OPT Data Infrastructure Engineer Jobs
Data Infrastructure Engineer jobs are among the more OPT-friendly roles in tech because the underlying skills, distributed systems, pipeline architecture, and cloud infrastructure, map directly to H-1B visa specialty occupation criteria. Most employers in this space are comfortable with STEM OPT's 36-month authorization window and routinely file H-1B petitions for engineers in this function.
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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 as a Data Infrastructure Engineer
Lead with your infrastructure stack in applications
Employers screening for sponsorship eligibility want to see technical depth immediately. List specific tools you've worked with, Spark, Kafka, Airflow, dbt, Terraform, in your resume summary so hiring managers can assess fit before the sponsorship question arises.
Target companies with existing H-1B filing history
Companies that have sponsored data engineers before are far more likely to do it again. Search public LCA disclosure data on the DOL FLAG database to confirm whether a target employer has filed for data infrastructure or similar engineering roles in the past.
Clarify your OPT timeline upfront with recruiters
STEM OPT gives you up to 36 months of work authorization. Telling recruiters your exact end date and H-1B visa eligibility window early removes ambiguity and prevents late-stage offer withdrawals once sponsorship requirements surface during background checks.
Emphasize cloud certifications as credential proxies
AWS, GCP, and Azure certifications signal specialized knowledge in the absence of a U.S. work history. For OPT students, these credentials help justify the specialty occupation threshold that USCIS applies when evaluating H-1B petitions for infrastructure roles.
Focus on mid-size tech companies and well-funded startups
Large enterprises move slowly on sponsorship decisions. Mid-size companies and Series B or later startups typically have established immigration counsel, faster hiring cycles, and real urgency to fill senior data infrastructure gaps with qualified international candidates.
Frame your OPT period as a low-risk trial for employers
Some employers hesitate on sponsorship before seeing on-the-job performance. Position your OPT authorization as a period where they can assess your work before committing to an H-1B petition, which reduces perceived hiring risk during initial conversations.
Data Infrastructure Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Data Infrastructure Engineer on F-1 OPT?
Yes. Data Infrastructure Engineer roles qualify under STEM OPT because the work directly applies computer science, electrical engineering, or a related STEM field. Your degree must align with the role, so a background in computer science, data engineering, or a related technical discipline is typically required. STEM OPT authorization lasts up to 36 months across two extensions.
How do I find Data Infrastructure Engineer jobs that offer visa sponsorship?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for OPT and visa sponsorship eligibility, so you're not manually screening hundreds of postings. For data infrastructure roles, look for companies with established data platform teams, since those organizations almost always have the immigration infrastructure to support H-1B sponsorship for engineers in this function.
Does a Data Infrastructure Engineer role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
In most cases, yes. Data infrastructure roles require theoretical and practical application of highly specialized knowledge, which meets the specialty occupation standard. The key is that the position requires at least a bachelor's degree in a specific technical field. Generic job descriptions that accept any bachelor's degree can complicate the petition, so the job title and duties need to reflect genuine technical specialization.
What STEM fields qualify an F-1 student to work as a Data Infrastructure Engineer on OPT?
Degrees in computer science, information systems, computer engineering, applied mathematics, and data science are the most straightforward qualifications. Some students with electrical engineering or physics backgrounds also qualify if their coursework included substantial programming and systems components. Your DSO can confirm whether your specific degree program is classified as STEM-eligible for OPT extension purposes.
What should I do if my OPT expires before my H-1B is approved?
If your employer files your H-1B petition before your OPT expires and you receive a timely filed receipt notice, you're protected under cap-gap rules through September 30 of that year. If you're still working while the petition is pending, your authorized work continues. If October arrives without an approval, you'll need to stop working until USCIS issues a decision or your employer pursues an alternative visa category.