STEM OPT CAD Technician Jobs
CAD Technician roles in engineering, architecture, and manufacturing are a strong fit for F-1 students with STEM degrees in mechanical engineering, civil engineering, or a related field. Your 24-month STEM OPT extension applies here, and your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify to hire you under this authorization.
Find STEM OPT CAD Technician JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 105+ CAD Technician jobs
See all 105+ CAD Technician Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new CAD Technician roles.
Get Access To All JobsA prominent manufacturing firm is seeking a CAD Drafter to join their expanding organization. With plans to increase annual revenue from $30M to $40M and grow the staff by 20%, the company is also investing heavily in new machinery, sustainable energy initiatives, and an updated ERP platform. This role offers a unique chance to develop your career within a stable environment while gaining valuable mentorship from a seasoned engineering group.
Your Core Responsibilities
In this capacity, you will assist the engineering department by adapting current 3D models and technical drawings for specialized industrial lifting machinery. Your focus will be on tailoring established designs to fit specific client needs, which involves adjusting dimensions, incorporating necessary accessories, and finalizing production-ready documentation.
Key Duties:
- Adjust current 3D models and assemblies to align with specific client requirements
- Develop and revise precise engineering blueprints for the production floor
- Produce and manage comprehensive Bills of Materials (BOMs)
- Ensure the production team receives accurate and complete drawing packages
- Partner with manufacturing and engineering staff to guarantee documentation precision and clarity
- Advance your technical expertise by mastering internal product lines, engineering protocols, and ERP systems through increasingly challenging assignments
Essential Qualifications:
- Up to five years of professional experience in drafting, engineering, or CAD-related roles
- Proficiency in developing and editing 3D models and assemblies using platforms like SolidWorks, Inventor, or Siemens NX
- Fundamental knowledge of mechanical assembly, blueprint interpretation, and technical documentation
- Strong technical aptitude with a readiness to master new software tools and ERP platforms
- A mechanically minded approach paired with a strong desire to expand your knowledge base
Preferred Background:
- An Associate degree focused on Mechanical Design, CAD Technology, or Drafting
- Practical experience in generating manufacturing documentation or Bills of Materials
Why You Should Apply:
- Become part of an organization committed to investing in its infrastructure, technology, and workforce
- Collaborate with a veteran engineering team dedicated to providing mentorship to developing professionals
- Experience a supportive, family-oriented environment featuring long-term staff and accessible management
- Benefit from clear paths for technical skill development and career advancement
- Take advantage of tuition reimbursement programs
- Access comprehensive medical, dental, and vision health plans
- Utilize specialized prescription drug coverage
- Contribute to a stable business model that prioritizes high-quality, custom-engineered solutions
Workplace Details:
Location: St. Charles, IL
Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Compensation: $25–$28 per hour, with potential for up to $30 per hour depending on your background.
Required Proficiencies:
- Computer-Aided Design software
- Experience in product design
- CAD/CAM software familiarity
- Ability to interpret blueprints
Technologies and Systems:
- CAD software including Solidworks, AutoCAD, Siemens NX, Pro-E / Creo, NX CAD, and Autodesk Inventor
A prominent manufacturing firm is seeking a CAD Drafter to join their expanding organization. With plans to increase annual revenue from $30M to $40M and grow the staff by 20%, the company is also investing heavily in new machinery, sustainable energy initiatives, and an updated ERP platform. This role offers a unique chance to develop your career within a stable environment while gaining valuable mentorship from a seasoned engineering group.
Your Core Responsibilities
In this capacity, you will assist the engineering department by adapting current 3D models and technical drawings for specialized industrial lifting machinery. Your focus will be on tailoring established designs to fit specific client needs, which involves adjusting dimensions, incorporating necessary accessories, and finalizing production-ready documentation.
Key Duties:
- Adjust current 3D models and assemblies to align with specific client requirements
- Develop and revise precise engineering blueprints for the production floor
- Produce and manage comprehensive Bills of Materials (BOMs)
- Ensure the production team receives accurate and complete drawing packages
- Partner with manufacturing and engineering staff to guarantee documentation precision and clarity
- Advance your technical expertise by mastering internal product lines, engineering protocols, and ERP systems through increasingly challenging assignments
Essential Qualifications:
- Up to five years of professional experience in drafting, engineering, or CAD-related roles
- Proficiency in developing and editing 3D models and assemblies using platforms like SolidWorks, Inventor, or Siemens NX
- Fundamental knowledge of mechanical assembly, blueprint interpretation, and technical documentation
- Strong technical aptitude with a readiness to master new software tools and ERP platforms
- A mechanically minded approach paired with a strong desire to expand your knowledge base
Preferred Background:
- An Associate degree focused on Mechanical Design, CAD Technology, or Drafting
- Practical experience in generating manufacturing documentation or Bills of Materials
Why You Should Apply:
- Become part of an organization committed to investing in its infrastructure, technology, and workforce
- Collaborate with a veteran engineering team dedicated to providing mentorship to developing professionals
- Experience a supportive, family-oriented environment featuring long-term staff and accessible management
- Benefit from clear paths for technical skill development and career advancement
- Take advantage of tuition reimbursement programs
- Access comprehensive medical, dental, and vision health plans
- Utilize specialized prescription drug coverage
- Contribute to a stable business model that prioritizes high-quality, custom-engineered solutions
Workplace Details:
Location: St. Charles, IL
Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Compensation: $25–$28 per hour, with potential for up to $30 per hour depending on your background.
