Automotive STEM OPT Jobs in California
Automotive F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in California sit at the intersection of Silicon Valley's tech ecosystem and Southern California's established auto manufacturing and design clusters. Companies like Tesla, Rivian, and major Tier 1 suppliers actively hire STEM OPT candidates in engineering, data science, and autonomous vehicle roles across Fremont, Irvine, and the greater Los Angeles area.
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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
STEM OPT Automotive Job Roles in California
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Search Automotive Jobs in CaliforniaAutomotive STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
Which automotive companies sponsor F-1 STEM OPT visas in California?
Tesla's Fremont factory and engineering offices, Rivian's software and vehicle development teams, Lucid Motors in Newark, and major Tier 1 suppliers such as Aptiv and BorgWarner have California operations with documented STEM OPT sponsorship activity. Autonomous vehicle companies like Waymo and Cruise also regularly hire STEM OPT candidates in software, sensor systems, and machine learning roles. Sponsorship practices vary by team and role, so verifying directly with each employer is important.
Which cities in California have the most automotive F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
The San Francisco Bay Area, particularly Fremont, Palo Alto, and Santa Clara, concentrates electric vehicle and autonomous driving employers. Southern California, including Irvine, Torrance, and the greater Los Angeles area, hosts traditional automotive OEMs, design studios, and Tier 1 suppliers. Silicon Valley's overlap with automotive tech also makes San Jose a meaningful cluster for software-defined vehicle and connected car roles.
What types of automotive roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship?
Roles qualifying for STEM OPT extension generally fall under STEM-designated degree fields recognized by the Department of Homeland Security. In automotive, this typically includes electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, data science, and software engineering positions. Roles in autonomous systems, battery technology, vehicle-to-infrastructure software, embedded controls, and manufacturing process engineering commonly meet the technical degree alignment STEM OPT requires. Non-engineering roles such as sales or program management less commonly qualify.
How do I find automotive F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in California?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students and filters automotive job listings in California by confirmed STEM OPT sponsorship history, saving you from guessing which employers will support your visa status. You can search by city, role type, and employer filing history to surface companies that have sponsored STEM OPT candidates in automotive disciplines before. Cross-referencing DOL Labor Condition Application records through OFLC Wage Search can also help verify an employer's prior sponsorship activity.
Are there any California-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in automotive?
California's strict worker classification laws and its status as an E-Verify optional state for most private employers can affect how automotive companies structure STEM OPT arrangements. California also has additional state tax obligations that apply to STEM OPT workers. The state's zero-emission vehicle regulations drive heavy employer investment in EV and battery engineering, making California automotive roles particularly concentrated in the STEM disciplines that align well with STEM OPT eligibility requirements.