OPT Linux Engineer Jobs
Linux Engineer jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with backgrounds in computer science, systems administration, or electrical engineering. Most roles qualify as STEM-designated positions, supporting a 24-month OPT extension. Employers in cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, and enterprise IT actively hire OPT candidates for these roles.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
To make electronics, you need chips, wafers, transistors, reticles, and... To make these, you must see, test and manufacture them at scale—faster and better than ever before. That's where KLA comes in. Whether you're early in your career or an experienced professional, you'll solve complex challenges, work alongside brilliant minds and help shape the future of technology.
Group/Division
The Semiconductor Products and Customers (Semi PC) business unit designs, builds and sells KLA’s product portfolio to help chip manufacturers meet high-quality standards for technologies like AI, data centers, automotive and electronic devices. Our inspection, metrology, and analytics systems detect and monitor defects across logic and memory chips, specialty semiconductors, wafers, reticles, advanced packaging, process equipment and materials. We also develop technologies for specialty processes, IC substrates, and PCB manufacturing, including etch and deposition, component inspection, and imaging and analytics. The e-Beam division plays a critical role in KLA’s inspection ecosystem, with tools that deliver high-resolution, timely insights into defects and critical locations on the wafer. Used alongside KLA’s patterned and bare wafer inspectors, e-Beam systems help our customers quickly identify and understand yield-impacting issues—enabling faster, more effective actions to correct the manufacturing process.
In this role, you will play a key part in advancing business priorities by delivering high-impact work across your area of expertise. KLA’s EBeam products serve as the sharpest eyes in our inspection portfolio, delivering ultra-high-resolution insights into defects and critical wafer locations with unmatched precision. As a key complement to KLA’s patterned and bare wafer inspection systems, EBeam technology enables customers to rapidly identify, analyze, and resolve manufacturing issues that directly impact yield and performance. Behind these industry-leading systems is a powerful High-Performance Computing (HPC) infrastructure. We are seeking a highly skilled engineer to architect, develop, deploy, and support scalable Kubernetes environments on Linux-based HPC platforms. This role sits at the intersection of Linux systems engineering, networking, Kubernetes orchestration, and advanced compute infrastructure, helping drive the performance and reliability of next-generation semiconductor inspection solutions.
Responsibilities
In this exciting role, you will:
- Architect, deploy, and support Kubernetes clusters running on enterprise Linux platforms across HPC environments.
- Design, configure, and optimize Linux-based compute infrastructure with a focus on scalability, performance, reliability, and automation.
- Lead networking architecture and troubleshooting across servers, switches, storage systems, and Kubernetes environments, ensuring high availability and low-latency communication.
- Support high-performance compute clusters consisting of cutting-edge CPU and GPU technologies.
- Configure and maintain Linux operating systems including Red Hat, Rocky Linux, Ubuntu, and SUSE.
- Develop and automate infrastructure deployment, provisioning, and lifecycle management using scripting and configuration management tools.
- Collaborate with hardware vendors to define, validate, and release computer, networking, and storage solutions.
- Generate hardware BOMs and lead infrastructure qualification, release, and deployment activities.
- Support scalable storage architectures and high-bandwidth interconnect technologies critical to HPC workloads.
- Create and maintain golden images, deployment procedures, automation scripts, and technical documentation for manufacturing and customer support organizations.
- Ensure system designs meet performance, availability, and scalability requirements while driving projects to successful completion.
Required Qualifications
- Deep expertise administering and troubleshooting enterprise Linux environments (Red Hat, Rocky Linux, Ubuntu, SUSE).
- Strong hands-on experience designing, deploying, and maintaining Kubernetes clusters in production environments.
- Deep understanding of networking fundamentals, including TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, HTTP, LDAP, SMTP, routing, switching, and network troubleshooting.
- Experience working with server networking infrastructure, high-speed interconnects, and external switching environments.
- Strong knowledge of HPC architectures, including compute servers, GPU platforms, storage systems, BIOS/BMC technologies, and cluster infrastructure.
- Experience with Linux services and technologies including SystemD, PXE/NetBoot, Linux High Availability, and system automation.
- Experience supporting scalable and resilient storage platforms in HPC or data center environments.
