STEM OPT Data Architect Jobs
Data Architect roles qualify for STEM OPT because they sit under CIP codes tied to computer science and information systems degrees. Your 24-month STEM OPT extension gives you up to 36 months of work authorization total, provided your employer is enrolled in E-Verify and you complete an I-983 training plan.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
We are seeking a GCP Architect to lead the design, architecture, and implementation of scalable, cloud-native data platforms on Google Cloud Platform (GCP). This role is responsible for driving end-to-end data engineering solutions, establishing best practices, and partnering with business and technology stakeholders to deliver high-quality, secure, and reliable data products.
The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in GCP data services, modern data architectures, data modeling methodologies, and cloud-native engineering practices, while also demonstrating strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead the design and implementation of enterprise-scale data architectures and solutions on Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
- Architect and develop scalable data pipelines using GCP services including BigQuery, Dataflow, Dataproc, and Pub/Sub.
- Design and implement modern data models utilizing Dimensional Modeling and Data Vault methodologies.
- Drive the development of robust ETL/ELT frameworks to support analytics, reporting, and advanced data use cases.
- Optimize data processing, storage, and query performance to ensure scalability, reliability, and cost efficiency.
- Establish and promote engineering best practices, including code quality, automation, and reusable design patterns.
- Implement CI/CD pipelines and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) using Terraform and DevOps methodologies.
- Ensure compliance with data governance, security, privacy, and regulatory requirements through effective use of IAM, DLP, and related cloud security controls.
- Collaborate with architects, business stakeholders, product owners, and engineering teams to define and deliver strategic data solutions.
- Mentor and guide data engineers while providing technical leadership across project teams.
- Support troubleshooting, performance tuning, and continuous improvement initiatives across the data ecosystem.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
- Proven experience designing and implementing cloud-based data solutions on Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
- Strong hands-on expertise with:
- BigQuery
- Dataflow
- Dataproc
- Pub/Sub
- Deep understanding of data warehousing concepts and modern data architecture principles.
- Experience with Dimensional Modeling and Data Vault methodologies.
- Strong experience designing and optimizing ETL/ELT frameworks and large-scale data pipelines.
- Hands-on experience with Terraform, CI/CD processes, and DevOps practices.
- Knowledge of data governance, security, and privacy controls, including IAM and Data Loss Prevention (DLP).
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams and effectively manage stakeholder relationships.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Google Cloud Professional certifications (such as Professional Data Engineer or Professional Cloud Architect).
- Experience with large-scale data modernization and cloud migration initiatives.
- Knowledge of real-time and streaming data architectures.
- Experience working in Agile delivery environments.
- Exposure to advanced analytics, AI/ML, or data science platforms on GCP.
WHY COGNIZANT
- Opportunity to work on leading-edge cloud and data transformation programs.
- Collaborative and inclusive work environment.
- Continuous learning and professional development opportunities.
- Global career mobility and growth.
- Competitive compensation and benefits package.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where all employees are valued and respected. Employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
LOCATION
Location: Bridgewater, NJ
Work Model: Hybrid
This role follows a hybrid work arrangement, requiring associates to work from the Bridgewater, NJ office on designated days while collaborating remotely for the remainder of the work week. Candidates should be located within a commutable distance of the office or be willing to relocate.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
The annual salary for this position will range from 120,000 to 150,000 and be based on experience, skills, qualifications, and other business and organizational considerations.
Benefits:
Cognizant offers the following benefits for eligible employees:
- Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
- Paid Holidays and Paid Time Off (PTO)
- 401(k) Plan with Company Contributions
- Long-Term and Short-Term Disability Coverage
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA), where applicable
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), where available
- Professional Development and Certification Opportunities
- Wellness Programs and Employee Resource Groups
Benefits and eligibility may vary based on location and employment status.
INTRODUCTION
We are seeking a GCP Architect to lead the design, architecture, and implementation of scalable, cloud-native data platforms on Google Cloud Platform (GCP). This role is responsible for driving end-to-end data engineering solutions, establishing best practices, and partnering with business and technology stakeholders to deliver high-quality, secure, and reliable data products.
The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in GCP data services, modern data architectures, data modeling methodologies, and cloud-native engineering practices, while also demonstrating strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead the design and implementation of enterprise-scale data architectures and solutions on Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
- Architect and develop scalable data pipelines using GCP services including BigQuery, Dataflow, Dataproc, and Pub/Sub.
- Design and implement modern data models utilizing Dimensional Modeling and Data Vault methodologies.
- Drive the development of robust ETL/ELT frameworks to support analytics, reporting, and advanced data use cases.
- Optimize data processing, storage, and query performance to ensure scalability, reliability, and cost efficiency.
- Establish and promote engineering best practices, including code quality, automation, and reusable design patterns.
- Implement CI/CD pipelines and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) using Terraform and DevOps methodologies.
