OPT Configuration Specialist Jobs
Configuration Specialist jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with backgrounds in IT, systems engineering, or computer science. Most roles qualify as STEM-designated positions, giving you up to 36 months of OPT work authorization. Employers typically require hands-on experience with enterprise software, network systems, or hardware deployment.
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Get Access To All JobsAbout the Position
We're seeking a PMIS Configuration Consultant to configure, implement, and support project management information systems on large-scale, heavy-civil infrastructure programs across highways, roads and bridges, transit (rail and bus), aviation, and water sectors. You'll build out PMIS modules for budget, cost, schedule, risk, and reporting, and partner with project controls teams to keep program data structured, accurate, and audit ready.
This is a long-term, full-time, hybrid position located in Oakland, CA, that will require up to 50% travel.
Responsibilities
may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Configure PMIS processes for budget, cost, change orders, payments, risk, issues, cash flow, and earned value to support project controls, project management, and program management functions.
- Configure security roles, user access, and integrations between PMIS platforms, scheduling systems, document management systems, and ERP systems.
- Configure cash flow, earned value, and other modules within the PMIS solution.
- Identify and correct inconsistencies in data structures, coding, and hierarchy across project controls systems.
- Develop and maintain data models that support integrated reporting across cost, schedule, and performance metrics, and drive continuous improvement of data structures, reporting processes, and data quality across the program.
- Develop project reports and dashboards aligned with client and program reporting requirements.
- Automate data extraction, transformation, and reconciliation across PMIS and integrated systems using SQL and/or Python.
- Reconcile and validate data across multiple reporting systems to maintain accuracy and consistency.
- Collaborate with project controls managers, cost engineers, and schedulers to ensure data structures support program controls requirements.
- Support end-user training and knowledge transfer on deployed PMIS configurations, workflows, and reporting tools.
Attributes
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate technical project data into clear reporting for program leadership and stakeholders.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex datasets and identify meaningful insights.
- High attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy.
- Ability to manage multiple data sources and competing reporting deadlines across large, complex programs.
- Collaborative mindset that supports project controls managers, cost engineers, and schedulers in achieving shared reporting goals.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, construction management, business administration (management information systems), data analytics, statistics, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 3+ years of experience implementing and configuring one or more of the following PMIS solutions: Unifier, P6, Kahua, or Procore.
- Experience supporting project controls, data, or reporting functions on large, complex infrastructure programs, including highways, roads, bridges, transit (rail or bus), aviation, or water/wastewater projects, typically involving multi-contract delivery and integrated reporting requirements.
- In-depth understanding of project controls processes and their relationships to budget, schedule, risk, and governance on large infrastructure programs.
- Experience performing advanced data manipulation, transformation, and structuring of large datasets, beyond basic reporting or dashboarding.
- Experience working with hierarchical data structures such as work breakdown structures (WBS), cost breakdown structures (CBS), or similar multi-level coding frameworks.
- Experience integrating, reconciling, and normalizing data across multiple systems, such as scheduling, cost, and financial systems.
- Experience improving data quality, hierarchy, and alignment across systems when working with incomplete, inconsistent, or poorly structured datasets.
- Proficiency with SQL and Python.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 (e.g., Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in engineering, computer science, construction management, business administration (management information systems), data analytics, or statistics.
- PMP (PMI), CCM (CMAA), MRICS/FRICS (RICS), or CCA (AACE).
- Experience integrating PMIS solutions via API with analytics platforms or AI-assisted reporting tools, along with familiarity with applicable cybersecurity governance requirements.
- Experience operating within a Center of Excellence model, including development of templates, processes, and governance that support efficient PMIS configuration and delivery.
- Experience supporting integrated cost and schedule reporting, including earned value or similar performance frameworks.
- Experience supporting project controls or program management on infrastructure programs exceeding $500M in value.
- Familiarity or proficiency with Microsoft Power BI, Oracle Cloud Analytics, or other dashboard KPI reporting software.
Compensation Details
Expected Salary: $130k-$160k/year ($63-$77/hour). Luster provides the salary range that the company in good faith believes it might offer for this position based on the successful candidate's level of experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, education, certifications, licenses, geographic location, etc. Luster reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range depending on circumstances not related to any status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.
Just LOOK at the Benefits We Offer!
- Unlimited flexible time off
- Paid holidays
- Paid parental leave
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Flexible spending accounts (healthcare and dependent or elder care)
- Long-term disability insurance
- Short-term disability insurance
- Life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment
- 401(k) plan with guaranteed employer contribution
- Formal career planning and development program
- $2,500 annually toward professional development
- Wellness program with monthly wellness stipend
- Company cell phone or cell phone plan reimbursement
- Free personalized meal planning and nutrition support with a registered dietitian
- Free personal financial planning services
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discounts
- Employee referral bonus
Specific plan details and coverage for each benefit noted above will be provided upon offer.
