STEM OPT Aws Engineer Jobs
AWS Engineer roles in cloud infrastructure, DevOps, and solutions architecture qualify for STEM OPT work authorization when your employer is enrolled in E-Verify. Your STEM degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field unlocks a 24-month extension beyond your initial 12 months, giving you up to 36 months to build U.S. cloud experience.
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(Eligible for Hybrid Schedule: 3 days in office - Alexandria, VA)
United Way Worldwide (UWW) leverages AWS to deliver mission-critical digital platforms to UWW staff, local United Ways, and external stakeholders. UWW hosts several key web assets within its AWS environment.
The AWS Cloud Engineer will support the design, deployment, and operation of UWW’s cloud-native applications. This is a hands-on DevOps-focused role centered on containerized workloads, CI/CD automation, and infrastructure as code.
The individual will be responsible for ensuring the security, reliability, and scalability of United Way's cloud infrastructure while providing technical expertise to support the organization's initiatives and goals.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES/ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF POSITION
- Design, implement, and manage scalable, secure AWS infrastructure to support application performance and reliability of all environments, utilizing services including ECS, EC2, RDS, S3, CloudFront, & ALB.
- Build, optimize, and maintain Docker images and support ECS to enable efficient deployments.
- Develop and maintain CI/CD pipelines using GitHub Actions to enable automated application deployments.
- Develop and manage infrastructure as code (IaC) solution, automate infrastructure provisioning and updates using Terraform/OpenTofu.
- Monitor system health and performance using CloudWatch, Splunk, and Site24x7; implement alerting and performance improvements to improve reliability and user experience.
- Lead troubleshooting, incident response and root cause analysis to minimize downtime and prevent recurrence.
- Apply and follow AWS security best practices and Well-Architected principles to strengthen system resilience and compliance.
- Collaborate with developers to improve and streamline deployment processes and improve overall application reliability and system stability.
Job Requirements
- AWS Certification (Cloud Practitioner or Solutions Architect Associate); preferred.
- 3+ years of experience in AWS, DevOps, or related roles.
- Knowledge and understanding of core AWS services (EC2, S3, IAM, RDS, VPC).
- Experience with Docker and containerized applications.
- Experience building or contributing to CI/CD pipelines (e.g., GitHub Actions).
- Experience using Terraform/OpenTofu for IaC.
- Understanding of DevOps principles (automation, CI/CD, infrastructure as code).
- Demonstrated experience to improve deployment workflows or developer experience through automation.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Associate's or Bachelor's degree in a related field.
- Experience working with container orchestration in Amazon ECS.
- Familiarity with CMS platforms such as Drupal.
- Experience supporting web applications leveraging CloudFront and CDN-backed web applications.
- Experience with monitoring/logging tools (CloudWatch, Splunk).
This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all required duties, responsibilities, and skills. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable disabled individuals to perform the essential functions of the job. You should be able to work on-site in the Alexandria, VA location; relocation assistance is not offered.
SALARY STATEMENT
The budgeted salary range for this position is currently $91,400 to $101,500 per year. Salary is determined by several factors including applicant’s knowledge, skills, experience, position, equity, and market.
ABOUT UNITED WAY WORLDWIDE
United Way Worldwide seeks diverse, qualified professionals who want to make a difference in the world. If you are passionate about your work and desire to help others achieve enhanced education, income, and health, United Way Worldwide is the place for you.
United Way Worldwide is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, disability, veteran status, marital status, age, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, and other legally protected characteristics, in accordance with applicable laws. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please e-mail recruitment@uww.unitedway.org and provide the nature of your request and your contact information.
We are a charter member of Employers of National Service and encourage AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni to apply.
United Way Worldwide is located in Old Town Alexandria, VA. We offer competitive salary and excellent benefits including: health, dental, life, short-term and long-term disability, employee assistance program, 403(b) plan, tuition assistance, paid time off, family sick leave, medical appointment leave, parental/adoption leave, dress for your day, free parking, onsite gym, monthly volunteering opportunities, and more.
We kindly request that you do not call to inquire about the status of your application. All candidates selected for consideration will be contacted by a United Way Worldwide team member via email or phone regarding next steps.
Position Summary
(Eligible for Hybrid Schedule: 3 days in office - Alexandria, VA)
United Way Worldwide (UWW) leverages AWS to deliver mission-critical digital platforms to UWW staff, local United Ways, and external stakeholders. UWW hosts several key web assets within its AWS environment.
The AWS Cloud Engineer will support the design, deployment, and operation of UWW’s cloud-native applications. This is a hands-on DevOps-focused role centered on containerized workloads, CI/CD automation, and infrastructure as code.
The individual will be responsible for ensuring the security, reliability, and scalability of United Way's cloud infrastructure while providing technical expertise to support the organization's initiatives and goals.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES/ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF POSITION
- Design, implement, and manage scalable, secure AWS infrastructure to support application performance and reliability of all environments, utilizing services including ECS, EC2, RDS, S3, CloudFront, & ALB.
- Build, optimize, and maintain Docker images and support ECS to enable efficient deployments.
- Develop and maintain CI/CD pipelines using GitHub Actions to enable automated application deployments.
- Develop and manage infrastructure as code (IaC) solution, automate infrastructure provisioning and updates using Terraform/OpenTofu.
- Monitor system health and performance using CloudWatch, Splunk, and Site24x7; implement alerting and performance improvements to improve reliability and user experience.
- Lead troubleshooting, incident response and root cause analysis to minimize downtime and prevent recurrence.
- Apply and follow AWS security best practices and Well-Architected principles to strengthen system resilience and compliance.
- Collaborate with developers to improve and streamline deployment processes and improve overall application reliability and system stability.
