STEM OPT CAD Designer Jobs
CAD Designer roles in engineering, manufacturing, and architecture regularly qualify for STEM OPT's 24-month extension, provided your degree falls under an eligible CIP code and your employer is enrolled in E-Verify. A signed I-983 training plan connects your design work directly to your STEM field of study.
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Get Access To All JobsLangan provides expert land development engineering and environmental consulting services for major developers, renewable energy producers, energy companies, corporations, healthcare systems, colleges/universities, and large infrastructure programs throughout the U.S. and around the world. Our employees collaborate seamlessly among 50+ offices and gain valuable hands-on experience that fosters career growth. Langan culture is entrepreneurial from advancing innovative technical solutions, to participating in robust training and knowledge sharing, to making progressive change within the communities we live and work.
Consistently ranked among the top ten “Best Firms to Work For” and Engineering News-Record’s top 50 firms worldwide, Langan attracts and retains the best talent in the industry. Employees thrive at Langan, a firm that fosters an inclusive and supportive work environment for all; prioritizes wellbeing, health, and safety; encourages volunteerism and philanthropy; offers workplace flexibility, along with carbon-neutral office spaces; and empowers individuals to contribute their skills and knowledge to make impactful contributions.
Job Summary
Langan is seeking a CAD Designer to join its collaborative team in Chicago, IL. This individual will serve a key function in providing and producing accurate engineering construction plans in an efficient and timely manner. In this role, you will have the opportunity to work with top industry leadership in a continuous learning environment.
Job Responsibilities
- Draft detailed drawings, topographical profiles, and related maps for planning and construction of various engineering projects;
- Manage workload assigned by CAD Production Manager in a timely and efficient manner;
- Remain current with the Firm’s standards for CAD production and productivity tools to continuously increase efficient use of CAD;
- Check all plotted drawings for errors or omissions prior to submitting to CAD Production Manager;
- Communicate project status to CAD Production Manager in timely fashion; and
- Perform other duties as requested.
Qualifications
- Associate's degree, certification, or equivalent experience in drafting, civil technology, engineering technology, or a similar area of study;
- 2+ years of experience using AutoCAD (Civil 3D a plus) on land development projects;
- Ability to provide an outstanding work product with strong attention to detail;
- Ability to proactively organize, prioritize, and multitask effectively in a fast-paced environment;
- Strong commitment to customer service and responsiveness to the Firm’s needs;
- Self-motivated, adaptable, and dependable; and
- Sound judgment capability.
Langan provides a rich array of programs and benefits to help its employees advance their careers and enhance the quality of their lives. Our comprehensive compensation package includes: full-time employment company paid medical, dental, and vision coverage; life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, and paid pregnancy disability leave; 401(k)/Roth with company match; paid time off including parental and military leave; employee referral and professional license bonuses; and educational reimbursement.
Langan offers employee resource groups; flexible work schedules; extensive training; wellness programs; buddy and mentoring programs; and much more!
Compensation
- Estimated range for this role is: $25 - $35/hour. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as related work experience, location, market conditions, education/training, certifications and other credentials, as well as applicable knowledge and skills. Certain roles may be eligible for overtime and participation in the firm's annual bonus and performance review program. Bonuses are discretionary and based on individual job performance and the profitability of the firm. Employees are also eligible to receive up to 20 days of paid vacation time, 10 days of paid sick time and 10 paid holidays throughout the year. Eligibility and actual paid time off may vary based on local law and factors such as hours worked, related work experience and level.
Langan is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans. We believe that an inclusive workplace is essential for the well-being and success of our employees.
Langan provides expert land development engineering and environmental consulting services for major developers, renewable energy producers, energy companies, corporations, healthcare systems, colleges/universities, and large infrastructure programs throughout the U.S. and around the world. Our employees collaborate seamlessly among 50+ offices and gain valuable hands-on experience that fosters career growth. Langan culture is entrepreneurial from advancing innovative technical solutions, to participating in robust training and knowledge sharing, to making progressive change within the communities we live and work.
Consistently ranked among the top ten “Best Firms to Work For” and Engineering News-Record’s top 50 firms worldwide, Langan attracts and retains the best talent in the industry. Employees thrive at Langan, a firm that fosters an inclusive and supportive work environment for all; prioritizes wellbeing, health, and safety; encourages volunteerism and philanthropy; offers workplace flexibility, along with carbon-neutral office spaces; and empowers individuals to contribute their skills and knowledge to make impactful contributions.
Job Summary
Langan is seeking a CAD Designer to join its collaborative team in Chicago, IL. This individual will serve a key function in providing and producing accurate engineering construction plans in an efficient and timely manner. In this role, you will have the opportunity to work with top industry leadership in a continuous learning environment.
Job Responsibilities
- Draft detailed drawings, topographical profiles, and related maps for planning and construction of various engineering projects;
- Manage workload assigned by CAD Production Manager in a timely and efficient manner;
- Remain current with the Firm’s standards for CAD production and productivity tools to continuously increase efficient use of CAD;
- Check all plotted drawings for errors or omissions prior to submitting to CAD Production Manager;
- Communicate project status to CAD Production Manager in timely fashion; and
- Perform other duties as requested.
