OPT Security Architect Jobs
Security Architect jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in cybersecurity, computer science, or information systems. Most roles qualify as STEM OPT extensions, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Expect employers in finance, defense contracting, and enterprise tech to require security clearance eligibility.
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Get Access To All JobsThe application window will be open until at least August 06th, 2026. This opportunity will remain online based on business needs which may be before or after the specified date.
Applicants in the County of Los Angeles: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.
Applicants in San Francisco: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.
Note: Google's hybrid workplace includes remote roles. By applying to this position you will have an opportunity to share your preferred working location from the following:
Remote locations: California, USA; United States.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Cybersecurity or related technical field or equivalent practical experience.
- 3 years of experience in information security, engineering, and cloud-based infrastructure environments.
- 2 years of experience in identity and access management (IAM), enterprise architecture, or cloud architecture using directory services, cloud computing platforms, or network security tools.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Certification in one or more of the following: CompTIA Security+; CompTIA Network+; ISC2 (CISSP); SANS-GIAC certification (GSEC, GCIH, GCED, GCFA, GCIA, GNFA, GPEN, GWAPT); CISCO (CCNA); EC-Council (CEH, LPT).
- Experience communicating remediation recommendations and strategies to technical staff, executive leadership, legal counsel, and internal and external clients.
- Experience in incident response remediation or disaster recovery.
- Ability to travel up to 25%.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to develop documentation and explain technical details in a concise manner.
- Excellent attention to detail and time management skills.
ABOUT THE JOB
In this role, you will be responsible for helping clients effectively prepare to mitigate, and respond to cyber security threats. You will identify enterprise security requirements and provide guidance to enterprise initiatives. You will serve as technical support for security tools and assist with security tool implementation and integration into the customer environment. You will also provide guidance on the development of containment and remediation plans for cyber security incidents.
In addition, you will be the technical advocate for information security requirements and provide information of the security domain. You will execute on both strategic and tactical plans, including direct engagement and delivery in technical matters. You will articulate and present complex concepts to business stakeholders, executive leadership, and technical contributors.
Part of Google Cloud, Mandiant is a recognized leader in dynamic cyber defense, threat intelligence and incident response services. Mandiant's cybersecurity expertise has earned the trust of security professionals and company executives around the world. Our unique combination of renowned frontline experience responding to some of the most complex breaches, nation-state grade threat intelligence, machine intelligence, and the industry's best security validation ensures that Mandiant knows more about today's advanced threats than anyone. Individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.
US: $112000 - $162000 (USD) + 15% bonus target + equity + benefits
Learn more about benefits at Google.
Responsibilities
- Lead, coordinate, and conduct technical security assessments for cloud-based security infrastructures and platforms.
- Assist clients with designing and implementing architecture enhancements, security configurations, identity protections, cloud workflows, and appropriate countermeasures to defend against threats and attacker techniques.
- Build scripts, tools, or methodologies to enhance Mandiant's on-premise Active Directory or Cloud Assessment processes.
- Develop and present comprehensive and accurate reports, training, and presentations for technical and executive audiences.
- Develop comprehensive and accurate reports and presentations for both technical and executive audiences. Communicate strategies and roadmap initiatives to client stakeholders including technical staff, executive leadership, and legal counsel.
Google is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. See also Google's EEO Policy and EEO is the Law. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know by completing our Accommodations for Applicants form.
The application window will be open until at least August 06th, 2026. This opportunity will remain online based on business needs which may be before or after the specified date.
Applicants in the County of Los Angeles: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.
Applicants in San Francisco: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.
Note: Google's hybrid workplace includes remote roles. By applying to this position you will have an opportunity to share your preferred working location from the following:
Remote locations: California, USA; United States.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Cybersecurity or related technical field or equivalent practical experience.
- 3 years of experience in information security, engineering, and cloud-based infrastructure environments.
- 2 years of experience in identity and access management (IAM), enterprise architecture, or cloud architecture using directory services, cloud computing platforms, or network security tools.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Certification in one or more of the following: CompTIA Security+; CompTIA Network+; ISC2 (CISSP); SANS-GIAC certification (GSEC, GCIH, GCED, GCFA, GCIA, GNFA, GPEN, GWAPT); CISCO (CCNA); EC-Council (CEH, LPT).
- Experience communicating remediation recommendations and strategies to technical staff, executive leadership, legal counsel, and internal and external clients.
- Experience in incident response remediation or disaster recovery.
- Ability to travel up to 25%.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to develop documentation and explain technical details in a concise manner.
- Excellent attention to detail and time management skills.
ABOUT THE JOB
In this role, you will be responsible for helping clients effectively prepare to mitigate, and respond to cyber security threats. You will identify enterprise security requirements and provide guidance to enterprise initiatives. You will serve as technical support for security tools and assist with security tool implementation and integration into the customer environment. You will also provide guidance on the development of containment and remediation plans for cyber security incidents.