Luster is committed to creating an inclusive work environment with a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to criminal history, race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. This employer participates in E-Verify. The employer will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee's I-9 to confirm work authorization.
All positions may be subject to a background check and drug test once a conditional offer of employment is made for any convictions directly related to its duties and responsibilities, in accordance with all applicable local, state, and/or federal regulations.
This job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.
Luster does not accept unsolicited resumes from any third-party. In the absence of a signed agreement, Luster will not consider or agree to payment of any kind. Any unsolicited resumes presented to Luster personnel, including those submitted to Luster hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of Luster.
Please email hiring@luster.com for accommodations necessary to complete the application process.
About the Position
We're seeking a PMIS Configuration Consultant to configure, implement, and support project management information systems on large-scale, heavy-civil infrastructure programs across highways, roads and bridges, transit (rail and bus), aviation, and water sectors. You'll build out PMIS modules for budget, cost, schedule, risk, and reporting, and partner with project controls teams to keep program data structured, accurate, and audit ready.
This is a long-term, full-time, hybrid position located in Oakland, CA, that will require up to 50% travel.
Responsibilities
may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Configure PMIS processes for budget, cost, change orders, payments, risk, issues, cash flow, and earned value to support project controls, project management, and program management functions.
- Configure security roles, user access, and integrations between PMIS platforms, scheduling systems, document management systems, and ERP systems.
- Configure cash flow, earned value, and other modules within the PMIS solution.
- Identify and correct inconsistencies in data structures, coding, and hierarchy across project controls systems.
- Develop and maintain data models that support integrated reporting across cost, schedule, and performance metrics, and drive continuous improvement of data structures, reporting processes, and data quality across the program.
- Develop project reports and dashboards aligned with client and program reporting requirements.
- Automate data extraction, transformation, and reconciliation across PMIS and integrated systems using SQL and/or Python.
- Reconcile and validate data across multiple reporting systems to maintain accuracy and consistency.
- Collaborate with project controls managers, cost engineers, and schedulers to ensure data structures support program controls requirements.
- Support end-user training and knowledge transfer on deployed PMIS configurations, workflows, and reporting tools.
Attributes
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate technical project data into clear reporting for program leadership and stakeholders.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex datasets and identify meaningful insights.
- High attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy.
- Ability to manage multiple data sources and competing reporting deadlines across large, complex programs.
- Collaborative mindset that supports project controls managers, cost engineers, and schedulers in achieving shared reporting goals.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, construction management, business administration (management information systems), data analytics, statistics, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 3+ years of experience implementing and configuring one or more of the following PMIS solutions: Unifier, P6, Kahua, or Procore.
- Experience supporting project controls, data, or reporting functions on large, complex infrastructure programs, including highways, roads, bridges, transit (rail or bus), aviation, or water/wastewater projects, typically involving multi-contract delivery and integrated reporting requirements.
- In-depth understanding of project controls processes and their relationships to budget, schedule, risk, and governance on large infrastructure programs.
- Experience performing advanced data manipulation, transformation, and structuring of large datasets, beyond basic reporting or dashboarding.
- Experience working with hierarchical data structures such as work breakdown structures (WBS), cost breakdown structures (CBS), or similar multi-level coding frameworks.
- Experience integrating, reconciling, and normalizing data across multiple systems, such as scheduling, cost, and financial systems.
- Experience improving data quality, hierarchy, and alignment across systems when working with incomplete, inconsistent, or poorly structured datasets.
- Proficiency with SQL and Python.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 (e.g., Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in engineering, computer science, construction management, business administration (management information systems), data analytics, or statistics.
- PMP (PMI), CCM (CMAA), MRICS/FRICS (RICS), or CCA (AACE).
- Experience integrating PMIS solutions via API with analytics platforms or AI-assisted reporting tools, along with familiarity with applicable cybersecurity governance requirements.
- Experience operating within a Center of Excellence model, including development of templates, processes, and governance that support efficient PMIS configuration and delivery.
- Experience supporting integrated cost and schedule reporting, including earned value or similar performance frameworks.
- Experience supporting project controls or program management on infrastructure programs exceeding $500M in value.
- Familiarity or proficiency with Microsoft Power BI, Oracle Cloud Analytics, or other dashboard KPI reporting software.
Compensation Details
Expected Salary: $130k-$160k/year ($63-$77/hour). Luster provides the salary range that the company in good faith believes it might offer for this position based on the successful candidate's level of experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, education, certifications, licenses, geographic location, etc. Luster reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range depending on circumstances not related to any status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.
