J-1 Visa Security Architect Jobs
Security Architect roles in the United States attract J-1 visa exchange visitors through the Trainee and Research Scholar program categories, depending on your experience level and host organization. Securing sponsorship requires a designated sponsor organization to issue your DS-2019 before you begin work. No annual cap or lottery applies.
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Get Access To All JobsISW Internship Program Overview
ISW is offering in-person, remote, and hybrid internships for Fall 2026. Instructions to apply for the scholarship are below.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) is committed to training the next generation of national security leaders through its innovative educational programs. ISW seeks motivated and experienced college students or recent graduates to join our intern team. ISW offers internships across diverse research portfolios and departments, including Russia, China, and Iran's proxy networks. ISW also offers internships in National Security & Intelligence Analysis, our Cognitive Warfare Task Force, and in Communications.
Why Work for ISW?
ISW believes that ground realities must drive the formulation of strategy and policy. In pursuit of this principle, ISW conducts detailed open-source intelligence analysis to provide timely and accurate information on current conflicts and security threats directly to policy-makers and warfighters.
Interns at ISW have an unparalleled opportunity to analyze conflicts in ways that directly inform policymakers on some of the most pressing issues facing American national security. Our interns work directly with analysts. They receive classroom education, regular leadership engagement, and a chance to work with cutting-edge technologies employed in business and the intelligence community. Interns have the opportunity to stand at the front lines of military research and policy development, tackling the latest crises in the headlines.
The ISW Internship Program is one of three core education programs housed within The General David H. Petraeus Center for Emerging Leaders, launched to identify, educate, and develop the future cadre of leaders committed to America’s national security. ISW views interns as an integral component of its team. ISW has worked with interns to draft, edit, and publish their own research under the mentorship of senior analysts. It has also hired many interns onto its staff.
Geospatial Intelligence and National Security Technologies Internship: ISW uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing technologies to improve research collection, intelligence analysis, and visualizations. Interns will use Geographic Information Systems (GIS), satellite remote sensing, and data visualization to help refine how ISW’s analysts implement these cutting-edge tools. This internship provides practical hands-on experience using GIS in national security and intelligence applications. Interns will support data collection, analysis, and visualizations that support ISW’s world-renowned maps. Interns may also have valuable interactions with software partners who are transforming the national security space. Interns will receive further training on some of these platforms. ISW’s roster of technology partners includes Neo4J, Babel Street, Ntrepid, and Planet Labs, among many others. This is a full-time internship (five days per week), but part-time work will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Qualifications
- Candidates must be motivated and organized college students or recent graduates with demonstrated expertise in a related field.
- Candidates must possess excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills.
- Candidates must possess strong capabilities in GIS software such as Esri's ArcGIS Pro, ArcMap, or ArcGIS Online. Experience with SQL or ArcGIS Python (Arcpy) is a plus.
- Candidates must display the ability to conduct complex tasks in a timely and efficient manner.
- Candidates should be self-motivated, independent, creative, and capable of working in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
- Candidates will preferably have a demonstrated interest or expertise in national security issues, particularly Russia, Ukraine, China, or issues in the Middle East.
- Candidates must show commitment to—and interest in—the core mission and values of ISW.
Fall 2026 Internship Program Dates: ISW internships start September 8, 2026. The program will run until December 11. Interns must both be authorized to work in the United States and be physically present in the United States during their internship tenure. Working remotely outside of the United States is not authorized. If you attend a US university on a student visa, you must be eligible for and obtain a CPT authorization before beginning at ISW. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until July 24, 2026.
Instructions: Please upload your resume, cover letter, and writing sample. Your cover letter and writing sample should be no longer than five pages combined; the writing sample can be excerpted from a longer paper.
ISW will work with students to gain academic credit for internships where applicable.
ISW Scholarship Application
The Institute for the Study of War will offer intern candidates up to a $1,000 monthly living stipend as part of a scholarship program. To be considered for the scholarship, candidates must upload a scholarship application as part of their internship application. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until July 24, 2026.*
Candidates will be assessed based on the following criteria:
- Ability to contribute as a member of one of ISW’s research, operations, business development, or external relations teams; and
- Financial need, such that an unpaid internship would not be possible without assistance.
To be considered for the scholarship, candidates must upload a scholarship application as part of their internship application.
Within the scholarship application, candidates should upload a 2- to 3-page cover letter which answers each of the following questions. (This should be a different cover letter than the one used for the internship application itself.)
