OPT Support Engineer Jobs
Support Engineer roles are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with technical degrees in computer science, information systems, or engineering. Most positions qualify as STEM OPT-eligible, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers in this space frequently hire international candidates and are familiar with OPT timelines.
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ABOUT LATHAM & WATKINS:
Latham & Watkins is one of the world’s leading global law firms advising the businesses and institutions that drive the global economy. We are the market leaders in major financial and business centers around the world. Our investment in people, commitment to innovation, and focus on the future empower you to build an incredible career and thrive as an exceptional professional in a supportive culture. If you aspire to be the best, and work with the best, this is where you belong.
ABOUT THE ROLE:
The Practice Support Project Manager – Internal Matters is an integral part of Latham’s Practice Support Services team. This role will be responsible for providing an advanced, client-centered service in project management, consulting, and innovation in the areas of litigation and internal matters, ensuring the highest standards of quality and responsiveness, while driving cross-functional collaboration between the Information Governance teams, Office of General Counsel, Data Privacy, case teams, and the Practice Support Center (PSC) on internal matter projects, taking ownership of database design, data processing, and production execution to ensure deliverables meet project requirements and best practices. This role will be located in our Global Services Office in downtown Los Angeles. Please note that this role may be eligible for a flexible working schedule that allows for a hybrid and in-office presence.
Responsibilities:
- Overseeing day-to-day project execution, including building and maintaining project plans, preparing processing and production specifications, assigning and tracking tasks across team members, escalating risks and issues to stakeholders, and verifying that deliverables meet established requirements before release to reviewers
- Engaging with legal teams to assess project needs and objectives, identifying potential risks or obstacles early in the project lifecycle, and documenting requirements and key decisions in the team's standard project tracking tools to maintain alignment across stakeholders
- Owning the delivery of all project work product, including keyword searches, data analysis, filtering, production, privilege logs, coding, and trial preparation, ensuring tasks are properly assigned, tracked, and completed to established quality standards and deadlines
- Developing and maintaining data processing and production specifications for the Practice Support Center team, establishing quality benchmarks and conducting reviews to ensure all deliverables are accurate, complete, and aligned with project requirements
- Proactively engaging with the Information Governance Technical Services (IGTS) team regarding data collection, data set issues, and related processes, partnering with IGTS to identify and implement efficient methods for data handling, automation, and quality improvements
- Protecting and maintaining any highly sensitive, confidential, privileged, financial, and/or proprietary information that Latham & Watkins retains
QUALIFICATIONS
We’d love to hear from you if you:
- Demonstrate expert level project management skills, including organizing, planning, consulting and follow through
- Exhibit advanced operational skills and knowledge of the legal process and electronic discovery best practices and the ability to apply this knowledge to relevant casework
- Possess comprehensive knowledge of EU/US e-discovery/disclosure law and practice and an in depth understanding of issues arising from foreign languages and character sets, with the ability to effectively counsel and advise on forensic preservation, collection, and processing of data in USA, EU and Asian countries, preferably
And have:
- A bachelor’s degree or equivalent; four (4) years of directly relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree
- A minimum of four (4) years of combined Paralegal or Legal Technology experience with Project Management experience
BENEFITS:
Successful candidates will not only be provided with an outstanding career opportunity and welcoming environment, but will also be provided with a generous total compensation package with bonuses awarded in recognition of both individual and firm performance. Eligible employees can participate in Latham’s comprehensive benefit program which includes:
- Healthcare, life and disability insurance
- A generous 401k plan
- At least 11 paid holidays per year, and a PTO program that accrues 23 days during the first year of employment and grows with tenure
- Well-being programs (e.g. mental health services, mindfulness and resiliency, medical resources, well-being events, and more)
- Professional development programs
- Employee discounts
- Affinity groups, networks, and coalitions for lawyers and staff
Latham & Watkins is an equal opportunity employer. The Firm prohibits discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race (including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status (including veterans of the Vietnam era), gender expression, marital status, or any other characteristic or condition protected by applicable statute.
Latham & Watkins LLP will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance (FCIHO). Please click the link below to review the Ordinance.
Please click here to review your rights under U.S. employment laws.
PAY RANGE: USD $140,000.00 - USD $165,000.00 /Yr.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Support Engineer
Confirm your role qualifies for STEM OPT extension
Support Engineer positions tied to a STEM-designated degree typically qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Verify your degree's CIP code with your DSO before accepting an offer to ensure you can extend beyond the initial 12 months.
Apply early relative to your OPT start date
Support Engineer hiring cycles move quickly. Start applying 60 to 90 days before your OPT authorization begins so offers align with your work start date and employers aren't waiting on pending EAD cards.
Target companies with existing OPT infrastructure
Larger tech companies and SaaS firms hire Support Engineers at scale and often have HR teams experienced with EAD verification and E-Verify enrollment, which is required for STEM OPT. Prioritize employers who have hired international graduates before.
Address your OPT timeline proactively with recruiters
Don't wait for recruiters to ask. Mention your OPT authorization period, EAD status, and STEM extension eligibility early in conversations. Clarity upfront reduces friction and filters out employers who won't proceed with international candidates.
Highlight technical depth, not just troubleshooting
Support Engineer roles span a wide skill range. Emphasizing experience with APIs, scripting, cloud platforms, or database queries positions you for higher-tier roles that are more likely to consider STEM OPT candidates and future sponsorship.
Ask about H-1B sponsorship timelines during interviews
STEM OPT gives you up to 36 months total, but H-1B visa sponsorship must be filed before that window closes. Ask directly whether the company has sponsored H-1B visas for Support Engineers in previous years before accepting an offer.
Support Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Support Engineer on F-1 OPT?
Yes. Support Engineer roles are generally eligible for F-1 OPT work authorization, provided the position is directly related to your field of study. If your degree is in computer science, information systems, or a related STEM field, you may also qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to 36 months total.
Do Support Engineer jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most do, but it depends on both your degree and the role itself. Your degree must have a STEM-designated CIP code, and the job must be directly related to that field. Support Engineer positions involving software systems, infrastructure, or technical problem-solving typically meet this standard. Confirm with your DSO before accepting an offer.
How do I find Support Engineer jobs that are open to OPT students?
Browse Support Engineer listings on Migrate Mate, which is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters for employers open to international candidates. Standard job boards don't filter by visa sponsorship or OPT compatibility, so you can spend significant time applying to companies that won't consider your application.
What happens to my Support Engineer job if my OPT expires before I get H-1B sponsorship?
If your OPT expires and your H-1B hasn't been approved, you lose work authorization and must stop working. STEM OPT extension buys additional time, but the H-1B lottery typically needs to be filed well before expiration. Plan your timeline carefully with your employer and DSO, and confirm the company sponsors H-1B petitions before accepting an offer.
Are Support Engineer roles considered specialty occupations for H-1B purposes?
Support Engineer roles that require a bachelor's degree in a specific technical field, such as computer science or information systems, generally qualify as specialty occupations under H-1B rules. However, USCIS evaluates each petition individually. Roles where any general degree is acceptable may face scrutiny. A specific degree requirement strengthens the specialty occupation argument significantly.