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 JobsINTRODUCTION
About M.C. Dean
M.C. Dean is Building Intelligence. We design, build, operate, and maintain cyber-physical solutions for the nation’s most mission-critical facilities, secure environments, complex infrastructure, and global enterprises. With over 7,000 employees, our capabilities span electrical, electronic security, telecommunications, life safety, automation and controls, audiovisual, and IT systems. Headquarters in Tysons, Virginia, M.C. Dean delivers resilient, secure, and innovative power and technology solutions through engineering expertise and smart systems integration.
Why Join Us?
Our people are passionate about engineering innovation that improves lives and drives impactful change. Guided by our core values—agility, expertise, and trust—we foster a collaborative and forward-thinking work environment. At M.C. Dean, we are committed to building the next generation of technical leaders in electrical, engineering, and cybersecurity industries.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As part of a multidisciplinary team, you will be responsible for coordinating and implementing technical controls and configuration settings and will work in a team environment alongside other cybersecurity engineers and Risk Management Framework (RMF) analysts responsible for supporting Information System Security Engineering efforts.
Responsibilities:
- Working closely and supporting team members, vendors, and government customers
- Implementing DoD Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs) on traditional Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) systems
- Assisting in the development and verification of documentation necessary to complete the DoD RMF assessment and authorization process
- Conducting ICS/SCADA system inventories following DoD guidance
- Conducting vulnerability scanning and document system vulnerabilities
- Supporting ISO standardization and Quality inspections
- Participating in continuous improvement of organizational cybersecurity posture
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
- 3+ Years of Experience with a Master's Degree in Information Technology, Risk Management, Cybersecurity
- 5+ Years of Experience with a Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology, Risk Management, Cybersecurity
- 8+ Years of Experience with an Associate's Degree in Information Technology, Risk Management, Cybersecurity
- 11+ Years with a High School Diploma/ GED
Required Progressive Experience:
- Working with industry and government agencies on the design of platforms and integrated systems
- Working on government and/or commercial projects implementing cybersecurity requirements in a variety of industrial control systems (e.g., building management, electronic security, fire alarm/mass notification, electrical distribution, power management, etc.)
- Proficiency with ACAS and HBSS and mitigation strategies
- Developing policies and procedures to ensure information systems reliability and accessibility and to prevent and defend against unauthorized access to systems, networks, and data
- Assessment, mitigation, and closure of network vulnerabilities and vulnerability management eMASS
- Establishing, managing, and tracking of Plan of Action & Milestones (POA&M)
- Applying STIGs to servers, databases, applications, and other hardware
- Security Readiness Review (SRR) Tools (scripts and ACAS)
- Ability to identify, maintain, and troubleshoot control network components
- Excellent understanding of the DoD RMF lifecycle and NIST 800-53 controls implementation
- Awareness of NIST Special Publication 800-82, Guide to Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Security and UFC 4-010-06 Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) Cybersecurity of Facility
- Working knowledge of operational control systems and implementing a variety of security assessment tools
- Working knowledge of other operational control systems
- Familiarity with DoDIN CCRI/CCORI and CYBERCOM TASKORDS
- Familiarity with various industry products
One of the Required Certifications:
- CASP CE
- CISSP
- CISSP – ISSAP
- CISSP - ISSEP
- CSSLP
- CISA
- CISM
- GCED
- GCIH
Also:
- Strong Oral, Written and Presentation Skills with the ability and experience communicating directly with Customers
- Demonstrated background working with multidisciplinary teams
- Demonstrated time management and organization skills to meet deadlines and quality objectives
- Strong MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint, AUTOCAD, Cameo and Visio Skills is a plus.
Abilities:
- Exposure to computer screens for an extended period of time.
- Sitting for extended periods of time.
- Reach by extending hands or arms in any direction.
- Have finger dexterity in order to manipulate objects with fingers rather than whole hands or arms, for example, using a keyboard.
- Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
- Apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
- Identify and understand the speech of another person.
