligible employees may also receive performance-based bonuses.
As a 100% employee-owned company, we invest in your future. Our Total Rewards package includes an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, 401(k) with profit sharing, medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, wellness programs, and professional development opportunities.
CLOSING:
If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact accommodations@swca.com or call 1 480 581 5378. If you require assistance with the application process, please contact recruiting@swca.com.
USE OF TECHNOLOGY IN HIRING
SWCA may use approved technology, including AI-assisted tools, to support parts of the application and recruiting process. All selection and hiring decisions are made by SWCA employees, and candidates are not selected or rejected by automated systems. We are committed to a fair, transparent, and human-centered hiring experience.
CANDIDATE USE OF AI
Candidates may use AI tools to help prepare application materials and interviews. However, all application materials, assessments, and interview responses must accurately reflect their own experience, skills, and qualifications. AI must not be used to fabricate experience, complete assessments on their behalf, or otherwise misrepresent their background or abilities.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
SWCA Environmental Consultants is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applications from women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all employees can thrive.
SWCA continues to invest deeply in career development programs, delivering our award-winning Career Landscape support resources to accelerate the growth of our staff. We recognize the valuable skills and experiences our internal team members bring to SWCA’s continued success. Qualified internal candidates are encouraged to apply and will be seriously considered for this position. We believe in promoting from within, where possible, providing our existing employees with compelling opportunities to advance their careers.
LI-EF1
ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY:
SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a highly experienced, dynamic, self-motivated Lead Project Manager – Environmental Planning with strong interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and experience providing natural resources management, biological studies, and project management across multiple client sectors in the Gulf Coast and broader Southeast region. This individual will successfully drive projects through all phases from early planning and permitting to construction while collaborating with peers across offices, supporting a diversity of state and federal agencies, and delivering technical excellence for clients. The ability to work directly with clients, manage a variety of project needs in any given week, and support high-performing teams is imperative.
This Lead Resources Project Manager should have technical experience in a range of activities managing and coordinating environmental field surveys; Endangered Species Act compliance; National Environmental Policy Act compliance support for federally funded projects or federal permitting processes (e.g., FERC, FEMA, HUD, BLM, etc.); USACE Clean Water Act Section 404/401 permitting; and agency interactions at all levels.
This individual will provide natural resources, cultural resources, and permitting services to clients across a variety of market sectors, supporting project development and regulatory compliance needs. Experience supporting energy development projects is a plus. Skills include the ability to manage small to medium-sized projects and track milestones within schedule and budget expectations. You will also support or be responsible for QA/QC oversight of field data and technical deliverables to support reporting, permitting, and environmental compliance efforts.
This is a regular (with benefits) full-time, salaried and exempt position reporting to the Gulf Coast’s Environmental Planning Director. Pay rate will be based on individual qualifications and experience. SWCA offers a team-oriented work environment, competitive salaries, and a competitive benefits package, including an employee stock ownership retirement plan (ESOP). Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted through September 16, 2026 at 5:00 PM CDT.
ABOUT SWCA:
SWCA Environmental Consultants is a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm providing full spectrum environmental services across the United States. Our North Star is to be the best place to work and a leader in sustainability, delivering sound science and creative solutions to complex environmental challenges. We are guided by our core values every day. We collaborate as #OneSWCA, we are #AlwaysLearning, we #NeverSettle, and we #GiveBack to our communities. With offices nationwide, SWCA offers a collaborative, team-focused environment where employees can build meaningful and long-term careers.
WHAT YOU WILL ACCOMPLISH:
- Strategic Project Leadership: Strategically consults on and leads complex projects in pursuit of client objectives, overseeing the technical approach and ensuring quality assurance and quality control.
- Exemplary Leadership: Leads by example in both technical and soft skills, navigating client and team priorities to deliver projects that meet professional and oversight agency standards.
- Technical Expertise & Innovation: Innovates standards and practices to enhance the quality and efficiency of client projects and outcomes, ensuring alignment with industry and regulatory standards. Serves as a go-to technical expert and consultant, providing novel project strategies and applying technical excellence that considers client needs to meet project requirements.
- Project Accountability: Continuously guides projects, executing accountability for the performance of projects or delegated tasks and ensuring that project milestones are met and outcomes align with SWCA’s values and client expectations. Assesses risks and implements strategies for problem-solving. Revises or suggests revisions to project scopes, schedules, and budgets as necessary to meet evolving project requirements and ensure successful outcomes.
