OPT Security Engineer Jobs
Security Engineer roles are among the most actively sponsored positions for OPT students, particularly in tech, finance, and defense contracting. Your 12-month OPT window (or 24-month STEM extension with a qualifying degree in computer science or cybersecurity) gives you real runway to land a role and transition to H-1B visa sponsorship.
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Get Access To All JobsWage - $26.00 per hour
Hybrid Schedule – Full Time, 8-hour shifts, days varies.
Our staff also enjoy these benefits:
- Health, dental, vision, prescription drug and life insurance
- Short & long-term disability
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Paid time off and paid holidays
- Professional development assistance
- Career advancement opportunities
MTC is proud to operate the Los Angeles Job Corps Center in Los Angeles, CA where our staff provide quality services to our local youth. We value our professional and caring employees who are dedicated to improving people’s lives and we want YOU to join our team!
What you will be doing: You’ll perform security officer duties and provide supervision to staff to protect life and property against theft, misappropriation, fire, flood, or similar disasters and act as liaison with security and law enforcement agencies, in compliance with federal, state and local regulation, government and management directives.
Essential duties:
- Ensure the physical security of buildings, center vehicles, and property by checking doors, windows, lights, electrical appliances, equipment, locks, and emergency equipment.
- Assure accountability of students, staff, and visitor check-out and check-in proceeding by scheduling guard station coverage.
- Advise and train security officers in security procedures.
- Assist in transporting students and reporting and suppressing fires.
- Act as liaison with neighboring law enforcement and fire agencies.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
- Associate’s degree and two (2) years experience related, one (1) of which should be in a security capacity.
- Directly related experience may be considered in lieu of formal education requirements on a year by year basis.
- Experience with youth, excellent written and verbal communication skills, and computer proficiency required.
- Ability to occasionally lift and carry student luggage weighing up to 70 lbs. and frequently climb stairs and walk outdoors on uneven terrain.
- A valid driver license with an acceptable driving record.
Management & Training Corporation (MTC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, disabled status, veteran status, genetic information, national origin, or any other category protected by federal law. MTC participates in E-Verify. We strive to provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities, including disabled veterans, in our job application and hiring process. If you are interested in employment opportunities with Management & Training Corporation and need assistance, please contact our staffing department through customersupport@mtctrains.com or 801-693-2888.
Wage - $26.00 per hour
Hybrid Schedule – Full Time, 8-hour shifts, days varies.
Our staff also enjoy these benefits:
- Health, dental, vision, prescription drug and life insurance
- Short & long-term disability
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Paid time off and paid holidays
- Professional development assistance
- Career advancement opportunities
MTC is proud to operate the Los Angeles Job Corps Center in Los Angeles, CA where our staff provide quality services to our local youth. We value our professional and caring employees who are dedicated to improving people’s lives and we want YOU to join our team!
What you will be doing: You’ll perform security officer duties and provide supervision to staff to protect life and property against theft, misappropriation, fire, flood, or similar disasters and act as liaison with security and law enforcement agencies, in compliance with federal, state and local regulation, government and management directives.
Essential duties:
- Ensure the physical security of buildings, center vehicles, and property by checking doors, windows, lights, electrical appliances, equipment, locks, and emergency equipment.
- Assure accountability of students, staff, and visitor check-out and check-in proceeding by scheduling guard station coverage.
- Advise and train security officers in security procedures.
- Assist in transporting students and reporting and suppressing fires.
- Act as liaison with neighboring law enforcement and fire agencies.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
- Associate’s degree and two (2) years experience related, one (1) of which should be in a security capacity.
- Directly related experience may be considered in lieu of formal education requirements on a year by year basis.
- Experience with youth, excellent written and verbal communication skills, and computer proficiency required.
- Ability to occasionally lift and carry student luggage weighing up to 70 lbs. and frequently climb stairs and walk outdoors on uneven terrain.
- A valid driver license with an acceptable driving record.
Management & Training Corporation (MTC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, disabled status, veteran status, genetic information, national origin, or any other category protected by federal law. MTC participates in E-Verify. We strive to provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities, including disabled veterans, in our job application and hiring process. If you are interested in employment opportunities with Management & Training Corporation and need assistance, please contact our staffing department through customersupport@mtctrains.com or 801-693-2888.
See all 514+ OPT Security Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Security Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Security Engineer
Target STEM OPT-eligible degree fields
Cybersecurity, computer science, and information assurance degrees qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO before applying, since this directly affects how long you can work without H-1B visa status.
Focus on employers with active H-1B filing histories
Companies that regularly sponsor H-1B visas for security roles are your best bet for OPT conversion. Look for employers who have sponsored similar titles like Information Security Engineer or Cybersecurity Analyst in recent years, not just this year.
Pursue certifications that reduce employer hesitation
Certifications like CompTIA Security+, CISSP, or CEH signal job-ready skills to employers unfamiliar with OPT. They reduce perceived hiring risk and make it easier for smaller teams without dedicated HR to justify sponsoring an international candidate.
Address clearance requirements early in your search
Many federal and defense-adjacent security roles require U.S. security clearances, which OPT students are generally ineligible to obtain. Filter for roles that explicitly state clearance is not required, and clarify this in screening calls before investing time.
Communicate your OPT timeline proactively
Recruiters often conflate OPT with visa sponsorship. Clarify that you're already authorized to work and that H-1B sponsorship would only be needed after your OPT period ends, typically at least 12 to 36 months away depending on your extension status.
Use Migrate Mate to find OPT-friendly security roles
Migrate Mate surfaces Security Engineer jobs posted by employers with documented sponsorship histories. Browsing there lets you focus your energy on companies already comfortable hiring international candidates, rather than cold-applying and filtering manually.
Security Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Security Engineer on OPT without additional work authorization?
Yes. OPT grants you 12 months of work authorization directly tied to your degree field. If your degree is in computer science, cybersecurity, or a related STEM field, you're also eligible for a 24-month extension, giving you up to three years to work as a Security Engineer before needing H-1B or another visa.
Do Security Engineer roles qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most do, but it depends on your degree, not your job title. Your degree's CIP code must appear on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Degrees in computer science, information security, and cybersecurity almost always qualify. Confirm your specific CIP code with your DSO before applying for the extension, since the job title itself doesn't determine eligibility.
Can I work for a defense contractor or government agency as a Security Engineer on OPT?
Civilian contractor roles that don't require a security clearance are generally open to OPT students. However, roles requiring a U.S. security clearance are typically off-limits, since clearances are generally unavailable to non-U.S. citizens and non-permanent residents. Always check the clearance requirement in the job description before applying, and ask directly during screening if it's unclear.
How do I find Security Engineer employers who are open to sponsoring OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for this. It aggregates Security Engineer job listings from employers with verified sponsorship histories, so you can identify companies already comfortable hiring on OPT and planning for H-1B conversion. Filtering by sponsorship track record saves significant time compared to researching each employer manually.
What happens to my OPT status if my Security Engineer job ends?
You're allowed up to 90 days of unemployment during your standard OPT period, and up to 150 days during the STEM extension. If you exceed those limits without securing a new role, your OPT authorization terminates and you fall out of status. Track your unemployment days carefully and prioritize finding a new position well before hitting the threshold.