INTRODUCTION
About M.C. Dean
M.C. Dean is Building Intelligence. We design, build, operate, and maintain cyber-physical solutions for the nation’s most mission-critical facilities, secure environments, complex infrastructure, and global enterprises. With over 7,000 employees, our capabilities span electrical, electronic security, telecommunications, life safety, automation and controls, audiovisual, and IT systems. Headquarters in Tysons, Virginia, M.C. Dean delivers resilient, secure, and innovative power and technology solutions through engineering expertise and smart systems integration.
Why Join Us?
Our people are passionate about engineering innovation that improves lives and drives impactful change. Guided by our core values—agility, expertise, and trust—we foster a collaborative and forward-thinking work environment. At M.C. Dean, we are committed to building the next generation of technical leaders in electrical, engineering, and cybersecurity industries.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As part of a multidisciplinary team, you will be responsible for coordinating and implementing technical controls and configuration settings and will work in a team environment alongside other cybersecurity engineers and Risk Management Framework (RMF) analysts responsible for supporting Information System Security Engineering efforts.
Responsibilities:
- Working closely and supporting team members, vendors, and government customers
- Implementing DoD Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs) on traditional Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) systems
- Assisting in the development and verification of documentation necessary to complete the DoD RMF assessment and authorization process
- Conducting ICS/SCADA system inventories following DoD guidance
- Conducting vulnerability scanning and document system vulnerabilities
- Supporting ISO standardization and Quality inspections
- Participating in continuous improvement of organizational cybersecurity posture
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
- 3+ Years of Experience with a Master's Degree in Information Technology, Risk Management, Cybersecurity
- 5+ Years of Experience with a Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology, Risk Management, Cybersecurity
- 8+ Years of Experience with an Associate's Degree in Information Technology, Risk Management, Cybersecurity
- 11+ Years with a High School Diploma/ GED
Required Progressive Experience:
- Working with industry and government agencies on the design of platforms and integrated systems
- Working on government and/or commercial projects implementing cybersecurity requirements in a variety of industrial control systems (e.g., building management, electronic security, fire alarm/mass notification, electrical distribution, power management, etc.)
- Proficiency with ACAS and HBSS and mitigation strategies
- Developing policies and procedures to ensure information systems reliability and accessibility and to prevent and defend against unauthorized access to systems, networks, and data
- Assessment, mitigation, and closure of network vulnerabilities and vulnerability management eMASS
- Establishing, managing, and tracking of Plan of Action & Milestones (POA&M)
- Applying STIGs to servers, databases, applications, and other hardware
- Security Readiness Review (SRR) Tools (scripts and ACAS)
- Ability to identify, maintain, and troubleshoot control network components
- Excellent understanding of the DoD RMF lifecycle and NIST 800-53 controls implementation
- Awareness of NIST Special Publication 800-82, Guide to Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Security and UFC 4-010-06 Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) Cybersecurity of Facility
- Working knowledge of operational control systems and implementing a variety of security assessment tools
- Working knowledge of other operational control systems
- Familiarity with DoDIN CCRI/CCORI and CYBERCOM TASKORDS
- Familiarity with various industry products
One of the Required Certifications:
- CASP CE
- CISSP
- CISSP – ISSAP
- CISSP - ISSEP
- CSSLP
- CISA
- CISM
- GCED
- GCIH
Also:
- Strong Oral, Written and Presentation Skills with the ability and experience communicating directly with Customers
- Demonstrated background working with multidisciplinary teams
- Demonstrated time management and organization skills to meet deadlines and quality objectives
- Strong MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint, AUTOCAD, Cameo and Visio Skills is a plus.
Abilities:
- Exposure to computer screens for an extended period of time.
- Sitting for extended periods of time.
- Reach by extending hands or arms in any direction.
- Have finger dexterity in order to manipulate objects with fingers rather than whole hands or arms, for example, using a keyboard.
- Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
- Apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
- Identify and understand the speech of another person.
See all 39+ 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.