OPT Principal Cybersecurity Engineer Jobs
Principal Cybersecurity Engineer roles require deep technical expertise and often involve leading security architecture, threat modeling, and incident response programs. Many employers in defense, finance, and tech actively sponsor OPT students in this field. Your 12-month OPT window, or 24-month STEM extension if your degree qualifies, is your sponsorship runway.
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Overview
Baker Tilly is a leading advisory, tax and assurance firm, providing clients with a genuine coast-to-coast and global advantage in major regions of the U.S. and in many of the world’s leading financial centers – New York, London, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and Boston. Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP and Baker Tilly US, LLP (Baker Tilly) provide professional services through an alternative practice structure in accordance with the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct and applicable laws, regulations and professional standards. Baker Tilly US, LLP is a licensed independent CPA firm that provides attest services to its clients. Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP and its subsidiary entities provide tax and business advisory services to their clients. Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP and its subsidiary entities are not licensed CPA firms.
Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP and Baker Tilly US, LLP, trading as Baker Tilly, are independent members of Baker Tilly International, a worldwide network of independent accounting and business advisory firms in 141 territories, with 43,000 professionals and a combined worldwide revenue of $5.2 billion. Visit bakertilly.com or join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.
Please discuss the work location status with your Baker Tilly talent acquisition professional to understand the requirements for an opportunity you are exploring.
Baker Tilly is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable federal, state or local law.
Any unsolicited resumes submitted through our website or to Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP, employee e-mail accounts are considered property of Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP, and are not subject to payment of agency fees. In order to be an authorized recruitment agency ("search firm") for Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP, there must be a formal written agreement in place and the agency must be invited, by Baker Tilly's Talent Attraction team, to submit candidates for review via our applicant tracking system.
Job Description
Responsibilities
Are you interested in joining one of the fastest growing consulting and accounting firms in the country?
Would you like the ability to join a highly dynamic team focused on providing exceptional client service in the area of informational technology risk advisory?
If yes, consider joining Baker Tilly (BT) as an IT Audit, Cybersecurity & Risk Senior Consultant! Our Risk Advisory practice provides a full spectrum of services to help our clients assess their risks, develop strategies to compete in an ever-changing business environment, and achieve their goals and objectives. All of this is accomplished through deep industry knowledge of risk, governance, internal audit, compliance, IT, and cybersecurity best practices.
As one of the fastest growing firms in the nation, BT has the ability to offer you upward career trajectory, flexibility in how and where you get your work done and meaningful relationships with clients, teammates and leadership who truly care about you and your development.
You will enjoy this role if:
- You want to continue to expand your work experiences and hone your skills as an IT risk professional in the areas of compliance, cybersecurity, and internal controls
- You crave the opportunity to be part of a fast growing, entrepreneurial risk consulting practice where your hard work and creativity will be rewarded
- You do your best work when you are part of a talented, down-to-earth team that thrives in collaboration and truly enjoys working together
- You feel valued when you are provided the resources and support to continually sharpen your technical skills and build your career now, for tomorrow
What you will do:
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Work closely with client executives and management teams to understand their businesses and assist in identifying and managing financial and operational risks within their business systems to ensure technology risks are managed:
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Develop in-depth knowledge of clients’ businesses and industries by having direct client interaction while working on multiple aspects of an engagement
- Think independently and strategically about your clients’ business, systems and risks providing recommendations for business and process improvements based upon knowledge gained relative to the client’s operations, processes and business objectives
- Provide strategic business assurance to clients by assisting in the implementation of new processes and controls that address key risks
- Assess, manage and optimize information technology risk across a wide range of areas, including cybersecurity, IT strategy and governance, IT regulatory and compliance requirements, and business continuity
- Review clients' processes and controls against industry frameworks, identifying gaps in design and execution, and communicating issues and recommendations to clients
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Assist in the development of audit programs and the execution of internal audits and IT control assessments in the areas of:
- IT strategy and governance
- IT operations, business continuity and disaster recovery
- Cybersecurity
- Third party risk
- ITGC and application controls
- SOC reporting
- Regulatory and compliance requirements
- Assist in drafting comprehensive executive summaries and final reports for delivery to the client, documenting and reviewing engagement work papers in accordance with industry-accepted internal audit methodologies
- Act as a valued business advisor, build relationships and communicate effectively with the client to provide superior client service
- Facilitate professional and effective presentations to internal and external audiences
