OPT CAD Technician Jobs
CAD Technician roles are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in engineering technology, drafting, or architecture. Most positions qualify as STEM OPT, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers in construction, manufacturing, and civil engineering regularly sponsor H-1B visas for this role.
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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 Technician Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT CAD Technician Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a CAD Technician
Target industries with high sponsorship rates
Civil engineering firms, mechanical manufacturers, and architecture companies sponsor CAD Technicians far more consistently than general staffing agencies. Focus your search on employers with active project pipelines who need long-term technical staff, not short-term contract roles.
Emphasize your software proficiency upfront
List every CAD platform you're proficient in, including AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Revit, and Civil 3D, directly on your resume summary. Employers filtering for OPT candidates want to confirm technical skills immediately before considering work authorization details.
Confirm your STEM OPT eligibility before applying
CAD Technician roles typically qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree is in engineering technology or a related STEM field. Verify your CIP code with your DSO before applications, since this significantly extends your available work authorization window.
Address OPT timing transparently with recruiters
Tell recruiters your exact OPT start date and expiration upfront. Employers need lead time to file an H-1B petition before your OPT expires. Clarity early prevents situations where an offer collapses because timelines weren't communicated from the start.
Build a portfolio of technical drawings and projects
A documented portfolio demonstrating drafting precision, 3D modeling, and cross-functional collaboration makes sponsorship conversations easier. Employers are more willing to invest in H-1B sponsorship for candidates who remove doubt about technical competence before the interview.
Prioritize employers who have sponsored before
Companies with a history of H-1B filings for CAD or engineering roles understand the process and have legal infrastructure in place. Use Migrate Mate to browse CAD Technician jobs at employers already familiar with OPT and visa sponsorship requirements.
CAD Technician OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a CAD Technician role qualify for STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title itself. If your bachelor's or master's degree is in engineering technology, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, or a related STEM field, the role will typically qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before applying, since that code determines eligibility, not the job description.
How do I find CAD Technician employers who sponsor OPT and H-1B visas?
Migrate Mate filters CAD Technician jobs specifically for F-1 OPT students, showing roles at employers with a demonstrated history of visa sponsorship. This saves significant time compared to applying broadly and discovering sponsorship limitations late in the process. Focus on civil engineering firms, architectural companies, and mid-size manufacturers, who tend to sponsor at higher rates than staffing agencies.
What academic backgrounds qualify F-1 students for CAD Technician OPT jobs?
Degrees in engineering technology, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, architecture, industrial design, and computer-aided design directly support CAD Technician OPT eligibility. Your OPT employment must be directly related to your field of study, so the connection between your degree and the specific CAD work must be documentable. Your DSO can help confirm the relationship if it is not immediately obvious.
Can I work as a CAD Technician on OPT while waiting for H-1B approval?
Yes, provided your OPT authorization is still valid. If your employer files an H-1B cap-subject petition before your OPT expires and you have STEM OPT, you may also be eligible for a cap-gap extension, which bridges your work authorization between OPT expiration and October 1 when H-1B status begins. Confirm your specific dates with your DSO as soon as an offer is made.
Are contract or staffing agency CAD Technician roles valid for OPT?
Contract roles can be valid for OPT as long as the work is directly related to your degree and you have a bona fide employer-employee relationship. However, staffing agencies rarely sponsor H-1B visas, which creates a problem once your OPT expires. If long-term sponsorship is your goal, prioritize direct-hire positions at engineering or manufacturing firms over agency placements.