- Business Growth & Innovation: Drives business growth and client success through technical excellence, innovation, and development of new methods and standards that advance SWCA's technical reputation. Contributes to SWCA's strategic planning.
- Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Champions cross-disciplinary collaboration, working closely with specialists to provide comprehensive technical support for projects.
- Mentorship & Team Development: Mentors staff for impactful influence, coaching others in technical excellence, leadership, and strategy, and also develops specialized programs and protocols. Fosters team development and cross-training, modeling and promoting knowledge sharing and collaboration among team members to enhance project outcomes, as well as team depth and redundancy.
- Relationship Management: Establishes and grows effective consultative relationships with external and internal clients and/or agency regulators and industry partners (if applicable) to support successful projects.
- Follows applicable federal, Tribal, state, local, industry, contractual, and company regulations, standards, and specifications.
- Performs related work as assigned.
ADDITIONAL JOB-SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
In this role, you will be responsible for managing multi-disciplinary projects and overseeing project field studies, reporting, and permitting. You will play a key role in shaping technical approaches, strengthening client relationships, and advancing SWCA’s reputation for quality and innovation. Periodic travel throughout the region will be required to support client engagement, project oversight, and team collaboration.
Specific Responsibilities Include:
- Coordinate and support multidisciplinary teams providing environmental planning, natural resources, cultural resources, and permitting services to clients.
- Manage and lead project teams supporting energy, infrastructure, land development, and other client projects, including FERC and BLM-regulated projects and third-party NEPA documentation.
- Act as the regulatory and permit compliance liaison between agencies and clients, proactively addressing compliance issues.
- Work closely with corporate accounting to review invoices, expenditures, and project audits.
- Provide peer review for technical reports and environmental permits, ensuring scientific and professional integrity.
- Implement and enforce SWCA's safety procedures and ethical standards.
- Communicate effectively with diverse project stakeholders, including regulatory agencies, field crews, trade workers, clients, and third parties.
- Utilize strong organizational, verbal, written, and graphic communication skills in project execution and stakeholder engagement.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Six years of relevant, progressively responsible experience, including 3 years of managing projects and some experience managing others. Eight years of related experience and PMP certification is preferred; or any equivalent combination of experience, performance, training, and/or education. Knowledge normally obtained through a bachelor's degree.
EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS FOR SUCCESS:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, or other related field.
- Experience with project financials (budgets, forecasting, invoicing).
- Demonstrated client management and business development experience (seller-doer).
- Demonstrated ability to develop and supervise staff.
PREFERRED OR HELPFUL QUALIFICATIONS:
- At least five (5) years of project management experience in a consulting environment, including proposal writing, scheduling, setting and adhering to project budgets and delivery schedules, change management, and leading meetings with clients and agencies.
- First-hand experience in developing environmental permit applications and documents pertaining to FERC, BLM, USACE and similar federal agency permit authorizations.
- Established credibility with reviewing agencies and clients.
- Effectively engaged in resource agency consultations, received stakeholder/agency input and provide informed responses.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and technical writing, in a variety of professional settings.
PAY RANGE:
SWCA is committed to salary equity and transparency.
The expected pay range for this Houston, Texas-based position is $87,141/year to 114,660/year. Actual pay may vary based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other factors permitted by law. Eligible employees may also receive performance-based bonuses.
As a 100% employee-owned company, we invest in your future. Our Total Rewards package includes an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, 401(k) with profit sharing, medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, wellness programs, and professional development opportunities.
CLOSING:
If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact accommodations@swca.com or call 1 480 581 5378. If you require assistance with the application process, please contact recruiting@swca.com.
USE OF TECHNOLOGY IN HIRING
SWCA may use approved technology, including AI-assisted tools, to support parts of the application and recruiting process. All selection and hiring decisions are made by SWCA employees, and candidates are not selected or rejected by automated systems. We are committed to a fair, transparent, and human-centered hiring experience.
CANDIDATE USE OF AI
Candidates may use AI tools to help prepare application materials and interviews. However, all application materials, assessments, and interview responses must accurately reflect their own experience, skills, and qualifications. AI must not be used to fabricate experience, complete assessments on their behalf, or otherwise misrepresent their background or abilities.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
SWCA Environmental Consultants is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applications from women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all employees can thrive.
