STEM OPT Computer Systems Engineer Jobs
Computer Systems Engineer roles qualify for STEM OPT because they fall under engineering CIP codes that meet the 24-month extension criteria. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and you'll need a qualifying STEM degree, typically in computer engineering, systems engineering, or a closely related field, to activate the extension.
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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 288+ STEM OPT Computer Systems Engineer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Computer Systems Engineer
Verify your CIP code before applying
Cross-reference your degree's CIP code against the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List before you start your extension. Computer engineering and systems engineering codes qualify, but general IT or management information systems degrees sometimes don't.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Ask HR to share the company's E-Verify Company ID or look up the employer in the E-Verify search tool. A verbal assurance isn't enough, your DSO needs confirmed enrollment to approve your I-983 training plan.
Frame your I-983 around systems-level deliverables
Your I-983 training plan must map your daily work to your STEM degree. For computer systems roles, list specific learning goals tied to systems architecture, hardware-software integration, or infrastructure design rather than generic software tasks.
Target employers with active PERM and LCA filings
Employers filing Labor Condition Applications through DOL for systems engineering roles have demonstrated sponsorship infrastructure. Use Migrate Mate to filter for companies with verified filing history in your target occupation and region.
Use OFLC Wage Search to benchmark your offer
Computer systems engineers fall under a specific SOC code, and your employer must pay at least the prevailing wage to certify your LCA. Run the OFLC Wage Search before negotiating so you know the floor, not just the market rate.
Apply at least 90 days before your OPT end date
USCIS recommends filing the STEM OPT extension application no later than 90 days before your current EAD expires. Filing late can create a gap in work authorization, which is especially disruptive mid-project in a systems engineering role.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Computer Systems Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your degree is in a qualifying STEM field, such as computer engineering, electrical engineering, or systems engineering, and your employer is enrolled in E-Verify. The role itself must also provide practical training directly related to your degree. Your DSO will confirm eligibility when you request the I-20 update for the extension.
What does the I-983 training plan need to cover for a systems engineering position?
Your I-983 must connect your daily work tasks to the technical knowledge from your STEM degree. For computer systems engineers, this means listing specific learning objectives tied to areas like systems integration, embedded systems design, network architecture, or hardware-software interfacing. Generic job descriptions won't satisfy the requirement, USCIS expects demonstrable alignment between your coursework and your on-the-job training.
How do I verify that a potential employer is enrolled in E-Verify?
You can ask the employer's HR or recruiting team directly and request their E-Verify Company ID for your DSO. E-Verify also maintains a public employer search tool where you can look up companies by name. Enrollment must be active at the time you begin working, not just at the time of the offer, your DSO will need this confirmed before signing off on your STEM OPT extension paperwork.
What happens to my STEM OPT if I'm still waiting on an H-1B during the cap-gap period?
If your employer files an H-1B visa petition before your OPT expires and you're selected in the lottery, cap-gap protection extends your work authorization automatically through September 30 of that fiscal year. Your STEM OPT EAD technically expires, but cap-gap keeps you employment-authorized. USCIS provides guidance on documenting cap-gap status, and your DSO should issue an updated I-20 reflecting the extension.
Where can I find Computer Systems Engineer jobs that already support STEM OPT students?
Migrate Mate filters job listings for employers with active E-Verify enrollment and verified sponsorship history, so you're not applying blind. Use it to search Computer Systems Engineer roles by location, employer type, and filing activity, which saves you from discovering mid-process that a company can't support your authorization.