OPT Computer Scientist Jobs
Computer Scientist jobs on OPT span research, software development, and applied AI roles across academia, government labs, and private industry. STEM OPT designation gives you up to three years of work authorization, making you competitive for roles that require specialized technical depth and long project timelines.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Title: Adjunct Faculty - Electrical and Computer Engineering - Cybersecurity Capstone Coach
Posting End Date: September 28, 2026
NOTE: Last day to apply is Sunday, September 27, 2026, at 11:59pm (MT)
Required Degree:
BS degree in cybersecurity, computer science, engineering, or related field required. MS degree preferred.
The required degree must be completed by the start date.
Experience:
Demonstrated success within career. Interest and passion in the design education process are required.
Duties/Expectations:
Must work with assigned student team of 5-7 members. Help students learn the design process and successfully complete their assigned project. Duties will include:
- Guide the team in selecting and applying a project structure, workflow, and design process that fits the nature of the project, technical requirements, deliverables, timeline, and sponsor expectations.
- Learn and share Capstone policies.
- Coach and mentor your student team.
- Attend Capstone lectures, weekly team meetings and Capstone faculty coach meetings.
- Establish and maintain an excellent working relationship with the project sponsor.
- Help the teams maintain realistic project scope, timelines, and deliverables throughout the project lifecycle.
- Assist students in understanding how general course requirements apply to their project.
- Help students learn important professional soft skills and how to work together as a team.
- Ability to spend an average of 3 hours per week between 8-10 am M-F coaching a team of engineering students.
Must also be able to support the mission of Brigham Young University.
Instructions to Applicants:
In your Cover Letter, please include an experience you have had teaching young students how to design and work in teams on a project.
Documents Required at the Time of Application:
Please attach your updated curriculum vitae, cover letter, and Mission Alignment Statement (instructions below) to the faculty application.
Note: Failure to attach the required documents may result in your application not being considered.
This position requires the successful candidate to relocate and/or reside in Utah for the duration of their employment.
MISSION ALIGNMENT STATEMENT INSTRUCTIONS
If you are a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
BYU is committed to hiring faculty members who enthusiastically embrace and energetically advance its unique mission. To this end, please include a one-page mission alignment statement as part of your application that addresses how you might, as a BYU faculty member: (1) live a life of loyalty to Jesus Christ and His restored Church and align yourself with doctrine and teachings declared by living prophets, seers, and revelators; (2) demonstrate intentionality in building faith in Jesus Christ and testimony of His restored gospel among students and others in the BYU community; and (3) teach your subject matter with the Spirit of God and strive to keep it “bathed in the light and color of the restored gospel” (Spencer W. Kimball).
If you are not a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
Applicants who are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints include a one-page mission alignment statement that describes understanding of and commitment to the Mission of Brigham Young University and the AIMS of a BYU Education.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
All new employees who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be required to hold and be worthy to hold a current temple recommend. All employees are required to abide by the university's Honor Code and Dress & Grooming Standards. Preference is given to qualified candidates who are members in good standing of the affiliated church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Successful candidates are expected to support and contribute to the academic and religious missions of the university within the context of the principles and doctrines of the affiliated church.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
Brigham Young University is an equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veteran status.
Job Title: Adjunct Faculty - Electrical and Computer Engineering - Cybersecurity Capstone Coach
Posting End Date: September 28, 2026
NOTE: Last day to apply is Sunday, September 27, 2026, at 11:59pm (MT)
Required Degree:
BS degree in cybersecurity, computer science, engineering, or related field required. MS degree preferred.
The required degree must be completed by the start date.
Experience:
Demonstrated success within career. Interest and passion in the design education process are required.
Duties/Expectations:
Must work with assigned student team of 5-7 members. Help students learn the design process and successfully complete their assigned project. Duties will include:
- Guide the team in selecting and applying a project structure, workflow, and design process that fits the nature of the project, technical requirements, deliverables, timeline, and sponsor expectations.
- Learn and share Capstone policies.
- Coach and mentor your student team.
- Attend Capstone lectures, weekly team meetings and Capstone faculty coach meetings.
- Establish and maintain an excellent working relationship with the project sponsor.
- Help the teams maintain realistic project scope, timelines, and deliverables throughout the project lifecycle.
- Assist students in understanding how general course requirements apply to their project.
- Help students learn important professional soft skills and how to work together as a team.
- Ability to spend an average of 3 hours per week between 8-10 am M-F coaching a team of engineering students.
Must also be able to support the mission of Brigham Young University.
Instructions to Applicants:
In your Cover Letter, please include an experience you have had teaching young students how to design and work in teams on a project.
