OPT Technology Lead Jobs
Technology Lead roles involve directing engineering teams, setting technical architecture, and owning delivery outcomes across complex software systems. Many employers sponsor OPT for this position, particularly in tech, finance, and healthcare sectors. Your 12-month OPT clock starts on your authorization date, so targeting roles with H-1B visa sponsorship intent from day one matters.
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Posting Date
10-26-2026
Time Type
Full-Time
Job ID
9308
Areas of Expertise
Design Technology
Job Category
Architecture
Locations
San Francisco, CA, US
Posting Location: San Jose, CA, US
Description
Your Role
Placed at the intersection of Gensler’s People + Process + Technology, the Design Technology team drives innovation across design, project delivery, and the digital practice throughout the Northwest region. In this role, you will help advance the next generation of design technology by developing and supporting innovative workflows, digital tools, data platforms, software solutions, and emerging AI capabilities that expand what our teams can imagine, create, and deliver.
Working alongside designers, practice area leaders, and technologists, you will help transform emerging technologies into practical solutions that elevate design outcomes, unlock new insights, and strengthen our digital workflows. If you are passionate about innovation, experimentation, and shaping the future of technology in design, we invite you to join our growing team.
What You Will Do
- Consult teams on design and delivery workflows utilizing multiple digital design technologies and platforms on high-performance projects.
- Support a fast-growing data-driven design community of practitioners in the region.
- Collaborate with the data team to develop, train and deploy ML algorithms leveraging a continuous flow of data from data-rich design authoring tools.
- Leverage the outcomes of trained data models to explore trends and define insights in alignment with business and client needs.
- Contribute to the design, development, deployment, and maintenance of web-based applications, user interfaces, APIs, integrations, and custom software solutions that connect design, project, and operational data.
- Research opportunities and implement the integration of additional datasets such as geospatial data, proprietary data, and operational data.
- Research emerging technologies in the AEC space and make recommendations on build vs. buy strategies.
- Support R&D efforts for implementing data, ML and AI in the AEC practice.
- Participate in the convergence of multiple aspects of our overall digital strategy with data and insights generation in alignment with project, practice area, and regional goals.
- Educate staff to learn computational design software platforms.
- Document case studies to demonstrate the value of computational design in our practice.
Your Qualifications
- Minimum of Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, or related field with 4+ years of AEC experience.
- Ability to work in a highly creative environment and collaborate on solutions to complex problems.
- Proficiency with Revit API, and at least one of Python, C#, or JavaScript.
- Advanced knowledge or Revit, Dynamo, Rhino, and Grasshopper.
- Experience designing, developing, and deploying custom applications, automation tools, APIs, integrations, or data-driven platforms using modern software development practices.
- Experience with machine learning, large language models (LLMs), generative AI technologies, model evaluation, and end-to-end AI/ML workflow development is a plus.
- Proficiency with data visualization tools such as Power BI, including DAX and Power Query.
- Experience using Git and source control in a collaborative development environment.
- Experience with Azure, Microsoft Fabric, REST APIs, cloud services, and application deployment is a plus.
- Familiarity with modern front-end or back-end frameworks, responsive interface design, authentication, and secure application development is a plus.
- Ability to make clear, compelling visual presentations to present technical analyses to non-technical audiences.
- Experience in architectural practice with management experience in design and document production.
- Strong leadership, organizational, communication and relationship management skills.
- Have strong abilities to connect new technology with the needs of architectural design.
- Must have architectural or interiors design practice experience.
Compensation
The base salary range will be estimated between $110,000 - $130,000 plus bonuses, benefits and contingent on relevant experience.
Life at Gensler
At Gensler, we are as committed to enjoying life as we are to delivering best-in-class design. From curated art exhibits to internal design competitions to “Well-being Awareness Week,” our offices reflect our people’s diverse interests.
We encourage every person at Gensler to lead a healthy and balanced life. Our comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, disability, wellness programs, flex spending, paid holidays, and paid time off. We also offer a 401k, profit sharing, employee stock ownership, and twice annual bonus opportunities. Our annual base salary range has been established based on local markets.
As part of the firm’s commitment to licensure and professional development, Gensler offers reimbursement for certain professional licenses and associated renewals and exam fees. In addition, we reimburse tuition for certain eligible programs or classes. We view our professional development programs as strategic investments in our future.