- Which ISW internship is your top choice? Why do you believe you are qualified?
- What do you believe to be the most pressing national security problem the US faces today? What solution(s) would you propose?
- Where do you see yourself in your future career? How will an ISW internship help you get there?
- Why have you chosen to apply for this supplemental scholarship?
- Are you currently receiving federal financial aid and/or need-based aid from your university? Feel free to describe using as much detail as you are comfortable.
*Please note that the up to $1,000 monthly scholarship is classified as taxable income.
Questions? Email internships@understandingwar.org for more information.
ISW Internship Program Overview
ISW is offering in-person, remote, and hybrid internships for Fall 2026. Instructions to apply for the scholarship are below.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) is committed to training the next generation of national security leaders through its innovative educational programs. ISW seeks motivated and experienced college students or recent graduates to join our intern team. ISW offers internships across diverse research portfolios and departments, including Russia, China, and Iran's proxy networks. ISW also offers internships in National Security & Intelligence Analysis, our Cognitive Warfare Task Force, and in Communications.
Why Work for ISW?
ISW believes that ground realities must drive the formulation of strategy and policy. In pursuit of this principle, ISW conducts detailed open-source intelligence analysis to provide timely and accurate information on current conflicts and security threats directly to policy-makers and warfighters.
Interns at ISW have an unparalleled opportunity to analyze conflicts in ways that directly inform policymakers on some of the most pressing issues facing American national security. Our interns work directly with analysts. They receive classroom education, regular leadership engagement, and a chance to work with cutting-edge technologies employed in business and the intelligence community. Interns have the opportunity to stand at the front lines of military research and policy development, tackling the latest crises in the headlines.
The ISW Internship Program is one of three core education programs housed within The General David H. Petraeus Center for Emerging Leaders, launched to identify, educate, and develop the future cadre of leaders committed to America’s national security. ISW views interns as an integral component of its team. ISW has worked with interns to draft, edit, and publish their own research under the mentorship of senior analysts. It has also hired many interns onto its staff.
Geospatial Intelligence and National Security Technologies Internship: ISW uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing technologies to improve research collection, intelligence analysis, and visualizations. Interns will use Geographic Information Systems (GIS), satellite remote sensing, and data visualization to help refine how ISW’s analysts implement these cutting-edge tools. This internship provides practical hands-on experience using GIS in national security and intelligence applications. Interns will support data collection, analysis, and visualizations that support ISW’s world-renowned maps. Interns may also have valuable interactions with software partners who are transforming the national security space. Interns will receive further training on some of these platforms. ISW’s roster of technology partners includes Neo4J, Babel Street, Ntrepid, and Planet Labs, among many others. This is a full-time internship (five days per week), but part-time work will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Qualifications
- Candidates must be motivated and organized college students or recent graduates with demonstrated expertise in a related field.
- Candidates must possess excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills.
- Candidates must possess strong capabilities in GIS software such as Esri's ArcGIS Pro, ArcMap, or ArcGIS Online. Experience with SQL or ArcGIS Python (Arcpy) is a plus.
- Candidates must display the ability to conduct complex tasks in a timely and efficient manner.
- Candidates should be self-motivated, independent, creative, and capable of working in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
- Candidates will preferably have a demonstrated interest or expertise in national security issues, particularly Russia, Ukraine, China, or issues in the Middle East.
- Candidates must show commitment to—and interest in—the core mission and values of ISW.
Fall 2026 Internship Program Dates: ISW internships start September 8, 2026. The program will run until December 11. Interns must both be authorized to work in the United States and be physically present in the United States during their internship tenure. Working remotely outside of the United States is not authorized. If you attend a US university on a student visa, you must be eligible for and obtain a CPT authorization before beginning at ISW. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until July 24, 2026.
Instructions: Please upload your resume, cover letter, and writing sample. Your cover letter and writing sample should be no longer than five pages combined; the writing sample can be excerpted from a longer paper.
ISW will work with students to gain academic credit for internships where applicable.
ISW Scholarship Application
The Institute for the Study of War will offer intern candidates up to a $1,000 monthly living stipend as part of a scholarship program. To be considered for the scholarship, candidates must upload a scholarship application as part of their internship application. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until July 24, 2026.*
Candidates will be assessed based on the following criteria:
- Ability to contribute as a member of one of ISW’s research, operations, business development, or external relations teams; and
- Financial need, such that an unpaid internship would not be possible without assistance.