- Proficiency in Shell and Python scripting for automation, deployment, and operational support.
- Experience with Infrastructure as Code and configuration management tools such as Ansible (preferred), Salt, Chef, or Puppet.
- Experience supporting containerized workloads and cloud-native infrastructure is highly preferred.
Preferred Background
- Experience building and supporting Kubernetes platforms for HPC, AI/ML, or GPU-intensive workloads.
- Familiarity with cloud-based compute architectures and hybrid infrastructure environments.
- Experience optimizing networking and storage performance for large-scale distributed compute systems.
Minimum Qualifications
Doctorate (Academic) Degree and 0 years related work experience; Master's Level Degree and related work experience of 3 years; Bachelor's Level Degree and related work experience of 5 years.
About KLA
We provide advanced inspection tools, metrology systems, process solutions, and computational analytics that make electronics possible, tackling complex challenges. From electron and photon optics to machine learning and data analytics, we seek perfection at the most fundamental level of matter in the universe. If you want to make electronics that push industries forward and make the world a better place, join us.
Total Rewards
Base Pay Range: $136,300.00 - $199,900.00 Annually
Primary Location: USA-CA-Milpitas-KLA
KLA’s total rewards package for employees may also include participation in performance incentive programs and eligibility for additional benefits including but not limited to: medical, dental, vision, life, and other voluntary benefits, 401(K) including company matching, employee stock purchase program (ESPP), student debt assistance, tuition reimbursement program, development and career growth opportunities and programs, financial planning benefits, wellness benefits including an employee assistance program (EAP), paid time off and paid company holidays, and family care and bonding leave. Interns are eligible for some of the benefits listed. Our pay ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed reflects the pay for this position in the primary location identified in this posting. Actual pay depends on several factors, including state minimum pay wage rates, location, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education level or training. We are committed to complying with all applicable federal and state minimum wage requirements where applicable. If applicable, your recruiter can share more about the specific pay range for your preferred location during the hiring process.
Use of AI Statement
At KLA, our interviews seek to understand your individual skills, problem-solving approach and authentic thinking. To ensure a fair and consistent evaluation, the use of AI, recording tools or other technologies to generate, suggest or provide responses during interviews—whether virtual or in person—is not permitted unless explicitly approved in advance as part of a reasonable accommodation or invited by the interviewer. Use of these tools may interfere with our ability to evaluate your individual qualifications and affect your candidacy. KLA is committed to advancing innovation through responsible AI, and we value candidates who share this mindset.
Equal Opportunity Statement
KLA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We will ensure that qualified individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us at talent.acquisition@kla.com or at +1-408-352-2808 to request accommodation. For additional information, view the US Know Your Rights poster on the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission website.
INTRODUCTION
To make electronics, you need chips, wafers, transistors, reticles, and... To make these, you must see, test and manufacture them at scale—faster and better than ever before. That's where KLA comes in. Whether you're early in your career or an experienced professional, you'll solve complex challenges, work alongside brilliant minds and help shape the future of technology.
Group/Division
The Semiconductor Products and Customers (Semi PC) business unit designs, builds and sells KLA’s product portfolio to help chip manufacturers meet high-quality standards for technologies like AI, data centers, automotive and electronic devices. Our inspection, metrology, and analytics systems detect and monitor defects across logic and memory chips, specialty semiconductors, wafers, reticles, advanced packaging, process equipment and materials. We also develop technologies for specialty processes, IC substrates, and PCB manufacturing, including etch and deposition, component inspection, and imaging and analytics. The e-Beam division plays a critical role in KLA’s inspection ecosystem, with tools that deliver high-resolution, timely insights into defects and critical locations on the wafer. Used alongside KLA’s patterned and bare wafer inspectors, e-Beam systems help our customers quickly identify and understand yield-impacting issues—enabling faster, more effective actions to correct the manufacturing process.
