OPT IT Engineer Jobs
IT Engineer jobs are among the most OPT-friendly roles in the U.S. job market. Employers across tech, finance, and healthcare regularly sponsor F-1 students, and the 24-month STEM OPT extension applies to most IT engineering positions. Strong demand means shorter hiring timelines than many other fields.
Find OPT IT Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 2,264+ IT Engineer jobs
See all 2,264+ IT Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new IT Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The New Mexico Department of Health works in many ways to promote, preserve and protect our health. ITASD supports many programs within DOH, all of which provide some of the most requested and important services we provide to our customers.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The purpose of this position within the ADSB team in the Information Technology Services Division will be to serve as the Senior IT Application Developer and Rhapsody Administrator for the New Mexico Department of Health.
This position will be responsible for operations, maintenance, support, planning, programming, and troubleshooting of our Rhapsody 5 and Rhapsody 6 servers, a custom PowerShell script based fax solution that uses Rhapsody as a scheduler, a custom PowerShell based file processing solution that operates within Rhapsody and transforms externally uploaded csv files into HL7 files, and custom HL7, Java, JavaScript, PowerShell, C# .NET, SQL, and Python programming solutions within and outside of Rhapsody.
The applicant will need to create, maintain, monitor, and customize Rhapsody Comm Points and Rhapsody Routes, maintain permissions, perform server and software maintenance, ensure viable backups, plan and perform Route and Comm Point migrations from Rhapsody 5 to Rhapsody 6, troubleshoot issues, and provide long term planning and guidance. This position performs highly complex assignments that frequently require the development of new or enhanced applications, processes, and technical solutions. The incumbent will contribute to all phases of the system development life cycle, including requirements gathering, systems analysis, solution design, development, testing, implementation, and ongoing support.
This position will work directly with, and will need to communicate effectively with, DOH Program partners, external Program partners, ITSD staff and Leadership, DOH management, and other technical staff at the Department of Information Technology (DoIT). This position requires the ability to perform and accomplish job requirements with minimal direction and/or supervision; the ability to work successfully in a team environment; and the ability to apply industry best practices.
CUSTOMERS
This position supports all of DOH.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Management Information Systems (MIS), Information Technology, Engineering, or similar technical degree and three (3) years of experience in software programming. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling seven (7) years may substitute for the required education and experience.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
Must possess and maintain a valid Driver’s License and must complete a Defensive Driving Course.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Office setting, exposure to Visual/Video Display terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and telephone usage with extended periods of sitting. Must be able to lift 25lbs.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here
Agency Contact Information: Naombael Frostad, (505) 469-9870 or email: Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
INTRODUCTION
The New Mexico Department of Health works in many ways to promote, preserve and protect our health. ITASD supports many programs within DOH, all of which provide some of the most requested and important services we provide to our customers.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The purpose of this position within the ADSB team in the Information Technology Services Division will be to serve as the Senior IT Application Developer and Rhapsody Administrator for the New Mexico Department of Health.
This position will be responsible for operations, maintenance, support, planning, programming, and troubleshooting of our Rhapsody 5 and Rhapsody 6 servers, a custom PowerShell script based fax solution that uses Rhapsody as a scheduler, a custom PowerShell based file processing solution that operates within Rhapsody and transforms externally uploaded csv files into HL7 files, and custom HL7, Java, JavaScript, PowerShell, C# .NET, SQL, and Python programming solutions within and outside of Rhapsody.
The applicant will need to create, maintain, monitor, and customize Rhapsody Comm Points and Rhapsody Routes, maintain permissions, perform server and software maintenance, ensure viable backups, plan and perform Route and Comm Point migrations from Rhapsody 5 to Rhapsody 6, troubleshoot issues, and provide long term planning and guidance. This position performs highly complex assignments that frequently require the development of new or enhanced applications, processes, and technical solutions. The incumbent will contribute to all phases of the system development life cycle, including requirements gathering, systems analysis, solution design, development, testing, implementation, and ongoing support.
