J-1 Visa CAD Engineer Jobs
CAD Engineer roles in the U.S. are available to international professionals through J-1 visa sponsorship under the Trainee or Intern program categories, depending on your career stage. A U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor organization issues your DS-2019, while your host engineering firm provides the technical training environment.
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Get Access To All JobsCompany Description
At KPFF Consulting Engineers, we are more than just an engineering design firm. For over 60 years, we have dedicated ourselves to innovative, sustainable engineering that shapes the built environment and tackles complex infrastructure challenges. Our team culture emphasizes balance, growth, and well-being, supporting each member’s professional journey with flexibility, generous benefits, and a collaborative approach to work-life integration.
With over 1,400 professionals across 27 offices nationwide, KPFF’s decentralized structure allows each office the flexibility to pursue projects aligned with their regional strengths. Learn more at www.kpff.com.
Job Description
KPFF Los Angeles is always on the lookout for motivated and energetic AutoCAD Drafting Interns. Applications should include resume, cover letter, and sample of work if possible.
KPFF proudly takes part in students’ educational and professional development. This is an opportunity for a dynamic candidate to work either full-time or part-time on a wide variety of intriguing projects throughout the local area, while expanding their technical knowledge and experience. We go beyond giving interns a glimpse into the job; we place them in the middle of it. AutoCAD Drafting Interns work in a close knit team environment in a rapidly expanding entrepreneurial company. These teams contribute to the professional growth of our Interns by sharing professional experience.
Qualifications
Ability to sit and/or stand for prolonged periods of time at a desk working on a computer viewing a screen using Autodesk® AutoCAD® and other design-related software.
Ability to learn new tasks, maintain focus, understand and absorb instructions, and complete tasks independently.
Candidates should have excellent communication skills and enjoy working in a collaborative, team environment. Seeking candidates who have a degree in computer drafting and design, or are currently pursuing their degree. High School Diploma or GED required. Some Civil CAD experience preferred. Applicants must be willing to undergo a test to demonstrate level of CAD knowledge and ability.
Additional Information
Compensation
KPFF values the contributions of our interns and strives to provide fair and competitive compensation based on location and market standards. For this position, compensation includes:
- Hourly Pay: $21 per hour.
- Overtime Eligibility: Interns are eligible for overtime pay in accordance with local labor laws.
- Interns may receive a way we work allowance based on their commuting option.
Culture
At KPFF, interns are valued as key contributors to our success. We cultivate a collaborative, innovative, and supportive work environment that empowers individuals to take ownership of their projects. Interns at KPFF experience a dynamic workplace where autonomy and creativity are encouraged. Our team takes pride in mentoring interns and sharing professional insights to help shape the next generation of civil engineers.
KPFF Consulting Engineers is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
For more information on the Company, please visit our web site at http://www.kpff.com
How To Apply:
Submit your application online, including a cover letter, resume, and your current unofficial transcripts.
This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
KPFF Consulting Engineers is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Company Description
At KPFF Consulting Engineers, we are more than just an engineering design firm. For over 60 years, we have dedicated ourselves to innovative, sustainable engineering that shapes the built environment and tackles complex infrastructure challenges. Our team culture emphasizes balance, growth, and well-being, supporting each member’s professional journey with flexibility, generous benefits, and a collaborative approach to work-life integration.
With over 1,400 professionals across 27 offices nationwide, KPFF’s decentralized structure allows each office the flexibility to pursue projects aligned with their regional strengths. Learn more at www.kpff.com.
Job Description
KPFF Los Angeles is always on the lookout for motivated and energetic AutoCAD Drafting Interns. Applications should include resume, cover letter, and sample of work if possible.
KPFF proudly takes part in students’ educational and professional development. This is an opportunity for a dynamic candidate to work either full-time or part-time on a wide variety of intriguing projects throughout the local area, while expanding their technical knowledge and experience. We go beyond giving interns a glimpse into the job; we place them in the middle of it. AutoCAD Drafting Interns work in a close knit team environment in a rapidly expanding entrepreneurial company. These teams contribute to the professional growth of our Interns by sharing professional experience.
Qualifications
Ability to sit and/or stand for prolonged periods of time at a desk working on a computer viewing a screen using Autodesk® AutoCAD® and other design-related software.
Ability to learn new tasks, maintain focus, understand and absorb instructions, and complete tasks independently.
Candidates should have excellent communication skills and enjoy working in a collaborative, team environment. Seeking candidates who have a degree in computer drafting and design, or are currently pursuing their degree. High School Diploma or GED required. Some Civil CAD experience preferred. Applicants must be willing to undergo a test to demonstrate level of CAD knowledge and ability.
