CPT Jobs in New Mexico
New Mexico's F-1 CPT job market is anchored by federal research labs, defense contractors, and a growing tech sector concentrated in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Students at UNM, NMSU, and New Mexico Tech find CPT-eligible roles across engineering, energy, and government research industries.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
This posting will be used for ongoing recruitment and may close at any time. Applicant lists may be screened more than once.
The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) provides a safe and efficient transportation system for the traveling public, while promoting economic development and preserving the environment of New Mexico.
The Office of General Counsel manages the legal affairs for the NMDOT. The Operations and Finance Practice Group addresses legal and management issues related to the NMDOT's construction and maintenance operations, including: construction law; water rights; state and federal program environmental and funding compliance; and contractor eligibility matters, as well as providing counsel on most procurement matters. The Administration, Torts, and Employment Practice Group provides legal counsel and representation in matters of administrative/operations support, including policy development, employment and labor law, civil rights, garnishments, damage claims, Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) and torts. The Special Projects and Modal Programs Group provides legal counsel and representation in matters of rulemaking, regulatory enforcement, intra- and inter-governmental agreements, contracts and procurement, and grant administration. The Right of Way Practice Group assists in the acquisition of land needed to improve and widen highways, including negotiating with adjacent property owners and filing condemnation cases, when needed. This group also advises NMDOT management on various other right-of-way issues, including the use of NMDOT rights-of-way for access, utilities, broadband deployment, and highway beautification.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
This Graduate School Intern position will help carry out the critical functions of both the Office of General Counsel and the TRA unit, gaining meaningful exposure to the legal practice areas of the agency, while developing career readiness skills.
This position will assist the Office of General Counsel with duties to include:
- Legal research for all practice groups and assist attorneys and paralegals in various areas as needed. Handling legal documents and preparing correspondence, assisting paralegal with destruction of document timelines.
This position will assist the TRA Unit with duties to include:
- Assist Hearing Examiner prepare for hearings, including document preparation and file creation.
- Attend hearings and assist Hearing Examiner with the management of on-line hearings utilizing the Zoom meeting platform and the YouTube streaming platform.
- At the direction of Hearing Examiner, communicate with parties by sending important messages and assisting the parties with any technology issues they may have.
CUSTOMERS
This job serves the NMDOT, the Office of General Counsel, the TRA unit, NMDOT employees, motor carriers, ambulance services, and the traveling public.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Currently enrolled in a Graduate School Program at an accredited college or university OR completion of at least two (2) semesters (or equivalent) of a graduate level program at an accredited college or university within the last two (2) years.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License. Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive a Defensive Driving Course certificate as a condition of continued employment.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage. Some sitting, standing, bending and reaching may be required.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
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Agency Contact Information: John P. Newell (505) 469-6411 Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
Bargaining Unit Position
This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
INTRODUCTION
This posting will be used for ongoing recruitment and may close at any time. Applicant lists may be screened more than once.
The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) provides a safe and efficient transportation system for the traveling public, while promoting economic development and preserving the environment of New Mexico.
The Office of General Counsel manages the legal affairs for the NMDOT. The Operations and Finance Practice Group addresses legal and management issues related to the NMDOT's construction and maintenance operations, including: construction law; water rights; state and federal program environmental and funding compliance; and contractor eligibility matters, as well as providing counsel on most procurement matters. The Administration, Torts, and Employment Practice Group provides legal counsel and representation in matters of administrative/operations support, including policy development, employment and labor law, civil rights, garnishments, damage claims, Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) and torts. The Special Projects and Modal Programs Group provides legal counsel and representation in matters of rulemaking, regulatory enforcement, intra- and inter-governmental agreements, contracts and procurement, and grant administration. The Right of Way Practice Group assists in the acquisition of land needed to improve and widen highways, including negotiating with adjacent property owners and filing condemnation cases, when needed. This group also advises NMDOT management on various other right-of-way issues, including the use of NMDOT rights-of-way for access, utilities, broadband deployment, and highway beautification.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
This Graduate School Intern position will help carry out the critical functions of both the Office of General Counsel and the TRA unit, gaining meaningful exposure to the legal practice areas of the agency, while developing career readiness skills.
This position will assist the Office of General Counsel with duties to include:
- Legal research for all practice groups and assist attorneys and paralegals in various areas as needed. Handling legal documents and preparing correspondence, assisting paralegal with destruction of document timelines.
This position will assist the TRA Unit with duties to include:
- Assist Hearing Examiner prepare for hearings, including document preparation and file creation.