Job Requirements
- AWS Certification (Cloud Practitioner or Solutions Architect Associate); preferred.
- 3+ years of experience in AWS, DevOps, or related roles.
- Knowledge and understanding of core AWS services (EC2, S3, IAM, RDS, VPC).
- Experience with Docker and containerized applications.
- Experience building or contributing to CI/CD pipelines (e.g., GitHub Actions).
- Experience using Terraform/OpenTofu for IaC.
- Understanding of DevOps principles (automation, CI/CD, infrastructure as code).
- Demonstrated experience to improve deployment workflows or developer experience through automation.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Associate's or Bachelor's degree in a related field.
- Experience working with container orchestration in Amazon ECS.
- Familiarity with CMS platforms such as Drupal.
- Experience supporting web applications leveraging CloudFront and CDN-backed web applications.
- Experience with monitoring/logging tools (CloudWatch, Splunk).
This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all required duties, responsibilities, and skills. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable disabled individuals to perform the essential functions of the job. You should be able to work on-site in the Alexandria, VA location; relocation assistance is not offered.
SALARY STATEMENT
The budgeted salary range for this position is currently $91,400 to $101,500 per year. Salary is determined by several factors including applicant’s knowledge, skills, experience, position, equity, and market.
ABOUT UNITED WAY WORLDWIDE
United Way Worldwide seeks diverse, qualified professionals who want to make a difference in the world. If you are passionate about your work and desire to help others achieve enhanced education, income, and health, United Way Worldwide is the place for you.
United Way Worldwide is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, disability, veteran status, marital status, age, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, and other legally protected characteristics, in accordance with applicable laws. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please e-mail recruitment@uww.unitedway.org and provide the nature of your request and your contact information.
We are a charter member of Employers of National Service and encourage AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni to apply.
United Way Worldwide is located in Old Town Alexandria, VA. We offer competitive salary and excellent benefits including: health, dental, life, short-term and long-term disability, employee assistance program, 403(b) plan, tuition assistance, paid time off, family sick leave, medical appointment leave, parental/adoption leave, dress for your day, free parking, onsite gym, monthly volunteering opportunities, and more.
We kindly request that you do not call to inquire about the status of your application. All candidates selected for consideration will be contacted by a United Way Worldwide team member via email or phone regarding next steps.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as an Aws Engineer
Verify your CIP code before applying
Cross-check your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code against the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Computer science, computer engineering, and information systems CIP codes are the most commonly approved for AWS-focused roles, but some interdisciplinary programs are excluded.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify before you can start STEM OPT. Search the E-Verify employer search tool by company name to confirm enrollment status before signing an offer letter, not after.
Build your I-983 training plan around AWS competencies
Your Form I-983 must list specific learning goals tied to your STEM degree. Map each training objective to an AWS service or architecture domain, such as cloud infrastructure, security, or machine learning, so your DSO can approve the plan without revision requests.
Target companies with active cloud infrastructure teams
Use Migrate Mate to filter AWS Engineer openings by employers whose E-Verify enrollment is confirmed, so you're applying to roles where your STEM OPT authorization is already compatible with their hiring process.
Check prevailing wage before negotiating your offer
Run your target job title and work location through the OFLC Wage Search to find the DOL prevailing wage for AWS Engineer roles in that metro. Employers filing an LCA for a future H-1B visa transition must meet this threshold, so knowing it before negotiation protects your long-term sponsorship path.
Understand cap-gap protection if your H-1B is selected
If your employer files an H-1B petition before your STEM OPT expires and USCIS selects it in the lottery, cap-gap automatically extends your OPT EAD through September 30. File your I-983 renewal and keep your I-20 current so your DSO can issue updated documentation without a gap.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an AWS Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
AWS Engineer positions qualify when the role directly relates to your STEM degree and the employer is enrolled in E-Verify. USCIS evaluates whether the practical training is in a field listed on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List, so your degree's CIP code, not just your job title, determines eligibility. Computer science, computer engineering, and electrical engineering degrees are consistently approved for cloud infrastructure roles.
What STEM degrees are accepted for AWS Engineer STEM OPT jobs?
Degrees in computer science, computer engineering, information technology, electrical engineering, and mathematics are the most commonly approved for AWS Engineer STEM OPT positions. Your degree must appear on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List by its CIP code. Some interdisciplinary or business-adjacent technology degrees fall outside the approved list, so verify your specific program before applying rather than assuming eligibility based on job title alone.
How do I know if an employer is enrolled in E-Verify for STEM OPT?
STEM OPT requires your employer to be actively enrolled in E-Verify before your training begins, not just registered. Use the E-Verify employer search to confirm enrollment status by company name and location. Many large cloud employers and federal contractors are enrolled, but subsidiaries and staffing agencies may not share the parent company's enrollment. Always verify the specific legal entity that will employ you, not the parent brand.
What goes into an I-983 training plan for an AWS Engineer position?
Your Form I-983 must document specific training goals, supervision details, hours, and how each objective relates to your STEM degree. For AWS Engineer roles, list concrete competencies such as designing cloud architectures, implementing security controls, or automating infrastructure with tools like Terraform or CloudFormation. Vague objectives like 'gain cloud experience' are frequently flagged by DSOs. Your employer's supervisor must sign the plan, and you must update it if your role or training focus changes significantly.
Where can I find AWS Engineer jobs that accept STEM OPT students?
Migrate Mate lists AWS Engineer roles filtered by employers enrolled in E-Verify, which is the baseline requirement for STEM OPT eligibility. Searching by E-Verify status upfront saves you from applying to companies that can't legally onboard you on STEM OPT, which is a common and avoidable delay. You can also cross-reference the O*NET occupation profile for AWS and cloud architecture roles to understand which job titles fall within the same SOC code and may qualify equally.