Required Proficiencies:
- Computer-Aided Design software
- Experience in product design
- CAD/CAM software familiarity
- Ability to interpret blueprints
Technologies and Systems:
- CAD software including Solidworks, AutoCAD, Siemens NX, Pro-E / Creo, NX CAD, and Autodesk Inventor
See all 105+ STEM OPT CAD Technician Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT CAD Technician Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a CAD Technician
Verify your CIP code qualifies first
Not every engineering-adjacent degree automatically qualifies for STEM OPT extension. Cross-reference your degree's CIP code against the official STEM Designated Degree Program List that USCIS maintains to confirm eligibility before targeting employers.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before applying
CAD roles frequently appear at small engineering consultancies and architectural firms that aren't enrolled in E-Verify. Check the E-Verify employer search tool directly before investing time in applications at any firm you aren't certain is enrolled.
Align your portfolio to STEM OPT training goals
Your I-983 training plan must show a direct connection between your CAD work and your STEM degree. Build your portfolio around project types, like structural analysis or mechanical design, that map clearly to coursework in your degree program.
Target industries with consistent OPT hiring patterns
Use Migrate Mate to filter CAD Technician openings by employers with E-Verify enrollment and active OPT hiring history, so you're spending time on roles at firms that have already demonstrated they can support your authorization.
Ask about cap-gap coverage during offer negotiation
If your initial OPT expires while your H-1B visa petition is pending, cap-gap rules extend your work authorization automatically. Confirm your prospective employer understands this timeline before your start date so there's no gap in your employment record.
Use OFLC Wage Search to benchmark offers before signing
CAD Technician prevailing wages vary significantly by state, metro area, and experience level. Run the OFLC Wage Search for SOC code 17-3013 in your target location to verify any offer meets the DOL wage floor for your role.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my STEM degree qualify me for the 24-month STEM OPT extension as a CAD Technician?
It depends on your specific degree, not your job title. Your degree's CIP code must appear on the STEM Designated Degree Program List published by USCIS. Degrees in mechanical engineering, civil engineering, computer-aided design technology, or related engineering disciplines typically qualify, but you should verify your exact CIP code with your DSO before applying for the extension.
Does every employer hiring CAD Technicians need to be enrolled in E-Verify?
Yes. E-Verify enrollment is a firm requirement for any employer who wants to hire you under STEM OPT. Many smaller engineering firms, architectural practices, and drafting studios are not enrolled. You can check enrollment status using the E-Verify employer search before applying. Migrate Mate surfaces CAD Technician roles filtered for E-Verify-enrolled employers so you don't have to screen manually.
What goes into the I-983 training plan for a CAD Technician role?
The I-983 must describe specific learning objectives tied to your STEM degree, the practical skills you'll develop through the CAD work, how your employer will supervise and evaluate your progress, and the compensation structure. For CAD Technicians, strong training plans typically connect your drafting and modeling work to coursework in engineering design, materials science, or technical drawing. Both you and your employer sign the form, and your DSO certifies it.
What happens to my STEM OPT authorization if my employer stops being E-Verify enrolled?
Your authorization is tied to working for an E-Verify-enrolled employer. If your employer loses enrollment or withdraws from E-Verify, you can no longer work for them under STEM OPT. You'd need to find a new E-Verify-enrolled employer and update your I-983 through your DSO. USCIS requires you to report material changes to your training plan within five business days.
Can I work as a CAD Technician at a firm that primarily does contract or project-based work?
Yes, but the employer of record on your I-983 training plan must be the entity that employs you directly, not a staffing agency placing you at client sites. If you're hired through a staffing or contracting firm, that firm must be enrolled in E-Verify and must serve as your actual employer for STEM OPT purposes. Working as an independent contractor or 1099 worker does not satisfy STEM OPT employment requirements.