To be considered for the scholarship, candidates must upload a scholarship application as part of their internship application.
Within the scholarship application, candidates should upload a 2- to 3-page cover letter which answers each of the following questions. (This should be a different cover letter than the one used for the internship application itself.)
- Which ISW internship is your top choice? Why do you believe you are qualified?
- What do you believe to be the most pressing national security problem the US faces today? What solution(s) would you propose?
- Where do you see yourself in your future career? How will an ISW internship help you get there?
- Why have you chosen to apply for this supplemental scholarship?
- Are you currently receiving federal financial aid and/or need-based aid from your university? Feel free to describe using as much detail as you are comfortable.
*Please note that the up to $1,000 monthly scholarship is classified as taxable income.
Questions? Email internships@understandingwar.org for more information.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship in Security Architect
Map your credentials to specialty occupation standards
Security Architect roles require demonstrating that your degree and prior experience align with a specific technical discipline. Pull the O*NET profile for Information Security Analysts to identify the competency language designated sponsors and host employers expect in your training plan.
Distinguish Trainee from Research Scholar before applying
If you graduated within the past five years and are pursuing structured on-the-job development, the Trainee category fits. If a university or research institute is hosting you for applied cybersecurity research, Research Scholar is the correct category. Mismatching the category delays your DS-2019.
Target host employers with existing compliance infrastructure
Host organizations already familiar with J-1 obligations, such as federal contractors, national labs, and large technology firms, are more likely to complete the required training plan and cooperate with your designated sponsor's monitoring requirements without friction.
Find J-1-aligned Security Architect roles on Migrate Mate
Search Migrate Mate to filter for U.S. employers and Security Architect openings that align with J-1 exchange visitor sponsorship. Narrowing by host organization type and role focus reduces time spent on employers unprepared for the DS-2019 and training-plan process.
Verify whether your role triggers the two-year home residency requirement
Security Architect positions funded by your home country's government or tied to certain skills-shortage designations can trigger a two-year home residency requirement under INA 212(e). Confirm your status with your designated sponsor before accepting an offer, as it affects any future visa change.
Prepare a detailed 32-week training plan before the offer stage
Designated sponsors require a completed DS-7002 training plan signed by both you and the host employer. For Security Architect trainees, this means specifying technical phases, tools, and supervisory contact details. Delays here are the most common reason DS-2019 issuance stalls after an offer is accepted.
Security Architect J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category applies to Security Architect positions?
Most Security Architect candidates fall under the Trainee category if they have a relevant degree and fewer than five years of post-graduation experience in the field. Those hosted by universities or research institutions for applied cybersecurity research may qualify as Research Scholars. The host organization type, your career stage, and the nature of your placement all determine which category your designated sponsor will approve.
Who actually sponsors the J-1 visa for a Security Architect role?
The visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, such as Cultural Vistas or AIPT, not the hiring employer. The employer acts as the host organization. The designated sponsor issues your DS-2019, oversees your training plan compliance, and maintains your SEVIS record. Confusing the host with the sponsor is a common mistake that creates problems during the application and monitoring stages.
How do I find U.S. employers willing to host a J-1 Security Architect?
Use Migrate Mate to search for Security Architect roles and filter for employers that align with J-1 exchange visitor placements. Look for host organizations in sectors with established compliance programs, including federal contractors, national laboratories, and large enterprise technology companies, since they are more familiar with the DS-2019 process and training plan obligations required by the designated sponsor.
Does the two-year home residency requirement affect Security Architects?
It can. The two-year home residency requirement under INA 212(e) applies when your J-1 program is financed by your home government, when your home country lists your specialty as a skill in short supply, or when you received graduate medical training in the United States. Security Architects should confirm their eligibility status with their designated sponsor before accepting a host offer, since the requirement blocks direct H-1B visa or green card filing without a waiver.
What documentation does a host employer need to prepare for a J-1 Security Architect?
The host employer must complete and sign the DS-7002 training or internship placement plan, which details the phases of your Security Architect placement, the technical skills you will develop, supervision arrangements, and the schedule. The designated sponsor reviews this plan before issuing the DS-2019. Employers unfamiliar with this process often underestimate the specificity required, particularly for technical roles involving network security architecture, threat modeling, or zero-trust design work.