OPT Network Security Specialist Jobs
Network Security Specialist roles are among the most active for OPT sponsorship, with employers in finance, healthcare, and defense consistently filing H-1B visa and E-3 visa petitions for qualified candidates. STEM OPT extension applies, giving you up to three years of work authorization to secure long-term sponsorship.
Find OPT Network Security Specialist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 11+ Network Security Specialist jobs










See all Network Security Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Network Security Specialist roles.
Get Access To All Jobs
INTRODUCTION
You want more out of a career. A place to share your ideas freely — even if they’re daring or different. Where the true you can learn, grow, and thrive. At Verizon, we power and empower how people live, work and play by connecting them to what brings them joy. We do what we love — driving innovation, creativity, and impact in the world. Our V Team is a community of people who anticipate, lead, and believe that listening is where learning begins. In crisis and in celebration, we come together — lifting our communities and building trust in how we show up, everywhere & always. Want in? Join the #VTeamLife.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The GN&T Network Security team is looking for a highly motivated and experienced Cybersecurity Engineer to join the Network Security Defense team. The Defense teams are responsible for owning the security lifecycle and effectiveness across the Core, Edge, and Access networks, as well as all systems and network functions within GN&T. In this role, you will be critical in advancing our security posture through real-time Threat Monitoring & Detection using SIEM tools like Splunk, leading Incident Response efforts during a breach, and managing the continuous Vulnerability Management lifecycle across networks and applications. The position also requires expertise in defining and implementing robust Security Architecture, including firewalls, encryption, centralized Identity and Access Management, and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). A strong candidate will also possess advanced Threat Hunting skills, including Advanced Networking & Protocol Analysis, Endpoint & Memory Forensics, Data Science & Querying, and demonstrable experience in Automation & Scripting to enhance our Cybersecurity tooling.
- Maintain formal guidelines, policies, and procedures to ensure smooth and error-free operations.
- Support our partners across the Operations, Engineering, and Planning organizations to ensure secure design patterns are embedded into new deployments and major changes.
- Work with lead engineers on strategic technical challenges.
- Communicate clearly and effectively, articulate complex technical concepts to diverse internal and external audiences.
- Support network security incident response activities, including triage, containment, eradication, and recovery for disruptive threats.
- Serve as a support engineer for security-related investigations, providing analysis and input during active incidents.
- Support root cause analysis and produce clear incident reports outlining timeline, impact, evidence, and remediation recommendations.
- Explore proactive threat hunting across the identity, endpoint, and network telemetry to uncover adversary behavior and reduce dwell time.
- Conduct threat detections using SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) to improve alert fidelity and reduce false positives.
- Work on continuous improvement of network visibility and telemetry collection to strengthen detection and response capabilities.
- Perform regular security control assessments, validating configuration effectiveness, and closing gaps discovered during incidents or hunts.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
You must have…
- Bachelor’s degree or one or more years of relevant work experience.
- One or more years of relevant work experience, demonstrated through one or a combination of work and/or military experience, or specialized training.
- Knowledge of incident response lifecycles (NIST or SANS) and experience with automation playbooks using SOAR platforms to automate triage and response actions.
- Experience with risk-based alerting, managing notable events, asset/identity correlation, and defining/tuning correlation searches.
- Ability to work both independently and in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
- Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Even better if you also have…
- Security certifications such as CompTIA Security+, CISSP, CCIP, CISM, CCSP, OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional), Ethical Hacking (CEH, OSCP).
- Experience with Splunk SPL (Search Processing Language) searches, including macros, data models, and lookups for efficient threat hunting and investigation.
- Experience with Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions.
- Ability to build consensus and a common understanding of security objectives, goals, and execution steps.
- Experience with network protocols and information security with networking certifications such as PCNSE, CCNP or CCNA.
- Experience with networks, 4G/5G wireless network functions or virtualization technologies like Openstack and Kubernetes.
- Experience with scripting languages like Python and/or automation tools like Ansible.
- Experience in UNIX or Linux systems engineering expertise with a variety of variants.
- Experience with encryption for data in transit (e.g., IPsec, or TLS) and at rest.
- Effective written, interpersonal, and verbal communication skills.
If Verizon and this role sound like a fit for you, we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every “even better” qualification listed above.
LOCATION
In this hybrid role, you'll have a defined work location that includes working from home and a minimum of three days per week in the office, which will be set by your manager. Employees are responsible for maintaining compliance with hybrid work policies.
