Automotive Visa Sponsorship Jobs in California
California leads the U.S. automotive industry's transformation, with Tesla's Fremont gigafactory, Rivian's Irvine operations, and traditional manufacturers like GM and Ford expanding EV research in Los Angeles and Silicon Valley. Major hubs span from San Francisco Bay Area's autonomous vehicle startups to Southern California's design centers, creating visa sponsorship opportunities for international engineers, software developers, and manufacturing specialists.
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Get Access To All JobsABOUT AST
Advanced Structural Technologies (AST) designs and manufactures forged, flow-formed, spun, and machined structural components for the aerospace, defense, and automotive industries. With over 25 years of experience, AST has built a reputation for precision engineering, innovation, and high-quality manufacturing on parts where there is no margin for error.
Headquartered in Oxnard, California, and operating across multiple production facilities, AST employs approximately 200 skilled professionals in multi-shift operations. Our components fly on programs for customers including SpaceX, Blue Origin, Firefly, Impulse Space, and the U.S. Army — mission-critical hardware, built by people who take it personally.
THE OPPORTUNITY
We're looking for a Manufacturing Design Engineer who will spend the majority of their time in SolidWorks — modeling parts and tooling, generating drawings, and turning customer requirements into manufacturable designs. This is a design-focused, entry-level role for someone early in their career who wants to build real CAD and drafting skill on hardware that ships to real customers.
Alongside the design work, you'll get regular, structured time on the machine shop floor — enough to see how your designs actually get made and to design smarter because of it. If you're happiest at the CAD station but want your models grounded in how parts are actually built, this role is built for you.
- Develop 3D models and 2D technical drawings for new products and associated tooling using SolidWorks.
- Review customer drawings, specifications, and requirements to design process flows and tooling layouts that meet quality and performance standards.
- Initiate, issue, and revise engineering drawings, manufacturing specifications, and work instructions.
- Provide CAD and design support to manufacturing, sales, and customers to troubleshoot issues and optimize designs.
- Maintain accurate, organized engineering records, CAD files, and revision histories.
- Spend regular time on the shop floor alongside senior engineers to see how your designs translate into finished parts, and support tooling development and process improvement initiatives.
- Contribute ideas for cost reduction, quality improvement, and cycle-time reduction.
WHAT MAKES YOU A GREAT FIT
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Design Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field — recent grads and upcoming grads welcome to apply.
- Strong SolidWorks skills (or equivalent CAD, e.g. Fusion 360) developed through coursework, internships, or independent projects.
- 0–2 years of professional experience — we weigh substantial hands-on project experience (senior design, robotics or competition teams, research projects, personal builds) the same as an internship.
- A track record of taking ownership: leading a team, managing a project timeline, or seeing a build through from concept to finished product.
- Strong attention to detail and the ability to produce clear, manufacturable drawings and technical documentation.
- Genuine curiosity about how things are manufactured, not just how they're designed — familiarity with hand and shop tools (bandsaw, drill press, mill, etc.) is a plus, but not required.
- Comfortable working independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment where priorities shift daily.
- Clear communicator, equally comfortable talking with engineers, machinists, and customers.
HOW YOU'LL GROW
This role is built as a development track, not a static job description.
- Structured mentorship from senior design and manufacturing engineers.
- Regular, guided exposure to the shop — seeing your own drawings become parts.
- Increasing ownership of projects and customer interfaces as you demonstrate capability.
- A clear path toward a Manufacturing/Design Engineer II role as your skills develop.
WHY JOIN AST?
We believe in fostering a work environment where employees can thrive both personally and professionally. We offer a competitive benefits package, including:
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- 401(k) Savings Plan
- Company-Sponsored Life Insurance
- Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Coverage
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Vacation and Sick Leave
ABOUT AST
Advanced Structural Technologies (AST) designs and manufactures forged, flow-formed, spun, and machined structural components for the aerospace, defense, and automotive industries. With over 25 years of experience, AST has built a reputation for precision engineering, innovation, and high-quality manufacturing on parts where there is no margin for error.
Headquartered in Oxnard, California, and operating across multiple production facilities, AST employs approximately 200 skilled professionals in multi-shift operations. Our components fly on programs for customers including SpaceX, Blue Origin, Firefly, Impulse Space, and the U.S. Army — mission-critical hardware, built by people who take it personally.
