Data Architect Jobs for OPT Students
Data Architect roles on OPT require employers who can sponsor H-1B, as the position consistently qualifies as a specialty occupation under USCIS standards. Most roles demand proficiency in cloud platforms, data modeling, and enterprise architecture. STEM OPT extensions are widely available for this role, giving you up to three years of work authorization.
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Get Access To All JobsAbout Zscaler
Zscaler accelerates digital transformation to ensure our customers can be more agile, efficient, resilient, and secure. As an AI-forward enterprise, we are constantly pushing the envelope, leveraging the world’s largest security data lake to power our cloud-native Zero Trust Exchange platform. This innovation protects our customers from cyberattacks and data loss by securely connecting users, devices, and applications in any location. Here, impact in your role matters more than title and trust is built on results. We say, impact over activity. We seek innovators who actively use AI to amplify their impact and who thrive in an environment where we leverage intelligent systems to stay ahead of evolving threats. We believe in transparency and value constructive, honest debate —we’re focused on getting to the best ideas, faster. We build high-performing teams that can make an impact quickly and with high quality. To do this, we are building a culture of execution centered on customer obsession, collaboration, ownership, and accountability. We value high-impact, high-accountability with a sense of urgency where you’re enabled to do your best work and embrace your potential. If you’re driven by purpose, thrive on solving complex challenges, and want to be part of the team that’s helping to secure the AI age, we invite you to bring your talents to Zscaler and help shape the future of cybersecurity. Red Canary, a Zscaler company, monitors an enterprise’s environment to detect and respond to cybersecurity threats so they can focus on their mission. Our Managed Detection and Response (MDR) solution is a unique blend of human expertise and security, which protects organizations from modern adversaries as their teams work remotely, move to the cloud, and they adopt new cybersecurity and IT technologies.
Role
We are looking for a Principal AI and Data Architect to join our Red Canary team. This is a Remote role, reporting to the VP, Software Engineering. You will architect the large-scale data infrastructure and advanced AI/ML frameworks necessary to automate threat detection and enhance SOC efficiency. Ultimately, this leader will transform massive security telemetry into actionable intelligence using ML Models, LLMs, and AI agents to drastically reduce manual analyst workloads.
What You’ll Do (Role Expectations)
- Lead the design and implementation of large-scale data architectures for cloud-based systems (AWS, Azure) to efficiently ingest, store, and process massive volumes of security telemetry and alerts
- Spearhead advanced AI/ML initiatives, including Generative AI, to develop end-to-end AI solutions for SOC automation, threat detection, and threat hunting, leveraging frameworks like Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, and PyTorch
- Drive the use of Large Language Models (LLMs) and AI Agents to enhance the enrichment of security data, enabling faster human decision-making, while exploring and evaluating various LLM architectures
- Collaborate across teams to integrate ML-driven insights into the platform and apply automation and analytics to reduce analyst workload and enhance detection fidelity
- Provide architectural guidance across engineering based on the fast-paced world of GenAI, Agents, and classic ML models, including those developed by our internal R&D teams
Who You Are (Success Profile)
- You thrive in ambiguity. You're comfortable building the path as you walk it. You thrive in a dynamic environment, seeing ambiguity not as a hindrance, but as the raw material to build something meaningful.
- You act like an owner. Your passion for the mission fuels your bias for action. You operate with integrity because you genuinely care about the outcome. You adapt to what’s needed, navigating seamlessly between high-level strategy and hands-on execution.
- You are a problem-solver. You seek out challenges because you are energized by finding solutions, knowing that solving the hard problems delivers the biggest impact.
- You are a high-trust collaborator. You are ambitious for the team, not just yourself. You embrace our challenge culture by giving and receiving ongoing feedback—knowing that candor delivered with clarity and respect is the truest form of teamwork and the fastest way to earn trust.
- You are a learner. You have a true growth mindset and never stop developing yourself, actively seeking feedback to become a better partner and a stronger teammate. You love what you do and you do it with purpose.
What We’re Looking For (Minimum Qualifications)
- 12+ years of experience inclusive of data architecture and AI/ML, with a track record of designing and implementing large-scale data systems and production-grade ML solutions
- Proficiency in Python (for data processing and ML pipelines), cloud platforms (AWS and/or Azure including data storage, compute services, and security controls), and MLOps best practices
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related field or equivalent
What Will Make You Stand Out (Preferred Qualifications)
- Security domain knowledge including SOC operations, threat detection methodologies, log formats, common attack techniques, and understanding of how ML can enhance detection and response
- Familiarity with modern data pipelines, streaming technologies, and AI Agent frameworks
- Proficiency with infrastructure-as-code, containerization, and CI/CD for data and model deployments
Zscaler’s salary ranges are benchmarked and are determined by role and level. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across all US locations and could be higher or lower based on a multitude of factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. The base salary range listed for this full-time position excludes commission/ bonus/ equity (if applicable) + benefits.
