Drafting Technician Jobs for OPT Students
Drafting Technician jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in engineering technology, architecture, or design. Most roles involve CAD software proficiency, which aligns directly with STEM-adjacent coursework. Standard OPT gives you 12 months of work authorization, and STEM OPT extensions may apply depending on your degree classification.
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Get Access To All JobsCompany Description
We are Olsson. We engineer and design solutions that improve the world around us. As a company, we promise to always be responsive, transparent, and focused on results – for our people, our clients, and our company. We’re a people-centric firm, so it’s no surprise our greatest asset is our people. The impact this creates is an environment that encourages our people to grow and be creative with their talents. This approach builds a culture that is uniquely Olsson. It allows us to grow our people as we grow our business. This, in turn, creates a lasting impact on the world around us.
Job Description
Olsson offers its clients a full spectrum of water and wastewater services, including a complete line of planning, design, permitting, and construction phase services. Maintaining water quality is Olsson’s number one concern, and we are able to respond to a broad set of client demands in a timely and cost-effective manner. As a Technician on our Water/Wastewater team, you will perform standard techniques and procedures and apply knowledge of established methods, practices, and programs to prepare engineering and design plans. You will work closely with technical staff to find the best approach to solve engineering and design needs. You will work closely with other team members and engineers on wastewater collection and treatment projects, along with water supply, storage, treatment, and distribution. This can include sanitary sewer piping, wastewater pump stations, wastewater treatment facilities, water piping, water supply wells, water storage tanks, and water treatment facilities.
Qualifications
You are passionate about:
- Working collaboratively with others.
- Having ownership in the work you do.
- Using your talents to positively affect communities.
You Bring To The Team
- Strong communication skills.
- Ability to contribute and work well on a team.
- Associate’s degree in drafting or related field preferred.
- 2-7 years of experience is preferred.
- Proficiency in AutoCAD Civil 3D and/or Revit.
- Solid interpersonal, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Additional Information
Olsson specializes in engineering and design, client advisory services, planning, field services, and environmental. Improving the world has been our mindset from the very beginning, back when Olsson first opened for business in 1956. And it will be our mindset for years to come.
As An Olsson Employee, You Will
- Receive a competitive 401(k) match
- Be empowered to build your career with tailored development paths
- Have the possibility for flexible work arrangements
- Engage in work that has a positive impact on communities
- Participate in a wellness program promoting balanced lifestyles
In addition, full-time employees will receive our traditional benefits package (health care, vision, dental, paid time off, etc.) and the opportunity to participate in a bonus system that rewards performance.
Olsson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage qualified minority, female, veteran, and disabled candidates to apply and be considered for open positions. We do not discriminate against any applicant for employment or any employee because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender, disability, age, military status, or other protected status. Olsson understands the importance of privacy and is committed to protecting job applicants’ personal information. Pursuant to the California Consumer Privacy Act, as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (collectively, the “CCPA”), this notice explains Olsson’s practices regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information for job applicants residing in California. Please read this Notice carefully to understand our privacy practices. For more information about the types of information we collect and how we use it in connection with your general access and use of our website, please review our general California Privacy Notice here.
Company Description
We are Olsson. We engineer and design solutions that improve the world around us. As a company, we promise to always be responsive, transparent, and focused on results – for our people, our clients, and our company. We’re a people-centric firm, so it’s no surprise our greatest asset is our people. The impact this creates is an environment that encourages our people to grow and be creative with their talents. This approach builds a culture that is uniquely Olsson. It allows us to grow our people as we grow our business. This, in turn, creates a lasting impact on the world around us.
Job Description
Olsson offers its clients a full spectrum of water and wastewater services, including a complete line of planning, design, permitting, and construction phase services. Maintaining water quality is Olsson’s number one concern, and we are able to respond to a broad set of client demands in a timely and cost-effective manner. As a Technician on our Water/Wastewater team, you will perform standard techniques and procedures and apply knowledge of established methods, practices, and programs to prepare engineering and design plans. You will work closely with technical staff to find the best approach to solve engineering and design needs. You will work closely with other team members and engineers on wastewater collection and treatment projects, along with water supply, storage, treatment, and distribution. This can include sanitary sewer piping, wastewater pump stations, wastewater treatment facilities, water piping, water supply wells, water storage tanks, and water treatment facilities.
Qualifications
You are passionate about:
- Working collaboratively with others.
- Having ownership in the work you do.