- Continue to develop your knowledge and experience working with a variety of technology environments, platforms, applications and tools/utilities
- Demonstrate the desire to continually grow, learn and develop skills and knowledge through external and internal education, training and cross-training opportunities to maximize personal contribution to the organizational goals and ongoing career development
- Utilize your entrepreneurial skills to network and build strong relationships internally and externally with clients
- Support the growth and development of team members through the Baker Tilly Care and Teach philosophy, helping associates meet their professional goals
- Enjoy friendships, social activities and team outings that encourage a work-life balance
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in management/computer information systems, computer science, accounting information systems, computer engineering, industrial engineering, or related program
- CISA, CISSP, CISM, CIA, or CPA certifications preferred
- 3+ year(s) experience with IT audit or cybersecurity
- Experience performing HITRUST engagements preferred. Open to candidates willing to obtain HITRUST Certification in the future
- Experience as a client serving professional for a consulting firm desired
- Experience with Cloud audit experience and certifications preferred
- Excellent analytical, technical and problem solving skills, with strong attention to detail
- Exceptional verbal and written communication, collaboration, and time management skills
The pay rate range for this job position is $85,910 to $162,890. Actual compensation is influenced by a variety of relevant factors including but not limited to applicant’s skills, prior experience, qualifications, degrees, professional certifications, work arrangements and geographic location. Baker Tilly offers a comprehensive compensation and benefits package to eligible employees.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Principal Cybersecurity Engineer
Target employers with active security clearance pipelines
Defense contractors and federal IT firms regularly sponsor OPT students for Principal Cybersecurity Engineer roles. These employers understand visa timelines and often have dedicated immigration counsel. Look for companies with DoD or federal agency contracts as a proxy for sponsorship willingness.
Align your degree to the specialty occupation standard
USCIS requires a direct connection between your degree field and the role. A degree in computer science, information security, or electrical engineering maps cleanly. If your degree is in a related but adjacent field, document how your coursework directly supports cybersecurity engineering work.
Prioritize STEM OPT extension eligibility from day one
A 24-month STEM extension gives you far more time to secure H-1B visa sponsorship. Confirm your degree program is on the USCIS STEM designated degree program list before accepting a role. File your extension application at least 90 days before your initial OPT expires.
Lead with certifications that signal senior-level credibility
CISSP, CISM, and OSCP are credentials employers associate with principal-level engineers. Holding one or more demonstrates you can operate independently and lead security programs, which strengthens both your candidacy and the employer's case for sponsoring your visa.
Negotiate H-1B sponsorship terms before accepting an offer
Confirm the employer will sponsor H-1B before your OPT expires, not just in principle. Ask whether they cover filing fees, use premium processing, and have done this before. Vague commitments become problems at the worst possible time.
Frame your job search around employers with prior H-1B filings
Employers who have sponsored H-1B petitions before are far more likely to do it again. They have established relationships with immigration attorneys and internal processes. This significantly reduces the risk that a sponsorship commitment falls apart when it matters most.
Principal Cybersecurity Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Principal Cybersecurity Engineer roles qualify for OPT work authorization?
Yes. Principal Cybersecurity Engineer is a specialty occupation under USCIS standards, requiring at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, information security, or a closely related field. Most employers treat it as a senior individual contributor or technical lead role, which strengthens the specialty occupation argument. Your OPT EAD card is all the work authorization you need during the authorized period.
Does a Principal Cybersecurity Engineer role qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. If your bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree is in a STEM-designated field such as computer science, cybersecurity, or electrical engineering, you likely qualify. The employer must also be enrolled in E-Verify. If both conditions are met, you can apply for the 24-month extension, giving you up to three years of total OPT.
How do I find Principal Cybersecurity Engineer employers that sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for this search. It filters for employers actively willing to sponsor F-1 OPT and H-1B candidates, so you can focus on companies that have already committed to sponsorship rather than spending time on applications that will never go anywhere. Principal Cybersecurity Engineer roles are listed across defense, finance, and enterprise tech sectors.
Can I work as a Principal Cybersecurity Engineer if my role requires a security clearance?
This is a real constraint. Most U.S. security clearances require U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status, which OPT students typically don't hold. However, not all principal-level cybersecurity roles require clearances. Many positions in commercial finance, healthcare, and private sector tech do not. Filter your search toward non-cleared roles, and confirm clearance requirements before applying.
What visa options should I plan for after my OPT expires?
H-1B is the most common next step for Principal Cybersecurity Engineer roles. The annual lottery runs in March for an October 1 start date, so timing matters. If your employer misses a lottery cycle, your STEM OPT extension buys additional time. O-1A is also worth exploring if you have publications, conference presentations, industry awards, or other evidence of distinction in the cybersecurity field.