STEM OPT Chief Technology Officer Jobs
Chief Technology Officer roles qualify for the STEM OPT 24-month extension when your degree falls under an eligible CIP code and your employer is enrolled in E-Verify. With up to 36 months of total OPT authorization, you have a real runway to build executive-level experience while pursuing H-1B visa sponsorship.
Find STEM OPT Chief Technology Officer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 7+ Chief Technology Officer jobs










See all Chief Technology Officer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Chief Technology Officer roles.
Get Access To All Jobs
Job Location: Fort Worth, TX
Anticipated Start Date: December 2026 – January 2027
Number of Positions: 1
Salary Range: $110,430 - $122,700
Salary Band: 30
Position Overview:
The Manager of Environmental Engineering & Waste Water (WW) Operations provides oversight & leadership of BNSF's industrial wastewater systems operations & maintenance program including contract operators, asset management system (EAM), associated environmental infrastructure, Best Way processes and coordination of various projects in support of the Environmental Engineering team. The position reports to the Director of Environmental Engineering. The position leads the south territory including AZ, NM, CO, TX, OK, MO, KS, LA, TN, and AL with various contract operators, wastewater treatment plants, oil-water-separators, lift stations, lagoons and consultants and contractors that support the wastewater systems. The position is located at BNSF’s Headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas.
Key Accountabilities:
Reporting to the Director of Environmental Engineering, the Project Manager / Manager of Environmental Engineering & WW Operations serves as the first-line manager for leading the south territory WW program for BNSF. The Manager provides strategic leadership for the program as well as day-to-day performance monitoring and feedback; is responsible for full management of wastewater operations interaction & support; and provides technology systems support. The Manager will have direct supervisory responsibilities for many staff, including consultants, contractors and field engineers/technicians. The right candidate will have a passion for sustainability, finding creative pollution prevention solutions and value engineering while thriving in a multi-tasking fast paced environment.
Specific responsibilities of this position include:
- Overall safety, compliance, leadership and expectations for BNSF’s WW program.
- Assuring and leading safe and effective WW operations & maintenance including troubleshooting, root cause analysis, corrective & preventive actions. Includes Job Safety Analyses, Hazardous Energy Control Program, Confined Space Program and other associated OSHA and BNSF requirements.
- Coaching, developing and guiding the WW program by supporting a value driven culture and setting performance expectations.
- Lead, Manage and Support WW Permitting & Ordinances as well as Compliance:
- Application, permitting and renewal of WW permits, ordinances, etc. as it pertains to Federal, State and Local regulations and requirements,
- Tracking of deadlines and expiration dates,
- Proactively monitoring potential changes to Federal, State and Local requirements that could impact the WW operations and associated performance,
- Work with regional Environmental managers relating to permit applications, permits and renewals,
- Review draft permits and ordinances to assist with comments and compliance,
- Laboratory and quality assurance for proper operation and compliance with effluent limitations, plans and requirements,
- Proactively operate and maintain WW systems to prevent inspection findings, exceedances and violations,
- Communicate and assist with regulatory notifications, inspections, exceedances, violations including root cause analyses and corrective actions.
- Tracking of operational performance, compliance & maintenance of systems with use of technology systems to support efficiencies, reduce risks & costs and increase sustainability.
- Project management and coordination for various projects relating to WW operations & maintenance and support for other Environmental Engineering programs including capital, tanks, pipelines, industrial control systems and technology systems.
- Leadership and support of Best Management Practices (BMP’s), Sustainable Operations and Best Way Program to enhance the WW program.
- Leadership of Provider project managers and operators as it relates to annual PMP objectives and performance reviews.
- Conduct annual Provider performance reviews.
- Identify requirements and develop / prepare written project scopes of work and requests for proposals.
- Select and work with consultants to create/update plans, scope of works, project drawings, specifications, guidelines, requirements for the WW program.
- Support the capital process for prioritization, assessment, investigation, design, and construction processes as well as secure approvals with BNSF colleagues and applicable regulatory agencies.
- Provide value engineering expertise based on operation and maintenance of WW systems.
- Review plans, specifications, and submittals for new construction and upgrade projects.
