OPT Security Engineering Manager Jobs
Security Engineering Manager roles are among the most OPT-friendly positions in tech leadership. Employers in this space frequently sponsor H-1B visas, and your STEM OPT extension gives you up to three years of work authorization to demonstrate leadership value before transitioning to long-term status.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The Office of Cybersecurity (OCS) has the essential role and responsibility for the State of New Mexico (SoNM) Information Technology (IT) security program in coordination with state agencies. The administrative code (1.12.20 NMAC) and federal oversight requires state agencies to perform procedures necessary to ensure the security of information systems and federal data sets are protected from cyberattacks.
To maintain an adequate security posture by developing appropriate IT security policies, standards, and procedures with periodic updates to accurately reflect ever changing technology, legislative and user needs.
The OCS has the responsibility in protecting and monitoring the State of New Mexico's technology infrastructure and digital assets, including state agencies, mission critical systems and data.
Cyber attacks are dramatically increasing, and cybersecurity operations are facing new challenges. Cybersecurity is not just an IT problem anymore, it is a critical business risk, homeland security and public safety threat, voter confidence issue, and an economic development opportunity.
Technology continues to evolve, the cybersecurity landscape is constantly changing, increasing potential vulnerabilities and risk. Therefore, it is essential for the State Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) to secure additional security analysts to support the Office of Cybersecurity.
This posting will be used for ongoing recruitment and may close at any time. Applicant lists may be screened more than once.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Effective project management is essential to ensure that the Office of Cybersecurity can identify and mitigate risks and manage our resources effectively and efficiently. A Cybersecurity Project Manager plays a critical role to help us achieve our goals by managing complex projects that require coordination across multiple integrated technology areas, teams and stakeholders.
This position will support management of the Cybersecurity services being provided to K-12 Public Schools, Higher Educational Institutions, Local Governments, Tribal Entities and other political subdivisions. Services may include vulnerability management, security awareness training, risk assessments, and Penetration Testing.
The responsibilities of the Cybersecurity Project are but not limited to:
- Create comprehensive project plans, steer projects from initiation to close out.
- Set realistic timelines and milestones. Setting achievable and measurable milestones to help project stay on track.
- Allocate resources and manage project budgets.
- Stakeholder and management communication to engage and foster a collaborative environment.
- Draft professional service agreements, amendments, and other procurements that are technically sufficient including.
- Provide in-depth analysis and best practices recommendations for cybersecurity projects.
- Work with subscribers, team members and executive staff to ensure high-quality reports and metrics are available.
- Monitor compliance of vendors and report non-compliance.
- Participate in training and outreach to entities being provided services.
CUSTOMERS
The State Chief Information Security Officer, state agencies, K-12 public schools, higher educational institutions, local governments, tribal entities, and other political subdivisions.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Management Information Systems (MIS), Business Administration, or Information Technology and four (4) years of experience in software development, project management, or systems analysis, with a minimum two (2) years of experience in the PM role. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling eight (8) years may substitute for the required education and experience. CAPM/PMI-ACP certification may be substituted for one (1) year of experience. PMP/PgMP certification may be substituted for two (2) years of experience.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
Must possess and maintain current ID or Driver's License. Pre-employment background investigation is required, and employment is conditional pending results.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage. Some sitting, standing, bending and reaching may be required.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here
Agency Contact Information: Natisha Montoya @ (505) 490-7236 or Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
INTRODUCTION
The Office of Cybersecurity (OCS) has the essential role and responsibility for the State of New Mexico (SoNM) Information Technology (IT) security program in coordination with state agencies. The administrative code (1.12.20 NMAC) and federal oversight requires state agencies to perform procedures necessary to ensure the security of information systems and federal data sets are protected from cyberattacks.
To maintain an adequate security posture by developing appropriate IT security policies, standards, and procedures with periodic updates to accurately reflect ever changing technology, legislative and user needs.
The OCS has the responsibility in protecting and monitoring the State of New Mexico's technology infrastructure and digital assets, including state agencies, mission critical systems and data.
Cyber attacks are dramatically increasing, and cybersecurity operations are facing new challenges. Cybersecurity is not just an IT problem anymore, it is a critical business risk, homeland security and public safety threat, voter confidence issue, and an economic development opportunity.
Technology continues to evolve, the cybersecurity landscape is constantly changing, increasing potential vulnerabilities and risk. Therefore, it is essential for the State Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) to secure additional security analysts to support the Office of Cybersecurity.
This posting will be used for ongoing recruitment and may close at any time. Applicant lists may be screened more than once.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Effective project management is essential to ensure that the Office of Cybersecurity can identify and mitigate risks and manage our resources effectively and efficiently. A Cybersecurity Project Manager plays a critical role to help us achieve our goals by managing complex projects that require coordination across multiple integrated technology areas, teams and stakeholders.
