J-1 Visa Drafting Technician Jobs
Drafting Technician roles in the United States are accessible to international candidates through J-1 visa sponsorship under the Trainee or Intern program category, depending on your career stage. A State Department-designated sponsor organization issues your DS-2019 and oversees your training plan while a U.S. engineering or design firm hosts your placement.
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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 Drafting Technician
Align your portfolio with U.S. CAD standards
Host employers in architecture and engineering expect fluency in AutoCAD, Revit, or SolidWorks. Restructure your portfolio samples to reflect U.S. drawing conventions and title block formats before applying, so reviewers can immediately assess your technical fit.
Distinguish Intern from Trainee category eligibility
If you're currently enrolled in a degree program, the J-1 visa Intern category applies. If you've graduated within the past 12 months or have relevant post-degree work experience, the Trainee category covers you instead. Applying under the wrong category delays DS-2019 issuance.
Target host employers with existing training plan experience
Search for architecture, civil engineering, and manufacturing firms that have previously hosted J-1 Trainees. These employers already understand the Training/Internship Placement Plan (DS-7002) and are less likely to withdraw an offer once they learn what J-1 compliance involves.
Use Migrate Mate to find J-1-aligned drafting roles
Filter by occupation and visa type on Migrate Mate to surface U.S. employers actively listing Drafting Technician roles that align with J-1 host requirements, saving you from targeting firms unfamiliar with exchange visitor placements.
Clarify the two-year home residency requirement upfront
Some Drafting Technician placements, particularly those funded by a government or tied to certain countries, trigger the two-year home residency requirement under INA Section 212(e). Confirm whether your situation is subject to this requirement before accepting a host offer, since it affects any future H-1B visa or green card path.
Get your training plan approved before your start date
The DS-7002 training plan must detail specific drafting objectives, supervision structure, and evaluation intervals. Your designated sponsor organization reviews and co-signs this document. Incomplete plans are the leading reason J-1 program start dates get pushed back by weeks.
Drafting Technician J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category fits a Drafting Technician placement?
Current students enrolled in a drafting, engineering technology, or related program typically use the J-1 Intern category. Graduates with relevant post-degree experience qualify under the Trainee category. Both categories require a completed DS-7002 training plan and a State Department-designated sponsor to issue your DS-2019 before you can begin work at the U.S. host employer.
Who actually sponsors my J-1 visa as a Drafting Technician?
Your visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, such as AIPT or Cultural Vistas, not your host engineering or design firm. The designated sponsor reviews your training plan, issues the DS-2019 form, and monitors compliance throughout your exchange. The hiring employer is your host, not your legal sponsor, and these are separate relationships under J-1 rules.
How do I find U.S. employers willing to host a J-1 Drafting Technician?
Migrate Mate lets you filter by occupation and J-1 visa compatibility to identify U.S. employers actively listing drafting roles aligned with exchange visitor placements. Targeting firms in architecture, civil engineering, or manufacturing that already understand the DS-7002 training plan process significantly improves your chances of moving from offer to visa issuance without delays.
Does the two-year home residency requirement apply to Drafting Technician J-1 holders?
It depends on your funding source and nationality. If your placement is funded by a U.S. or foreign government program, or if your home country has a skills list that includes your occupation, the two-year home residency requirement under INA Section 212(e) may apply. This requirement must be satisfied or formally waived before you can change to most other nonimmigrant or immigrant visa categories.
What technical credentials strengthen a J-1 Drafting Technician application?
Host employers and designated sponsors look for documented proficiency in CAD software, such as AutoCAD or Revit, along with formal training in drafting standards like ANSI or ISO. Certification from the American Design Drafting Association strengthens your DS-7002 training plan by giving the sponsor concrete benchmarks to measure your progress against U.S. industry standards during your exchange period.