CAD Designer Jobs for OPT Students
CAD Designer jobs on OPT are available across engineering, architecture, manufacturing, and product design firms. Most roles require proficiency in AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or Revit alongside a degree in engineering, architecture, or industrial design. STEM OPT extension eligibility depends on your specific degree classification.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Ardaman & Associates, Inc. is one of the largest geotechnical engineering and materials testing consulting firms in the Southeastern U.S. Over our history, we have worked on more than 150,000 projects throughout the Southeast, the U.S., and worldwide. This vast list of project experience includes services for virtually every type of public and private client associated with industrial, commercial and infrastructure projects.
Ardaman has the following opportunity available:
CIVIL CAD DESIGNER / DRAFTER
Immediate full-time position available for a civil CAD Designer / Drafter preparing construction drawings using AutoCAD Civil 3D program for civil/earthwork projects. The successful candidate will work in Orlando, Florida on preparing construction drawings for projects located in the U.S. and abroad.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Working knowledge and experience with AutoCAD, Civil 3D is a plus
- Detail oriented, professional attitude, good communication, team player, self-starter
- Ability to work independently and with a team
Please upload your resume when applying for this position.
We offer a comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, paid time off, 401(k) with company match, and much more.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law. Ardaman is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tetra Tech, who is a VEVRAA federal contractor and we request priority referral of veterans. Ardaman is a Drug Free Workplace.
INTRODUCTION
Ardaman & Associates, Inc. is one of the largest geotechnical engineering and materials testing consulting firms in the Southeastern U.S. Over our history, we have worked on more than 150,000 projects throughout the Southeast, the U.S., and worldwide. This vast list of project experience includes services for virtually every type of public and private client associated with industrial, commercial and infrastructure projects.
Ardaman has the following opportunity available:
CIVIL CAD DESIGNER / DRAFTER
Immediate full-time position available for a civil CAD Designer / Drafter preparing construction drawings using AutoCAD Civil 3D program for civil/earthwork projects. The successful candidate will work in Orlando, Florida on preparing construction drawings for projects located in the U.S. and abroad.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Working knowledge and experience with AutoCAD, Civil 3D is a plus
- Detail oriented, professional attitude, good communication, team player, self-starter
- Ability to work independently and with a team
Please upload your resume when applying for this position.
We offer a comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, paid time off, 401(k) with company match, and much more.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law. Ardaman is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tetra Tech, who is a VEVRAA federal contractor and we request priority referral of veterans. Ardaman is a Drug Free Workplace.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a CAD Designer
Target STEM-designated degree holders first
If your degree falls under a STEM CIP code, you qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your designation with your DSO before applying so you can honestly tell employers you have up to three years of OPT work authorization available.
Lead with your software stack in every application
CAD Designer roles are filtered heavily by software proficiency. List every platform you know, including AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Revit, CATIA, and Fusion 360, in your resume header or skills section so recruiters find you before they read a single sentence.
Show a portfolio with measurable project outcomes
Employers hiring CAD Designers want proof of output. Include portfolio links showing final drawings, assemblies, or renderings alongside context like tolerances met, production timelines hit, or design iterations reduced. Quantified outcomes make your OPT application stand out.
Focus on mid-size manufacturers and engineering firms
Large defense contractors often require security clearances that exclude OPT holders. Mid-size manufacturers, industrial design studios, and mechanical engineering consultancies typically sponsor OPT without those restrictions and hire CAD Designers on a rolling basis throughout the year.
Confirm your role qualifies as directly related to your degree
USCIS requires OPT employment to be directly related to your degree field. A mechanical engineering graduate working in structural CAD design is clearly compliant. If your degree and role differ significantly, consult your DSO before accepting an offer to avoid status violations.
Start your employer search before your OPT start date
You can begin working on OPT only after your EAD arrives and your start date passes. Begin applying at least three months early so offer negotiations and onboarding timelines align with your authorized work period, leaving no gaps in your employment authorization.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Do CAD Designer jobs typically sponsor OPT students?
Many do, particularly in manufacturing, architecture, and mechanical engineering. Employers in these sectors are accustomed to hiring international talent and understand OPT work authorization. Browse CAD Designer roles on Migrate Mate, which filters specifically for positions open to OPT candidates, to find employers actively willing to sponsor.
Does a CAD Designer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not your job title. If your degree in mechanical engineering, industrial design, architecture, or a related field carries a STEM CIP code, you qualify for the 24-month extension. Your DSO can confirm your degree's designation. The CAD Designer role itself does not independently trigger STEM OPT eligibility.
Can I work as a CAD Designer on OPT if my degree is in architecture rather than engineering?
Yes. OPT requires that your job be directly related to your degree field, and architecture programs routinely include CAD as a core competency. A CAD Designer role focused on building design, construction documentation, or BIM modeling would satisfy the direct relationship requirement for an architecture graduate.
Are there CAD Designer roles I should avoid as an OPT student?
Avoid roles at federal defense contractors or positions requiring a security clearance, as OPT holders are generally ineligible. Also avoid roles where CAD work is incidental to a broader non-design function, since your employment must be directly related to your degree. When in doubt, review the job description with your DSO before applying.
How much work authorization time should I disclose to a CAD Designer employer?
Be straightforward. Standard OPT provides 12 months of authorization. If you hold a STEM-eligible degree, disclose that a 24-month extension is available, giving the employer a total of up to 36 months before H-1B sponsorship becomes necessary. Employers making multi-year hiring decisions respond better to clarity than vague answers about future authorization.
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