Documents Required at the Time of Application:
Please attach your updated curriculum vitae, cover letter, and Mission Alignment Statement (instructions below) to the faculty application.
Note: Failure to attach the required documents may result in your application not being considered.
This position requires the successful candidate to relocate and/or reside in Utah for the duration of their employment.
MISSION ALIGNMENT STATEMENT INSTRUCTIONS
If you are a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
BYU is committed to hiring faculty members who enthusiastically embrace and energetically advance its unique mission. To this end, please include a one-page mission alignment statement as part of your application that addresses how you might, as a BYU faculty member: (1) live a life of loyalty to Jesus Christ and His restored Church and align yourself with doctrine and teachings declared by living prophets, seers, and revelators; (2) demonstrate intentionality in building faith in Jesus Christ and testimony of His restored gospel among students and others in the BYU community; and (3) teach your subject matter with the Spirit of God and strive to keep it “bathed in the light and color of the restored gospel” (Spencer W. Kimball).
If you are not a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
Applicants who are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints include a one-page mission alignment statement that describes understanding of and commitment to the Mission of Brigham Young University and the AIMS of a BYU Education.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
All new employees who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be required to hold and be worthy to hold a current temple recommend. All employees are required to abide by the university's Honor Code and Dress & Grooming Standards. Preference is given to qualified candidates who are members in good standing of the affiliated church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Successful candidates are expected to support and contribute to the academic and religious missions of the university within the context of the principles and doctrines of the affiliated church.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
Brigham Young University is an equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veteran status.
See all 437+ OPT Computer Scientist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Computer Scientist
Highlight your STEM OPT eligibility upfront
Computer Science is a designated STEM field, so you qualify for the 24-month STEM extension on top of your initial 12 months. Mentioning this in your application removes uncertainty for employers who may be unfamiliar with OPT timelines.
Target employers with E-Verify enrollment
STEM OPT extension requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify. Focus your search on larger technology companies, federal contractors, and research institutions, which are typically E-Verify participants and experienced with international student hiring.
Align your role to your degree field precisely
OPT authorization requires your job to be directly related to your Computer Science degree. Document how your specific duties connect to your coursework and be ready to explain that connection to your DSO when filing paperwork.
Apply to research labs and national laboratories early
Government and university research labs frequently hire Computer Scientists on OPT and are comfortable with the process. Hiring cycles at these institutions are long, so apply at least three to four months before your authorization start date.
Use your technical portfolio as your primary differentiator
Employers weighing sponsorship costs need confidence in your ability. A strong GitHub portfolio, published papers, or competition results give hiring managers concrete evidence of your skills before any visa conversation begins.
Address OPT proactively in interviews, not reactively
Bring up your work authorization status before the employer does. A brief, confident explanation of your three-year STEM OPT timeline reframes the conversation from a potential obstacle into a straightforward planning item for the hiring team.
Computer Scientist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Computer Scientist roles typically qualify for STEM OPT extension?
Yes. Computer Science is a STEM-designated field, so most Computer Scientist positions qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to 36 months of total work authorization. The key requirement is that your job duties must be directly related to your degree. Research, software development, machine learning, and systems work all typically satisfy that standard.
How do I find Computer Scientist jobs where employers are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for OPT and visa-sponsoring employers, so you can skip the guesswork of identifying which companies are open to international candidates. Computer Scientist roles at technology companies, federal contractors, and university research centers tend to have the most experience hiring on OPT and are well represented on the platform.
Can I work as a Computer Scientist at a government agency on OPT?
It depends on the agency and the specific role. Many federal agencies require U.S. citizenship for positions involving security clearances, which covers a significant portion of Computer Scientist roles at agencies like the NSA, CIA, or DoD. However, national laboratories operated by contractors, such as Argonne or Lawrence Berkeley, frequently hire international students on OPT without citizenship requirements.
What counts as a qualifying Computer Scientist role for OPT purposes?
Your position must be directly related to your Computer Science degree and constitute legitimate employment, meaning at least 20 hours per week. Roles in software engineering, AI research, data systems, computer vision, and human-computer interaction all typically qualify. Purely administrative or project management positions, even at technology companies, may not satisfy the direct relationship requirement your DSO needs to confirm.
How early should I start applying for Computer Scientist jobs before my OPT start date?
Start applying at least three months before your OPT start date, and earlier if you are targeting research institutions or government contractors with longer hiring cycles. Employers who are new to OPT sometimes need time to verify E-Verify enrollment and consult HR, so building in extra lead time reduces the risk of a gap between graduation and your first authorized workday.