In addition, you will be the technical advocate for information security requirements and provide information of the security domain. You will execute on both strategic and tactical plans, including direct engagement and delivery in technical matters. You will articulate and present complex concepts to business stakeholders, executive leadership, and technical contributors.
Part of Google Cloud, Mandiant is a recognized leader in dynamic cyber defense, threat intelligence and incident response services. Mandiant's cybersecurity expertise has earned the trust of security professionals and company executives around the world. Our unique combination of renowned frontline experience responding to some of the most complex breaches, nation-state grade threat intelligence, machine intelligence, and the industry's best security validation ensures that Mandiant knows more about today's advanced threats than anyone. Individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.
US: $112000 - $162000 (USD) + 15% bonus target + equity + benefits
Learn more about benefits at Google.
Responsibilities
- Lead, coordinate, and conduct technical security assessments for cloud-based security infrastructures and platforms.
- Assist clients with designing and implementing architecture enhancements, security configurations, identity protections, cloud workflows, and appropriate countermeasures to defend against threats and attacker techniques.
- Build scripts, tools, or methodologies to enhance Mandiant's on-premise Active Directory or Cloud Assessment processes.
- Develop and present comprehensive and accurate reports, training, and presentations for technical and executive audiences.
- Develop comprehensive and accurate reports and presentations for both technical and executive audiences. Communicate strategies and roadmap initiatives to client stakeholders including technical staff, executive leadership, and legal counsel.
Google is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. See also Google's EEO Policy and EEO is the Law. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know by completing our Accommodations for Applicants form.
See all 187+ OPT Security Architect Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Security Architect Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Security Architect
Confirm your role qualifies for STEM OPT
Security Architect positions typically fall under CIP code 11.1003 (Computer and Information Systems Security). Verify your degree matches a qualifying STEM field before applying, since your OPT extension depends on this alignment between your program and the job.
Address security clearance requirements early
Many Security Architect roles in defense or federal contracting require a U.S. security clearance, which F-1 students are generally ineligible for. Filter for private-sector or commercial roles where clearance is preferred but not required to avoid wasted applications.
Highlight certifications alongside your degree
Employers screening OPT candidates often use certifications like CISSP, CISM, or AWS Security Specialty as a proxy for readiness. Holding even one relevant certification strengthens your case and signals you can contribute without extensive ramp-up time.
Target employers with established OPT hiring processes
Large financial institutions, cloud providers, and healthcare technology companies hire Security Architects on OPT regularly. These organizations have HR and legal teams familiar with I-983 reporting requirements, making the authorization process smoother for both sides.
Be transparent about your OPT end date and H-1B timeline
Security Architect hiring timelines can run three to six months. Make clear when your current OPT expires and whether an H-1B visa cap-subject filing would be required. Employers who plan ahead are far more likely to commit to sponsorship.
Frame your visa status around continuity, not risk
Hiring managers often see OPT as a short-term commitment. Emphasize your timeline clearly: STEM OPT gives up to 36 months, and H-1B sponsorship is a well-established path that many security-focused employers have navigated before for specialized technical roles.
Security Architect OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as Security Architects in the United States?
Yes. F-1 students who have completed a qualifying STEM degree can work as Security Architects on standard OPT for 12 months, with a 24-month STEM extension available for up to 36 months total. The role must be directly related to your field of study, and your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify to support the STEM extension.
Do Security Architect jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most do, provided your underlying degree is in a qualifying STEM field such as computer science, information systems, or cybersecurity. The job itself must also be related to that field of study. Your Designated School Official confirms eligibility when you apply for the extension through your university. If your degree is in a non-STEM field, you are limited to 12 months of OPT.
How do I find Security Architect jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Many employers do not advertise OPT eligibility in job postings, so filtering by sponsorship willingness manually is time-consuming. Migrate Mate curates Security Architect roles from employers with documented histories of hiring international candidates, letting you focus on applications where your work authorization is already a known factor rather than a hurdle.
Does a security clearance requirement disqualify me as an OPT student?
In most cases, yes. Active security clearances require U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, and F-1 students are not eligible. Roles that list a clearance as required, particularly those supporting federal agencies or defense contractors, will generally not move forward with OPT candidates. Focus your search on commercial or private-sector Security Architect roles where clearance is listed as a plus, not a requirement.
Will employers sponsor H-1B after hiring me on OPT as a Security Architect?
Many do, particularly in enterprise technology, financial services, and healthcare IT, where Security Architects are in sustained demand. Your 36-month STEM OPT window gives employers enough runway to sponsor an H-1B petition in April and have it take effect the following October without any gap in your employment. Raising the H-1B conversation during the offer stage, not after onboarding, sets a cleaner expectation for both sides.