Data Center Jobs for OPT Students
Data center roles in operations, infrastructure, and network engineering are strong fits for F-1 OPT students with degrees in computer science, electrical engineering, or information systems. STEM OPT extension eligibility makes these positions especially valuable, giving you up to three years of authorized work experience in a field with consistent employer demand.
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Get Access To All JobsScientific Games
Scientific Games is the global leader in lottery games, sports betting and technology, and the partner of choice for government lotteries. From cutting-edge backend systems to exciting entertainment experiences and trailblazing retail and digital solutions, we elevate play every day. We push game designs to the next level and are pioneers in data analytics and iLottery. Built on a foundation of trusted partnerships, Scientific Games combines relentless innovation, legendary performance, and unwavering security to responsibly propel the global lottery industry ever forward.
Position Summary
This position is responsible for the overall integrity and functionality of the Operations Department computer systems and staff. This position is the main technical interface for the customer, internal departments and corporate support. This position will oversee the on-site technical support to the Data Center and Lottery for all online software, file systems and database applications relating to the AEGIS-EF System. This position gives direction to and works with the Assistant Operation’s manager, operations staff, QA Analyst and Tester. The Operation and Systems Manager reports directly to the General Manager.
Job Duties / Key Accountabilities
- Monitors online system performance and reports all anomalies and unusual incidents to Management, and Corporate and Operations Support Teams.
- Provides direction and feedback to the Systems Support Team.
- Provides first tier support for all incidents while managing and coordinating all necessary support until issue has been resolved.
- Ability to interface with Operations and Systems to keep test and production systems in sync and at top performance at all times.
- Ability to fill in for roles of the Systems team for system support/testing/processing.
- Ability to arrange for and manage user acceptance testing of new and/or improved software.
- Ability to oversee the testing and implementation of software releases.
- Ability to work with Corporate Software Development to design the requirements for software enhancements.
- Define the details of required software corrections.
- Plan for and conduct testing and implementation of software releases.
- Communicates all incidents and reporting to Lottery as needed and required.
- Provides supervision to ensure all projects and tasks are completed in a timely manner and all contractual requirements are met.
- Creates and maintains operational procedures.
- Manages the deployment of software into the Production environment.
- Ability to hire, discipline and terminate staff as within corporate guidelines.
- Reviews work performed by the Assistant Operations Manager, Assistant Systems Manager, and Systems Support members.
- Ability to use change management best practices process adopted by NASPL to manage projects.
- Ability to schedule software releases.
- Ability to maintain ClearQuest database of software change requests utilizing the RFC process.
- Coordinates, manages, and performs ongoing and continuous training on Operational Processes and Procedures, and other related tasks and duties required to maintain a complex set of systems with maximum reliability.
- Reviews, monitors, and mentors Operational staff.
- Ability to work with all levels of management and communicate problems effectively and efficiently.
- Must have a flexible work schedule.
- Ability to fill in for absent staff members to support the operations department.
- Performs these job functions and all other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Education
Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, IT or related fields and/or 5 years of related work experience
Years Of Related Experience
- On Call 24/7 for Operational support
- Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills
- Preferred experience using UNIX, LINUX, Windows Servers, and SQL Server and Crystal Reports
- Required to maintain company and customer confidentiality
- Ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships
- Ability to communicate with all levels of management
- Must have above-average organizational and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work in a team environment
- Intermediate computer software and hardware technologies (i.e., Microsoft Office Products)
- Ability to quickly learn and understand new technologies
- Strong time management skills
Physical Requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, bend, use hands, operate a computer, and have specific vision abilities to include close and distance vision, and ability to adjust focus working with computer and business equipment.