Qualifications
- Associate's degree, certification, or equivalent experience in drafting, civil technology, engineering technology, or a similar area of study;
- 2+ years of experience using AutoCAD (Civil 3D a plus) on land development projects;
- Ability to provide an outstanding work product with strong attention to detail;
- Ability to proactively organize, prioritize, and multitask effectively in a fast-paced environment;
- Strong commitment to customer service and responsiveness to the Firm’s needs;
- Self-motivated, adaptable, and dependable; and
- Sound judgment capability.
Langan provides a rich array of programs and benefits to help its employees advance their careers and enhance the quality of their lives. Our comprehensive compensation package includes: full-time employment company paid medical, dental, and vision coverage; life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, and paid pregnancy disability leave; 401(k)/Roth with company match; paid time off including parental and military leave; employee referral and professional license bonuses; and educational reimbursement.
Langan offers employee resource groups; flexible work schedules; extensive training; wellness programs; buddy and mentoring programs; and much more!
Compensation
- Estimated range for this role is: $25 - $35/hour. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as related work experience, location, market conditions, education/training, certifications and other credentials, as well as applicable knowledge and skills. Certain roles may be eligible for overtime and participation in the firm's annual bonus and performance review program. Bonuses are discretionary and based on individual job performance and the profitability of the firm. Employees are also eligible to receive up to 20 days of paid vacation time, 10 days of paid sick time and 10 paid holidays throughout the year. Eligibility and actual paid time off may vary based on local law and factors such as hours worked, related work experience and level.
Langan is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans. We believe that an inclusive workplace is essential for the well-being and success of our employees.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a CAD Designer
Verify your CIP code before applying
Check that your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code appears on the STEM Designated Degree Program List. Mechanical engineering, industrial design, and computer science degrees commonly support CAD Designer roles, but architecture degrees sometimes require closer review.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Ask hiring managers to confirm their E-Verify company ID before you sign anything. Employers must be actively enrolled, not just registered, so request a screenshot of their E-Verify participation status if there's any uncertainty.
Build an I-983 training plan around design deliverables
Your training plan must map specific CAD tasks, such as parametric modeling or tolerance analysis, to learning objectives tied to your STEM degree. Vague plans get rejected by your DSO, so align each objective to a named engineering or design competency.
Target employers with active engineering LCA filings
Search Migrate Mate to filter CAD Designer openings by employers whose DOL Labor Condition Application filing history confirms they've sponsored STEM roles before. Prior LCA filings in engineering occupation codes signal familiarity with OPT and E-Verify obligations.
Use O*NET to justify your role's STEM connection
Pull the O*NET occupation profile for CAD Designer or Mechanical Drafter and reference its listed STEM knowledge domains in your I-983. This documentation strengthens your DSO's approval and preempts any employer skepticism about whether the role qualifies.
Time your OPT start date around project cycles
USCIS allows you to choose your OPT start date within a defined window after graduation. Aligning that date with your employer's onboarding schedule, rather than the earliest possible date, reduces gaps and gives you more of your 36-month authorization during active employment.
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Find CAD Designer JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does a CAD Designer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not just the job title. CAD Designer positions typically qualify when the employer can document that the role requires and applies knowledge from your STEM degree, such as mechanical engineering or computer science. Your I-983 training plan must establish that direct connection. Roles at companies primarily using CAD for non-engineering drafting, such as interior decoration, are harder to justify without a relevant degree match.
What does the I-983 training plan need to include for a CAD Designer?
Your I-983 must identify specific learning objectives tied to your STEM field, not generic job duties. For a CAD Designer, that means naming technical competencies like finite element analysis, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, or parametric modeling, and linking each to your degree's curriculum. Both you and your employer supervisor must sign it, and your DSO must approve it before your STEM OPT extension begins. USCIS can audit these plans, so vague descriptions of 'using software' are insufficient.
How do I confirm my employer is enrolled in E-Verify?
Ask your employer directly for their E-Verify company ID number, which confirms active enrollment rather than just past registration. E-Verify enrollment is mandatory for all STEM OPT employers, and your DSO will verify this before approving your extension. If an employer hesitates to provide the ID, that's a signal to clarify before accepting an offer, since working for a non-enrolled employer violates your STEM OPT terms.
What happens to my STEM OPT authorization if my H-1B is selected in the lottery?
If your employer files an H-1B petition on your behalf and it's selected in the lottery with an October 1 start date, cap-gap protection automatically extends your STEM OPT work authorization through September 30 if your OPT EAD would otherwise expire before then. You can continue working as a CAD Designer during this period without a new EAD. USCIS issues updated I-20 documentation reflecting cap-gap status, which you should carry with your existing EAD.
Where can I find CAD Designer jobs with employers already familiar with STEM OPT?
Migrate Mate lists CAD Designer openings filtered by employers with documented E-Verify enrollment and engineering LCA filing history, so you're not guessing whether a company has sponsored STEM roles before. Targeting employers with prior filings in relevant occupation codes reduces the friction of explaining STEM OPT requirements from scratch and shortens the time between offer and your I-983 approval.
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