NOTICE TO APPLICANTS
We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer of choice. All aspects of employment decisions will be based on merit, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of any status protected under federal, state and local law. Individuals with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with federal, state and local law. See also Know your rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal, right to work and E-verify program, as required by law. Gensler endeavors to make gensler.com/careers accessible to all applicants. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us. Regarding Gensler’s approach to recruiting new talent, we will never ask an applicant for sensitive or personal financial information during the recruitment process. We advise all applicants seeking employment with Gensler to review available information on recruitment fraud. Anyone who suspects that they have been contacted by someone falsely representing Gensler should email talentacquisition@gensler.com.
General Information
Posting Date
10-26-2026
Time Type
Full-Time
Job ID
9308
Areas of Expertise
Design Technology
Job Category
Architecture
Locations
San Francisco, CA, US
Posting Location: San Jose, CA, US
Description
Your Role
Placed at the intersection of Gensler’s People + Process + Technology, the Design Technology team drives innovation across design, project delivery, and the digital practice throughout the Northwest region. In this role, you will help advance the next generation of design technology by developing and supporting innovative workflows, digital tools, data platforms, software solutions, and emerging AI capabilities that expand what our teams can imagine, create, and deliver.
Working alongside designers, practice area leaders, and technologists, you will help transform emerging technologies into practical solutions that elevate design outcomes, unlock new insights, and strengthen our digital workflows. If you are passionate about innovation, experimentation, and shaping the future of technology in design, we invite you to join our growing team.
What You Will Do
- Consult teams on design and delivery workflows utilizing multiple digital design technologies and platforms on high-performance projects.
- Support a fast-growing data-driven design community of practitioners in the region.
- Collaborate with the data team to develop, train and deploy ML algorithms leveraging a continuous flow of data from data-rich design authoring tools.
- Leverage the outcomes of trained data models to explore trends and define insights in alignment with business and client needs.
- Contribute to the design, development, deployment, and maintenance of web-based applications, user interfaces, APIs, integrations, and custom software solutions that connect design, project, and operational data.
- Research opportunities and implement the integration of additional datasets such as geospatial data, proprietary data, and operational data.
- Research emerging technologies in the AEC space and make recommendations on build vs. buy strategies.
- Support R&D efforts for implementing data, ML and AI in the AEC practice.
- Participate in the convergence of multiple aspects of our overall digital strategy with data and insights generation in alignment with project, practice area, and regional goals.
- Educate staff to learn computational design software platforms.
- Document case studies to demonstrate the value of computational design in our practice.
Your Qualifications
- Minimum of Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, or related field with 4+ years of AEC experience.
- Ability to work in a highly creative environment and collaborate on solutions to complex problems.
- Proficiency with Revit API, and at least one of Python, C#, or JavaScript.
- Advanced knowledge or Revit, Dynamo, Rhino, and Grasshopper.
- Experience designing, developing, and deploying custom applications, automation tools, APIs, integrations, or data-driven platforms using modern software development practices.
- Experience with machine learning, large language models (LLMs), generative AI technologies, model evaluation, and end-to-end AI/ML workflow development is a plus.
- Proficiency with data visualization tools such as Power BI, including DAX and Power Query.
- Experience using Git and source control in a collaborative development environment.
- Experience with Azure, Microsoft Fabric, REST APIs, cloud services, and application deployment is a plus.
- Familiarity with modern front-end or back-end frameworks, responsive interface design, authentication, and secure application development is a plus.
- Ability to make clear, compelling visual presentations to present technical analyses to non-technical audiences.
- Experience in architectural practice with management experience in design and document production.
- Strong leadership, organizational, communication and relationship management skills.
- Have strong abilities to connect new technology with the needs of architectural design.
- Must have architectural or interiors design practice experience.
Compensation
The base salary range will be estimated between $110,000 - $130,000 plus bonuses, benefits and contingent on relevant experience.
Life at Gensler
At Gensler, we are as committed to enjoying life as we are to delivering best-in-class design. From curated art exhibits to internal design competitions to “Well-being Awareness Week,” our offices reflect our people’s diverse interests.