- Participate in bid walks and contractor selection processes.
- Manage bid processes and select engineers and contractors as it relates to the WW program.
- Lead projects from a safety, cost effective, value-add, sustainable and infrastructure improvement standpoint.
- Coordinate and collaborate for partnerships with various BNSF departments including Mechanical, Engineering, Transportation, Labor Relations, Legal, Environmental, Sourcing and Finance.
Provide Technical Guidance:
- Fielding WW operation & maintenance questions, concerns, issues as they arise.
- Coordinating with the other two Env Eng & WW Operations Managers as it pertains to the WW program and associated operations systemwide.
- Request information from operators and other personnel as it relates to WW systems including but not limited to safety, maintenance, inspections, cleaning, sampling, calibration, chemical addition, etc.
- Contact equipment manufacturing representatives for product information and technical assistance.
- Conduct an annual operator summit to grow & develop operators, set and clarify expectations, promote relationships across operators and Provider project managers & leadership for sustainable operations.
- Conduct weekly, monthly, quarterly meetings and updates as necessary to continue leading and promoting WW operations.
Provide Financial Support:
- Determine overall budget as it relates to the WW Program.
- Regularly analyze project financial status in relation to current budget; advise BNSF Director of the program status and problems (or potential problems) on a regular basis.
- Review all purchase requests, purchase requisitions, purchase orders as it relates to the program.
- Review all invoices, determine whether appropriate work has been performed and invoiced, approve invoices, apply against appropriate purchase orders, and monitor payments against purchase orders.
- Monitor and resolve invoice and purchase order issues where invoices are misapplied, change orders need to be created, etc.
- Monitor availability of funds related to the program and each area of the WW system.
- Oversee all WW operations & maintenance with respect to progress, issues, resolution, and documentation thereof.
- Develop and manage accurate schedules as needed (inspections, cleaning, maintenance, etc.)
- Use, develop, implement SharePoint, Project Dashboards, Power BI, Tableau and other technology to support business needs, improvements and efficiencies.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Civil, Environmental, Electrical, Industrial, Mechanical or other comparable Engineering.
- 2-3 years of experience in Program and/or Project Management.
- Ability to lead and manage contract Providers and Operators systemwide.
- Strong commitment to safety in all aspects of business operations.
- Superior skills in verbal, written, and electronic communications.
- Self starter that is driven to success and has a strong initiative.
- Ability to relate well with others and build strong relationships.
- Proven history of successful program &/or project management including strategic leadership and scope, schedule, budget for projects.
- Knowledge of relevant computer technologies, such as AutoCAD, Visio, MS Project, MS Word, MS Excel, Outlook Email/Calendar, SharePoint, and other BNSF or external technology systems.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Advanced degree.
- Credentials (e.g., Project Management Certification, E.I.T., or P.E. registration), experience, and professional association involvement, which sets the candidate apart from the average engineer.
- Experience with ISO Management Systems such as Environmental Management Systems (ISO 14001) and Environmental Management Information Systems (e.g., Enablon).
- Knowledge of key Industrial Wastewater operations, systems and/or equipment, to include intake/collection structures/conveyances, lift stations, oil water separators, chemical feed systems, primary clarification, storage tanks, dissolved air floatation systems, effluent collection/conveyance/sampling systems, sludge handling, belt or tube oil skimmers, pumps, aerators, various process instrumentation and industrial control systems/SCADA.
- Knowledge of laboratory water quality assurance practices and related Standard Methods.
- Familiar with typical laboratory water compliance testing procedures (i.e., BOD, COD, TSS, O&G, nutrient levels) and sampling devices.
Relocation: Relocation assistance may be offered for this position.
Travel: 50% of the time and must be willing to travel and work nights, weekends, and holidays, as necessary.
