OPT CAD Designer Jobs
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 JobsJob Location: Willis, Texas
Full-time, In-office
Hourly: $20 TO $40 DOE and Education
Job Summary:
Civil Engineering CAD Drafter with experience in single-family residential and commercial land development as well as municipal infrastructure and treatment plant projects. This position supports civil engineering staff by preparing detailed construction drawings, exhibits, calculations, and technical documents. This role requires experience with CAD software, strong attention to detail, and a desire to grow technical skills and design experience.
Qualifications and Education Requirements:
- Completion of technical school with CAD design certificate or associate degree or equivalent experience in Civil Engineering field desired.
- 1+ years of experience in civil engineering drafting for land development and/or municipal development projects.
Some expertise in the Following is Required:
- Understanding of grading, drainage, and utility design practices.
- Working knowledge of AutoCAD Civil 3D in a developmental Design capacity
- General knowledge of schematic, design development, and final (construction) drawings
- General knowledge of modeling for roadway design
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize work effectively.
- Strong organizational, communication teamwork skills.
- Understanding of earthwork calculations through surface comparisons
Experience in the Following is Preferred:
- Adobe/Bluebeam
Duties/Responsibilities:
- Read and interpret, deeds, plats, sketches, as-builts, specifications, and construction drawings.
- Work under the direction of lead CAD staff and/or engineers to maintain CAD standards, drawing organization and project file management.
- Prepare schematic, design development, and final (construction) drawings as required.
- Learn to build and manipulate 3D surface models in AutoCAD, apply corridor modeling for roadway design, and perform earthwork calculations through surface comparisons.
- Apply agency regulations and standards to design projects accordingly.
- Learn to utilize AutoCAD Civil 3D to prepare grading designs and plans, street plans and profiles (both curb and gutter and open ditch design using corridors and grading surfaces), drainage area maps, storm sewer plans and profiles, and water, sanitary sewer plans and profiles.
- Produce construction drawings, exhibits, one-line drawings and concept plans for commercial, residential, municipal infrastructure and plant projects.
- Create and markup existing PDF documents using Adobe/Bluebeam.
- Progressive ability to work independently and use experience and judgement with minimal direction while also engaging lead engineer to solve design elements to keep projects on schedule, within agency regulations and constructable.
- Support multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Physical Requirements:
- Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
About Our Company:
NCS is an experienced, well-established water, wastewater, and electrical engineering design firm with offices in Arizona, Maryland, Nevada, Texas, and California. We provide a wide range of civil, water, wastewater, environmental, electrical design, and research-related services to public agencies and private industry clients throughout the United States and globally. We offer challenging technical and professional opportunities working on exciting, leading edge, high tech environmental and water projects. We are committed to providing proven, yet innovative solutions to our clients’ technically challenging problems. We strive to create a work environment that challenges and values our employees. NCS attracts the best people in the industry by supporting their efforts to learn and grow. If you are interested in a challenging and enjoyable career within a diverse and family-oriented atmosphere with advancement opportunity, apply now!
Benefits:
Position is eligible for full benefit package and performance bonus program.
Equal Employment Opportunities:
NCS provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, NCS complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
NCS prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.
Job Location: Willis, Texas
Full-time, In-office
Hourly: $20 TO $40 DOE and Education
Job Summary:
Civil Engineering CAD Drafter with experience in single-family residential and commercial land development as well as municipal infrastructure and treatment plant projects. This position supports civil engineering staff by preparing detailed construction drawings, exhibits, calculations, and technical documents. This role requires experience with CAD software, strong attention to detail, and a desire to grow technical skills and design experience.
Qualifications and Education Requirements:
- Completion of technical school with CAD design certificate or associate degree or equivalent experience in Civil Engineering field desired.
- 1+ years of experience in civil engineering drafting for land development and/or municipal development projects.
Some expertise in the Following is Required:
- Understanding of grading, drainage, and utility design practices.
- Working knowledge of AutoCAD Civil 3D in a developmental Design capacity
- General knowledge of schematic, design development, and final (construction) drawings
- General knowledge of modeling for roadway design
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize work effectively.
- Strong organizational, communication teamwork skills.
- Understanding of earthwork calculations through surface comparisons
Experience in the Following is Preferred:
- Adobe/Bluebeam
Duties/Responsibilities:
- Read and interpret, deeds, plats, sketches, as-builts, specifications, and construction drawings.
- Work under the direction of lead CAD staff and/or engineers to maintain CAD standards, drawing organization and project file management.
- Prepare schematic, design development, and final (construction) drawings as required.
- Learn to build and manipulate 3D surface models in AutoCAD, apply corridor modeling for roadway design, and perform earthwork calculations through surface comparisons.
- Apply agency regulations and standards to design projects accordingly.
- Learn to utilize AutoCAD Civil 3D to prepare grading designs and plans, street plans and profiles (both curb and gutter and open ditch design using corridors and grading surfaces), drainage area maps, storm sewer plans and profiles, and water, sanitary sewer plans and profiles.
- Produce construction drawings, exhibits, one-line drawings and concept plans for commercial, residential, municipal infrastructure and plant projects.
- Create and markup existing PDF documents using Adobe/Bluebeam.
- Progressive ability to work independently and use experience and judgement with minimal direction while also engaging lead engineer to solve design elements to keep projects on schedule, within agency regulations and constructable.
- Support multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Physical Requirements:
- Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
About Our Company:
NCS is an experienced, well-established water, wastewater, and electrical engineering design firm with offices in Arizona, Maryland, Nevada, Texas, and California. We provide a wide range of civil, water, wastewater, environmental, electrical design, and research-related services to public agencies and private industry clients throughout the United States and globally. We offer challenging technical and professional opportunities working on exciting, leading edge, high tech environmental and water projects. We are committed to providing proven, yet innovative solutions to our clients’ technically challenging problems. We strive to create a work environment that challenges and values our employees. NCS attracts the best people in the industry by supporting their efforts to learn and grow. If you are interested in a challenging and enjoyable career within a diverse and family-oriented atmosphere with advancement opportunity, apply now!
Benefits:
Position is eligible for full benefit package and performance bonus program.
Equal Employment Opportunities:
NCS provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, NCS complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
NCS prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.
See all 153+ OPT CAD Designer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT 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.
CAD Designer OPT: Frequently 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 visa sponsorship becomes necessary. Employers making multi-year hiring decisions respond better to clarity than vague answers about future authorization.