OPT Electrical Drafter Jobs
Electrical Drafter jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in electrical engineering, engineering technology, or a related technical field. Most roles qualify as STEM-designated positions, making you eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension beyond your initial 12 months of work authorization.
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INTRODUCTION
Life Time Property Development, Construction, is the innovative and vertically integrated in-house Construction Division. We construct new buildings and remodel existing facilities to deliver luxury health and fitness destinations across the continental United States and in various parts of Canada. Projects are mainly large scale and complex, varying in size, scope, and value including, health and fitness clubs, co-working spaces, multi-family housing, and mixed-use developments. Combine your passion for construction management and healthy living under one roof while building the career of a Life Time.
Position Summary
Life Time is a chain of upscale athletic country clubs that also offers premium coworking spaces.
LT Millwork is the in-house millwork production facility located in Chaska, MN, and we are responsible for the design and production of all millwork for new clubs and remodel projects for the Life Time corporation.
As a Millwork AutoCAD Drafter, you will support the Millwork team to ensure that the goals of quality, schedule, and cost are met.
Job Duties/Responsibilities
- Read, interpret, and understand architectural drawings and specification documents.
- Quickly and accurately complete shop drawings in AutoCad with minimum supervision and guidance.
- Have a general understanding of estimating and production as they relate to shop drawings, material yield, and labor.
- Produce well-written and effective email communication.
- AutoCad Drafter will identify possible problems with designs and construction and communicate with necessary departments.
- Be familiar with cabinet construction and drawing requirements to adhere to the internal standards of LT Millwork.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Must maintain a positive attitude even in difficult circumstances.
- Must be a self-starter with excellent problem solving skills.
- Communicating with Management, Supervisors, peers, using proper chain of command.
- Willingness to contribute above daily tasks to help company to meet tight deadlines.
- Must produce top quality work.
- Must interact appropriately with internal and external employees.
- Ability to analyze problems and develop solutions.
- Willingness to collaborate with other team members to identify problems and solutions.
Education:
An Associate’s degree in Architectural Drafting or equivalent experience is necessary.
Years of Experience:
1+ Years experience required in AutoCAD. You must be fluent with this software.
Licenses / Certifications / Registrations:
n/a
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience in millwork or a related field.
- Knowledge of MS Office, specifically excel and outlook.
- Excellent communication and organizational skills.
Pay
This is an hourly position with wages starting at $23.50 and pays up to $31.75, based on experience and qualifications.
Benefits
All team members receive the following benefits while working for Life Time:
- A fully subsidized membership.
- Discounts on Life Time products and services.
- 401(k) retirement savings plan with company discretionary match (21 years of age and older).
- Training and professional development.
- Paid sick leave where required by law.
Full-time Team Members are eligible for additional benefits, including:
- Medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
- Short term and long term disability insurance.
- Life insurance.
- Pre-tax flexible spending and dependent care plans.
- Parental leave and adoption assistance.
- Paid time off, including 5 to 20 vacation days per calendar year (based on tenure) and paid sick leave.
- Deferred compensation plan, if the team member meets the required income threshold.
Life Time is a place for everyone. As an organization, we are committed to an inclusive, diverse and equitable workplace that respects and celebrates the unique contributions of each individual while ensuring we remain an equal opportunity employer that recruits, hires, trains and promotes based on merit and qualifications.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Electrical Drafter
Confirm your degree qualifies for STEM OPT
Electrical drafting roles typically fall under STEM-designated SOC codes, but your OPT authorization is tied to your degree, not the job title. Verify your program's CIP code is on the STEM OPT eligible list before applying.
Target firms with active government or infrastructure contracts
Engineering and utilities firms working on federal infrastructure projects frequently hire drafters and carry stronger visa sponsorship pipelines. These employers are accustomed to I-983 training plans and STEM OPT reporting requirements from prior hires.
Lead with your CAD and software proficiency
AutoCAD, AutoCAD Electrical, and Revit MEP are the tools most hiring managers screen for first. Listing specific software versions and project types you've worked on makes your resume concrete and immediately relevant to technical reviewers.
Address your OPT timeline early in outreach
Hiring managers unfamiliar with OPT sometimes assume it means immediate visa petition costs. Clarifying upfront that OPT is employer-paid work authorization with no sponsorship fees for the initial period removes a common objection before it stalls your application.
Build a digital portfolio of drafting samples
Electrical schematics, panel layouts, and one-line diagrams you've produced, even from coursework or internships, demonstrate competency more directly than credentials alone. A concise portfolio PDF shared with applications significantly strengthens your candidacy.
Apply to mid-sized engineering consultancies, not just large firms
Mid-sized electrical engineering consultancies often have more drafting openings per headcount and less bureaucratic hiring processes than large corporations. Many have sponsored OPT students before and are comfortable with the I-983 training plan requirement.
Electrical Drafter OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Electrical Drafter roles qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Many Electrical Drafter positions do qualify, but eligibility depends on your degree, not the job title. If your degree is in electrical engineering, engineering technology, or another STEM-designated field, and the role relates to that field of study, you can apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Your DSO and the employer's I-983 training plan are required to complete the process.
What do employers need to know about hiring an Electrical Drafter on OPT?
For standard OPT, employers need your EAD card and do not file any petition or pay USCIS fees. For STEM OPT, the employer must be E-Verify enrolled and sign an I-983 training plan outlining your role, learning goals, and supervision. Most engineering firms that have hired international students before are already familiar with this process and find it straightforward.
How do I find Electrical Drafter jobs that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and surfaces Electrical Drafter roles at employers with a history of sponsoring international workers. Rather than filtering through general job boards where OPT status can be a hidden disqualifier, Migrate Mate focuses on employers who are actively open to candidates with work authorization requirements.
Can I work as an Electrical Drafter on OPT if my degree is in engineering technology rather than electrical engineering?
Yes, engineering technology degrees are generally STEM-designated and can support OPT authorization for Electrical Drafter roles, provided the work is sufficiently related to your field of study. Your DSO will confirm the connection between your specific program and the position. The key factor is that the drafting work must directly apply knowledge from your degree, which it typically does in this role.
What happens to my OPT if my Electrical Drafter employer goes through layoffs or a restructuring?
If you lose your job while on OPT, you have a 90-day aggregate unemployment allowance during your standard OPT period. On STEM OPT, that limit is also 90 days total across your extension. You need to begin job searching immediately and report the change to your DSO. Finding a new qualifying Electrical Drafter role within that window keeps your status intact.