OPT Software Architect Jobs
Software Architect roles qualify for OPT work authorization when the position requires a bachelor's degree or higher in computer science, software engineering, or a related field. Most architects hold STEM-designated degrees, making them eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension beyond the initial 12 months.
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Get Access To All JobsSCOPE OF THE PROJECT:
As an artificial intelligence (AI) subject-matter expert, this position will support OTIS and the State's AI Center of Excellence by providing technical expertise for the evaluation and responsible implementation of AI solutions. The role will assist state agencies and other government entities in assessing AI use cases, tools, risks and opportunities and developing secure, reusable technical approaches. The position will also contribute to statewide AI strategies and guidance that align with organizational goals and established governance, security and privacy requirements.
DAILY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES:
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Support the development and implementation of AI strategies that align with organization's goals and objectives
-
Contribute to the AI review and approval process for use cases and vendors, ensuring they meet established compliance and operational requirements across the state.
-
Support and promote the adoption of standardized AI processes.
-
Support the State's AI Center of Excellence by contributing technical expertise to the design of secure architectures, development of reusable technical patterns, use case development, prototyping, feasibility assessments and responsible implementation of AI solutions.
-
Develop and maintain a high level of expertise in AI, positioning Office of Information Technology Services as a leader.
REQUIRED SKILLS
(Please ensure candidate's relevant experience is listed with appropriate supporting documentation)
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1 year of proven experience with establishing proof of concept success criteria and evaluating AI solutions against criteria
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2 years of hands-on experience with ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and comparable generative AI platforms.
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2 years of experience designing and implementing AI agents and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) solutions.
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1 year of experience using AI-assisted coding tools to accelerate development, testing, debugging, and documentation.
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1 year of experience defining AI use case success criteria, key performance indicators (KPIs) and production monitoring measures for AI use cases.
-
1 year of experience building dashboards and reporting for AI adoption, performance, cost, risk, and operational outcomes.
-
1 year of hands-on experience integrating AI capabilities with Azure and AWS
PREFERRED SKILLS
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Background in a variety of programming languages and principals.
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Familiarity with the foundations of artificial neural networks (ANNs), transformers, natural language processing, image classification and time-series data.
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Experience with data tools and techniques for storing, retrieving, and cleaning data.
REQUIRED EDUCATION:
Undergraduate degree in computer science, data science, artificial intelligence or related field required; advanced degree preferred.
OTHER SKILLS/DUTIES:
-
Strong communication and knowledge-transfer skills.
-
Advanced report writing ability.
-
Excellent communication skills and relevant public speaking.
-
Experience working on complex projects
SCOPE OF THE PROJECT:
As an artificial intelligence (AI) subject-matter expert, this position will support OTIS and the State's AI Center of Excellence by providing technical expertise for the evaluation and responsible implementation of AI solutions. The role will assist state agencies and other government entities in assessing AI use cases, tools, risks and opportunities and developing secure, reusable technical approaches. The position will also contribute to statewide AI strategies and guidance that align with organizational goals and established governance, security and privacy requirements.
DAILY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES:
-
Support the development and implementation of AI strategies that align with organization's goals and objectives
-
Contribute to the AI review and approval process for use cases and vendors, ensuring they meet established compliance and operational requirements across the state.
-
Support and promote the adoption of standardized AI processes.
-
Support the State's AI Center of Excellence by contributing technical expertise to the design of secure architectures, development of reusable technical patterns, use case development, prototyping, feasibility assessments and responsible implementation of AI solutions.
-
Develop and maintain a high level of expertise in AI, positioning Office of Information Technology Services as a leader.
REQUIRED SKILLS
(Please ensure candidate's relevant experience is listed with appropriate supporting documentation)
-
1 year of proven experience with establishing proof of concept success criteria and evaluating AI solutions against criteria
-
2 years of hands-on experience with ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and comparable generative AI platforms.
-
2 years of experience designing and implementing AI agents and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) solutions.
-
1 year of experience using AI-assisted coding tools to accelerate development, testing, debugging, and documentation.
