STEM OPT Jobs in Washington DC
Washington DC's concentration of federal agencies, defense contractors, and policy-focused tech firms makes it one of the strongest markets for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship. Government IT, data science, cybersecurity, and health informatics roles dominate hiring across DC, Northern Virginia, and suburban Maryland.
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Get Access To All JobsSchnabel is an employee-owned, professional engineering and consulting firm that focuses on solving problems related to the earth and environment through specialization in geotechnical, geostructural, tunnel, and dam engineering. Schnabel’s high standards for quality, business ethics, and concern for the communities in which we live are a vital part of who we are. Schnabel is an ENR Top 500 Design Firm with 700+ employees in over 33 offices throughout the United States.
Recognized by CE News as one of the Best Engineering Firms to Work for, Schnabel provides employees with a competitive benefits package including maternity leave, tuition reimbursement for continuing education, health, dental, life and disability insurance and a wellness program. As an employee-owned company, through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan, Schnabel employees directly benefit from the success of our growing firm.
Benefit options include:
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending accounts
- Employee life & ADD insurance (100% company-paid)
- Short-term disability (100% company-paid)
- Long-term disability
- Supplemental life insurance
- 401(k) and profit-sharing plan
- Employee stock ownership plan (ESOP)
- Bonus program
- Paid time off
- 9 Paid Holidays
- Wellness program
- Professional development and tuition reimbursement
Job Description:
Are you looking for interesting and meaningful work, a fun and flexible atmosphere, and opportunities to learn, grow, and excel? If so, then welcome to Schnabel! We approach problems with creativity and innovation. The Washington, DC office of Schnabel Engineering is seeking a Senior Staff Engineer to join our growing practice. We are looking for a motivated candidate with an interest in developing both field and analytical skills, a passion to continue to develop as a professional, and a desire to be part of a strong team.
Job Responsibilities:
- Use GIS and GPS to aid in planning and executing geotechnical field work
- Log test borings
- Oversight of subcontractors including drillers, and traffic control
- Create basic plans and figures using AutoCAD and GIS
- Assign and review laboratory tests
- Perform calculations to support geotechnical designs
- Provide support on preparation of geotechnical reports and proposals
- Observe geotechnical-related construction and perform materials testing
- Plan and coordinate geotechnical and materials testing field work
- Prepare field reports
- Review geotechnical and materials testing reports
Required Skills/Experience:
- 2+ years of relevant professional experience
- Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Geology or related field
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Positive attitude
- Ability to multi-task
- Strong work ethic and a desire for continual self-improvement
- Willingness and ability to perform field work and travel, including assignments that may last several months away from the office
- Ability to lift 50 pounds and be physically able to negotiate construction sites, enter trenches, climb ladders and work outside
Preferred Skills/Experience:
- Prior internship or professional work in a related field (i.e. geotechnical engineering, construction, civil engineering, etc.)
- Master’s degree
- EIT certification
Other Requirements:
- Must possess a valid U.S. driver’s license as driving is an essential function of the job
- Ability to pass a background check which may include criminal history, motor vehicle record and credit check
- Ability to pass a pre-employment drug screening
The compensation range for this position is between $78,000 to $110,000. Compensation for this position may vary based on geographic location and other factors. We remain committed to providing competitive and equitable compensation to all employees, regardless of their location.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
Schnabel is an employee-owned, professional engineering and consulting firm that focuses on solving problems related to the earth and environment through specialization in geotechnical, geostructural, tunnel, and dam engineering. Schnabel’s high standards for quality, business ethics, and concern for the communities in which we live are a vital part of who we are. Schnabel is an ENR Top 500 Design Firm with 700+ employees in over 33 offices throughout the United States.
Recognized by CE News as one of the Best Engineering Firms to Work for, Schnabel provides employees with a competitive benefits package including maternity leave, tuition reimbursement for continuing education, health, dental, life and disability insurance and a wellness program. As an employee-owned company, through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan, Schnabel employees directly benefit from the success of our growing firm.
Benefit options include:
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending accounts
- Employee life & ADD insurance (100% company-paid)
- Short-term disability (100% company-paid)
- Long-term disability
- Supplemental life insurance
- 401(k) and profit-sharing plan
- Employee stock ownership plan (ESOP)
- Bonus program
- Paid time off
- 9 Paid Holidays
- Wellness program
- Professional development and tuition reimbursement
Job Description:
Are you looking for interesting and meaningful work, a fun and flexible atmosphere, and opportunities to learn, grow, and excel? If so, then welcome to Schnabel! We approach problems with creativity and innovation. The Washington, DC office of Schnabel Engineering is seeking a Senior Staff Engineer to join our growing practice. We are looking for a motivated candidate with an interest in developing both field and analytical skills, a passion to continue to develop as a professional, and a desire to be part of a strong team.
