STEM OPT Cybersecurity Specialist Jobs

Cybersecurity Specialist roles in threat detection, vulnerability assessment, and security operations qualify for STEM OPT because they typically require a degree in computer science, information technology, or a related STEM field. Your 24-month STEM OPT extension gives you up to 36 months of work authorization, provided your employer is enrolled in E-Verify.

Find STEM OPT Cybersecurity Specialist Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs191+
Work Type77% On-site
Top LocationNew York, NY
Most JobsAmazon.com

Showing 5 of 191+ Cybersecurity Specialist jobs

Bass Pro Shops
Cybersecurity Analyst
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Bass Pro Shops
Added 4d ago
Cybersecurity Analyst
Bass Pro Shops
Springfield, Missouri
Cybersecurity
Compliance & Legal
Health & Safety (EHS & OHS)
Compliance & Risk
Security & Protective Services
Security Engineering
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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UL Solutions
Global Cybersecurity Governance Analyst
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UL Solutions
Added 4d ago
Global Cybersecurity Governance Analyst
UL Solutions
Northbrook, Illinois
Compliance & Legal
Cybersecurity
Compliance & Risk
Security Engineering
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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University of Utah
Cybersecurity Analyst Tier 2
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University of Utah
Added 5d ago
Cybersecurity Analyst Tier 2
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah
Cybersecurity
Technical Product & Program Management
Security Engineering
$73k - $93k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Monument Health
Cybersecurity Engineer I
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Monument Health
Added 1w ago
Cybersecurity Engineer I
Monument Health
Rapid City, South Dakota
Cybersecurity
Security Engineering
$71k - $88k/yr
On-Site
Associate's

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Ensemble Health Partners
Cybersecurity Engineer II
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Ensemble Health Partners
Added 1w ago
Cybersecurity Engineer II
Ensemble Health Partners
Blue Ash, Ohio
Cybersecurity
Compliance & Legal
Health & Safety (EHS & OHS)
Compliance & Risk
Security & Protective Services
Security Engineering
$84k - $132k/yr
Hybrid
Associate's
1,001-5,000

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See all 191+ STEM OPT Cybersecurity Specialist Jobs

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Tips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Cybersecurity Specialist

Verify your CIP code matches cybersecurity

Check that your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code maps to a STEM-designated field like computer science, information security, or electrical engineering. Your DSO confirms the match before approving your STEM OPT extension request.

Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers

Ask hiring managers directly whether the specific legal entity making your offer is enrolled in E-Verify, not just a parent company. Enrollment must cover the worksite location where you'll be placed, including third-party client sites for consulting roles.

Target security teams at E-Verify-enrolled contractors

Federal contractors and subcontractors are legally required to use E-Verify, making them reliable targets. Defense, intelligence, and civilian agency contractors regularly hire cybersecurity analysts and are already compliant with the enrollment requirement.

Negotiate your I-983 training plan around real deliverables

Your employer must complete the I-983 before your STEM OPT begins. For cybersecurity roles, ground learning objectives in specific work products, such as incident response runbooks or penetration testing reports, so USCIS sees a genuine training relationship.

Use Migrate Mate to filter by E-Verify enrollment status

Search for Cybersecurity Specialist openings on Migrate Mate, which surfaces employers with verified E-Verify enrollment and LCA filing history so you're not cold-applying to companies that can't legally hire STEM OPT students.

File your extension 90 days before OPT expires

USCIS requires the STEM OPT extension application to be submitted no earlier than 90 days before your initial OPT end date. Missing this window ends your work authorization with no grace period for active employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a cybersecurity degree qualify for the STEM OPT extension?

Yes, if your degree carries a STEM-designated CIP code. Degrees in computer science, information assurance, cybersecurity, electrical engineering, and related fields typically qualify. Your DSO will verify the CIP code against the Department of Homeland Security's STEM Designated Degree Program List before approving your extension request. Check your official transcript and confirm the match with your school's international student office before applying.

What does the I-983 training plan require for a Cybersecurity Specialist role?

The I-983 must describe how your day-to-day cybersecurity work relates to your STEM degree, list concrete learning objectives such as threat modeling or security architecture, and identify a supervising mentor. USCIS reviews whether the role provides genuine training, not just employment. Your employer signs the form, and you must report to your DSO every six months to confirm the training relationship remains active.

Does my employer need to be enrolled in E-Verify to hire me on STEM OPT?

Yes. E-Verify enrollment is a hard requirement for every employer that hires a STEM OPT student. The enrollment must cover the specific legal entity and worksite where you'll work. If you're placed at a client site through a staffing or consulting firm, both the staffing firm and the end client may need to satisfy this requirement depending on the employment structure. Confirm enrollment before your start date.

How does cap-gap protection apply if I'm a Cybersecurity Specialist waiting on an H-1B?

If your STEM OPT is still active when an H-1B visa petition is filed on your behalf for the following fiscal year, cap-gap automatically extends your OPT work authorization through September 30. You can continue working as a Cybersecurity Specialist during this period without interruption. USCIS issues a cap-gap extension on your I-20, which you should carry as proof of continued authorization.

Where can I find Cybersecurity Specialist jobs with employers already enrolled in E-Verify?

Migrate Mate surfaces Cybersecurity Specialist openings filtered by employers with E-Verify enrollment and active LCA filing history, so you can focus applications on companies already set up to hire STEM OPT students. This saves the back-and-forth of asking HR teams to confirm compliance status before you've even had a first interview.