SCHEDULED WEEKLY HOURS
40
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Verizon is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to veteran status, disability or other legally protected characteristics.
BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION
Our benefits are designed to help you move forward in your career, and in areas of your life outside of Verizon. From health and wellness benefit options including: medical, dental, vision, short and long term disability, basic life insurance, supplemental life insurance, AD&D insurance, identity theft protection, pet insurance and group home & auto insurance. We also offer a matched 401(k) savings plan, up to 8 company paid holidays per year and up to 6 personal days per year, paid parental leave, adoption assistance and tuition assistance, plus other incentives, we’ve got you covered with our award-winning total rewards package. Depending on the role, employees have the opportunity to receive compensation in the form of premium pay such as overtime, shift differential, holiday pay, allowances, etc. Newly hired employees receive up to 15 days of vacation per year, which grows with additional service. For part-timers, your coverage will vary as you may be eligible for some of these benefits depending on your individual circumstances.
The salary will vary depending on your location and confirmed job-related skills and experience. This is an incentive based position with the potential to earn more. For part-time roles, your compensation will be adjusted to reflect your hours. The annual salary range for the location(s) listed on this job requisition based on a full-time schedule is: $72,000.00 - $129,000.00.
See all OPT Network Security Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Network Security Specialist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Network Security Specialist
Target industries with compliance mandates
Financial services, healthcare, and federal contractors face strict regulatory requirements that create sustained demand for network security talent. These industries sponsor visas consistently because the specialized skills are difficult to source domestically and the roles are business-critical.
Align your experience with NIST and CMMC frameworks
Employers filing LCAs for network security roles frequently list NIST Cybersecurity Framework and CMMC compliance as requirements. Framing your experience around these frameworks signals employer-ready skills and makes your profile a stronger match for sponsored positions.
Pursue relevant certifications before applying
CompTIA Security+, CISSP, and Certified Ethical Hacker are commonly cited in H-1B visa LCA filings for network security roles. Holding at least one active certification strengthens your specialty occupation case and signals readiness to employers considering OPT candidates.
Clarify OPT eligibility early in conversations
Many hiring managers misunderstand OPT work authorization. Explaining upfront that you're authorized to work for any employer, that STEM extension provides three years, and that H-1B sponsorship is a future step reduces friction and keeps your application moving forward.
Focus applications on mid-size technology firms
Mid-size firms with 50 to 500 employees often have fewer bureaucratic hurdles for visa sponsorship decisions than large enterprises. Many have sponsored network security roles before and are familiar with the H-1B process, making them practical targets for OPT candidates.
Document hands-on lab and project experience specifically
Network security roles require evidence of practical skill, not just coursework. Listing specific tools such as Wireshark, Palo Alto firewalls, or SIEM platforms on your resume strengthens the specialty occupation argument employers need to support an H-1B petition.
Network Security Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Network Security Specialist role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes. Network Security Specialist positions consistently qualify as specialty occupations because they typically require a bachelor's degree or higher in computer science, information security, or a closely related field. USCIS has approved H-1B petitions for this role across finance, healthcare, and technology sectors. The key is ensuring the job description reflects the degree requirement explicitly, not just a preference.
Am I eligible for the STEM OPT extension as a Network Security Specialist?
Most likely yes, provided your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as computer science, cybersecurity, information technology, or electrical engineering. The STEM OPT extension gives you an additional 24 months of work authorization beyond your initial 12-month OPT, for a total of 36 months. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify to participate.
Where can I find Network Security Specialist jobs that offer OPT and H-1B sponsorship?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters for employers willing to sponsor work visas, including H-1B and E-3 visa petitions. Browsing network security roles on Migrate Mate saves time by surfacing positions where sponsorship is already confirmed, rather than requiring you to screen each employer manually.
Can I work as a Network Security Specialist for a federal agency or defense contractor on OPT?
It depends on the specific role and clearance requirements. Many federal positions and some defense contractor roles require U.S. citizenship or an active security clearance, which F-1 OPT students are not eligible for. However, numerous defense contractors hire network security specialists for roles that do not require clearance, particularly in commercial or unclassified project work.
What happens to my OPT authorization if my Network Security Specialist job ends?
F-1 OPT students have a 90-day unemployment buffer during standard OPT and a 150-day buffer during the STEM extension period. If you lose your position, you must find new employment within that window or your OPT authorization ends. Reporting employment changes promptly to your Designated School Official is required to remain in valid F-1 status.