In this role, you will play a key part in advancing business priorities by delivering high-impact work across your area of expertise. KLA’s EBeam products serve as the sharpest eyes in our inspection portfolio, delivering ultra-high-resolution insights into defects and critical wafer locations with unmatched precision. As a key complement to KLA’s patterned and bare wafer inspection systems, EBeam technology enables customers to rapidly identify, analyze, and resolve manufacturing issues that directly impact yield and performance. Behind these industry-leading systems is a powerful High-Performance Computing (HPC) infrastructure. We are seeking a highly skilled engineer to architect, develop, deploy, and support scalable Kubernetes environments on Linux-based HPC platforms. This role sits at the intersection of Linux systems engineering, networking, Kubernetes orchestration, and advanced compute infrastructure, helping drive the performance and reliability of next-generation semiconductor inspection solutions.
Responsibilities
In this exciting role, you will:
- Architect, deploy, and support Kubernetes clusters running on enterprise Linux platforms across HPC environments.
- Design, configure, and optimize Linux-based compute infrastructure with a focus on scalability, performance, reliability, and automation.
- Lead networking architecture and troubleshooting across servers, switches, storage systems, and Kubernetes environments, ensuring high availability and low-latency communication.
- Support high-performance compute clusters consisting of cutting-edge CPU and GPU technologies.
- Configure and maintain Linux operating systems including Red Hat, Rocky Linux, Ubuntu, and SUSE.
- Develop and automate infrastructure deployment, provisioning, and lifecycle management using scripting and configuration management tools.
- Collaborate with hardware vendors to define, validate, and release computer, networking, and storage solutions.
- Generate hardware BOMs and lead infrastructure qualification, release, and deployment activities.
- Support scalable storage architectures and high-bandwidth interconnect technologies critical to HPC workloads.
- Create and maintain golden images, deployment procedures, automation scripts, and technical documentation for manufacturing and customer support organizations.
- Ensure system designs meet performance, availability, and scalability requirements while driving projects to successful completion.
Required Qualifications
- Deep expertise administering and troubleshooting enterprise Linux environments (Red Hat, Rocky Linux, Ubuntu, SUSE).
- Strong hands-on experience designing, deploying, and maintaining Kubernetes clusters in production environments.
- Deep understanding of networking fundamentals, including TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, HTTP, LDAP, SMTP, routing, switching, and network troubleshooting.
- Experience working with server networking infrastructure, high-speed interconnects, and external switching environments.
- Strong knowledge of HPC architectures, including compute servers, GPU platforms, storage systems, BIOS/BMC technologies, and cluster infrastructure.
- Experience with Linux services and technologies including SystemD, PXE/NetBoot, Linux High Availability, and system automation.
- Experience supporting scalable and resilient storage platforms in HPC or data center environments.
- Proficiency in Shell and Python scripting for automation, deployment, and operational support.
- Experience with Infrastructure as Code and configuration management tools such as Ansible (preferred), Salt, Chef, or Puppet.
- Experience supporting containerized workloads and cloud-native infrastructure is highly preferred.
Preferred Background
- Experience building and supporting Kubernetes platforms for HPC, AI/ML, or GPU-intensive workloads.
- Familiarity with cloud-based compute architectures and hybrid infrastructure environments.
- Experience optimizing networking and storage performance for large-scale distributed compute systems.
Minimum Qualifications
Doctorate (Academic) Degree and 0 years related work experience; Master's Level Degree and related work experience of 3 years; Bachelor's Level Degree and related work experience of 5 years.
About KLA
We provide advanced inspection tools, metrology systems, process solutions, and computational analytics that make electronics possible, tackling complex challenges. From electron and photon optics to machine learning and data analytics, we seek perfection at the most fundamental level of matter in the universe. If you want to make electronics that push industries forward and make the world a better place, join us.
Total Rewards
Base Pay Range: $136,300.00 - $199,900.00 Annually
Primary Location: USA-CA-Milpitas-KLA
KLA’s total rewards package for employees may also include participation in performance incentive programs and eligibility for additional benefits including but not limited to: medical, dental, vision, life, and other voluntary benefits, 401(K) including company matching, employee stock purchase program (ESPP), student debt assistance, tuition reimbursement program, development and career growth opportunities and programs, financial planning benefits, wellness benefits including an employee assistance program (EAP), paid time off and paid company holidays, and family care and bonding leave. Interns are eligible for some of the benefits listed. Our pay ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed reflects the pay for this position in the primary location identified in this posting. Actual pay depends on several factors, including state minimum pay wage rates, location, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education level or training. We are committed to complying with all applicable federal and state minimum wage requirements where applicable. If applicable, your recruiter can share more about the specific pay range for your preferred location during the hiring process.