- Attend hearings and assist Hearing Examiner with the management of on-line hearings utilizing the Zoom meeting platform and the YouTube streaming platform.
- At the direction of Hearing Examiner, communicate with parties by sending important messages and assisting the parties with any technology issues they may have.
CUSTOMERS
This job serves the NMDOT, the Office of General Counsel, the TRA unit, NMDOT employees, motor carriers, ambulance services, and the traveling public.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Currently enrolled in a Graduate School Program at an accredited college or university OR completion of at least two (2) semesters (or equivalent) of a graduate level program at an accredited college or university within the last two (2) years.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License. Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive a Defensive Driving Course certificate as a condition of continued employment.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage. Some sitting, standing, bending and reaching may be required.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here
Agency Contact Information: John P. Newell (505) 469-6411 Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
Bargaining Unit Position
This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
Search F-1 CPT Jobs by Industry in New Mexico
Tips for Finding CPT Jobs in New Mexico
Target federal research institutions directly
Sandia National Laboratories, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and Air Force Research Laboratory all recruit CPT-eligible interns. Apply directly through their official careers portals and filter for student or internship positions that align with your field of study.
Leverage your university's employer partnerships
UNM, NMSU, and New Mexico Tech maintain formal relationships with regional employers who regularly hire CPT students. Your international student office or career center will have a current list of pre-approved CPT employers familiar with the authorization process.
Align your job search with your major early
CPT authorization requires a direct connection between the internship and your degree program. Confirm with your DSO which roles qualify before applying, so you don't invest time pursuing positions that won't meet your school's CPT eligibility criteria.
Search industry-specific job boards for CPT roles
Migrate Mate lists F-1 CPT sponsorship jobs filtered by industry and state, making it easier to find New Mexico employers already experienced with student work authorization rather than cold-applying to companies unfamiliar with CPT requirements.
Network at STEM-focused events in Albuquerque
Albuquerque's Innovate ABQ ecosystem and New Mexico Tech's industry days connect students with hiring managers from energy, defense, and software companies. Face-to-face introductions at these events frequently lead to CPT internship opportunities before they're publicly posted.
Apply to renewable energy and oil and gas firms
New Mexico's energy sector, spanning solar, wind, and oil and gas operations in the Permian Basin region, actively recruits engineering and environmental science students. These employers often have established CPT workflows and hire interns for multi-semester placements.
See all 31+ F-1 CPT jobs in New Mexico
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Get Access To All JobsF-1 CPT Jobs in New Mexico: Frequently Asked Questions
Which industries in New Mexico sponsor the most F-1 CPT visas?
Federal research and defense industries lead F-1 CPT sponsorship in New Mexico, driven by institutions like Sandia National Laboratories and Los Alamos National Laboratory. Engineering, computer science, and physics students are especially in demand. Energy (both oil and gas and renewables), healthcare, and information technology are also consistent sources of CPT-eligible internships across the state.
Which cities in New Mexico have the most F-1 CPT sponsorship jobs?
Albuquerque has the highest concentration of F-1 CPT sponsorship opportunities in New Mexico, home to UNM, Kirtland Air Force Base, and a growing technology and healthcare sector. Santa Fe and Los Alamos offer positions tied to state government and national laboratory work. Las Cruces, home to NMSU, is a secondary market with CPT roles in agriculture, engineering, and education.
What types of roles typically qualify for F-1 CPT sponsorship in New Mexico?
Roles that qualify for F-1 CPT sponsorship in New Mexico are those directly related to your degree program. Common qualifying positions include software engineering internships, mechanical and electrical engineering co-ops, environmental science field roles, research assistant positions, data analysis internships, and project management roles within government contractors or energy firms. The role must be integral to or required by your academic program.
How do I find F-1 CPT sponsorship jobs in New Mexico?
Start with your university's career center, which maintains relationships with New Mexico employers experienced in CPT hiring. Migrate Mate is a job board built specifically for international students, allowing you to filter F-1 CPT jobs by state and industry so you can identify New Mexico employers already familiar with student work authorization. Applying directly to national laboratory and defense contractor intern programs is also effective.
Are there any state-specific considerations for F-1 CPT sponsorship in New Mexico?
Many of New Mexico's largest employers, including Sandia and Los Alamos national laboratories, require security clearance eligibility for certain roles, which can limit options for international students. It's worth confirming clearance requirements before applying. Additionally, some positions with federal contractors involve export control regulations that may affect which students can be hired, so reviewing job descriptions carefully and consulting your DSO is important before pursuing these roles.