Automotive Green Card Sponsorship Jobs in California
California's automotive industry spans electric vehicle manufacturing, autonomous vehicle development, and traditional auto suppliers, with employers like Tesla, Rivian, and Lucid Motors among those that have sponsored Green Card petitions for skilled workers. The San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and Fremont are key hiring hubs for international candidates pursuing permanent residence through employer-sponsored pathways.
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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
Green Card Automotive Job Roles in California
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Search Automotive Jobs in CaliforniaAutomotive Green Card Sponsorship Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
Which automotive companies sponsor Green Card visas in California?
Tesla, Rivian, Lucid Motors, and Waymo are among California-based automotive employers that have filed Green Card-related petitions for foreign national employees. Traditional Tier 1 suppliers with California operations, such as Aptiv and Continental, have also sponsored permanent residence for engineers and technical specialists. Sponsorship decisions vary by role, business need, and individual case, so it is not guaranteed at any employer.
Which cities in California have the most automotive Green Card sponsorship jobs?
Fremont leads due to Tesla's manufacturing presence. The San Francisco Bay Area broadly concentrates autonomous vehicle and EV software roles, with companies like Waymo and Cruise operating in San Francisco itself. Los Angeles and the broader Southern California region host Rivian's commercial operations, Lucid Motors' headquarters in Newark, and a dense network of auto suppliers, making it the second major hub for automotive sponsorship activity in the state.
What types of automotive roles typically qualify for Green Card sponsorship in California?
Roles requiring specialized bachelor's or advanced degrees are the most common candidates for employer-sponsored Green Cards. In California's automotive sector, these include battery systems engineers, autonomous vehicle software engineers, mechanical and electrical engineers, manufacturing process engineers, and embedded systems developers. Research scientists working on EV technology or advanced driver-assistance systems also frequently appear in Green Card filings from California-based automotive employers.
How do I find automotive Green Card sponsorship jobs in California?
Migrate Mate is a job board built specifically for international candidates seeking visa-sponsored roles in the United States, including automotive Green Card jobs in California. You can filter by state, industry, and visa type to surface relevant openings from employers with a history of sponsorship. Reviewing active listings on Migrate Mate gives you a focused starting point rather than sorting through positions where sponsorship status is unclear.
Are there any California-specific considerations for automotive Green Card sponsorship?
California's strong labor protections and its distinct regulatory environment do not directly change federal Green Card petition requirements, but they do affect employer hiring timelines and costs. The state's concentration of EV and autonomous vehicle startups means some employers are growing quickly and filing PERM labor certifications at higher volumes, though startup funding cycles can affect whether a sponsorship process is seen through to completion. Working with established employers generally provides more continuity through the multi-year process.
What is the prevailing wage for Green Card 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.