OPT Cybersecurity Specialist Jobs
Cybersecurity Specialist roles are among the most actively sponsored positions for F-1 OPT students, with strong demand across finance, healthcare, defense contractors, and tech. Most roles require a degree in computer science, information security, or a related field. STEM OPT extension eligibility gives you up to three years of work authorization.
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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 267+ OPT Cybersecurity Specialist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Cybersecurity Specialist
Target STEM-designated programs first
Confirm your degree program appears on the Department of Homeland Security STEM designated degree program list before applying. Cybersecurity and information assurance degrees typically qualify, giving you 24 additional months beyond your initial 12-month OPT period.
Prioritize employers with active security clearance programs
Defense contractors and federal agencies regularly hire OPT students for cybersecurity roles and often have established immigration support infrastructure. Look for employers already sponsoring H-1B visas, which signals willingness to navigate work authorization requirements for technical hires.
Get relevant certifications before you apply
CompTIA Security+, Certified Ethical Hacker, or CISSP Associate credentials significantly strengthen cybersecurity applications. Hiring managers in this field treat certifications as concrete proof of competency, which can offset employer concerns about the paperwork involved in hiring OPT candidates.
Apply early relative to your OPT start date
Start applying at least three months before your OPT authorization begins. Cybersecurity hiring processes often include technical assessments, background checks, and multiple interview rounds. Beginning early ensures you have an offer and start date that aligns cleanly with your authorized period.
Be transparent about your STEM OPT timeline upfront
Tell hiring managers directly that you are eligible for a STEM OPT extension, giving them up to three years before any H-1B sponsorship decision is required. Most employers in cybersecurity are familiar with OPT but may not know the STEM extension exists without you explaining it.
Frame your E-Verify compliance readiness clearly
STEM OPT employers must be enrolled in E-Verify, so confirming this early saves everyone time. Research whether a target employer is E-Verify enrolled before your first interview. Raising this proactively signals that you understand the process and will not create compliance surprises.
Cybersecurity Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Cybersecurity Specialist on OPT without H-1B sponsorship?
Yes. During your OPT period, you are authorized to work in cybersecurity without any additional visa sponsorship. If your degree is STEM-designated, you can extend that authorization for 24 additional months beyond your initial 12-month OPT period, giving you up to three years of work authorization before an employer needs to sponsor an H-1B.
Do most cybersecurity employers sponsor OPT students?
Demand for cybersecurity professionals is high enough that many employers actively recruit OPT students. Finance, healthcare, technology, and defense sectors are the most active. To find cybersecurity roles at companies already comfortable with OPT and visa sponsorship, browse Migrate Mate, which filters specifically for employers open to sponsoring international candidates.
Does a cybersecurity role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. If your degree program, such as computer science, information security, or cybersecurity, appears on the DHS STEM designated degree program list, you are eligible for the 24-month extension regardless of your specific job title. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before assuming eligibility.
What happens if my OPT expires before my employer files an H-1B?
If you exhaust your STEM OPT period before an H-1B is approved, you lose work authorization and must stop working. Timing is critical. H-1B cap-subject petitions can only be filed once per year for an October 1 start date. Work backward from your OPT expiration date with your employer to ensure the petition timeline aligns.
Are there cybersecurity specializations that are easier to get sponsored in?
Cloud security, application security, and threat intelligence roles at large technology companies and financial institutions tend to have the most established sponsorship pipelines. Roles tied to government contractor work requiring U.S. citizenship are off-limits for OPT students regardless of specialization. Focus on private-sector employers in regulated industries where security hiring volume is consistently high.