Just LOOK at the Benefits We Offer!
- Unlimited flexible time off
- Paid holidays
- Paid parental leave
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Flexible spending accounts (healthcare and dependent or elder care)
- Long-term disability insurance
- Short-term disability insurance
- Life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment
- 401(k) plan with guaranteed employer contribution
- Formal career planning and development program
- $2,500 annually toward professional development
- Wellness program with monthly wellness stipend
- Company cell phone or cell phone plan reimbursement
- Free personalized meal planning and nutrition support with a registered dietitian
- Free personal financial planning services
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discounts
- Employee referral bonus
Specific plan details and coverage for each benefit noted above will be provided upon offer.
Luster is committed to creating an inclusive work environment with a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to criminal history, race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. This employer participates in E-Verify. The employer will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee's I-9 to confirm work authorization.
All positions may be subject to a background check and drug test once a conditional offer of employment is made for any convictions directly related to its duties and responsibilities, in accordance with all applicable local, state, and/or federal regulations.
This job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.
Luster does not accept unsolicited resumes from any third-party. In the absence of a signed agreement, Luster will not consider or agree to payment of any kind. Any unsolicited resumes presented to Luster personnel, including those submitted to Luster hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of Luster.
Please email hiring@luster.com for accommodations necessary to complete the application process.
See all 35+ OPT Configuration Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Configuration Specialist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Configuration Specialist
Highlight your systems and tools experience upfront
Configuration Specialist roles are highly technical. Lead your resume with specific platforms you've configured, such as enterprise software, network devices, or cloud environments. Employers scan for tool familiarity before anything else in this field.
Confirm your role qualifies for STEM OPT extension
Most Configuration Specialist positions fall under STEM-eligible CIP codes in IT or engineering. Verify your degree program qualifies before applying, since a 24-month STEM extension significantly strengthens your case with employers weighing authorization timelines.
Target employers already familiar with OPT sponsorship
Mid-to-large IT services firms, managed service providers, and enterprise software companies regularly hire on OPT. These employers have HR infrastructure to handle work authorization paperwork without treating it as an obstacle during the hiring process.
Address your OPT timeline proactively in interviews
Bring up your authorization window early, not at the offer stage. Explain that OPT provides immediate work authorization and that STEM extension adds another two years, giving employers a concrete runway before any H-1B visa decision is required.
Emphasize certifications relevant to configuration work
Credentials like CompTIA A+, Cisco CCNA, or vendor-specific certifications signal job-readiness to hiring managers. For OPT students, certifications help close the gap when you have limited U.S. work experience but strong technical knowledge from your program.
Use Migrate Mate to find OPT-friendly Configuration Specialist openings
Migrate Mate filters job listings by visa sponsorship status, so you can focus on employers already open to OPT. Browsing by role type saves time and helps you avoid wasting applications on companies with no history of sponsoring international candidates.
Configuration Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Configuration Specialist on F-1 OPT?
Yes. Configuration Specialist roles typically align with IT and systems engineering fields, which qualify for F-1 OPT work authorization. Your position must be directly related to your degree program. If your degree is in computer science, information systems, or a related STEM field, most Configuration Specialist job descriptions will satisfy that requirement.
Do Configuration Specialist jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most do, but it depends on your specific degree program and job duties. Roles involving software configuration, network systems, or enterprise IT infrastructure typically fall under STEM-designated CIP codes. You'll need your DSO to confirm eligibility and your employer to sign the Form I-983 training plan before you can apply for the 24-month extension.
What should I look for in an employer to ensure they'll support my OPT?
Look for employers with established HR processes for international hires, particularly mid-to-large IT services companies, managed service providers, and enterprise software firms. These organizations have handled OPT paperwork before and won't treat work authorization as a dealbreaker. Migrate Mate surfaces employers already open to sponsoring OPT candidates, making the search more targeted.
How do I explain my OPT status to a Configuration Specialist hiring manager?
Be direct and specific. Tell them you have F-1 OPT authorization, which permits full-time employment immediately, and that your STEM extension eligibility provides an additional 24 months if your degree qualifies. Frame it as a known timeline, not an ambiguity. Hiring managers in technical fields generally respond better to confident, factual explanations than vague references to visa status.
Are Configuration Specialist roles typically open to OPT students without U.S. work experience?
Entry-level and junior Configuration Specialist positions do hire candidates without U.S. work experience, especially if you can demonstrate hands-on lab work, internships, or relevant certifications from your degree program. Employers in this field prioritize technical competency over location of prior experience. Having certifications like CompTIA A+ or a Cisco credential can offset limited professional history.