OPT CAD Engineer Jobs
CAD Engineer jobs on OPT are available across manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, and construction sectors. Most roles require proficiency in tools like AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or CATIA, and a degree in mechanical, civil, or electrical engineering. STEM OPT extension eligibility makes this a strong category for international students.
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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 Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT CAD Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a CAD Engineer
Highlight your CAD software stack clearly
List every CAD and CAM tool you're proficient in, including version experience where relevant. Employers hiring for CAD roles filter resumes by software. SolidWorks, AutoCAD, CATIA, and Creo are the most commonly required. Being specific signals you're immediately productive.
Target STEM-designated programs
CAD Engineer roles typically qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to three years of work authorization. Lead with this in your cover letter. Employers unfamiliar with OPT respond better when you clarify the timeline upfront and reduce their perceived risk.
Pursue roles at E-Verify enrolled companies
STEM OPT extension requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify. Filter your job search to companies that meet this requirement from the start. Accepting an offer from a non-enrolled employer means you cannot extend beyond your initial 12-month OPT period.
Align your degree field with the job description
OPT authorization must relate to your degree. A mechanical engineering degree supports most CAD roles, but civil or electrical engineering degrees may require a closer match to the specific project type. Review the job description carefully before applying to confirm the connection is defensible.
Quantify your design and project experience
Employers want to see deliverables, not just tasks. Mention the number of parts modeled, assemblies completed, or projects shipped. Concrete output demonstrates professional-level CAD experience, which matters especially when you're competing against candidates with longer U.S. work histories.
Address OPT timing proactively with recruiters
CAD roles in manufacturing and defense often have longer hiring cycles. If your OPT start date is approaching, communicate your authorization window early. Employers who understand the timeline can align onboarding accordingly, reducing the chance of a mismatch that kills an otherwise strong offer.
CAD Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do CAD Engineer roles qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most CAD Engineer positions qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as mechanical, civil, electrical, or aerospace engineering. The role must be directly related to your degree field. If approved, you can work for up to three years on OPT total, which gives employers a meaningful runway before needing to consider H-1B visa sponsorship.
Do employers in manufacturing and aerospace commonly sponsor OPT students for CAD roles?
Yes. Manufacturing, aerospace, and automotive companies regularly hire OPT students for CAD Engineer positions because demand for qualified engineers outpaces domestic supply in many specialized areas. Larger firms with established HR processes, such as those in defense contracting or tier-one automotive supply chains, are generally more familiar with OPT work authorization. You can browse sponsorship-friendly CAD Engineer openings on Migrate Mate.
Can I work as a CAD Engineer if my degree is in a related but not identical field?
OPT requires that your job be directly related to your major area of study, but the connection does not need to be exact. A civil engineering degree can support a structural drafting role, and an electrical engineering degree can support an electrical CAD position. The key is that you can articulate the relationship between your coursework and the job duties if asked by USCIS or your DSO.
What happens to my OPT if I'm laid off from a CAD Engineer role?
F-1 OPT students have a 90-day unemployment buffer total during the standard OPT period. If you lose your job, the clock starts immediately. STEM OPT extension holders have an additional 60 days per extension period. You should notify your DSO promptly and begin your job search right away. Staying within the unemployment limit is your responsibility to track.
Do I need a Professional Engineer (PE) license to work as a CAD Engineer on OPT?
No. CAD Engineer roles at the entry and mid-level typically do not require a PE license. These positions focus on drafting, 3D modeling, and design documentation rather than stamping drawings for public works. A PE license becomes relevant if you move into a licensed engineer of record role, which is a separate career track. Your degree and CAD software proficiency are the primary qualifications employers evaluate at the OPT stage.