H-1B Visa Civil Drafter Jobs
Civil Drafter roles qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship as specialty occupations requiring at least a bachelor's degree in civil engineering technology or a related field. Employers in infrastructure, transportation, and land development are among the most active H-1B sponsors for this occupation. Use this page to find employers with verified H-1B filing history for Civil Drafter positions.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Kimley-Horn is looking for an Experienced CAD Operator to join our Land Development team in Boca-Delray, Florida (FL)!
Responsibilities
- This individual will primarily be responsible for: designing and producing sets of plans for commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential Land Development projects; and implementing and managing AutoCAD drafting and plan preparation standards
- 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)
- 6+ 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.
INTRODUCTION
Kimley-Horn is looking for an Experienced CAD Operator to join our Land Development team in Boca-Delray, Florida (FL)!
Responsibilities
- This individual will primarily be responsible for: designing and producing sets of plans for commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential Land Development projects; and implementing and managing AutoCAD drafting and plan preparation standards
- 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)
- 6+ 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 H-1B Visa Civil Drafter Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship in Civil Drafter
Verify your degree meets specialty occupation requirements
USCIS requires your degree to directly relate to civil drafting work. A civil engineering technology or architecture degree satisfies this cleanly. A general drafting or unrelated degree may trigger an RFE, so gather transcripts and a credential evaluation before applying.
Target firms with active LCA filing history
Use Migrate Mate to filter Civil Drafter roles by employers who have filed Labor Condition Applications for this occupation. LCA history signals that the employer already knows the H-1B process, reducing the risk of sponsorship falling through mid-hiring.
Check prevailing wage before negotiating your offer
Your employer must pay at least the DOL prevailing wage for Civil Drafter roles in your specific metro area. Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the Level I through Level IV wage tiers for SOC code 17-3011 before your salary conversation.
Confirm the role matches your O*NET occupation code
Civil Drafter positions vary by scope. Review the O*NET profile for SOC 17-3011 to confirm your job duties align with the official definition. Mismatches between your offer letter and the occupation code are a common source of H-1B denials for drafting roles.
Ask employers about cap-exempt filing options
Universities, nonprofit research institutions, and government-affiliated entities are cap-exempt, meaning they can file H-1B petitions year-round without waiting for the April lottery. Civil drafting roles at engineering departments within these organizations are worth targeting deliberately.
File during your 60-day grace period strategically
If you're between jobs on H-1B status, you have a 60-day grace period to secure a new offer. A new employer can file an H-1B transfer petition during this window, and you can start work as soon as USCIS receives the petition under portability rules.
H-1B Visa Civil Drafter: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Civil Drafter role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes, provided the position requires at least a bachelor's degree in a directly related field such as civil engineering technology, drafting, or architecture. USCIS evaluates each petition individually, so your offer letter must describe duties that genuinely require that level of theoretical and technical knowledge. Roles requiring only a two-year associate degree or vocational training are at higher risk of denial.
Which types of employers sponsor H-1B visas for Civil Drafter positions?
Engineering and design consulting firms, transportation departments, land development companies, and public infrastructure contractors are among the most active sponsors for Civil Drafter roles. Government-affiliated entities and university engineering departments can file outside the annual H-1B cap entirely. You can search employers by their verified H-1B filing history for this occupation on Migrate Mate.
Can I transfer my H-1B to a new Civil Drafter job without starting over?
Yes. Under H-1B portability rules, your new employer files a transfer petition and you can start work as soon as USCIS receives it, without waiting for approval. The new role must still qualify as a specialty occupation and meet DOL prevailing wage requirements for Civil Drafter in that location. Your six-year H-1B clock continues from where it left off.
How does the DOL prevailing wage affect my H-1B offer as a Civil Drafter?
Your employer must certify in the Labor Condition Application that your salary meets or exceeds the DOL prevailing wage for Civil Drafter roles in your specific metro area. Wages are tiered from Level I (entry) to Level IV (expert). You can verify the applicable wage using the OFLC Wage Search before accepting an offer to confirm the employer's number is compliant.
What documentation should I prepare before an employer sponsors my H-1B as a Civil Drafter?
Gather your degree transcripts, a credential evaluation if your degree is from outside the U.S., and any professional certifications relevant to civil drafting software or standards. If your degree field doesn't directly match the role, collect evidence of progressive work experience that bridges the gap. USCIS may request a detailed itinerary of project work if your duties span multiple client sites.