THE OPPORTUNITY
We're looking for a Manufacturing Design Engineer who will spend the majority of their time in SolidWorks — modeling parts and tooling, generating drawings, and turning customer requirements into manufacturable designs. This is a design-focused, entry-level role for someone early in their career who wants to build real CAD and drafting skill on hardware that ships to real customers.
Alongside the design work, you'll get regular, structured time on the machine shop floor — enough to see how your designs actually get made and to design smarter because of it. If you're happiest at the CAD station but want your models grounded in how parts are actually built, this role is built for you.
- Develop 3D models and 2D technical drawings for new products and associated tooling using SolidWorks.
- Review customer drawings, specifications, and requirements to design process flows and tooling layouts that meet quality and performance standards.
- Initiate, issue, and revise engineering drawings, manufacturing specifications, and work instructions.
- Provide CAD and design support to manufacturing, sales, and customers to troubleshoot issues and optimize designs.
- Maintain accurate, organized engineering records, CAD files, and revision histories.
- Spend regular time on the shop floor alongside senior engineers to see how your designs translate into finished parts, and support tooling development and process improvement initiatives.
- Contribute ideas for cost reduction, quality improvement, and cycle-time reduction.
WHAT MAKES YOU A GREAT FIT
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Design Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field — recent grads and upcoming grads welcome to apply.
- Strong SolidWorks skills (or equivalent CAD, e.g. Fusion 360) developed through coursework, internships, or independent projects.
- 0–2 years of professional experience — we weigh substantial hands-on project experience (senior design, robotics or competition teams, research projects, personal builds) the same as an internship.
- A track record of taking ownership: leading a team, managing a project timeline, or seeing a build through from concept to finished product.
- Strong attention to detail and the ability to produce clear, manufacturable drawings and technical documentation.
- Genuine curiosity about how things are manufactured, not just how they're designed — familiarity with hand and shop tools (bandsaw, drill press, mill, etc.) is a plus, but not required.
- Comfortable working independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment where priorities shift daily.
- Clear communicator, equally comfortable talking with engineers, machinists, and customers.
HOW YOU'LL GROW
This role is built as a development track, not a static job description.
- Structured mentorship from senior design and manufacturing engineers.
- Regular, guided exposure to the shop — seeing your own drawings become parts.
- Increasing ownership of projects and customer interfaces as you demonstrate capability.
- A clear path toward a Manufacturing/Design Engineer II role as your skills develop.
WHY JOIN AST?
We believe in fostering a work environment where employees can thrive both personally and professionally. We offer a competitive benefits package, including:
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- 401(k) Savings Plan
- Company-Sponsored Life Insurance
- Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Coverage
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Vacation and Sick Leave
Automotive Job Roles in California
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Search Automotive Jobs in CaliforniaAutomotive Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
Which automotive companies sponsor visas in California?
Tesla sponsors the most H-1B visas among California automotive employers, followed by Rivian, Lucid Motors, and Ford's Palo Alto research center. Traditional manufacturers like GM, Honda, and Toyota maintain significant California operations sponsoring engineers and researchers. Autonomous vehicle companies including Waymo, Cruise, and Aurora also frequently sponsor technical roles.
What visa types are most common for automotive jobs in California?
H-1B visas dominate for engineering and software development roles in California's automotive sector. O-1 visas are increasingly common for AI researchers and autonomous vehicle specialists. TN visas serve Canadian and Mexican engineers, while L-1 visas facilitate transfers from international automotive companies establishing California operations.
Which California cities have the most automotive visa sponsorship jobs?
Fremont and Palo Alto lead due to Tesla and major tech companies' automotive divisions. Irvine hosts Rivian and other EV startups. Los Angeles offers design and engineering roles at traditional manufacturers' California centers. Mountain View and San Jose concentrate autonomous vehicle companies, while Torrance houses several automotive headquarters.
How to find automotive visa sponsorship jobs in California?
Browse automotive positions on Migrate Mate, which filters for visa sponsorship opportunities and shows California-specific openings. Focus on EV manufacturers, autonomous vehicle companies, and traditional automakers' California research centers. Target engineering, software, and manufacturing roles where international talent is in high demand.
Are there special considerations for automotive visa sponsorship in California?
California's high prevailing wages benefit H-1B applications, particularly in San Francisco Bay Area automotive roles. The state's university partnerships create strong pipelines from UC Berkeley, Stanford, and Caltech for automotive research positions. Competition is intense, but California's automotive innovation focus creates consistent demand for international engineering talent.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored automotive jobs in California?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.