Base Pay Range
$133,000—$235,000 USD
At Zscaler, we are committed to building a team that reflects the communities we serve and the customers we work with. We foster an inclusive environment that values all backgrounds and perspectives, emphasizing collaboration and belonging. Join us in our mission to make doing business seamless and secure.
Benefits
Our Benefits program is one of the most important ways we support our employees. Zscaler proudly offers comprehensive and inclusive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families throughout their life stages, including:
- Various health plans
- Time off plans for vacation and sick time
- Parental leave options
- Retirement options
- Education reimbursement
- In-office perks, and more!
Learn more about Zscaler’s Future of Work strategy, hybrid working model, and benefits here.
By applying for this role, you adhere to applicable laws, regulations, and Zscaler policies, including those related to security and privacy standards and guidelines. Zscaler is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals. We strive to create a workplace where employees are treated with respect and have the chance to succeed. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy or related medical conditions), age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Pay Transparency
Zscaler complies with all applicable federal, state, and local pay transparency rules. Zscaler is committed to providing reasonable support (called accommodations or adjustments) in our recruiting processes for candidates who are differently abled, have long term conditions, mental health conditions or sincerely held religious beliefs, or who are neurodivergent or require pregnancy-related support.
About Zscaler
Zscaler accelerates digital transformation to ensure our customers can be more agile, efficient, resilient, and secure. As an AI-forward enterprise, we are constantly pushing the envelope, leveraging the world’s largest security data lake to power our cloud-native Zero Trust Exchange platform. This innovation protects our customers from cyberattacks and data loss by securely connecting users, devices, and applications in any location. Here, impact in your role matters more than title and trust is built on results. We say, impact over activity. We seek innovators who actively use AI to amplify their impact and who thrive in an environment where we leverage intelligent systems to stay ahead of evolving threats. We believe in transparency and value constructive, honest debate —we’re focused on getting to the best ideas, faster. We build high-performing teams that can make an impact quickly and with high quality. To do this, we are building a culture of execution centered on customer obsession, collaboration, ownership, and accountability. We value high-impact, high-accountability with a sense of urgency where you’re enabled to do your best work and embrace your potential. If you’re driven by purpose, thrive on solving complex challenges, and want to be part of the team that’s helping to secure the AI age, we invite you to bring your talents to Zscaler and help shape the future of cybersecurity. Red Canary, a Zscaler company, monitors an enterprise’s environment to detect and respond to cybersecurity threats so they can focus on their mission. Our Managed Detection and Response (MDR) solution is a unique blend of human expertise and security, which protects organizations from modern adversaries as their teams work remotely, move to the cloud, and they adopt new cybersecurity and IT technologies.
Role
We are looking for a Principal AI and Data Architect to join our Red Canary team. This is a Remote role, reporting to the VP, Software Engineering. You will architect the large-scale data infrastructure and advanced AI/ML frameworks necessary to automate threat detection and enhance SOC efficiency. Ultimately, this leader will transform massive security telemetry into actionable intelligence using ML Models, LLMs, and AI agents to drastically reduce manual analyst workloads.
What You’ll Do (Role Expectations)
- Lead the design and implementation of large-scale data architectures for cloud-based systems (AWS, Azure) to efficiently ingest, store, and process massive volumes of security telemetry and alerts
- Spearhead advanced AI/ML initiatives, including Generative AI, to develop end-to-end AI solutions for SOC automation, threat detection, and threat hunting, leveraging frameworks like Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, and PyTorch
- Drive the use of Large Language Models (LLMs) and AI Agents to enhance the enrichment of security data, enabling faster human decision-making, while exploring and evaluating various LLM architectures
- Collaborate across teams to integrate ML-driven insights into the platform and apply automation and analytics to reduce analyst workload and enhance detection fidelity
- Provide architectural guidance across engineering based on the fast-paced world of GenAI, Agents, and classic ML models, including those developed by our internal R&D teams
Who You Are (Success Profile)
- You thrive in ambiguity. You're comfortable building the path as you walk it. You thrive in a dynamic environment, seeing ambiguity not as a hindrance, but as the raw material to build something meaningful.
- You act like an owner. Your passion for the mission fuels your bias for action. You operate with integrity because you genuinely care about the outcome. You adapt to what’s needed, navigating seamlessly between high-level strategy and hands-on execution.
- You are a problem-solver. You seek out challenges because you are energized by finding solutions, knowing that solving the hard problems delivers the biggest impact.
- You are a high-trust collaborator. You are ambitious for the team, not just yourself. You embrace our challenge culture by giving and receiving ongoing feedback—knowing that candor delivered with clarity and respect is the truest form of teamwork and the fastest way to earn trust.
- You are a learner. You have a true growth mindset and never stop developing yourself, actively seeking feedback to become a better partner and a stronger teammate. You love what you do and you do it with purpose.