Use of AI Statement
At KLA, our interviews seek to understand your individual skills, problem-solving approach and authentic thinking. To ensure a fair and consistent evaluation, the use of AI, recording tools or other technologies to generate, suggest or provide responses during interviews—whether virtual or in person—is not permitted unless explicitly approved in advance as part of a reasonable accommodation or invited by the interviewer. Use of these tools may interfere with our ability to evaluate your individual qualifications and affect your candidacy. KLA is committed to advancing innovation through responsible AI, and we value candidates who share this mindset.
Equal Opportunity Statement
KLA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We will ensure that qualified individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us at talent.acquisition@kla.com or at +1-408-352-2808 to request accommodation. For additional information, view the US Know Your Rights poster on the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission website.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Linux Engineer
Confirm your role qualifies for STEM OPT
Linux Engineer positions typically fall under CIP codes for computer science or information technology, making them eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Verify your degree's CIP code matches before applying to maximize your authorized work period.
Target employers with active H-1B filing history
Companies that regularly file H-1B visa petitions for systems and infrastructure roles are more likely to sponsor you after OPT ends. Prioritize mid-size tech firms, cloud providers, and government contractors with established immigration support for engineers.
Highlight kernel, scripting, and automation skills upfront
Employers screening OPT candidates for Linux roles want to see concrete technical depth immediately. Lead your resume with shell scripting, kernel configuration, Ansible, or similar tools to signal you can contribute without an extended ramp-up period.
Apply early relative to your OPT start date
Many employers need several weeks to process E-Verify enrollment and confirm your work authorization. Starting your job search 60 to 90 days before your OPT begins gives hiring teams enough runway to complete onboarding without delays.
Address OPT directly and confidently in interviews
Interviewers unfamiliar with OPT often overestimate its complexity. Be ready to explain your authorization period, the STEM extension timeline, and E-Verify requirements clearly. Framing it as a straightforward process reduces hesitation from hiring managers.
Pursue roles at companies with existing international engineering teams
Organizations that already employ international engineers on OPT or H-1B visas have HR infrastructure to handle work authorization efficiently. Look for engineering teams with visible international diversity as a signal of sponsorship familiarity.
Linux Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Linux Engineer on F-1 OPT?
Yes. Linux Engineer roles generally qualify for F-1 OPT work authorization because they directly relate to computer science, information technology, and systems engineering degree programs. If your undergraduate or graduate degree falls under a qualifying STEM CIP code, you can also apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension after your initial 12-month period, giving you up to three years of authorized work.
Do Linux Engineer jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most do. STEM OPT eligibility depends on your degree's CIP code, not just the job title. Degrees in computer science, electrical engineering, information systems, and related fields typically qualify. The role itself must also be directly related to your field of study. Confirm your school's designated school official agrees the position qualifies before accepting an offer that depends on the extension.
What does an employer need to hire me as a Linux Engineer on OPT?
Your employer must enroll in E-Verify, which electronically confirms your work authorization. For STEM OPT, they also need to sign a formal training plan documenting your learning goals and supervise your role against that plan. Most large tech employers and government contractors already meet these requirements. Smaller companies may need guidance from their HR team before committing.
Where can I find Linux Engineer jobs that accept OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is designed specifically for F-1 OPT and international students looking for roles where employers are open to sponsoring work authorization. You can browse Linux Engineer listings filtered by OPT-friendly employers, which saves you from applying to companies that will decline at the authorization stage. Searching a general job board makes it harder to identify which employers have the infrastructure to hire on OPT.
What happens to my Linux Engineer job if my H-1B petition is not selected in the lottery?
If you are not selected in the H-1B lottery and your OPT period ends, you will need to stop working unless you have another valid status. Some employers will retain you through cap-exempt H-1B opportunities, O-1 visa petitions for workers with extraordinary ability, or by transferring you to a role at a university or nonprofit that is exempt from the lottery cap. Discussing contingency plans with your employer before the lottery is worth doing.