Work Conditions
Scientific Games, LLC and its affiliates (collectively, “SG”) are engaged in highly regulated gaming and lottery businesses. As a result, certain SG employees may, among other things, be required to obtain a gaming or other license(s), undergo background investigations or security checks, or meet certain standards dictated by law, regulation or contracts. In order to ensure SG complies with its regulatory and contractual commitments, as a condition to hiring and continuing to employ its employees, SG requires all of its employees to meet those requirements that are necessary to fulfill their individual roles. As a prerequisite to employment with SG (to the extent permitted by law), you shall be asked to consent to SG conducting a due diligence/background investigation on you. This job description should not be interpreted as all-inclusive; it is intended to identify major responsibilities and requirements of the job. The employee in this position may be requested to perform other job-related tasks and responsibilities than those stated above.
SG is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against applicants due to race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. If you’d like more information about your equal employment opportunity rights as an applicant under the law, please click here for EEOC Poster.
Scientific Games
Scientific Games is the global leader in lottery games, sports betting and technology, and the partner of choice for government lotteries. From cutting-edge backend systems to exciting entertainment experiences and trailblazing retail and digital solutions, we elevate play every day. We push game designs to the next level and are pioneers in data analytics and iLottery. Built on a foundation of trusted partnerships, Scientific Games combines relentless innovation, legendary performance, and unwavering security to responsibly propel the global lottery industry ever forward.
Position Summary
This position is responsible for the overall integrity and functionality of the Operations Department computer systems and staff. This position is the main technical interface for the customer, internal departments and corporate support. This position will oversee the on-site technical support to the Data Center and Lottery for all online software, file systems and database applications relating to the AEGIS-EF System. This position gives direction to and works with the Assistant Operation’s manager, operations staff, QA Analyst and Tester. The Operation and Systems Manager reports directly to the General Manager.
Job Duties / Key Accountabilities
- Monitors online system performance and reports all anomalies and unusual incidents to Management, and Corporate and Operations Support Teams.
- Provides direction and feedback to the Systems Support Team.
- Provides first tier support for all incidents while managing and coordinating all necessary support until issue has been resolved.
- Ability to interface with Operations and Systems to keep test and production systems in sync and at top performance at all times.
- Ability to fill in for roles of the Systems team for system support/testing/processing.
- Ability to arrange for and manage user acceptance testing of new and/or improved software.
- Ability to oversee the testing and implementation of software releases.
- Ability to work with Corporate Software Development to design the requirements for software enhancements.
- Define the details of required software corrections.
- Plan for and conduct testing and implementation of software releases.
- Communicates all incidents and reporting to Lottery as needed and required.
- Provides supervision to ensure all projects and tasks are completed in a timely manner and all contractual requirements are met.
- Creates and maintains operational procedures.
- Manages the deployment of software into the Production environment.
- Ability to hire, discipline and terminate staff as within corporate guidelines.
- Reviews work performed by the Assistant Operations Manager, Assistant Systems Manager, and Systems Support members.
- Ability to use change management best practices process adopted by NASPL to manage projects.
- Ability to schedule software releases.
- Ability to maintain ClearQuest database of software change requests utilizing the RFC process.
- Coordinates, manages, and performs ongoing and continuous training on Operational Processes and Procedures, and other related tasks and duties required to maintain a complex set of systems with maximum reliability.
- Reviews, monitors, and mentors Operational staff.
- Ability to work with all levels of management and communicate problems effectively and efficiently.
- Must have a flexible work schedule.
- Ability to fill in for absent staff members to support the operations department.
- Performs these job functions and all other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Education
Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, IT or related fields and/or 5 years of related work experience
Years Of Related Experience
- On Call 24/7 for Operational support
- Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills
- Preferred experience using UNIX, LINUX, Windows Servers, and SQL Server and Crystal Reports
- Required to maintain company and customer confidentiality
- Ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships
- Ability to communicate with all levels of management
- Must have above-average organizational and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work in a team environment
- Intermediate computer software and hardware technologies (i.e., Microsoft Office Products)
- Ability to quickly learn and understand new technologies
- Strong time management skills
Physical Requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, bend, use hands, operate a computer, and have specific vision abilities to include close and distance vision, and ability to adjust focus working with computer and business equipment.
