STEM OPT CAD Engineer Jobs
CAD Engineer roles in manufacturing, aerospace, and civil infrastructure are strong fits for STEM OPT students with degrees in mechanical engineering, civil engineering, or related fields. Your 24-month STEM OPT extension applies here, and every employer must be enrolled in E-Verify to hire you legally on this authorization.
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Ready to take your career to become an industry leader? Join Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc. (CEC), in our Naperville, IL office and step into a high-impact role where you're not just managing projects—you're shaping the future of our practice.
As a Survey CAD Technician for Civil & Environmental Consultants Inc. (CEC), you'll work with project managers to produce civil site, water resources, stream restoration, and solid waste construction documents using AutoCAD Civil 3D to include site plans, grading & drainage plans, utility plans, erosion control plans, storm and sewer profiles. You'll also assist in the design of stream restoration designs to include plan, profile, and channel cross-sections, calculate quantities, and develop stormwater pollution prevention plans. You'll calculate quantities to be used in construction estimates, determine earthwork volumes (cuts and fills) based on existing and proposed topography, identify appropriate construction control systems on plans (i.e., baselines, stationing, control points, etc.) and prepare the same. You'll provide value-oriented design suggestions, review drawings and documents to assure compliance with company design and production standards. Potential sign-on and relocation bonus, if applicable.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Associates or Bachelor's Degree in Computer Aided Drafting
- 4+ years of Civil 3D experience
- Civil 3D experience
- Must be detail oriented
- Excellent communication and organizational skills
About us:
We have experts! CEC is consistently ranked as a Top 500 Design Firm and Top 200 Environmental Firm by Engineering News-Record. We are looking for people who enjoy using their education and experience to solve difficult technical problems and work on interesting projects. You can accomplish this while working with a team of professionals who are equally motivated to provide high levels of service to our clients and to teach you along the way.
We have support! We have a variety of Employee Resource Groups, including CEC Community – focused on giving back to the communities in which we work; CEC Ignite – focused on helping professionals early in their careers to develop their pathway; CEC iDEA – focused on inclusion, diversity, equality, and acceptance; and CEC Women – focused on creating internal and external opportunities for women to network and leverage professional experience!
We care about our people! People and Culture are two of the five elements of our strategic plan. When you care about your people, they will want to grow a career with you – that is our goal. CEC offers you a small-firm work environment with large-firm opportunities. Not only will we help you develop professionally, but we will also provide an opportunity to become an owner of the firm and share in its success.
CEC offers a matching 401(k); profit sharing; a performance bonus; company stock; medical, dental, and vision insurance; short and long-term disability; tuition assistance; professional development; and work-life balance.
CEC is an equal opportunity. We do not discriminate in recruiting, hiring or promotion based on race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status), national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other basis or characteristic prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local law.
The posting range for this position is between $47,693 - $87,210 based on experience and location (in addition, CEC offers overtime pay and other great benefits).
THIRD PARTY RECRUITERS
If CEC has not expressly requested recruiting services or contractually engaged with you for recruiting services on a specific position, any resumes or candidate profiles sent to CEC shall be considered unsolicited. Therefore, any such submissions will be considered property of CEC, with no associated fees due to your firm.
Overview:
Ready to take your career to become an industry leader? Join Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc. (CEC), in our Naperville, IL office and step into a high-impact role where you're not just managing projects—you're shaping the future of our practice.
As a Survey CAD Technician for Civil & Environmental Consultants Inc. (CEC), you'll work with project managers to produce civil site, water resources, stream restoration, and solid waste construction documents using AutoCAD Civil 3D to include site plans, grading & drainage plans, utility plans, erosion control plans, storm and sewer profiles. You'll also assist in the design of stream restoration designs to include plan, profile, and channel cross-sections, calculate quantities, and develop stormwater pollution prevention plans. You'll calculate quantities to be used in construction estimates, determine earthwork volumes (cuts and fills) based on existing and proposed topography, identify appropriate construction control systems on plans (i.e., baselines, stationing, control points, etc.) and prepare the same. You'll provide value-oriented design suggestions, review drawings and documents to assure compliance with company design and production standards. Potential sign-on and relocation bonus, if applicable.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Associates or Bachelor's Degree in Computer Aided Drafting
- 4+ years of Civil 3D experience
- Civil 3D experience
- Must be detail oriented
- Excellent communication and organizational skills
About us:
We have experts! CEC is consistently ranked as a Top 500 Design Firm and Top 200 Environmental Firm by Engineering News-Record. We are looking for people who enjoy using their education and experience to solve difficult technical problems and work on interesting projects. You can accomplish this while working with a team of professionals who are equally motivated to provide high levels of service to our clients and to teach you along the way.