We encourage every person at Gensler to lead a healthy and balanced life. Our comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, disability, wellness programs, flex spending, paid holidays, and paid time off. We also offer a 401k, profit sharing, employee stock ownership, and twice annual bonus opportunities. Our annual base salary range has been established based on local markets.
As part of the firm’s commitment to licensure and professional development, Gensler offers reimbursement for certain professional licenses and associated renewals and exam fees. In addition, we reimburse tuition for certain eligible programs or classes. We view our professional development programs as strategic investments in our future.
NOTICE TO APPLICANTS
We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer of choice. All aspects of employment decisions will be based on merit, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of any status protected under federal, state and local law. Individuals with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with federal, state and local law. See also Know your rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal, right to work and E-verify program, as required by law. Gensler endeavors to make gensler.com/careers accessible to all applicants. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us. Regarding Gensler’s approach to recruiting new talent, we will never ask an applicant for sensitive or personal financial information during the recruitment process. We advise all applicants seeking employment with Gensler to review available information on recruitment fraud. Anyone who suspects that they have been contacted by someone falsely representing Gensler should email talentacquisition@gensler.com.
See all 242+ OPT Technology Lead Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Technology Lead
Lead with technical scope, not just team size
Employers evaluating OPT candidates for Technology Lead roles want to see the complexity you've owned. Quantify the systems you've architected, the scale of infrastructure you've managed, and the business outcomes your technical decisions drove.
Filter for employers with H-1B sponsorship history
Technology Lead roles often convert to H-1B visa after OPT. Before applying, check whether the employer has sponsored H-1B visas before. Companies with consistent sponsorship patterns are significantly safer bets for long-term work authorization continuity.
Clarify your OPT authorization dates in early conversations
Be direct with hiring managers about your OPT start date and expiration. Technology Lead hiring cycles can run 8 to 12 weeks, so early transparency prevents late-stage offers falling through due to timeline mismatches.
Emphasize STEM OPT extension eligibility if applicable
If your degree is in a STEM field, you're eligible for a 24-month extension, giving employers up to 36 months of OPT-based employment. This significantly reduces their urgency to file an H-1B petition immediately after hiring you.
Target companies large enough to absorb sponsorship costs
Startups under 50 employees often can't absorb H-1B legal and filing costs. Mid-size and enterprise companies, particularly those in regulated industries, have established immigration budgets and are more likely to sponsor Technology Lead candidates.
Prepare to speak to cross-functional leadership, not just engineering
Technology Lead interviews frequently include product, design, and business stakeholders. Demonstrating that you can align engineering decisions with business goals makes you a stronger candidate and signals reduced risk to OPT-hesitant hiring managers.
Technology Lead OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Technology Lead on OPT?
Yes, Technology Lead is a qualifying role for OPT work authorization. Your employment must be directly related to your field of study, and the position must average at least 20 hours per week. Most Technology Lead roles exceed that threshold. Ensure your offer letter reflects a title and job description consistent with what your DSO authorized on your EAD.
Do Technology Lead employers commonly sponsor OPT students for H-1B?
Many do, particularly mid-size and enterprise technology companies. Technology Lead is a specialty occupation under H-1B criteria because the role typically requires a bachelor's degree or higher in computer science, engineering, or a related technical field. That clean specialty occupation fit makes the H-1B petition more straightforward for employers already familiar with sponsorship. Migrate Mate lists Technology Lead roles from employers with verified sponsorship histories.
Does a Technology Lead role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. If your qualifying degree is in a STEM field, such as computer science, electrical engineering, or information systems, you can apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension regardless of your job title. Your employer must also be enrolled in E-Verify. The extension must be filed before your initial OPT period expires.
What if I'm on OPT and my Technology Lead contract ends mid-authorization period?
OPT allows up to 90 days of unemployment during your authorization period, or 150 days if you've received a STEM extension. If your contract ends, that 90-day clock starts immediately. You'll need to report any employment changes to your DSO promptly. Finding a new qualifying position quickly is important to avoid falling out of status.
Can I work as a Technology Lead for a startup or as an independent contractor on OPT?
Startup employment is permitted on OPT as long as the employer is a legitimate U.S. business and the role is directly tied to your field of study. Independent contracting is technically allowed, but you must document client relationships carefully and report them to your DSO. Self-employment arrangements receive additional scrutiny from USCIS, so consult your international student advisor before structuring work that way.