Design Engineer Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Tennessee
Tennessee's design engineer market spans automotive manufacturing in Nashville and Chattanooga, aerospace suppliers near Memphis, and industrial equipment firms across Knoxville. Major employers including Volkswagen, Nissan, and Eastman Chemical have established sponsorship track records. International candidates with mechanical, electrical, or systems design backgrounds will find active hiring across both metro and mid-size markets.
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INTRODUCTION
Astec is a global, environmentally focused infrastructure and manufacturing company of asphalt road building and aggregate processing. Our mission is to design and build the most innovative products for the industries we serve. Leveraging innovative solutions and technologies, we serve customers all over the world.
ABOUT THE POSITION
Design and make necessary engineering drawings for projects assigned. Prepare engineering drawings and make engineering calculations through use of AUTO CAD and INVENTOR as instructed.
Key Deliverables
- Provide accurate calculation of dimensions, weight limitations, and requirement materials.
- Develop detailed designs with computer-aided design (CAD) software.
- Identify operational issues and redesign products to improve functionality.
- Ensure final designs comply with regulations.
- Prepare references to illustrate workflow.
Key Activities & Responsibilities
- Make basic and fundamental calculations for proper and economical selection of components incorporated in the design of the specific equipment or projects assigned.
- Direct the efforts of any draftsman assigned to work with on the specific equipment or projects.
- Do detail and assembly drawing work as well as general and overall layout work.
- Write and release or supervise the writing and releasing of specifications and bills of material if required to cover the specific equipment or projects assigned.
- Design new or special products and new developments or modifications on our product line in accordance with the theoretically established design specifications as to size, capacity, or other requirements.
- Complete assignments on time as scheduled per Engineering release date.
- All other duties as assigned.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Two-year Mechanical Drafting/Design Technology Degree preferred.
- 2+ years of Experience in heavy equipment and/or structural design as well as AutoCAD 2-D and INVENTOR 3-D CAD software experience (or something similar like SolidWorks or Pro-E) is preferred.
- Ability to operate necessary office equipment and tools to perform drafting functions which include CAD and INVENTOR systems.
- Ability to work well with others and demonstrate good oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to perform duties in environments which include heavy industrial setting, quarry/pit locations, and construction sites with associated air pollutants and noise levels.
- Ability to climb on equipment to inspect and gather data.
SUPERVISOR AND LEADERSHIP EXPECTATIONS
None
OUR CULTURE AND VALUES
Employees that become part of Astec embody the values below throughout their work.
- Continuous devotion to meeting the needs of our customers
- Honesty and integrity in all aspects of business
- Respect for all individuals
- Preserving entrepreneurial spirit and innovation
- Safety, quality and productivity as means to ensure success
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Office
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to risk of injury in an office environment and occasionally a manufacturing shop plant environment. Duties include a typical office setting including extensive computer work, sitting or standing. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Manufacturing Environment
Shop manufacturing environment exposures include exposure to moving mechanical parts, machinery, tools and equipment, vibration, fumes or airborne particles, motorized vehicles, welding and machining operations, outside weather conditions and exposure to the risk of electric shock. The employee may occasionally be exposed to varying levels of dirt, dust, toxic or caustic chemicals, very warm and/or very chilly temperatures. The noise level in the shop can be very loud at times consistent with an industrial assembly facility and may require hearing protection. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Astec does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, gender (sex), sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, citizenship status, a person’s veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law or executive order.
Design Engineer Job Roles in Tennessee
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Search Design Engineer Jobs in TennesseeDesign Engineer Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for design engineers in Tennessee?
Several large manufacturers and engineering firms in Tennessee have established H-1B visa sponsorship histories for design engineers. Volkswagen Group of America in Chattanooga, Nissan North America in Smyrna, Eastman Chemical in Kingsport, and Tennessee Valley Authority are among the employers that have filed LCAs for engineering roles. Tier-1 automotive suppliers and defense contractors operating near Nashville and Memphis also sponsor design engineers with some regularity.
Which visa types are most common for design engineer roles in Tennessee?
The H-1B is the most commonly used visa for design engineers in Tennessee, given that most roles require at least a bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, or systems engineering. Candidates already authorized under OPT or STEM OPT extension are frequently hired by Tennessee manufacturers while H-1B petitions are pending. The O-1A is an option for engineers with documented exceptional recognition, though the evidentiary bar is significantly higher.
Which cities in Tennessee have the most design engineer sponsorship jobs?
Nashville is the largest market for design engineer roles overall, with a growing advanced manufacturing and technology sector. Chattanooga concentrates automotive and electric vehicle design jobs, driven largely by Volkswagen's operations. Knoxville draws engineering talent through Oak Ridge National Laboratory proximity and university spinoffs. Kingsport and Johnson City, anchored by Eastman Chemical, round out the Tri-Cities corridor as a consistent source of industrial design engineering openings.
How to find design engineer visa sponsorship jobs in Tennessee?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically by visa sponsorship availability, so you can search design engineer roles in Tennessee without sorting through employers who don't sponsor. The platform indexes positions from manufacturers, aerospace suppliers, and engineering firms across Nashville, Chattanooga, and Knoxville. Filtering by role type and state helps international candidates quickly identify which Tennessee employers are actively hiring and willing to support H-1B or other work visa petitions.
Are there state-specific considerations for design engineers pursuing sponsorship in Tennessee?
Tennessee's manufacturing-heavy economy means many design engineer roles are classified under DOL occupational codes tied to mechanical or industrial engineering, which affects the prevailing wage determination your employer must meet when filing an LCA. Tennessee also benefits from several engineering programs at the University of Tennessee and Vanderbilt University, which creates OPT pipelines that local employers are familiar with. Candidates should confirm the specific SOC code tied to their offered role, as it directly shapes the H-1B petition structure.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored design engineer jobs in Tennessee?
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.