- Using your talents to positively affect communities.
You Bring To The Team
- Strong communication skills.
- Ability to contribute and work well on a team.
- Associate’s degree in drafting or related field preferred.
- 2-7 years of experience is preferred.
- Proficiency in AutoCAD Civil 3D and/or Revit.
- Solid interpersonal, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Additional Information
Olsson specializes in engineering and design, client advisory services, planning, field services, and environmental. Improving the world has been our mindset from the very beginning, back when Olsson first opened for business in 1956. And it will be our mindset for years to come.
As An Olsson Employee, You Will
- Receive a competitive 401(k) match
- Be empowered to build your career with tailored development paths
- Have the possibility for flexible work arrangements
- Engage in work that has a positive impact on communities
- Participate in a wellness program promoting balanced lifestyles
In addition, full-time employees will receive our traditional benefits package (health care, vision, dental, paid time off, etc.) and the opportunity to participate in a bonus system that rewards performance.
Olsson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage qualified minority, female, veteran, and disabled candidates to apply and be considered for open positions. We do not discriminate against any applicant for employment or any employee because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender, disability, age, military status, or other protected status. Olsson understands the importance of privacy and is committed to protecting job applicants’ personal information. Pursuant to the California Consumer Privacy Act, as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (collectively, the “CCPA”), this notice explains Olsson’s practices regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information for job applicants residing in California. Please read this Notice carefully to understand our privacy practices. For more information about the types of information we collect and how we use it in connection with your general access and use of our website, please review our general California Privacy Notice here.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Drafting Technician
Lead with your CAD software stack
List every CAD platform you know, AutoCAD, Revit, SolidWorks, Civil 3D, in your resume header or skills section. Employers scan for these before reading anything else. Specific software proficiency reduces their hesitation about OPT timelines.
Target engineering and architecture firms directly
Mid-size civil, structural, and MEP engineering firms hire drafting technicians regularly and are more flexible with OPT than large corporations. Smaller teams mean faster hiring decisions and direct access to the person approving your offer.
Confirm your OPT start date aligns with project timelines
Drafting roles are often project-based. Employers want to know you can commit through a project cycle. Know your OPT authorization window exactly and frame your availability around realistic project start and completion dates.
Check if your degree qualifies for STEM OPT extension
Degrees in engineering technology, civil engineering, or architecture often qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before interviewing so you can tell employers you may have up to 36 months of work authorization.
Build a digital portfolio with real technical drawings
A portfolio showing actual plans, sections, and construction documents from coursework or internships matters more than your GPA for this role. Keep it concise, three to five strong projects, and host it somewhere you can share a direct link.
Address OPT proactively, not defensively
When employers ask about work authorization, explain your timeline clearly and mention the STEM extension possibility if applicable. Framing it as a straightforward process, not a complication, keeps the conversation moving toward your technical qualifications.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as Drafting Technicians in the United States?
Yes. Drafting Technician roles are eligible for F-1 OPT work authorization as long as the position is directly related to your field of study. Degrees in engineering technology, architectural technology, civil engineering, or related design disciplines generally satisfy the relatedness requirement. Your DSO can confirm eligibility before you accept an offer.
Do Drafting Technician jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Many do, depending on your degree. If your bachelor's or master's degree is in a STEM-designated field such as civil engineering, mechanical engineering technology, or computer-aided design, your CIP code may qualify you for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. That gives you up to 36 months of total work authorization. Check your degree's CIP code with your DSO to confirm before interviewing.
How do I find Drafting Technician employers who are open to hiring OPT students?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for employers open to sponsoring or hiring international students on OPT, so you are not wasting applications on roles that will reject you at the work authorization question. Civil engineering firms, architecture studios, and construction management companies are among the most active employers in this category on the platform.
What happens to my OPT authorization if I lose my Drafting Technician job?
You have a 90-day unemployment buffer during your OPT period, total across all gaps, not per job. If you are on STEM OPT, that buffer drops to 150 days total but the same principle applies. Report any change in employment to your DSO promptly. Finding a new role quickly is critical since exceeding the unemployment limit terminates your OPT authorization.
Does a Drafting Technician role need to be full-time for OPT purposes?
USCIS requires OPT employment to average at least 20 hours per week to be considered valid work authorization. Most Drafting Technician positions are full-time and easily satisfy this threshold. Part-time roles can qualify, but you must track your hours and ensure the position remains directly related to your degree field throughout your authorization period.
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