Additional Information
Compensation
KPFF values the contributions of our interns and strives to provide fair and competitive compensation based on location and market standards. For this position, compensation includes:
- Hourly Pay: $21 per hour.
- Overtime Eligibility: Interns are eligible for overtime pay in accordance with local labor laws.
- Interns may receive a way we work allowance based on their commuting option.
Culture
At KPFF, interns are valued as key contributors to our success. We cultivate a collaborative, innovative, and supportive work environment that empowers individuals to take ownership of their projects. Interns at KPFF experience a dynamic workplace where autonomy and creativity are encouraged. Our team takes pride in mentoring interns and sharing professional insights to help shape the next generation of civil engineers.
KPFF Consulting Engineers is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
For more information on the Company, please visit our web site at http://www.kpff.com
How To Apply:
Submit your application online, including a cover letter, resume, and your current unofficial transcripts.
This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
KPFF Consulting Engineers is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship as a CAD Engineer
Document your CAD specialization precisely
Your DS-2019 training plan must map directly to your declared CAD discipline, whether that is mechanical, architectural, or civil drafting. Vague descriptions like 'engineering support' get flagged. Name the specific software platforms and design methodologies you will practice.
Target firms with active training plan infrastructure
Host employers must co-sign a structured training plan detailing your weekly objectives. Engineering consultancies and manufacturers that regularly host J-1 visa Trainees already have this documentation process in place, which shortens your onboarding timeline significantly.
Search J-1-compatible CAD roles on Migrate Mate
Filter by engineering disciplines and host employer type to surface CAD Engineer openings where the hiring firm has prior J-1 hosting experience. Migrate Mate shows you which roles align with Trainee and Intern program categories before you apply.
Verify your program category before approaching sponsors
Current degree students qualify under the Intern category, capped at 12 months. Working professionals with a CAD-related degree and at least one year of post-graduation experience qualify under Trainee, which allows up to 18 months of authorized training in the U.S.
Check whether your home country triggers the two-year rule
Some CAD Engineer roles at government-funded research facilities or skills-shortage-listed countries carry the J-1 two-year home residency requirement. Confirm your eligibility for a waiver before accepting a host offer, as this affects your ability to change status later.
Align your DS-2019 dates with your host project timeline
Designated sponsors issue DS-2019 forms for the duration your host employer requests. If your CAD project runs six months but your training plan shows 18 months, USCIS and the sponsor will both flag the mismatch. Negotiate program length with your host before the sponsor submits.
CAD Engineer J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category applies to CAD Engineer roles?
The Trainee category applies to CAD professionals who hold a degree in a relevant engineering or design field and have at least one year of post-graduation work experience. Current students completing a CAD-related degree fall under the Intern category instead. Trainee programs allow up to 18 months of authorized practical training in the U.S., while Intern programs are capped at 12 months.
Who actually sponsors my J-1 visa as a CAD Engineer?
Your visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization such as Cultural Vistas or AIPT, not your host engineering firm. The designated sponsor reviews your training plan, issues the DS-2019 form, and monitors your program compliance throughout your stay. Your host employer provides the CAD training environment but does not hold designated sponsor status and cannot issue the DS-2019 independently.
How do I find U.S. engineering firms willing to host J-1 CAD Engineers?
Use Migrate Mate to search for CAD Engineer roles with employers who have prior J-1 hosting experience. Firms that have previously hosted Trainees already understand the DS-2019 co-signature process and training plan requirements, which makes the onboarding process faster. Targeting employers with that background reduces the risk of a host backing out due to unfamiliarity with program obligations.
Does my CAD software expertise affect which sponsor organization I work with?
Not directly, but your specific CAD discipline shapes how the training plan is written and which designated sponsor is most familiar with engineering Trainee programs. Sponsors like Cultural Vistas and AIPT have established pathways for engineering and technical training placements. Your host employer and chosen sponsor must both approve the training objectives before the DS-2019 is issued, so aligning your software expertise with the plan's stated goals is essential.
Can I extend my J-1 Trainee program if my CAD project takes longer than expected?
Extensions are possible but require approval from both your designated sponsor and the U.S. Department of State before your current DS-2019 expires. Trainee programs cannot exceed 18 months in total, so any extension must fit within that ceiling. Your host employer must submit a revised training plan documenting the additional objectives, and extensions are not guaranteed if the original program goals were already met.