Job Responsibilities:
- Use GIS and GPS to aid in planning and executing geotechnical field work
- Log test borings
- Oversight of subcontractors including drillers, and traffic control
- Create basic plans and figures using AutoCAD and GIS
- Assign and review laboratory tests
- Perform calculations to support geotechnical designs
- Provide support on preparation of geotechnical reports and proposals
- Observe geotechnical-related construction and perform materials testing
- Plan and coordinate geotechnical and materials testing field work
- Prepare field reports
- Review geotechnical and materials testing reports
Required Skills/Experience:
- 2+ years of relevant professional experience
- Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Geology or related field
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Positive attitude
- Ability to multi-task
- Strong work ethic and a desire for continual self-improvement
- Willingness and ability to perform field work and travel, including assignments that may last several months away from the office
- Ability to lift 50 pounds and be physically able to negotiate construction sites, enter trenches, climb ladders and work outside
Preferred Skills/Experience:
- Prior internship or professional work in a related field (i.e. geotechnical engineering, construction, civil engineering, etc.)
- Master’s degree
- EIT certification
Other Requirements:
- Must possess a valid U.S. driver’s license as driving is an essential function of the job
- Ability to pass a background check which may include criminal history, motor vehicle record and credit check
- Ability to pass a pre-employment drug screening
The compensation range for this position is between $78,000 to $110,000. Compensation for this position may vary based on geographic location and other factors. We remain committed to providing competitive and equitable compensation to all employees, regardless of their location.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
Tips for Finding STEM OPT Jobs in Washington DC
Confirm your degree qualifies under STEM OPT
Cross-reference your degree's CIP code against the official STEM Designated Degree Program list maintained by USCIS. DC employers in policy analytics and federal IT often post roles that attract STEM OPT candidates, so confirming eligibility before applying saves you from late-stage complications.
Target E-Verify enrolled employers first
STEM OPT extension requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify. In the DC metro, most federal contractors and large consulting firms already comply, but smaller policy shops and nonprofits often don't. Filter your search to E-Verify participants from the start.
Use Migrate Mate to identify active DC sponsors
Search Migrate Mate's employer database to see which DC-area companies have filed LCAs for STEM-related roles. This lets you skip firms with no sponsorship history and focus outreach on organizations that already know the process.
Negotiate your start date around the 90-day OPT window
Your STEM OPT extension application must be filed while your initial OPT is still active, ideally 90 days before expiration. When negotiating offer timing with DC employers, build that filing window into your proposed start date so your DSO can submit the I-983 without rushing.
See all 124+ F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Washington DC
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Washington DC.
Get Access To All JobsF-1 STEM OPT Jobs in Washington DC: Frequently Asked Questions
Which industries in Washington DC sponsor the most F-1 STEM OPT visas?
Federal IT contracting, cybersecurity, data science, and health informatics lead F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Washington DC. Defense contractors and technology consultancies operating across DC, Northern Virginia, and suburban Maryland are especially active, given their existing E-Verify enrollment and familiarity with government compliance requirements that overlap with STEM OPT obligations.
Which cities in Washington DC have the most F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
The District itself, along with the Northern Virginia corridor (Arlington, Tysons, Reston) and suburban Maryland (Bethesda, Silver Spring, Rockville), concentrates the highest density of STEM OPT-eligible employers. Many federal agencies and their contractors cluster in these areas, creating significant demand for data, engineering, and cybersecurity talent.
What types of roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Washington DC?
Roles in software engineering, data analysis, cybersecurity, systems architecture, bioinformatics, and policy analytics backed by a STEM degree commonly qualify. In the DC market, hybrid roles blending technical skills with policy or regulatory work can qualify if the underlying position maps to a STEM-eligible STEM degree classification, which you can verify using O*NET.
How do I find F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Washington DC?
Migrate Mate lets you filter employers by LCA filing history and E-Verify status, which are the two non-negotiable requirements for STEM OPT sponsorship. Targeting companies already in the DOL system eliminates the most common reason DC employers decline STEM OPT candidates: unfamiliarity with the training plan and E-Verify enrollment process.
Are there state-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Washington DC?
Washington DC is not a state, so there are no state-level licensing boards or jurisdiction-specific employer requirements that affect STEM OPT eligibility. However, many DC employers hold federal security clearances, and initiating a clearance investigation while on OPT can complicate timelines. Confirm with your employer whether the role requires clearance before accepting an offer.