We have support! We have a variety of Employee Resource Groups, including CEC Community – focused on giving back to the communities in which we work; CEC Ignite – focused on helping professionals early in their careers to develop their pathway; CEC iDEA – focused on inclusion, diversity, equality, and acceptance; and CEC Women – focused on creating internal and external opportunities for women to network and leverage professional experience!
We care about our people! People and Culture are two of the five elements of our strategic plan. When you care about your people, they will want to grow a career with you – that is our goal. CEC offers you a small-firm work environment with large-firm opportunities. Not only will we help you develop professionally, but we will also provide an opportunity to become an owner of the firm and share in its success.
CEC offers a matching 401(k); profit sharing; a performance bonus; company stock; medical, dental, and vision insurance; short and long-term disability; tuition assistance; professional development; and work-life balance.
CEC is an equal opportunity. We do not discriminate in recruiting, hiring or promotion based on race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status), national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other basis or characteristic prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local law.
The posting range for this position is between $47,693 - $87,210 based on experience and location (in addition, CEC offers overtime pay and other great benefits).
THIRD PARTY RECRUITERS
If CEC has not expressly requested recruiting services or contractually engaged with you for recruiting services on a specific position, any resumes or candidate profiles sent to CEC shall be considered unsolicited. Therefore, any such submissions will be considered property of CEC, with no associated fees due to your firm.
See all 63+ STEM OPT CAD Engineer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a CAD Engineer
Verify your CIP code before applying
Your STEM OPT eligibility depends on your degree's CIP code appearing on the Department of Homeland Security STEM Designated Degree Program list. Mechanical, civil, and industrial engineering codes qualify, but confirm with your DSO before targeting roles.
Filter job postings by E-Verify enrollment
Only E-Verify-enrolled employers can legally hire you on STEM OPT. Check a company's enrollment status directly through the E-Verify employer search before investing time in an application or interview process.
Align your I-983 training plan with core CAD duties
Your I-983 must list specific learning objectives tied to your CAD work, such as proficiency in SolidWorks or AutoCAD and exposure to GD&T standards. Vague plans get rejected, so draft measurable goals with your manager before your DSO submits it.
Research prevailing wage before negotiating your offer
Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the prevailing wage for your CAD Engineer role by SOC code and location. Employers filing an LCA for future H-1B visa sponsorship must pay at least the Level I wage, so knowing that floor strengthens your negotiation.
Target industries with high CAD demand and sponsorship history
Aerospace, automotive, and civil infrastructure firms routinely sponsor STEM OPT students in CAD roles and have existing E-Verify infrastructure. Use Migrate Mate to filter CAD Engineer openings by employers with active STEM OPT and H-1B filing history.
Confirm cap-gap coverage timing with your employer
If your employer files an H-1B petition before your OPT EAD expires and you're selected in the lottery, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30. Notify HR immediately after lottery selection so they don't pause your employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a mechanical or civil engineering degree qualify me for STEM OPT as a CAD Engineer?
Yes, if your degree's CIP code appears on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program list. Mechanical engineering (CIP 14.19), civil engineering (CIP 14.08), and industrial engineering (CIP 14.35) all qualify. Your DSO verifies the match between your specific degree and the list before recommending the extension on your I-20. Check the O*NET profile for CAD Engineer to confirm the role aligns with your field of study.
What does my employer need to do before I can start working on STEM OPT?
Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and sign your I-983 Training Plan for STEM OPT Students before your STEM OPT extension begins. The I-983 outlines your learning objectives, supervision structure, and how the role relates to your STEM degree. USCIS requires both conditions to be met, and your DSO will not recommend the extension without a completed, employer-signed I-983.
How do I find CAD Engineer jobs where the employer is already enrolled in E-Verify?
Search on Migrate Mate, which filters CAD Engineer openings by employers with verified E-Verify enrollment and STEM OPT hiring history. You can also check employer enrollment status directly through the E-Verify employer search tool before applying. Prioritizing enrolled employers upfront saves time and avoids situations where an offer falls through because the company can't legally hire you on STEM OPT.
What goes into the I-983 training plan for a CAD Engineer role?
The I-983 must document specific, measurable learning goals tied directly to your CAD work and your STEM degree field. For a CAD Engineer, this typically includes proficiency milestones in software platforms like SolidWorks or AutoCAD, exposure to design standards such as GD&T, and participation in project cycles from concept through manufacturing. Generic descriptions of duties don't satisfy USCIS requirements, and your DSO may return the form for revision if goals aren't concrete.
What happens to my STEM OPT if my employer files an H-1B petition on my behalf?
If your employer submits a timely H-1B petition before your OPT EAD expires and you're selected in the lottery, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that year, even if your EAD has already expired. You can continue working in your CAD Engineer role during cap-gap without interruption. Notify your HR and DSO immediately after lottery selection so your employment record stays accurate and continuous.