OPT Data Center Jobs
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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Transform the backbone of digital infrastructure by leading a dynamic team that builds and maintains the critical networks powering global technology. In this role, you'll drive operational excellence, optimize data center deployment strategies, and create seamless connectivity solutions that support Amazon's massive technological ecosystem.
AWS Infrastructure Services owns the design, planning, delivery, and operation of all AWS global infrastructure. In other words, we’re the people who keep the clouds running. We support all AWS data centers and all the servers, storage, networking, power, and cooling equipment that ensure our customers have continual access to the innovation they rely on. We work on the most challenging problems, with thousands of variables impacting the supply chain — and we’re looking for talented people who want to help.
You’ll join a diverse team of software, hardware, and network engineers, supply chain specialists, security experts, operations managers, and other vital roles. You’ll collaborate with people across AWS to help us deliver the highest standards for safety and security while providing seemingly infinite capacity at the lowest possible cost for our customers. And you’ll experience an inclusive culture that welcomes bold ideas and empowers you to own them to completion.
Key job responsibilities
The ideal candidate will possess a technology background that enables them to understand the complexities of the sophisticated network architecture of Amazon data centers. To be a qualified candidate for this role you must have experience operating in large-scale data center or a background in telecom networks and display a demonstrated ability to think broadly and strategically, as this is needed to align the future of Infrastructure Delivery with the larger objectives of the business.
You will be responsible for managing a group of technicians who are installing and building server rack capacity for our customers. You must be passionate about Customer Experience, think and act globally and want to contribute to innovations in Data Center Infrastructure.
- Managing and developing teams of technicians and engineers, providing both technical and leadership expertise and ensuring the highest levels of performance.
- Delivering capacity to existing Data Centers
- Helping build and bring online new Data Centers
- Constantly improving all our processes and procedures. We believe there is nothing we cannot improve
- Assisting & managing relationships with external vendors & contractors
- Liaising with internal teams & management groups
- Ensuring we adhere to and exceed local Health & Safety standards in all our Data Centers
- Creating and maintaining metrics on all aspects of our Data Centers and utilizing those metrics to drive positive changes
- Assisting in implementing service methodologies including incident management, problem management, change management, capacity management, etc.
This role supports data centers in various operational stages. The position may be assigned to a facility still under development, which could require travel to established locations for training until your designated site becomes fully operational.
Essential Requirements:
- Ability to travel to or commute between data center locations as needed
- Willingness to temporarily work at alternative sites during training periods or until assigned facility is operational
- Travel frequency will vary based on business needs and operational status of assigned facility
Candidates must be able to travel (over 50 miles) or commute (less than 50 miles) to active data center sites as required by business needs.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 2+ years of TCP/IP networking, network cabling, fiber, optic types, and test equipment experience
- 2+ years of management/team lead function experience
- 2+ years of in a data center technology role experience
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in an IT-related field (e.g., Computer Science, Network Engineering), or experience in professional or military IT-related roles
- Work a flexible schedule including weekends, nights, and holidays
- Knowledge of networking infrastructure topology
- Experience conducting behavioral interviews and hiring
- Certifications in a relevant field (CCENT, Network+, CCNA)
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
LOCATION
USA, IN, New Carlisle - 78,400.00 - 137,300.00 USD annually
DESCRIPTION
Transform the backbone of digital infrastructure by leading a dynamic team that builds and maintains the critical networks powering global technology. In this role, you'll drive operational excellence, optimize data center deployment strategies, and create seamless connectivity solutions that support Amazon's massive technological ecosystem.
AWS Infrastructure Services owns the design, planning, delivery, and operation of all AWS global infrastructure. In other words, we’re the people who keep the clouds running. We support all AWS data centers and all the servers, storage, networking, power, and cooling equipment that ensure our customers have continual access to the innovation they rely on. We work on the most challenging problems, with thousands of variables impacting the supply chain — and we’re looking for talented people who want to help.
You’ll join a diverse team of software, hardware, and network engineers, supply chain specialists, security experts, operations managers, and other vital roles. You’ll collaborate with people across AWS to help us deliver the highest standards for safety and security while providing seemingly infinite capacity at the lowest possible cost for our customers. And you’ll experience an inclusive culture that welcomes bold ideas and empowers you to own them to completion.
Key job responsibilities
The ideal candidate will possess a technology background that enables them to understand the complexities of the sophisticated network architecture of Amazon data centers. To be a qualified candidate for this role you must have experience operating in large-scale data center or a background in telecom networks and display a demonstrated ability to think broadly and strategically, as this is needed to align the future of Infrastructure Delivery with the larger objectives of the business.
You will be responsible for managing a group of technicians who are installing and building server rack capacity for our customers. You must be passionate about Customer Experience, think and act globally and want to contribute to innovations in Data Center Infrastructure.
- Managing and developing teams of technicians and engineers, providing both technical and leadership expertise and ensuring the highest levels of performance.
- Delivering capacity to existing Data Centers
- Helping build and bring online new Data Centers
- Constantly improving all our processes and procedures. We believe there is nothing we cannot improve
- Assisting & managing relationships with external vendors & contractors
- Liaising with internal teams & management groups
- Ensuring we adhere to and exceed local Health & Safety standards in all our Data Centers
- Creating and maintaining metrics on all aspects of our Data Centers and utilizing those metrics to drive positive changes
- Assisting in implementing service methodologies including incident management, problem management, change management, capacity management, etc.
This role supports data centers in various operational stages. The position may be assigned to a facility still under development, which could require travel to established locations for training until your designated site becomes fully operational.
Essential Requirements:
- Ability to travel to or commute between data center locations as needed
- Willingness to temporarily work at alternative sites during training periods or until assigned facility is operational
- Travel frequency will vary based on business needs and operational status of assigned facility
Candidates must be able to travel (over 50 miles) or commute (less than 50 miles) to active data center sites as required by business needs.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 2+ years of TCP/IP networking, network cabling, fiber, optic types, and test equipment experience
- 2+ years of management/team lead function experience
- 2+ years of in a data center technology role experience
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in an IT-related field (e.g., Computer Science, Network Engineering), or experience in professional or military IT-related roles
- Work a flexible schedule including weekends, nights, and holidays
- Knowledge of networking infrastructure topology
- Experience conducting behavioral interviews and hiring
- Certifications in a relevant field (CCENT, Network+, CCNA)
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
LOCATION
USA, IN, New Carlisle - 78,400.00 - 137,300.00 USD annually
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT 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 visa 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.
Data Center OPT: Frequently 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.