STEM OPT Civil Drafter Jobs
Civil Drafter roles in infrastructure, utilities, and land development are strong fits for F-1 students with STEM degrees in civil engineering technology, drafting, or a related field. Your 24-month STEM OPT extension applies here, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization, provided your employer is enrolled in E-Verify.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Title: Drafter I - VA
Location: Richmond, VA (onsite - Hybrid)
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Alpha 3 is seeking a Drafter I to provide support for designers and engineers on electrical substation, utility and infrastructure projects. The ideal candidate is a recent Associates or BS graduate with a degree in Engineering Science with a keen interest in design work in the utility infrastructure space.
This is a full-time position with a hybrid work schedule. Three days per week (typically Tuesday-Thursday) are expected to be in the office and two days per week from home. This position is located in Richmond, VA.
Responsibilities
- Utilize CAD tools to help in the development of substation projects
- Assignments may include assisting in creation of one-lines, schematics, electrical layouts, site plans, structures, wiring diagrams, bill of materials, etc.
- Work with a cross-disciplinary team
- Collaborate with vendors and construction teams, providing clarification on your drawings and helping guide any necessary design modifications
- Support onsite walkdowns with design team at various stages of project
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Working knowledge and experience using CAD tools; experience with MicroStation (highly desired)
- AS/BS in Engineering related field or relevant experience
- Knowledge of drafting practices and procedures
- Ability to work on a team and on multiple projects
- Ability to visualize and design work in 2D and 3D
- Ability to understand and incorporate comments and feedback
- Personal time management skills and ability to adhere to deadlines
- Attention to detail and pride in work product quality
- Utility project experience a plus
- Associates degree in drafting/design OR bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field with Drafting certificate OR a bachelor’s degree in engineering technology or non-ABET accredited engineering degree related to our work
- Willingness to learn and grow within this industry
Salary will be determined based on the qualifications and experience of the applicant.
Available benefits include:
- Health/Dental/Vision (75% of premiums company-paid)
- 401(k) (5% company match)
- 10 Paid Holidays
- 20 Paid-time-off days
Alpha 3 is focused on delivering management and technical services to companies that own, operate, or develop infrastructure assets, particularly in the energy industry. We deliver services including: Business Administration, Business Consulting, Commissioning Support, Construction Management, Engineering & Design, Operations Management, Project Controls, Project Management, and Training.
Alpha 3 is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Job Title: Drafter I - VA
Location: Richmond, VA (onsite - Hybrid)
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Alpha 3 is seeking a Drafter I to provide support for designers and engineers on electrical substation, utility and infrastructure projects. The ideal candidate is a recent Associates or BS graduate with a degree in Engineering Science with a keen interest in design work in the utility infrastructure space.
This is a full-time position with a hybrid work schedule. Three days per week (typically Tuesday-Thursday) are expected to be in the office and two days per week from home. This position is located in Richmond, VA.
Responsibilities
- Utilize CAD tools to help in the development of substation projects
- Assignments may include assisting in creation of one-lines, schematics, electrical layouts, site plans, structures, wiring diagrams, bill of materials, etc.
- Work with a cross-disciplinary team
- Collaborate with vendors and construction teams, providing clarification on your drawings and helping guide any necessary design modifications
- Support onsite walkdowns with design team at various stages of project
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Working knowledge and experience using CAD tools; experience with MicroStation (highly desired)
- AS/BS in Engineering related field or relevant experience
- Knowledge of drafting practices and procedures
- Ability to work on a team and on multiple projects
- Ability to visualize and design work in 2D and 3D
- Ability to understand and incorporate comments and feedback
- Personal time management skills and ability to adhere to deadlines
- Attention to detail and pride in work product quality
- Utility project experience a plus
- Associates degree in drafting/design OR bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field with Drafting certificate OR a bachelor’s degree in engineering technology or non-ABET accredited engineering degree related to our work
- Willingness to learn and grow within this industry
Salary will be determined based on the qualifications and experience of the applicant.
