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.
Find STEM OPT CAD Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 176+ CAD Engineer jobs
See all 176+ CAD Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new CAD Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsDo you love building elegant solutions to highly complex challenges? As part of our Silicon Technologies group, you’ll help design and manufacture our next-generation, high-performance, power-efficient processor, system-on-chip (SoC). You’ll ensure Apple products and services can seamlessly and efficiently handle the tasks that make them beloved by millions. Joining this group means you’ll be responsible for crafting and building the technology that fuels Apple’s devices. Together, you and your team will enable our customers to do all the things they love with their devices!
Description
As a Front-End (FE) RTL Infrastructure - CAD Engineer, you will play a major role in developing and supporting a reliable infrastructure and work environments that design and verification teams use for modifying, analyzing, and verifying RTL.
In this role, you will support RTL gatekeeping infrastructure of design and verification collateral as well as soft IP development and release methodologies. Additionally, you will contribute to Perforce administration, ensuring the integrity and performance of our version control ecosystem. You will have the opportunity to maintain a centralized configuration management system that enables different design views to be loaded into any Front-End flow.
An important key aspect of this position is driving innovation through building generative AI solutions across all of these systems and identifying opportunities where AI can accelerate engineering productivity and improve infrastructure reliability. Your role will also involve managing internal training materials, keeping them up to date and coordinating vendor trainings so that our Designer/DV engineers are well equipped to do their best job at Apple.
The FE RTL Infrastructure - CAD Engineer plays a key role in promoting and driving robust, scalable infrastructure solutions across RTL Design and DV teams within Apple’s HWTech organization.
In short, this position focuses on fostering our North Star and making sure that our vision statement extends across the different design groups:
To create, monitor, and maintain high quality infrastructure and flows that enable Apple Silicon to produce chips that enable Apple's best products. You will be working with an energized and highly motivated CAD team that comprehensively supports Apple’s chip design efforts.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Minimum of BS degree + 3 years of relevant experience
- Expertise in programming in Python or Perl
- Knowledge in Verilog and SystemVerilog
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with Front-End EDA tools such as Clock Domain Crossing, Reset Domain Crossing or Lint
- Understanding of Front-End RTL Build or Construction flows
- Excellent communication, debug and root causing skills
- Customer-oriented mindset and support experience
- Experience in contributing to large-scale software system development from specification to deployment
- MSEE/CE/CS preferred
PAY & BENEFITS
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $147,400 and $272,100, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
Do you love building elegant solutions to highly complex challenges? As part of our Silicon Technologies group, you’ll help design and manufacture our next-generation, high-performance, power-efficient processor, system-on-chip (SoC). You’ll ensure Apple products and services can seamlessly and efficiently handle the tasks that make them beloved by millions. Joining this group means you’ll be responsible for crafting and building the technology that fuels Apple’s devices. Together, you and your team will enable our customers to do all the things they love with their devices!
Description
As a Front-End (FE) RTL Infrastructure - CAD Engineer, you will play a major role in developing and supporting a reliable infrastructure and work environments that design and verification teams use for modifying, analyzing, and verifying RTL.
In this role, you will support RTL gatekeeping infrastructure of design and verification collateral as well as soft IP development and release methodologies. Additionally, you will contribute to Perforce administration, ensuring the integrity and performance of our version control ecosystem. You will have the opportunity to maintain a centralized configuration management system that enables different design views to be loaded into any Front-End flow.
An important key aspect of this position is driving innovation through building generative AI solutions across all of these systems and identifying opportunities where AI can accelerate engineering productivity and improve infrastructure reliability. Your role will also involve managing internal training materials, keeping them up to date and coordinating vendor trainings so that our Designer/DV engineers are well equipped to do their best job at Apple.
The FE RTL Infrastructure - CAD Engineer plays a key role in promoting and driving robust, scalable infrastructure solutions across RTL Design and DV teams within Apple’s HWTech organization.
In short, this position focuses on fostering our North Star and making sure that our vision statement extends across the different design groups:
To create, monitor, and maintain high quality infrastructure and flows that enable Apple Silicon to produce chips that enable Apple's best products. You will be working with an energized and highly motivated CAD team that comprehensively supports Apple’s chip design efforts.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Minimum of BS degree + 3 years of relevant experience
- Expertise in programming in Python or Perl
- Knowledge in Verilog and SystemVerilog
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with Front-End EDA tools such as Clock Domain Crossing, Reset Domain Crossing or Lint
- Understanding of Front-End RTL Build or Construction flows
- Excellent communication, debug and root causing skills
- Customer-oriented mindset and support experience
- Experience in contributing to large-scale software system development from specification to deployment
- MSEE/CE/CS preferred
PAY & BENEFITS
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $147,400 and $272,100, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
See all 176+ STEM OPT CAD Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT CAD Engineer Jobs.
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.