STEM OPT Jobs in Virginia
Virginia's F-1 STEM OPT job market runs deep across Northern Virginia's defense and tech corridor, the Richmond biotech cluster, and Hampton Roads engineering hubs. Federal contractors, cybersecurity firms, and life sciences employers routinely file STEM OPT extensions, making it one of the most active sponsorship states on the East Coast.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Conduct complex traffic engineering studies including, but not limited to traffic signal studies and modifications, speed studies, roadway and pedestrian safety and capacity analyses and special studies. May oversee consultant staff performing traffic engineering studies. Provide technical advice, guidance and training regarding assigned engineering program areas. Prepare analyses, reports, and recommendations based on engineering determinations. Provide engineering support and consultation related to engineering program area. Effectively manage assigned projects to ensure timely and accurate completion. Communicate with internal VDOT staff, local government staff, consultants, citizens and FHWA regarding transportation projects and programs.
How you will contribute:
- Analysis and Technical Reporting: Analyze and interpret engineering data and information. Prepare complete, clear and concise reports and recommendations.
- Communication: Establish an effective line of communication between VDOT, contractors, government agencies and the public. Investigate issues and resolve complaints.
- Conduct Traffic Engineering Studies: Conduct complex traffic signal studies and modifications, roadway and pedestrian safety and capacity analyses, speed studies, and other special studies are conducted appropriately in accordance with traffic engineering principles.
- Engineering Process Management: Use established VDOT policies and procedures in the development and delivery of engineering projects. Engineering projects are completed in compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.
- Manage Assigned Activities: Plan, schedule and coordinate engineering program activities such that deliverables are met within the established scope and timeline.
- Project Engineering: Assist in the management of projects and tasks including development of and managing the scope, schedule, budget, deliverables, change management, quality, and status reports. Complete multiple concurrent tasks and assignments, and report updates on their status.
- Special Assignments: Manage special program initiatives and projects as assigned. Serve and represent VDOT or assigned program area on various committees and work groups.
- Systems Operations Improvement: Assist in the identification and development of projects to improve transportation system operations, safety, and capacity. Proactively identify transportation improvement projects during study efforts. Coordinate project identification efforts.
Teamwork and Customer Service: Demonstrates customer service and work habits that reflect the VDOT Values, and coordinates the flow of information both orally and in writing.
What will make you successful:
- Ability to apply engineering principles and practices.
- Ability to collect and analyze traffic related data and develop recommendations and reports.
- Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with diverse groups.
- Ability to design plans for traffic control devices, incorporating traffic engineering requirements into roadway plans and making recommendations for plan changes.
- Ability to draw rational conclusions and develop solutions from analysis; make independent decisions; and manage multiple assignments.
- Ability to enforce and demonstrate safety behaviors, as well as advocate and practice safety in everyday work activities.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
- Ability to interpret technical data and prepare and maintain detailed reports.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities with competing deadlines and limited resources.
- Ability to negotiate outcomes and work with diverse customer groups.
- Ability to provide detailed reports on review findings.
- Ability to read and understand highway construction plans.
- Extensive knowledge of traffic engineering principles, practices and standards.
- Knowledge engineering specifications and standards.
- Knowledge of VDOT, state, and federal policies and procedures relating to transportation engineering.
- Knowledge of project management procedures and principles.
- Skill in conducting traffic engineering studies involving traffic operations, traffic control devices, and roadway and pedestrian safety and capacity issues.
- Skill in providing and promoting good customer service to internal and external customers.
- Skill in the use of computers and software applications to include MS Office, project management and engineering software programs.
- Skill in the use of computers and software applications to include traffic engineering and design software such as CADD, MicroStation, Highway Capacity Software, Synchro, CORSIM, SYDRA, etc.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Considerable experience gathering data, developing recommendations and making presentations.
- Experience collecting and analyzing traffic related data.
- Experience designing plans for traffic control devices, incorporating traffic engineering requirements into roadway plans and making recommendations for plan changes.