SWCA continues to invest deeply in career development programs, delivering our award-winning Career Landscape support resources to accelerate the growth of our staff. We recognize the valuable skills and experiences our internal team members bring to SWCA’s continued success. Qualified internal candidates are encouraged to apply and will be seriously considered for this position. We believe in promoting from within, where possible, providing our existing employees with compelling opportunities to advance their careers.
LI-EF1
Search F-1 STEM OPT Jobs by Industry in Texas
Tips for Finding STEM OPT Jobs in Texas
Verify your role qualifies before applying
Cross-reference your target job title against O*NET to confirm it falls under a STEM-designated Classification of Instructional Programs code. Texas employers in energy and semiconductor manufacturing sometimes post hybrid roles that only partially qualify, so check the STEM degree classification in the job description first.
Target E-Verify enrolled employers specifically
STEM OPT extensions require your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify. In Texas, most Fortune 500 contractors and federal defense suppliers in the Dallas-Fort Worth aerospace corridor already participate, making them faster to onboard than smaller regional firms.
Search verified STEM OPT employers on Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to filter Texas employers by their DOL Labor Condition Application filing history, so you're only applying to companies that have actively sponsored STEM OPT workers rather than guessing from job board listings that don't disclose sponsorship status.
File your STEM OPT extension 90 days early
USCIS requires your STEM OPT I-765 application to be filed at least 90 days before your post-completion OPT expires. With USCIS processing times running several months, starting the paperwork the day your employer signs the training plan Form I-983 protects your authorization continuity.
Negotiate your job offer around the I-983 requirements
Before signing an offer from a Houston or Austin tech employer, confirm they'll commit to the formal training plan, salary parity with similarly situated U.S. workers, and the mentorship structure USCIS expects. Employers unfamiliar with STEM OPT sometimes balk at these obligations after extending an offer.
Use OFLC Wage Search to benchmark your Texas offer
STEM OPT employers must pay you wages comparable to similarly employed U.S. workers. Run your job title and the employer's Texas county through the OFLC Wage Search to verify the offered salary meets DOL prevailing-wage levels before you accept.
See all 2,876+ F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Texas
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Texas.
Get Access To All JobsF-1 STEM OPT Jobs in Texas: Frequently Asked Questions
Which industries in Texas sponsor the most F-1 STEM OPT visas?
Technology, energy, aerospace and defense, semiconductor manufacturing, and financial services are the densest F-1 STEM OPT sponsoring sectors in Texas. The Houston energy corridor and Dallas-Fort Worth aerospace hubs generate consistent demand for software engineers, data scientists, petroleum engineers, and systems analysts. Austin's semiconductor and fabless chip design cluster has expanded significantly, adding roles in electrical engineering and hardware verification.
Which cities in Texas have the most F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Dallas-Fort Worth leads on raw volume, driven by its concentration of technology firms, defense contractors, and financial services employers. Austin ranks second, anchored by semiconductor companies and software-focused employers. Houston follows with strong demand in energy, petrochemical engineering, and data analytics. San Antonio has a smaller but growing cybersecurity and information technology cluster tied to military and federal contractor presence.
What types of roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Texas?
Roles qualify when they directly apply a STEM field of study and carry a STEM degree classification listed on the official STEM Designated Degree Program list. In Texas, qualifying positions commonly include software developer, data engineer, electrical engineer, petroleum engineer, cybersecurity analyst, mechanical engineer, and biomedical researcher. Confirm the STEM degree classification using O*NET before applying, as job titles alone don't determine eligibility.
How do I find F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Texas?
Use Migrate Mate to search Texas employers filtered by verified DOL Labor Condition Application filing history, which shows companies that have actively sponsored STEM OPT workers. This removes the guesswork of cold-applying to employers who list sponsorship as optional. Prioritize companies already enrolled in E-Verify, since STEM OPT extensions require E-Verify participation and enrolled employers can begin the I-983 process immediately after extending an offer.
Are there any Texas-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship?
Texas has no state income tax, which affects how your STEM OPT salary compares to offers in states like California or New York, but it doesn't change federal STEM OPT rules. Texas employers in oil and gas sometimes classify roles under service contracts or joint ventures, which can complicate the employer-employee relationship USCIS requires for a valid STEM OPT placement. Confirm your direct employment relationship with the E-Verify enrolled entity before signing.