Available benefits include:
- Health/Dental/Vision (75% of premiums company-paid)
- 401(k) (5% company match)
- 10 Paid Holidays
- 20 Paid-time-off days
Alpha 3 is focused on delivering management and technical services to companies that own, operate, or develop infrastructure assets, particularly in the energy industry. We deliver services including: Business Administration, Business Consulting, Commissioning Support, Construction Management, Engineering & Design, Operations Management, Project Controls, Project Management, and Training.
Alpha 3 is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
See all STEM OPT Civil Drafter Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Civil Drafter Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization in Civil Drafter
Verify your CIP code matches STEM eligibility
Cross-check your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code against the DHS STEM OPT designated degree program list before applying. Civil Engineering Technology and Drafting programs qualify, but similar-sounding programs sometimes fall outside the approved list.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Ask hiring managers directly whether the company is enrolled in E-Verify before signing anything. A firm that uses subcontractors or operates across multiple legal entities may be enrolled at the parent level but not at the specific office hiring you.
Target civil engineering firms with active DOL LCA filings
Use Migrate Mate to filter employers by verified E-Verify enrollment and LCA filing history for drafting and engineering roles. Firms that have filed LCAs for STEM workers are already familiar with OPT training plan requirements.
Build your I-983 training plan around AutoCAD competencies
Your training plan must tie learning objectives to specific technical skills your DSO and employer will both sign off on. Map each goal to measurable outcomes like AutoCAD Civil 3D proficiency, site plan production, or utility coordination, rather than vague project involvement.
Research prevailing wage tiers for drafting occupations
Look up the wage level for your SOC code using the OFLC Wage Search before evaluating any offer. Civil Drafter roles under SOC 17-3012 have published wage floors by metro area, and understanding your tier strengthens your negotiating position.
Time your extension application to protect your cap-gap window
File your STEM OPT extension with USCIS at least 90 days before your initial OPT EAD expires. Filing on time automatically triggers the 180-day cap-gap that keeps you authorized to work while USCIS processes the extension.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Civil Drafter role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as civil engineering technology, architectural engineering, or a related drafting or design discipline listed on the DHS STEM designated degree program list. The role itself doesn't need to be classified as an engineering position. What matters is that your degree's CIP code appears on the approved list and the work is directly related to that field of study.
What does the E-Verify requirement mean for Civil Drafter job searches?
Your employer must be actively enrolled in E-Verify to hire you on STEM OPT, not just registered. Civil engineering firms and staffing agencies that place drafters on project sites may have multiple legal entities, so confirm E-Verify enrollment at the specific hiring entity, not just the parent company. Migrate Mate filters employers by verified E-Verify enrollment, which saves you from discovering the gap after an offer is made.
What goes into the I-983 training plan for a Civil Drafter position?
The I-983 must describe concrete learning goals tied to your STEM degree, not just your daily job tasks. For a Civil Drafter role, strong training objectives include developing proficiency in CAD software like Civil 3D, learning to read and produce construction documents to industry standards, and gaining exposure to site grading or utility design workflows. Both you and your employer supervisor sign the plan, and your DSO reviews it before endorsing your STEM OPT application.
How does cap-gap protection work if my OPT expires before my extension is approved?
If you file a timely STEM OPT extension before your current EAD expires, federal regulations automatically extend your work authorization for up to 180 days while USCIS adjudicates the application. You can continue working as a Civil Drafter during that window without interruption. Your employer is not required to take any additional action, but USCIS confirms this through your updated I-20, which your DSO issues after approving the extension request.
How do I find Civil Drafter employers who are already comfortable hiring STEM OPT students?
Focus on civil engineering firms, municipal engineering consultancies, and infrastructure contractors that have a documented history of sponsoring work-authorized employees. Reviewing DOL Labor Condition Application filings for drafting and engineering occupations shows which employers have navigated the paperwork before. Migrate Mate surfaces employers with active LCA filing history and confirmed E-Verify enrollment, so you can direct your applications toward firms already set up to hire STEM OPT students.