Green Card CAD Engineer Jobs
CAD Engineer roles qualify for EB-2 and EB-3 green card sponsorship through the PERM labor certification process, which requires employers to document that no qualified U.S. workers are available before filing your I-140 petition. Manufacturing, defense, and engineering firms regularly sponsor foreign CAD professionals for permanent residency.
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Kimley-Horn is looking for an experienced CAD Operator to join our Water Wastewater and Utilities team in Phoenix, AZ!
Responsibilities:
- You will be working closely with the project engineer or designer utilizing Autodesk Civil 3D, and Revit to create civil construction documents for wastewater lift stations, pump stations, pipelines and utility work.
- This person will develop technical drawings and plans using CAD software.
- The person in this position will make and quality check drawings and plans of substantial complexity and may perform some multifaceted calculations.
- Requires minimal supervision to perform day to day tasks.
- Has knowledge of engineering principles and suggests design changes.
- Maintains drawing database.
- May supervise and train CAD staff.
- Coordinates work activities to maintain schedules and ensure quality control.
- Develop familiarity with Kimley-Horn’s practices, procedures, and standards.
Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent (associates degree preferred).
- 3+ years of relevant experience.
- Advanced knowledge and proficiency in Autodesk or Bentley products.
- Detail oriented, professional attitude, good communication, team player, self-starter.
- Strong work ethic, interpersonal communication/writing skills and desire to learn.
- Ability to work independently and with a team.
Why Kimley-Horn?:
At Kimley-Horn, we do things differently. People, clients, and employees are at the forefront of who we are. Clients know we prioritize achieving their goals and growing their success. Employees know our culture and approach to business are built on a desire to provide an environment for everyone to flourish. Our commitment to quality is only as good as the people behind it—that’s why we welcome and develop passionate, hardworking, and proactive employees. We take pride in how our employee retention, robust benefits package, and company values have led to Kimley-Horn’s placement on the Fortune “100 Best Companies to Work” list for 19 years!
Key Benefits at Kimley-Horn:
- Exceptional Retirement Plan: 2-to-1 company match on up to 4% of eligible compensation (salary + bonus) and additional profit-sharing contribution.
- Comprehensive Health Coverage: Low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance options.
- Time Off: Personal leave, flexible scheduling, floating holidays, and half-day Fridays.
- Financial Wellness: Student loan matching in our 401(k), and performance-based bonuses.
- Professional Development: Tuition reimbursement and extensive internal training programs.
- Family-Friendly Benefits: New Parent Leave, family building benefits, and childcare resources.
Overview:
Kimley-Horn is looking for an experienced CAD Operator to join our Water Wastewater and Utilities team in Phoenix, AZ!
Responsibilities:
- You will be working closely with the project engineer or designer utilizing Autodesk Civil 3D, and Revit to create civil construction documents for wastewater lift stations, pump stations, pipelines and utility work.
- This person will develop technical drawings and plans using CAD software.
- The person in this position will make and quality check drawings and plans of substantial complexity and may perform some multifaceted calculations.
- Requires minimal supervision to perform day to day tasks.
- Has knowledge of engineering principles and suggests design changes.
- Maintains drawing database.
- May supervise and train CAD staff.
- Coordinates work activities to maintain schedules and ensure quality control.
- Develop familiarity with Kimley-Horn’s practices, procedures, and standards.
Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent (associates degree preferred).
- 3+ years of relevant experience.
- Advanced knowledge and proficiency in Autodesk or Bentley products.
- Detail oriented, professional attitude, good communication, team player, self-starter.
- Strong work ethic, interpersonal communication/writing skills and desire to learn.
- Ability to work independently and with a team.
Why Kimley-Horn?:
At Kimley-Horn, we do things differently. People, clients, and employees are at the forefront of who we are. Clients know we prioritize achieving their goals and growing their success. Employees know our culture and approach to business are built on a desire to provide an environment for everyone to flourish. Our commitment to quality is only as good as the people behind it—that’s why we welcome and develop passionate, hardworking, and proactive employees. We take pride in how our employee retention, robust benefits package, and company values have led to Kimley-Horn’s placement on the Fortune “100 Best Companies to Work” list for 19 years!
