STEM OPT Computer Scientist Jobs
Computer Scientist roles fall squarely within STEM OPT eligibility, giving you up to 24 months of additional work authorization beyond your initial OPT period. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and your degree in computer science, mathematics, or a related STEM field must align with the CIP code on your I-20.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Axle is a bioscience and information technology company that offers advancements in translational research, biomedical informatics, and data science applications to research centers and healthcare organizations nationally and abroad. With experts in biomedical science, software engineering, and program management, we focus on developing and applying research tools and techniques to empower decision-making and accelerate research discoveries. We work with some of the top research organizations and facilities in the country including multiple institutes at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Axle is seeking a Computer Programmer to join our vibrant team at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) supporting the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in Bethesda, MD.
BENEFITS WE OFFER:
- 100% Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage for Employees
- Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
- 401K match up to 5%
- Educational Benefits for Career Growth
- Employee Referral Bonus
- Flexible Spending Accounts:
- Healthcare (FSA)
- Parking Reimbursement Account (PRK)
- Dependent Care Assistant Program (DCAP)
- Transportation Reimbursement Account (TRN)
Responsibilities
- Maintain, enhance, secure, and modernize NCI’s Scientific Coding System (SCS), Scientific Managers Analysis and Reporting Tool (SMART), and NCI Funded Research Portfolio (NFRP).
- Troubleshoot production issues, application errors, performance problems, and system outages.
- Develop, test, debug, and deploy software fixes, upgrades, and system enhancements.
- Support web applications, databases, servers, interfaces, backup environments, and third-party components.
- Integrate, validate, import, export, and migrate data across NIH and NCI systems.
- Customize data downloads and reporting processes supporting scientific portfolio analysis, grant reporting, and year-end activities.
- Maintain and modify IRDB and NCI I2E process scripts in response to changes within eRA, IMPAC II, and related data structures.
- Monitor application logs, alerts, and performance metrics and recommend improvements.
- Support configuration, change, release, backup, recovery, and continuity-of-operations processes.
- Remediate vulnerabilities identified through HHS and NCI security scans and ensure changes comply with federal security requirements and FIPS standards.
- Develop scripts and automation to improve system reliability, data processing, and administrative workflows.
- Provide elevated support during production deployments, year-end reporting, and other critical operational periods.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Software Engineering, Information Technology, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
- Extensive experience developing, testing, debugging, and maintaining complex software applications using multiple programming languages.
- Advanced experience with data management, database analysis, system integration, and data validation.
- Experience supporting production applications in a multi-user environment.
- Functional knowledge of NIH grants management and budget-reporting processes.
- Knowledge of NIH IMPAC II and NCI I2E DM database structures, including extramural grant and funding data.
- Experience configuring and maintaining IRDB and NCI I2E scripts used for Institute- or Center-specific grant-data downloads.
- Experience with application upgrades, configuration management, testing, deployment, and release management.
- Knowledge of federal information-security requirements, FIPS standards, secure software-development practices, and vulnerability remediation.
- Ability to work onsite at NCI Shady Grove in Rockville, Maryland, approximately one to two days per week.
- Availability for occasional after-hours support during deployments and year-end reporting.
DISCLAIMER
The above description is meant to illustrate the general nature of work and level of effort being performed by individuals assigned to this position or job description. This is not restricted as a complete list of all skills, responsibilities, duties, and/or assignments required. Individuals may be required to perform duties outside of their position, job description or responsibilities as needed. The diversity of Axle’s employees is a tremendous asset. We are firmly committed to providing equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and will not tolerate any illegal discrimination or harassment based on age, race, gender, religion, national origin, disability, marital status, covered veteran status, sexual orientation, status with respect to public assistance, and other characteristics protected under state, federal, or local law and to deter those who aid, abet, or induce discrimination or coerce others to discriminate.
Accessibility: If you need an accommodation as part of the employment process please contact: careers@axleinfo.com
This role has a market-competitive salary with an anticipated base compensation range listed below. Actual salaries will vary depending on a candidate’s experience, qualifications, skills, and location.
SALARY RANGE:
- Salary Range: $125,000 USD - $135,000 USD
INTRODUCTION
Axle is a bioscience and information technology company that offers advancements in translational research, biomedical informatics, and data science applications to research centers and healthcare organizations nationally and abroad. With experts in biomedical science, software engineering, and program management, we focus on developing and applying research tools and techniques to empower decision-making and accelerate research discoveries. We work with some of the top research organizations and facilities in the country including multiple institutes at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Axle is seeking a Computer Programmer to join our vibrant team at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) supporting the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in Bethesda, MD.
BENEFITS WE OFFER:
- 100% Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage for Employees
- Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
- 401K match up to 5%
- Educational Benefits for Career Growth
- Employee Referral Bonus
- Flexible Spending Accounts:
- Healthcare (FSA)
- Parking Reimbursement Account (PRK)
- Dependent Care Assistant Program (DCAP)
- Transportation Reimbursement Account (TRN)
Responsibilities
- Maintain, enhance, secure, and modernize NCI’s Scientific Coding System (SCS), Scientific Managers Analysis and Reporting Tool (SMART), and NCI Funded Research Portfolio (NFRP).
- Troubleshoot production issues, application errors, performance problems, and system outages.
- Develop, test, debug, and deploy software fixes, upgrades, and system enhancements.
- Support web applications, databases, servers, interfaces, backup environments, and third-party components.
- Integrate, validate, import, export, and migrate data across NIH and NCI systems.
- Customize data downloads and reporting processes supporting scientific portfolio analysis, grant reporting, and year-end activities.
- Maintain and modify IRDB and NCI I2E process scripts in response to changes within eRA, IMPAC II, and related data structures.