BENEFITS
BNSF offers competitive benefit programs and services including, but not limited to:
- Medical, Dental and Vision Coverage
- 401(k) Plan
- Railroad Retirement
- Life Insurance
- Incentive Compensation Plan (ICP)
- Tuition Reimbursement Program
BNSF Railway is an Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION ELEMENTS
- Criminal history
- Last 7 years of driving history
- Last 5 years of employment history to include military service
- Social Security number
- Education
MEDICAL REVIEW ELEMENTS:
- Medical evaluation
- Drug Screen
- Other elements as needed
DRUG TEST ELEMENTS:
BNSF is committed to a safe and drug free work place and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing. All new hires are required to undergo a hair drug test which detects the presence of illegal drugs for months prior to testing. We appreciate your cooperation in keeping BNSF safe and drug free.
Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC): Federal authority requires BNSF employees, whose work requires unescorted access to secure areas of port facilities, to obtain a TWIC. A TWIC is a condition of employment for such positions and requires candidates to those positions to submit to a TSA security assessment (to include, but not limited to, providing: biographic information; identity documents; fingerprints; digital photograph). More information is available at www.tsa.gov/for-industrytwic.
SF: Internal Posting Only; MO | [[mfield5]] | Operations - Environmental | Fort Worth, TX | 76131
See all STEM OPT Chief Technology Officer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Chief Technology Officer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization in Chief Technology Officer
Verify your CIP code before applying
Check that your STEM degree maps to an approved CIP code on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Computer science, engineering, and information systems degrees typically qualify, but confirm your exact program code with your DSO before targeting CTO roles.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Your employer must be actively enrolled in E-Verify before you can begin STEM OPT. Search the E-Verify employer search tool to confirm enrollment status. A verbal assurance from a recruiter isn't enough; verify directly before signing.
Target companies with active H-1B filing history
Use Migrate Mate to filter CTO-level openings by employers who have consistently filed H-1B petitions, giving you visibility into which organizations have an established sponsorship infrastructure before you invest time in their hiring process.
Frame your I-983 around executive deliverables
CTO training plans must connect your role's learning objectives to your STEM degree field. Map specific technical goals, such as architecting systems or leading R&D decisions, to measurable outcomes that satisfy USCIS's practical training requirement for the I-983.
Benchmark compensation using OFLC Wage Search
Before negotiating a CTO offer, look up the prevailing wage for your SOC code and geographic area using OFLC Wage Search. Your employer will need this figure for the LCA when filing your H-1B, so entering at or above that level simplifies the transition.
Plan your cap-gap window around the H-1B timeline
If your OPT expires before October 1 and your H-1B petition is selected in the lottery, cap-gap protection extends your work authorization automatically. Structure your employment start date and STEM OPT end date with USCIS's cap-gap rules in mind to avoid any gap in status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a CTO role qualify for the STEM OPT 24-month extension?
Yes, if your underlying degree is on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List and the CTO role involves applying that technical knowledge in a practical setting. Common qualifying degrees include computer science, electrical engineering, and information systems. Your DSO must update your I-20 to reflect the extension before your initial 12-month OPT expires.
How do I verify that a company hiring for a CTO role is enrolled in E-Verify?
Use the E-Verify employer search tool to look up the company by name or employer identification number before you accept an offer. E-Verify enrollment is mandatory for STEM OPT employers, and you cannot begin the extension until your employer is actively enrolled. Enrollment at the subsidiary level matters if the company operates under a parent organization.
What goes into a STEM OPT training plan for a Chief Technology Officer?
The I-983 training plan must document a direct relationship between your STEM degree and the CTO role's learning objectives. For executive technology positions, this typically includes goals around engineering leadership, product architecture, and R&D strategy. Your employer must sign the plan and provide periodic evaluations. USCIS can request this documentation during an audit.
What happens to my STEM OPT authorization during the H-1B cap-gap period?
If you have an approved H-1B petition with an October 1 start date and your STEM OPT would otherwise expire before then, cap-gap rules automatically extend your work authorization through September 30. You can continue working for your E-Verify-enrolled employer without interruption. USCIS issues guidance each year confirming cap-gap eligibility for timely-filed petitions.
Where can I find CTO roles at companies that sponsor STEM OPT workers?
Migrate Mate lists CTO and senior technology leadership openings filtered for employers with active E-Verify enrollment and H-1B filing history, so you can focus on organizations already set up to support your work authorization. You can also cross-reference the O*NET occupation profile for CTO roles to confirm which degree fields typically align with the position's technical requirements.