This position will support management of the Cybersecurity services being provided to K-12 Public Schools, Higher Educational Institutions, Local Governments, Tribal Entities and other political subdivisions. Services may include vulnerability management, security awareness training, risk assessments, and Penetration Testing.
The responsibilities of the Cybersecurity Project are but not limited to:
- Create comprehensive project plans, steer projects from initiation to close out.
- Set realistic timelines and milestones. Setting achievable and measurable milestones to help project stay on track.
- Allocate resources and manage project budgets.
- Stakeholder and management communication to engage and foster a collaborative environment.
- Draft professional service agreements, amendments, and other procurements that are technically sufficient including.
- Provide in-depth analysis and best practices recommendations for cybersecurity projects.
- Work with subscribers, team members and executive staff to ensure high-quality reports and metrics are available.
- Monitor compliance of vendors and report non-compliance.
- Participate in training and outreach to entities being provided services.
CUSTOMERS
The State Chief Information Security Officer, state agencies, K-12 public schools, higher educational institutions, local governments, tribal entities, and other political subdivisions.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Management Information Systems (MIS), Business Administration, or Information Technology and four (4) years of experience in software development, project management, or systems analysis, with a minimum two (2) years of experience in the PM role. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling eight (8) years may substitute for the required education and experience. CAPM/PMI-ACP certification may be substituted for one (1) year of experience. PMP/PgMP certification may be substituted for two (2) years of experience.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
Must possess and maintain current ID or Driver's License. Pre-employment background investigation is required, and employment is conditional pending results.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage. Some sitting, standing, bending and reaching may be required.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here
Agency Contact Information: Natisha Montoya @ (505) 490-7236 or Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
See all 34+ OPT Security Engineering Manager Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Security Engineering Manager
Target employers with established security organizations
Large tech companies, financial institutions, and defense contractors maintain dedicated security teams that regularly hire managers. These employers have existing H-1B sponsorship infrastructure, making OPT-to-visa transitions more predictable and less dependent on one-off approvals.
Highlight your technical depth alongside leadership experience
Security Engineering Manager roles require both hands-on expertise and team management. Emphasize your background in areas like threat modeling, vulnerability management, or cloud security. Employers sponsoring visas want managers who can execute, not just oversee.
Start your H-1B conversation before your OPT expires
STEM OPT gives you up to 36 months, but H-1B lottery registration opens in March. Map your OPT expiration against H-1B cap timelines early so your employer has enough lead time to file a petition without gaps in your authorization.
Pursue roles at cap-exempt institutions when possible
Universities, nonprofit research institutions, and certain government contractors are exempt from the H-1B lottery. A Security Engineering Manager role at one of these employers means sponsorship without lottery risk, a significant advantage for OPT students.
Demonstrate measurable security outcomes in your application
Quantify your impact with specifics: reduced incident response times, vulnerabilities remediated, compliance frameworks implemented. Employers who sponsor visas are investing long-term in your career, and concrete results justify that commitment far more than general leadership claims.
Understand your STEM OPT reporting obligations
On STEM OPT, you must report employer changes to your DSO within five business days and submit a self-evaluation every 12 months. Security Engineering Manager roles often involve employer transitions, so knowing these requirements prevents inadvertent status violations.
Security Engineering Manager OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as Security Engineering Managers in the United States?
Yes. Security Engineering Manager is a specialty occupation that qualifies for F-1 OPT work authorization. If your degree is in computer science, information security, electrical engineering, or a related STEM field, you're also eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to three years total to work in this role.
Do Security Engineering Manager roles typically come with H-1B sponsorship?
Many do, particularly at larger technology companies, financial services firms, and enterprises with mature security programs. Security leadership is consistently in high demand, and employers who have invested in building a security organization are generally motivated to retain strong managers through the H-1B process. Migrate Mate lists Security Engineering Manager roles specifically filtered for sponsorship-open employers.
Does a Security Engineering Manager role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree field, not the job title. If your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as computer science, cybersecurity, information technology, or electrical engineering, and your employer is enrolled in E-Verify, you qualify for the 24-month extension. Your DSO at your university processes the extension application through your school.
What should OPT students know about employer verification requirements for this role?
STEM OPT requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify, sign a training plan (Form I-983) with you, and supervise your work in a way consistent with your degree field. For Security Engineering Manager roles, your I-983 should clearly connect your security responsibilities to your degree. Employers unfamiliar with OPT obligations may need guidance from their HR or legal teams.
How competitive are Security Engineering Manager roles for OPT candidates compared to individual contributor positions?
Manager-level roles require demonstrated leadership experience, which can be harder to show early in a career. However, OPT candidates with three to five years of security engineering experience and clear examples of leading projects or small teams are genuinely competitive. Focusing on employers who promote from within or hire early managers gives you the strongest entry point.