This position will work directly with, and will need to communicate effectively with, DOH Program partners, external Program partners, ITSD staff and Leadership, DOH management, and other technical staff at the Department of Information Technology (DoIT). This position requires the ability to perform and accomplish job requirements with minimal direction and/or supervision; the ability to work successfully in a team environment; and the ability to apply industry best practices.
CUSTOMERS
This position supports all of DOH.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Management Information Systems (MIS), Information Technology, Engineering, or similar technical degree and three (3) years of experience in software programming. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling seven (7) years may substitute for the required education and experience.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
Must possess and maintain a valid Driver’s License and must complete a Defensive Driving Course.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Office setting, exposure to Visual/Video Display terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and telephone usage with extended periods of sitting. Must be able to lift 25lbs.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here
Agency Contact Information: Naombael Frostad, (505) 469-9870 or email: Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
See all 2,264+ OPT IT Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT IT Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an IT Engineer
Confirm your role qualifies for STEM OPT
IT Engineer positions typically fall under CIP codes 11 or 14, which qualify for the 24-month STEM extension. Verify your degree CIP code with your DSO before accepting an offer to ensure you can maximize your work authorization period.
Target E-Verify employers from the start
STEM OPT extension requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify. Filter your job search to E-Verify employers early. Accepting an offer from a non-E-Verify company locks you into the standard 12-month OPT with no extension option.
Apply before your OPT start date
Most IT hiring cycles run 4 to 8 weeks from application to offer. Start applying 3 months before your OPT begins so you have an active role lined up. Late applications risk an employment gap that could affect your status.
Prioritize companies with H-1B sponsorship history
Companies that have previously sponsored H-1B visas are far more likely to extend support after your OPT ends. Check public H-1B disclosure data to identify employers with consistent IT sponsorship records before investing time in applications.
Get your training plan signed before your STEM extension filing
STEM OPT requires a signed Form I-983 training plan outlining your learning goals and employer obligations. Prepare this document with your manager early. Missing it delays your extension filing and can create an unauthorized employment gap.
IT Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as an IT Engineer on F-1 OPT?
Yes. IT Engineer roles are squarely within the scope of F-1 OPT authorization, provided the position is directly related to your degree field. Most IT engineering jobs align with computer science, information technology, or engineering degree programs, all of which qualify. If your degree CIP code falls under categories 11 or 14, you also qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to three years of total work authorization.
Do IT Engineer employers usually sponsor OPT students?
Many do, particularly mid-size and large technology companies, financial services firms, and healthcare organizations with dedicated IT teams. IT engineering is one of the more sponsorship-friendly fields because demand consistently outpaces the domestic talent supply. That said, smaller companies or staffing agencies may decline due to E-Verify enrollment requirements. Migrate Mate lists IT Engineer roles specifically vetted for OPT and visa sponsorship compatibility, making it easier to find employers already open to F-1 candidates.
Does an IT Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not just your job title. If your underlying degree is in a STEM-designated field such as computer science, electrical engineering, or information systems, and your IT Engineer role is related to that field, you almost certainly qualify for the 24-month extension. Your DSO will confirm eligibility based on your degree CIP code. The employer must also be enrolled in E-Verify, which is a separate requirement you need to verify before accepting any offer.
What happens if my OPT expires before my employer files for H-1B?
This is one of the most important timelines to manage as an IT Engineer on OPT. If your STEM OPT extension is still active when your employer files an H-1B petition by the April 1 cap-subject deadline, you may be eligible for a cap-gap extension that keeps you authorized until October 1. Without STEM extension, your options narrow significantly. Start H-1B conversations with your employer well before your OPT expiration so there is enough runway to file in time.
Can I work for multiple employers or as a contractor on OPT?
Yes, OPT allows multiple concurrent employers as long as each position is related to your degree field and you work at least 20 hours per week in total. Contract and consulting roles are permitted under standard OPT. However, STEM OPT extension is more restrictive: each employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and must sign a separate Form I-983 training plan. Self-employment is technically allowed on standard OPT but not recommended under STEM OPT due to training plan requirements.