Work Conditions
Scientific Games, LLC and its affiliates (collectively, “SG”) are engaged in highly regulated gaming and lottery businesses. As a result, certain SG employees may, among other things, be required to obtain a gaming or other license(s), undergo background investigations or security checks, or meet certain standards dictated by law, regulation or contracts. In order to ensure SG complies with its regulatory and contractual commitments, as a condition to hiring and continuing to employ its employees, SG requires all of its employees to meet those requirements that are necessary to fulfill their individual roles. As a prerequisite to employment with SG (to the extent permitted by law), you shall be asked to consent to SG conducting a due diligence/background investigation on you. This job description should not be interpreted as all-inclusive; it is intended to identify major responsibilities and requirements of the job. The employee in this position may be requested to perform other job-related tasks and responsibilities than those stated above.
SG is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against applicants due to race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. If you’d like more information about your equal employment opportunity rights as an applicant under the law, please click here for EEOC Poster.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Data Center
Target enterprise operators and hyperscalers
Large-scale data center operators run structured hiring programs and have dedicated immigration teams. They're far more likely to have existing H-1B sponsorship infrastructure than regional managed service providers or smaller colocation facilities.
Confirm your role qualifies as a specialty occupation
Data center technician roles vary significantly. Positions requiring a specific engineering or CS degree, network engineer, systems administrator, infrastructure architect, have a clearer path to H-1B sponsorship than general IT support or field operations roles.
Lead with certifications alongside your degree
CompTIA Server+, CCNA, and AWS certifications signal hands-on readiness. Employers sponsoring OPT students in data center roles often use certifications as a secondary filter when academic backgrounds across candidates look similar.
Start your job search before your OPT authorization expires
Data center hiring cycles can run eight to twelve weeks. Build in enough runway to complete interviews and receive an offer while your current OPT period is still valid, especially if you're targeting a STEM OPT extension.
Apply your STEM OPT extension advantage directly
Data center infrastructure, cloud operations, and network engineering roles typically qualify under STEM-eligible CIP codes. Tell employers upfront that your degree qualifies for the extension, reducing their H-1B urgency in the near term.
Prepare documentation proving your degree-to-role connection
Data center employers processing OPT or future H-1B paperwork need to justify your specific degree requirement. Prepare a clear narrative linking your coursework in networking, systems, or engineering directly to your target role's technical responsibilities.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Do data center jobs typically qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most data center roles in network engineering, systems administration, cloud infrastructure, and data center operations qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, provided your degree falls under an eligible CIP code in fields like computer science or electrical engineering. General facilities or technician roles with no degree requirement may not qualify. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO before applying.
What degree fields are most relevant for OPT students applying to data center jobs?
Computer science, electrical engineering, information systems, and network engineering are the most directly applicable. Employers hiring OPT students for data center roles need to demonstrate a nexus between your specific degree and the position, so STEM fields tied to infrastructure, systems, or networking create the clearest case for both OPT authorization and eventual H-1B sponsorship.
How can I find data center employers that sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for OPT-friendly employers, so you're not guessing which companies are willing to work with F-1 students. Searching there lets you focus on data center roles where employers have an established track record of OPT and H-1B sponsorship, rather than cold-applying to postings with no immigration context.
Can I work at a data center on day one of my OPT without waiting for employer paperwork?
Yes. Once USCIS approves your OPT and you receive your EAD card, you're authorized to work for any qualifying employer in your field of study without the employer needing to file anything first. The employer does need to report your job to your DSO within 10 days, and you must work in a role directly related to your degree.
What happens to my OPT status if a data center employer lays me off?
You have a 90-day unemployment allowance across your total OPT period, or 150 days if you're on a STEM OPT extension. If a layoff occurs, that clock starts immediately. You'll need to find a new qualifying data center or tech role within that window or risk falling out of status. Notify your DSO as soon as your employment ends.
See which Data Center employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
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