- Monitor application logs, alerts, and performance metrics and recommend improvements.
- Support configuration, change, release, backup, recovery, and continuity-of-operations processes.
- Remediate vulnerabilities identified through HHS and NCI security scans and ensure changes comply with federal security requirements and FIPS standards.
- Develop scripts and automation to improve system reliability, data processing, and administrative workflows.
- Provide elevated support during production deployments, year-end reporting, and other critical operational periods.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Software Engineering, Information Technology, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
- Extensive experience developing, testing, debugging, and maintaining complex software applications using multiple programming languages.
- Advanced experience with data management, database analysis, system integration, and data validation.
- Experience supporting production applications in a multi-user environment.
- Functional knowledge of NIH grants management and budget-reporting processes.
- Knowledge of NIH IMPAC II and NCI I2E DM database structures, including extramural grant and funding data.
- Experience configuring and maintaining IRDB and NCI I2E scripts used for Institute- or Center-specific grant-data downloads.
- Experience with application upgrades, configuration management, testing, deployment, and release management.
- Knowledge of federal information-security requirements, FIPS standards, secure software-development practices, and vulnerability remediation.
- Ability to work onsite at NCI Shady Grove in Rockville, Maryland, approximately one to two days per week.
- Availability for occasional after-hours support during deployments and year-end reporting.
DISCLAIMER
The above description is meant to illustrate the general nature of work and level of effort being performed by individuals assigned to this position or job description. This is not restricted as a complete list of all skills, responsibilities, duties, and/or assignments required. Individuals may be required to perform duties outside of their position, job description or responsibilities as needed. The diversity of Axle’s employees is a tremendous asset. We are firmly committed to providing equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and will not tolerate any illegal discrimination or harassment based on age, race, gender, religion, national origin, disability, marital status, covered veteran status, sexual orientation, status with respect to public assistance, and other characteristics protected under state, federal, or local law and to deter those who aid, abet, or induce discrimination or coerce others to discriminate.
Accessibility: If you need an accommodation as part of the employment process please contact: careers@axleinfo.com
This role has a market-competitive salary with an anticipated base compensation range listed below. Actual salaries will vary depending on a candidate’s experience, qualifications, skills, and location.
SALARY RANGE:
- Salary Range: $125,000 USD - $135,000 USD
See all 289+ STEM OPT Computer Scientist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Computer Scientist
Verify your CIP code before applying
Check that the CIP code on your I-20 maps to a STEM-designated field, computer science, information technology, and applied mathematics all qualify. A mismatch between your degree field and your listed CIP code can block your extension filing, so confirm with your DSO before you start applications.
Filter job postings by E-Verify status
Only employers enrolled in E-Verify can hire you on a STEM OPT extension. Use Migrate Mate to search Computer Scientist roles at verified E-Verify employers, so you're not spending interviews on companies that can't legally extend your authorization.
Target employers with active LCA filings
Companies that file Labor Condition Applications through DOL for H-1B visa roles already understand prevailing wage obligations and STEM work authorization. These employers are structurally prepared to manage your I-983 training plan and future sponsorship, making them lower-friction targets than first-time sponsors.
Negotiate your I-983 training plan early
Your I-983 must list specific learning objectives tied to your computer science degree, not just your job duties. Raise it during the offer stage, before onboarding, so your employer's HR team has time to draft goals that satisfy USCIS requirements without delaying your extension start date.
Use O*NET to validate role alignment
O*NET lists the knowledge, skills, and typical education levels for Computer Scientist positions. Referencing the O*NET occupation profile during interviews and in your I-983 demonstrates that your daily tasks connect directly to your STEM degree, which strengthens your extension documentation.
Time your application around the 90-day window
USCIS requires your STEM OPT extension application to be filed at least 90 days before your initial OPT EAD expires. Missing that window means a gap in work authorization, so align your offer acceptance timeline to give your DSO enough lead time to issue the updated I-20.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Computer Scientist role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, provided your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as computer science, applied mathematics, or information systems, and the CIP code on your I-20 appears on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. The role itself must also be directly related to that degree field. Your DSO confirms eligibility before issuing the updated I-20 required for the extension application.
How do I confirm my employer is enrolled in E-Verify?
You can ask your employer directly for their E-Verify company ID, or search the E-Verify employer search tool on the E-Verify website. Enrollment must be active at the time you begin STEM OPT employment, not just at the time of hiring. If your employer isn't enrolled, they must complete E-Verify enrollment before your extension start date or you'll lose authorization to work.
What goes into the I-983 training plan for a Computer Scientist?
Your I-983 must document specific learning objectives that connect your day-to-day Computer Scientist duties to your STEM degree. Generic job descriptions aren't sufficient. USCIS expects goals tied to measurable outcomes, such as applying algorithm design principles or implementing systems architectures rooted in your coursework. Your employer's HR or engineering lead typically co-signs the plan, and your DSO reviews it before submission.
What happens to my work authorization if my H-1B is selected in the lottery?
If your H-1B is selected and your employer files the petition before your STEM OPT EAD expires, cap-gap protection extends your work authorization automatically through September 30 of the fiscal year the H-1B takes effect. You don't need a new EAD during this period. USCIS issues guidance on cap-gap eligibility each cycle, so confirm the current rules apply to your situation with your DSO.
Where can I find Computer Scientist jobs at E-Verify employers that support STEM OPT?
Migrate Mate lists Computer Scientist roles filtered for employers with E-Verify enrollment and sponsorship history, so you can search without manually screening each company. Beyond the job board, reviewing DOL Labor Condition Application disclosure data shows which employers have filed for similar technical roles, giving you a practical shortlist of organizations already familiar with work authorization requirements for STEM graduates.