- Experience in conducting traffic engineering studies involving traffic operations, traffic control devices, and roadway and pedestrian safety and capacity issues.
- Extensive knowledge of traffic engineering principles, practices and standards.
- Skilled in the use of computers and software applications to include traffic engineering and design software such as CADD, MicroStation, Highway Capacity Software, Synchro, CORSIM, SYDRA, etc.
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
A combination of training, experience, or education in Civil Engineering or related field desired.
Physical Requirements
Physical Requirements
VDOT employees must abide by VDOTs Code of Ethics and the Commonwealths Standards of Conduct.
VDOT Code of Ethics
Standards of Conduct
INTRODUCTION
Conduct complex traffic engineering studies including, but not limited to traffic signal studies and modifications, speed studies, roadway and pedestrian safety and capacity analyses and special studies. May oversee consultant staff performing traffic engineering studies. Provide technical advice, guidance and training regarding assigned engineering program areas. Prepare analyses, reports, and recommendations based on engineering determinations. Provide engineering support and consultation related to engineering program area. Effectively manage assigned projects to ensure timely and accurate completion. Communicate with internal VDOT staff, local government staff, consultants, citizens and FHWA regarding transportation projects and programs.
How you will contribute:
- Analysis and Technical Reporting: Analyze and interpret engineering data and information. Prepare complete, clear and concise reports and recommendations.
- Communication: Establish an effective line of communication between VDOT, contractors, government agencies and the public. Investigate issues and resolve complaints.
- Conduct Traffic Engineering Studies: Conduct complex traffic signal studies and modifications, roadway and pedestrian safety and capacity analyses, speed studies, and other special studies are conducted appropriately in accordance with traffic engineering principles.
- Engineering Process Management: Use established VDOT policies and procedures in the development and delivery of engineering projects. Engineering projects are completed in compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.
- Manage Assigned Activities: Plan, schedule and coordinate engineering program activities such that deliverables are met within the established scope and timeline.
- Project Engineering: Assist in the management of projects and tasks including development of and managing the scope, schedule, budget, deliverables, change management, quality, and status reports. Complete multiple concurrent tasks and assignments, and report updates on their status.
- Special Assignments: Manage special program initiatives and projects as assigned. Serve and represent VDOT or assigned program area on various committees and work groups.
- Systems Operations Improvement: Assist in the identification and development of projects to improve transportation system operations, safety, and capacity. Proactively identify transportation improvement projects during study efforts. Coordinate project identification efforts.
Teamwork and Customer Service: Demonstrates customer service and work habits that reflect the VDOT Values, and coordinates the flow of information both orally and in writing.
What will make you successful:
- Ability to apply engineering principles and practices.
- Ability to collect and analyze traffic related data and develop recommendations and reports.
- Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with diverse groups.
- Ability to design plans for traffic control devices, incorporating traffic engineering requirements into roadway plans and making recommendations for plan changes.
- Ability to draw rational conclusions and develop solutions from analysis; make independent decisions; and manage multiple assignments.
- Ability to enforce and demonstrate safety behaviors, as well as advocate and practice safety in everyday work activities.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
- Ability to interpret technical data and prepare and maintain detailed reports.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities with competing deadlines and limited resources.
- Ability to negotiate outcomes and work with diverse customer groups.
- Ability to provide detailed reports on review findings.
- Ability to read and understand highway construction plans.
- Extensive knowledge of traffic engineering principles, practices and standards.
- Knowledge engineering specifications and standards.
- Knowledge of VDOT, state, and federal policies and procedures relating to transportation engineering.
- Knowledge of project management procedures and principles.
- Skill in conducting traffic engineering studies involving traffic operations, traffic control devices, and roadway and pedestrian safety and capacity issues.
- Skill in providing and promoting good customer service to internal and external customers.
- Skill in the use of computers and software applications to include MS Office, project management and engineering software programs.
- Skill in the use of computers and software applications to include traffic engineering and design software such as CADD, MicroStation, Highway Capacity Software, Synchro, CORSIM, SYDRA, etc.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Considerable experience gathering data, developing recommendations and making presentations.