Key Benefits at Kimley-Horn:
- Exceptional Retirement Plan: 2-to-1 company match on up to 4% of eligible compensation (salary + bonus) and additional profit-sharing contribution.
- Comprehensive Health Coverage: Low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance options.
- Time Off: Personal leave, flexible scheduling, floating holidays, and half-day Fridays.
- Financial Wellness: Student loan matching in our 401(k), and performance-based bonuses.
- Professional Development: Tuition reimbursement and extensive internal training programs.
- Family-Friendly Benefits: New Parent Leave, family building benefits, and childcare resources.
See all 342+ Green Card CAD Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Green Card CAD Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Green Card Sponsorship as a CAD Engineer
Align your credential portfolio before applying
PERM audits frequently target credential verification for CAD roles. Gather official transcripts, professional licenses, and translated degree equivalency evaluations early so your employer's attorney can build a clean labor certification record without delays.
Target employers with active PERM filing history
Search DOL OFLC disclosure data for companies that have filed PERM applications under SOC code 17-3031 (CAD and drafting occupations). Firms with consistent filing history understand the process and are less likely to withdraw sponsorship mid-petition.
Distinguish EB-2 from EB-3 when negotiating job requirements
If the role requires only a bachelor's degree, it typically lands in EB-3. Push for an EB-2 framing only if the position genuinely requires an advanced degree or specialized expertise your credentials directly support, since misclassification triggers PERM denial.
Use Migrate Mate to find sponsoring CAD employers
Filter job listings by green card sponsorship history directly in Migrate Mate. You can identify which engineering and manufacturing firms have sponsored CAD roles before, cutting out employers who say they'll sponsor but have no track record of doing so.
Understand how PERM prevailing wage affects your offer
Your employer must pay at least the DOL prevailing wage for your CAD role in your work location. Cross-check their offer against the OFLC Wage Search before signing an offer letter so you don't accept a below-threshold salary that will hold up your PERM filing.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before your start date
PERM-sponsoring employers must be authorized to employ you lawfully. Verify your employer is enrolled in E-Verify before your first day, since any I-9 discrepancy at this stage can complicate the labor certification record USCIS reviews during I-140 adjudication.
Green Card CAD Engineer: Frequently Asked Questions
Do CAD Engineer roles typically qualify for EB-2 or EB-3 sponsorship?
Most CAD Engineer positions qualify under EB-3, since the role generally requires a bachelor's degree in engineering, drafting, or a related technical field rather than an advanced degree. EB-2 sponsorship is available if the specific position genuinely requires a master's degree or if you qualify through the National Interest Waiver, which requires self-petitioning and a strong case for national benefit.
How is green card sponsorship different from H-1B for CAD Engineers?
H-1B visa is a temporary work visa subject to an annual lottery and a six-year maximum stay. PERM-based green card sponsorship leads to permanent residency with no annual cap at the EB-3 petition level, though country-of-birth backlogs affect when a visa number becomes available. The PERM process also requires your employer to conduct a formal recruitment campaign before filing, which takes several months but results in a permanent immigration benefit rather than a renewable temporary status.
Which industries most commonly sponsor CAD Engineers for green cards?
Defense contractors, aerospace manufacturers, civil engineering firms, automotive suppliers, and industrial equipment companies are among the most active PERM filers for CAD and drafting roles. These industries maintain large engineering teams and have established in-house or outside counsel experienced with the labor certification process, making them more reliable sponsors than smaller firms filing for the first time.
How can I find CAD Engineer jobs that include green card sponsorship?
Migrate Mate lets you search CAD Engineer roles filtered specifically by employers with green card sponsorship history, so you can focus on companies that have filed PERM applications for this occupation before. This is more reliable than asking recruiters speculatively, since you're working from verified DOL filing records rather than general hiring policy statements.
What happens to my green card process if my CAD Engineer employer withdraws sponsorship?
If your employer withdraws sponsorship before your I-140 is approved, the petition is abandoned and the PERM labor certification is no longer usable. If your I-140 has been approved for at least 180 days, you may be able to port the priority date to a new employer's petition under AC21 portability rules, provided the new role is in the same or similar occupational classification. Documenting your CAD duties precisely in the original petition helps establish portability eligibility later.