OPT IT Team Lead Jobs
IT Team Lead roles on OPT require employers who can sponsor H-1B visa after your authorization period ends. Most positions fall under specialty occupation, making them strong fits for STEM OPT extension. Leadership experience, technical depth, and a relevant degree in computer science or information systems are what hiring managers look for.
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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.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in IT Team Lead
Target companies with H-1B sponsorship history
IT Team Lead roles require long-term visa planning. Focus your search on employers who have filed H-1B visa petitions for similar roles before. Migrate Mate filters jobs by sponsorship history so you can skip the guesswork.
Lead with your technical credentials first
Hiring managers for team lead roles want to see hands-on technical depth before management experience. Highlight your engineering or systems background prominently. Leadership skills matter, but your specialty occupation eligibility depends on your technical qualifications.
Get your STEM OPT extension paperwork ready early
If your degree is in computer science, IT, or a related STEM field, you likely qualify for a 24-month extension. Start the process 90 days before your initial OPT expires. Missing this window means losing work authorization.
Clarify your OPT status upfront with recruiters
Disclose your OPT status and expiration date early in conversations. IT Team Lead roles involve significant onboarding investment, so employers appreciate transparency. It also filters out companies unwilling to sponsor before you invest time in their process.
Build a case for specialty occupation eligibility
H-1B approval for team lead roles can face scrutiny if the job description is vague. Ensure your offer letter specifies required technical skills and degree requirements. Avoid titles with broad, generalist language that weakens your specialty occupation argument.
Use your network inside engineering and infrastructure teams
Referrals carry significant weight for leadership roles. Current engineers at target companies can flag internal openings and vouch for your technical background. Internal referrals also tend to move faster through the sponsorship approval process than cold applications.
IT Team Lead OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as an IT Team Lead on OPT?
Yes, IT Team Lead roles qualify for OPT work authorization as long as the position is directly related to your degree field. Most IT leadership roles fall under specialty occupation, which also makes them eligible for H-1B sponsorship after OPT. If your degree is in a STEM field, you may qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension on top of your initial 12 months.
Do IT Team Lead employers typically sponsor H-1B visas?
Many do, but not all. Large technology companies, consulting firms, and enterprise software employers have established H-1B sponsorship processes and file regularly for team lead and management roles. Smaller startups may be willing but lack experience with the process. Migrate Mate lists IT Team Lead jobs from employers with verified sponsorship histories, which narrows your search considerably.
Does my OPT job as an IT Team Lead need to match my degree?
Yes. USCIS and your DSO both require that your OPT employment be directly related to your degree field. For an IT Team Lead role, degrees in computer science, information systems, software engineering, or a closely related technical discipline generally satisfy this requirement. If your degree is in an unrelated field, the position may not qualify for OPT authorization, and you should consult your international student office.
Can I lead a team and manage non-technical employees on OPT?
Yes, management responsibilities don't disqualify a role from OPT eligibility as long as the position itself is rooted in a specialty occupation. An IT Team Lead who manages developers, QA engineers, or infrastructure staff while also contributing technical work is generally fine. What matters is that the role requires a specific technical degree and isn't purely administrative. Document your technical contributions clearly in case your employer ever needs to support an H-1B petition.
What happens if my OPT expires before my H-1B is approved?
If your employer files your H-1B petition before April 1 and you are selected in the lottery, you're covered by cap-gap protections through September 30. This allows you to keep working without interruption even after your OPT end date. If you're not selected or the petition is filed late, you'd need to stop working until another status is secured. Planning the H-1B timeline well before OPT expires is critical for IT Team Lead roles where continuity matters to employers.