OPT IT Architect Jobs
IT Architect jobs are among the most sponsorship-friendly roles for F-1 OPT students with a computer science, information systems, or engineering degree. Most positions qualify as specialty occupations, making H-1B visa transition straightforward. STEM OPT extensions are widely available, giving you up to three years of authorized work.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Cullerton Group has a new opportunity for an IT Architect 2. The work will be performed 100% onsite in Peoria, Illinois (5 days per week – no exceptions). This is a long-term 24-month position that can lead to permanent employment with our client. Compensation is up to $93.00/hour + full benefits (vision, dental, health insurance, 401(k), and holiday pay).
JOB SUMMARY
Cullerton Group is seeking an IT Architect 2 to design and deliver enterprise integration solutions supporting a global SaaS platform and related business applications. In this role, you will gather business requirements, create technical architecture and design documentation, oversee implementation efforts, and ensure successful deployment of integration solutions. You will collaborate with developers, enterprise architects, security teams, and business stakeholders to build scalable, secure, cloud-based integration architectures.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Gather business and technical requirements and translate them into scalable integration architectures.
- Design API- and ETL-based integration solutions connecting enterprise applications and cloud platforms.
- Create technical architecture diagrams, design documentation, and implementation plans.
- Collaborate with developers, security teams, enterprise architects, and business stakeholders to deliver new functionality and resolve technical issues.
- Evaluate emerging technologies, support solution testing and deployment, and recommend improvements based on technical analysis and business needs.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field.
- 2–4+ years of experience in application development, application support, or IT architecture.
- Strong understanding of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC).
- Experience creating technical architecture diagrams and design documentation.
- Experience implementing both API- and ETL-based integration architectures.
- Experience working with SaaS and cloud-based technologies.
- Experience supporting enterprise applications serving large global user communities.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with Snowflake, SnapLogic, SQL, Python, GitHub/DevOps, and AI technologies.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Excellent planning, organization, teamwork, and customer focus.
- Ability to quickly learn new technologies and work effectively under tight deadlines.
WHY THIS ROLE?
This position offers an opportunity to design enterprise integration architectures supporting critical global business systems. You'll work with modern cloud technologies, API and ETL integrations, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver scalable solutions that have a broad organizational impact. Cullerton Group provides a professional environment with long-term career growth and a strong partnership with an industry-leading manufacturing client.
INTRODUCTION
Cullerton Group has a new opportunity for an IT Architect 2. The work will be performed 100% onsite in Peoria, Illinois (5 days per week – no exceptions). This is a long-term 24-month position that can lead to permanent employment with our client. Compensation is up to $93.00/hour + full benefits (vision, dental, health insurance, 401(k), and holiday pay).
JOB SUMMARY
Cullerton Group is seeking an IT Architect 2 to design and deliver enterprise integration solutions supporting a global SaaS platform and related business applications. In this role, you will gather business requirements, create technical architecture and design documentation, oversee implementation efforts, and ensure successful deployment of integration solutions. You will collaborate with developers, enterprise architects, security teams, and business stakeholders to build scalable, secure, cloud-based integration architectures.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Gather business and technical requirements and translate them into scalable integration architectures.
- Design API- and ETL-based integration solutions connecting enterprise applications and cloud platforms.
- Create technical architecture diagrams, design documentation, and implementation plans.
- Collaborate with developers, security teams, enterprise architects, and business stakeholders to deliver new functionality and resolve technical issues.
- Evaluate emerging technologies, support solution testing and deployment, and recommend improvements based on technical analysis and business needs.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field.
- 2–4+ years of experience in application development, application support, or IT architecture.
- Strong understanding of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC).
- Experience creating technical architecture diagrams and design documentation.
- Experience implementing both API- and ETL-based integration architectures.
- Experience working with SaaS and cloud-based technologies.
- Experience supporting enterprise applications serving large global user communities.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with Snowflake, SnapLogic, SQL, Python, GitHub/DevOps, and AI technologies.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Excellent planning, organization, teamwork, and customer focus.
- Ability to quickly learn new technologies and work effectively under tight deadlines.
WHY THIS ROLE?
This position offers an opportunity to design enterprise integration architectures supporting critical global business systems. You'll work with modern cloud technologies, API and ETL integrations, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver scalable solutions that have a broad organizational impact. Cullerton Group provides a professional environment with long-term career growth and a strong partnership with an industry-leading manufacturing client.
See all 48+ OPT IT Architect Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT IT Architect Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in IT Architect
Target enterprise employers with dedicated immigration programs
Large technology companies, financial institutions, and consulting firms like Accenture, IBM, and Deloitte have established H-1B visa sponsorship pipelines. They hire architects at scale and already understand OPT work authorization, reducing friction during the hiring process.
Confirm your degree aligns with the specialty occupation standard
IT Architect roles require a bachelor's degree or higher in computer science, information systems, or a directly related field. A degree in an unrelated discipline, even with strong work experience, can complicate H-1B eligibility. Address this proactively with hiring managers.
Apply for your STEM OPT extension before your initial OPT expires
File your STEM OPT extension at least 90 days before your OPT end date. This gives you up to 24 additional months of work authorization, which covers two full H-1B lottery cycles and significantly improves your sponsorship timeline.
Emphasize cloud and enterprise architecture certifications
AWS Solutions Architect, Google Cloud Professional Architect, and Azure Solutions Architect credentials signal specialty-level expertise to employers. Certified candidates are easier to justify in Labor Condition Applications, which strengthens the case for H-1B sponsorship at the offer stage.
Ask about sponsorship during the second interview round, not the first
Raising visa sponsorship too early can eliminate you before the employer assesses your value. Once you've demonstrated technical fit through architecture discussions and system design exercises, asking about their sponsorship history is a natural and well-received conversation.
Document your OPT authorization clearly in every application
Include your EAD expiration date, STEM OPT eligibility, and degree field on your resume or application. IT Architect hiring managers often screen for this information early. Clarity reduces uncertainty and keeps you in consideration at companies that sponsor selectively.
IT Architect OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do IT Architect roles qualify for STEM OPT extension?
Yes. IT Architect positions typically fall under CIP codes for computer science, information systems, or computer engineering, all of which qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Your degree must be from a DSCE-certified program and your employer must be E-Verify enrolled. Confirm both before applying for the extension through your DSO.
How do I find IT Architect jobs that sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for OPT-compatible roles, so you can browse IT Architect positions from employers already open to sponsorship. This saves significant time compared to applying broadly and discovering visa policy late in the process. Use the role and visa filter together for the most relevant results.
Can I work as an IT Architect on OPT if my degree is in a related but not identical field?
It depends on how closely your degree field connects to the role. Computer science, information systems, software engineering, and electrical engineering degrees generally support IT Architect positions. A business degree with a technology concentration is a borderline case. For H-1B sponsorship later, the degree-to-job-duty match matters to USCIS, so document the connection clearly.
What happens if I'm between IT Architect jobs while on OPT?
OPT allows up to 90 days of unemployment, or 150 days if you're on a STEM OPT extension. If you lose an IT Architect position, that clock starts immediately. Securing a new role quickly is critical. Report any employer change to your DSO within 10 days and update your SEVIS record to stay in compliance.
Is IT Architect a strong category for H-1B sponsorship after OPT?
IT Architect is one of the more defensible specialty occupation categories for H-1B purposes. The role requires theoretical and practical application of highly specialized knowledge, and degree requirements in the field are well established. Most employers who hire architects at the OPT stage are already familiar with H-1B sponsorship and expect to continue that support.