- Experience collecting and analyzing traffic related data.
- Experience designing plans for traffic control devices, incorporating traffic engineering requirements into roadway plans and making recommendations for plan changes.
- Experience in conducting traffic engineering studies involving traffic operations, traffic control devices, and roadway and pedestrian safety and capacity issues.
- Extensive knowledge of traffic engineering principles, practices and standards.
- Skilled in the use of computers and software applications to include traffic engineering and design software such as CADD, MicroStation, Highway Capacity Software, Synchro, CORSIM, SYDRA, etc.
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
A combination of training, experience, or education in Civil Engineering or related field desired.
Physical Requirements
Physical Requirements
VDOT employees must abide by VDOTs Code of Ethics and the Commonwealths Standards of Conduct.
VDOT Code of Ethics
Standards of Conduct
Search F-1 STEM OPT Jobs by Industry in Virginia
Tips for Finding STEM OPT Jobs in Virginia
Confirm your role qualifies under STEM OPT
Cross-check your job title against O*NET occupation codes before accepting an offer. Virginia defense and IT contractors sometimes post hybrid management roles that blur engineering duties enough to disqualify the position from STEM OPT extension eligibility.
Target E-Verify enrolled employers first
STEM OPT extension requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify. In Virginia, federal contractors in the Northern Virginia corridor are often already enrolled due to FAR clause requirements, so prioritizing those employers cuts one compliance step from the process.
Use Migrate Mate to filter verified STEM OPT sponsors
Search Migrate Mate to surface Virginia employers with confirmed STEM OPT filing history. This narrows your outreach to companies that have already navigated the I-983 training plan process, saving time compared to cold-targeting firms with no prior STEM OPT experience.
Start the extension filing 90 days before OPT expires
USCIS must receive your STEM OPT extension application before your current EAD expires. Northern Virginia's dense contractor market creates seasonal hiring surges that slow employer HR sign-off on the I-983, so build in at least three weeks of internal lead time beyond the 90-day window.
See all 740+ F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Virginia
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Virginia.
Get Access To All JobsF-1 STEM OPT Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
Which industries in Virginia sponsor the most F-1 STEM OPT visas?
Cybersecurity and defense IT firms concentrated in Northern Virginia's Dulles and Tysons corridor account for a large share of Virginia's STEM OPT filings. Federal contracting companies, cloud infrastructure providers, biomedical research employers in the Richmond area, and engineering consultancies supporting Hampton Roads naval facilities are also consistent sponsors.
Which cities in Virginia have the most F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Northern Virginia, specifically Reston, McLean, Herndon, and Arlington, hosts the highest concentration of STEM OPT roles due to proximity to federal agencies and major defense contractors. Richmond has a growing biotech and data analytics cluster, and Virginia Beach and Norfolk offer engineering and logistics roles connected to military and maritime industries.
What types of roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Virginia?
Roles that qualify must fall under a STEM-designated STEM degree classification and require a degree in a STEM field directly related to the position. In Virginia, software engineers, data scientists, cybersecurity analysts, biomedical engineers, systems engineers, and network architects are among the most common qualifying titles. O*NET can help confirm whether a specific occupation code appears on the STEM OPT designated degree list.
How do I find F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Virginia?
Migrate Mate surfaces Virginia employers with verified STEM OPT filing history, so you can focus outreach on companies that have already completed the I-983 training plan process and E-Verify enrollment. Filtering by Virginia work location and STEM occupation code gives you a targeted list rather than applying broadly and discovering sponsorship barriers after an offer is extended.
Are there any Virginia-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship?
Virginia's heavy federal contracting environment means many employers must comply with E-Verify under FAR clause requirements, which streamlines one STEM OPT prerequisite. However, some smaller subcontractors in the state operate under prime contractor E-Verify accounts rather than their own, which can complicate the USCIS verification step and should be clarified with HR before filing.