What We’re Looking For (Minimum Qualifications)
- 12+ years of experience inclusive of data architecture and AI/ML, with a track record of designing and implementing large-scale data systems and production-grade ML solutions
- Proficiency in Python (for data processing and ML pipelines), cloud platforms (AWS and/or Azure including data storage, compute services, and security controls), and MLOps best practices
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related field or equivalent
What Will Make You Stand Out (Preferred Qualifications)
- Security domain knowledge including SOC operations, threat detection methodologies, log formats, common attack techniques, and understanding of how ML can enhance detection and response
- Familiarity with modern data pipelines, streaming technologies, and AI Agent frameworks
- Proficiency with infrastructure-as-code, containerization, and CI/CD for data and model deployments
Zscaler’s salary ranges are benchmarked and are determined by role and level. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across all US locations and could be higher or lower based on a multitude of factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. The base salary range listed for this full-time position excludes commission/ bonus/ equity (if applicable) + benefits.
Base Pay Range
$133,000—$235,000 USD
At Zscaler, we are committed to building a team that reflects the communities we serve and the customers we work with. We foster an inclusive environment that values all backgrounds and perspectives, emphasizing collaboration and belonging. Join us in our mission to make doing business seamless and secure.
Benefits
Our Benefits program is one of the most important ways we support our employees. Zscaler proudly offers comprehensive and inclusive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families throughout their life stages, including:
- Various health plans
- Time off plans for vacation and sick time
- Parental leave options
- Retirement options
- Education reimbursement
- In-office perks, and more!
Learn more about Zscaler’s Future of Work strategy, hybrid working model, and benefits here.
By applying for this role, you adhere to applicable laws, regulations, and Zscaler policies, including those related to security and privacy standards and guidelines. Zscaler is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals. We strive to create a workplace where employees are treated with respect and have the chance to succeed. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy or related medical conditions), age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Pay Transparency
Zscaler complies with all applicable federal, state, and local pay transparency rules. Zscaler is committed to providing reasonable support (called accommodations or adjustments) in our recruiting processes for candidates who are differently abled, have long term conditions, mental health conditions or sincerely held religious beliefs, or who are neurodivergent or require pregnancy-related support.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Data Architect
Target employers with a STEM OPT track record
Companies that have hired data architects on OPT before understand the authorization timeline and STEM extension process. Look for organizations with dedicated immigration support teams, as they're far more likely to navigate H-1B sponsorship without hesitation.
Lead with your data stack, not your visa status
Hiring managers at the senior architect level care about your cloud platform expertise, data modeling methodology, and past system scale. Establish technical credibility first. Sponsorship conversations land better once a hiring manager already wants you on the team.
Confirm your degree qualifies for STEM OPT extension
Data Architect roles almost always qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree is in computer science, information systems, or a related CIP-coded field. Verify your program's CIP code with your DSO before accepting any offer.
Address the H-1B timeline early with employers
Data Architect is a well-established specialty occupation, which strengthens H-1B petition approval odds. Raising this proactively with employers signals preparation, not desperation, and lets both sides plan around the April filing and October start timeline.
Prioritize large enterprises and consultancies
Firms like the Big Four, major cloud consultancies, and Fortune 500 technology organizations sponsor data architects regularly. Their in-house immigration counsel and established processes reduce friction compared to smaller companies encountering OPT sponsorship for the first time.
Document your architecture work with measurable outcomes
Sponsoring employers need to justify the hire for an H-1B petition. Portfolio pieces that show data pipeline scale, latency improvements, or cost reductions give the company concrete evidence supporting the specialty occupation classification and wage level determination.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does a Data Architect role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B?
Yes. Data Architect is one of the more straightforward H-1B specialty occupation classifications because USCIS consistently recognizes it as requiring at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, or a directly related field. The role's technical complexity and degree-specific requirements satisfy the specialty occupation standard without significant evidentiary challenges.
Can I work as a Data Architect on STEM OPT?
Yes, provided your degree falls under a STEM-designated CIP code. Most degrees in computer science, data science, information systems, or software engineering qualify. The STEM OPT extension gives you an additional 24 months of work authorization beyond your initial 12-month OPT period, for up to 36 months total. Confirm your specific CIP code with your DSO before you apply.
How do I find Data Architect jobs where employers are open to OPT sponsorship?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for OPT-eligible candidates, so you're not spending time on roles where sponsorship is a non-starter. Data Architect positions on the platform are sourced from employers familiar with the OPT and H-1B process, which significantly shortens the sponsorship conversation during interviews.
What should I do if my OPT expires before the H-1B start date?
If your employer files an H-1B cap-subject petition by the April 1 deadline for an October 1 start date, and your OPT expires between April and September, the cap-gap rule automatically extends your work authorization. You can continue working legally for the same employer throughout that period without interruption, as long as the petition remains pending or is approved.
Do smaller startups typically sponsor Data Architects on OPT?
Some do, but it's less common than at larger enterprises. Startups without in-house legal teams often lack experience with the H-1B process, which creates risk for your timeline. If you're considering a startup, ask early whether they've sponsored H-1B petitions before and whether they have an immigration attorney relationship in place.
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