-
1 year of experience defining AI use case success criteria, key performance indicators (KPIs) and production monitoring measures for AI use cases.
-
1 year of experience building dashboards and reporting for AI adoption, performance, cost, risk, and operational outcomes.
-
1 year of hands-on experience integrating AI capabilities with Azure and AWS
PREFERRED SKILLS
-
Background in a variety of programming languages and principals.
-
Familiarity with the foundations of artificial neural networks (ANNs), transformers, natural language processing, image classification and time-series data.
-
Experience with data tools and techniques for storing, retrieving, and cleaning data.
REQUIRED EDUCATION:
Undergraduate degree in computer science, data science, artificial intelligence or related field required; advanced degree preferred.
OTHER SKILLS/DUTIES:
-
Strong communication and knowledge-transfer skills.
-
Advanced report writing ability.
-
Excellent communication skills and relevant public speaking.
-
Experience working on complex projects
See all 36+ OPT Software Architect Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Software Architect
Target companies with established engineering orgs
Large tech companies and enterprise software firms hire architects at scale and have immigration counsel on staff. They're far more likely to understand OPT timelines and STEM extension eligibility than startups navigating sponsorship for the first time.
Lead with your systems design experience
Hiring managers for architect roles care about distributed systems, API design, and scalability decisions you've owned. Quantify scope: number of services, teams you influenced, or traffic volumes handled. This signals seniority faster than a list of languages.
Clarify your OPT timeline upfront
Architect roles often take 60 to 90 days to close. Confirm how many months remain on your EAD before applying. If you're within six months of expiration, address the STEM extension timeline proactively so hiring managers aren't caught off guard.
Frame yourself as a long-term H-1B candidate
Architects are exactly the kind of senior technical hire employers sponsor for H-1B visa. Position your OPT period as a bridge, not a risk. Mentioning your intent to pursue H-1B sponsorship signals commitment and helps employers plan their immigration budget.
Prioritize roles with a defined scope of ownership
Architect positions that report to a VP of Engineering or CTO with a clear domain, such as platform, data, or security, are easier for USCIS to classify as specialty occupations. Ambiguous titles with generalist duties can complicate future H-1B petitions.
Use Migrate Mate to filter for OPT-friendly openings
Not every architect posting is open to OPT candidates. Migrate Mate surfaces roles where employers have confirmed willingness to work with international students, saving you time and avoiding applications that will go nowhere before they start.
Software Architect OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Software Architect roles qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, in most cases. Software Architect positions typically require a degree in computer science, software engineering, or a closely related STEM field. If your degree is on the STEM Designated Degree Program List and your role is directly related to that field of study, you're eligible to apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to 36 months of total OPT work authorization.
Can I work as a Software Architect on OPT without employer sponsorship?
Yes. OPT is employment authorization tied to your F-1 status, not to a specific employer's petition. You don't need your employer to sponsor a visa to work during your OPT period. However, your role must be directly related to your field of study. For STEM OPT, your employer must enroll in E-Verify and sign a formal training plan with your DSO.
What should I know about changing employers as a Software Architect on STEM OPT?
You can change employers on STEM OPT, but you can't start working for the new company until your DSO updates your SEVIS record and you have an updated I-20 reflecting the new employer. The new employer must also be enrolled in E-Verify and sign a revised training plan. Build in at least two to three weeks for this process to avoid any unauthorized employment gap.
Is a Software Architect role specific enough to qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B?
Generally yes, provided the job description requires at minimum a bachelor's degree in a specific technical field. Architect roles that specify expertise in areas like cloud infrastructure, microservices architecture, or enterprise systems design are strong candidates. Vague job descriptions that accept any degree or list duties spanning unrelated disciplines can create problems during H-1B adjudication, so the specificity of your offer letter matters.
Where can I find Software Architect jobs open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students on OPT and filters for employers willing to work with F-1 candidates. Searching broadly on general job sites often means applying to roles where OPT isn't on the employer's radar at all. Migrate Mate removes that friction so you're spending time on applications that have a real path forward.