OPT Structural Drafter Jobs
Structural Drafter jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in civil engineering, architecture, or engineering technology. Most roles use AutoCAD or Revit daily, so your technical coursework translates directly. STEM OPT extension eligibility gives you up to three years of authorized work experience in this field.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
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.
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.
See all 37+ OPT Structural Drafter Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Structural Drafter Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Structural Drafter
Lead with your CAD and BIM software proficiency
Structural Drafter roles are highly technical. List every software you know, including AutoCAD, Revit, and MicroStation. Employers hiring for these roles often screen by tool, so specificity on your resume increases your chances of passing the initial filter.
Target firms that regularly hire for technical drafting roles
Structural engineering firms, MEP consultancies, and large construction companies tend to have established processes for work authorization. These employers hire drafters repeatedly and are more comfortable navigating OPT paperwork than smaller one-off operations.
Confirm your degree qualifies for STEM OPT before applying
Civil engineering, architectural engineering, and engineering technology degrees typically qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Verify your program CIP code with your DSO early so you can confidently tell employers you have up to three years of OPT authorization.
Apply before your OPT start date to avoid timeline gaps
Many employers need several weeks to process onboarding and verify employment authorization. Applying two to three months before your OPT begins gives hiring managers enough runway to complete the process without your start date creating a logistical problem for them.
Highlight project experience that matches the employer's sector
Structural drafters work across commercial, residential, industrial, and infrastructure projects. Tailor your resume to reflect the employer's sector. A firm specializing in bridge design responds differently to a resume showing highway project experience versus residential construction work.
Address OPT authorization directly and early in outreach
When reaching out to hiring managers or recruiters, briefly state your OPT status and authorized period upfront. Removing ambiguity early prevents employers from self-selecting out before they evaluate your actual qualifications for the Structural Drafter role.
Structural Drafter OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students legally work as Structural Drafters in the United States?
Yes. Structural Drafter work is directly related to civil engineering, architectural engineering, and engineering technology degrees, which are the fields OPT is designed to authorize. Your employment must be in a role that relates to your degree field, and drafting within a structural engineering context satisfies that requirement under standard OPT guidelines.
Does a Structural Drafter role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. If your bachelor's or master's degree is in civil engineering, architectural engineering, or a related STEM field with a qualifying CIP code, you can apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your CIP code with your Designated School Official before committing to an employer timeline.
How do I find Structural Drafter employers that are open to sponsoring OPT?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters job listings by visa sponsorship willingness. Structural drafting roles posted there are from employers already open to hiring international students. This saves you from applying broadly and discovering late in the process that a company won't work with OPT authorization.
What should I do if an employer says they don't sponsor visas when I mention OPT?
Clarify that OPT does not require the employer to sponsor a visa. You already have work authorization through your F-1 status. The employer's only obligation is to verify your Employment Authorization Document and report your employment to your DSO within the E-Verify system if they are an E-Verify participant. Many employer objections dissolve once this distinction is explained.
Does a Structural Drafter job need to be full-time to count toward OPT authorization?
Standard OPT requires at least 20 hours of work per week to maintain valid F-1 status. Most Structural Drafter positions are full-time, which satisfies this requirement comfortably. Part-time roles do count if they meet the 20-hour minimum, but extended periods of unemployment or underemployment can jeopardize your OPT status and future visa eligibility.