- Ensure compliance with data governance, security, privacy, and regulatory requirements through effective use of IAM, DLP, and related cloud security controls.
- Collaborate with architects, business stakeholders, product owners, and engineering teams to define and deliver strategic data solutions.
- Mentor and guide data engineers while providing technical leadership across project teams.
- Support troubleshooting, performance tuning, and continuous improvement initiatives across the data ecosystem.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
- Proven experience designing and implementing cloud-based data solutions on Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
- Strong hands-on expertise with:
- BigQuery
- Dataflow
- Dataproc
- Pub/Sub
- Deep understanding of data warehousing concepts and modern data architecture principles.
- Experience with Dimensional Modeling and Data Vault methodologies.
- Strong experience designing and optimizing ETL/ELT frameworks and large-scale data pipelines.
- Hands-on experience with Terraform, CI/CD processes, and DevOps practices.
- Knowledge of data governance, security, and privacy controls, including IAM and Data Loss Prevention (DLP).
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams and effectively manage stakeholder relationships.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Google Cloud Professional certifications (such as Professional Data Engineer or Professional Cloud Architect).
- Experience with large-scale data modernization and cloud migration initiatives.
- Knowledge of real-time and streaming data architectures.
- Experience working in Agile delivery environments.
- Exposure to advanced analytics, AI/ML, or data science platforms on GCP.
WHY COGNIZANT
- Opportunity to work on leading-edge cloud and data transformation programs.
- Collaborative and inclusive work environment.
- Continuous learning and professional development opportunities.
- Global career mobility and growth.
- Competitive compensation and benefits package.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where all employees are valued and respected. Employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
LOCATION
Location: Bridgewater, NJ
Work Model: Hybrid
This role follows a hybrid work arrangement, requiring associates to work from the Bridgewater, NJ office on designated days while collaborating remotely for the remainder of the work week. Candidates should be located within a commutable distance of the office or be willing to relocate.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
The annual salary for this position will range from 120,000 to 150,000 and be based on experience, skills, qualifications, and other business and organizational considerations.
Benefits:
Cognizant offers the following benefits for eligible employees:
- Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
- Paid Holidays and Paid Time Off (PTO)
- 401(k) Plan with Company Contributions
- Long-Term and Short-Term Disability Coverage
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA), where applicable
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), where available
- Professional Development and Certification Opportunities
- Wellness Programs and Employee Resource Groups
Benefits and eligibility may vary based on location and employment status.
See all 144+ STEM OPT Data Architect Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization in Data Architect
Verify your CIP code before applying
Check that your degree's CIP code maps to a STEM-designated field recognized by ICE. Computer Science (11.07xx) and Information Systems (11.0401) both qualify, but some interdisciplinary programs use codes that don't, which would make you ineligible for the extension.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
STEM OPT requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify at the specific worksite where you'll work. Search the E-Verify employer search tool by company name to confirm enrollment before you sign anything, not after.
Build a portfolio around cloud and modeling platforms
Data Architect roles at STEM OPT-willing employers skew heavily toward cloud-native environments. Document architecture decisions you've made using Snowflake, dbt, or Azure Synapse in your portfolio so hiring managers can assess technical depth without a whiteboard session.
Target employers with active LCA filings in data roles
Use Migrate Mate to filter for employers with DOL Labor Condition Application filings under data and computer systems job categories, which signals they've already navigated STEM OPT and H-1B visa paperwork for similar roles and are set up to do it again.
Draft your I-983 training plan around architecture deliverables
Your DSO must sign the I-983 before your STEM OPT extension starts. Map your training objectives to concrete Data Architect outputs, such as schema design, data governance frameworks, or pipeline architecture, so the plan satisfies USCIS's practical training requirement.
Time your extension application to avoid a gap
Submit your STEM OPT extension application at least 90 days before your initial OPT EAD expires. USCIS processing can run several months, and a late filing can leave you without work authorization during a critical phase of any active Data Architect search.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Data Architect role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as computer science, information systems, or a related engineering discipline. The role itself must also constitute practical training in that field. Data Architect positions qualify because they require applying theoretical knowledge from those degree programs to real system design problems. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO before applying for the extension.
What does the E-Verify requirement mean for Data Architect job searches?
Every employer who hires you on STEM OPT must be enrolled in E-Verify at the specific worksite where you'll work, not just at the company level. Before accepting an offer, confirm enrollment through the E-Verify employer search. If the hiring company uses a third-party staffing agency or has you placed at a client site, that client site must also be E-Verify enrolled. Use Migrate Mate to find Data Architect openings already filtered for E-Verify-enrolled employers.
What goes into the I-983 training plan for a Data Architect position?
The I-983 requires you to describe how the job provides practical training directly related to your STEM degree. For a Data Architect role, list specific learning objectives tied to your work: designing data models, building ETL pipelines, implementing governance frameworks, or selecting cloud infrastructure. Both you and your employer sign it, and your DSO must authorize it before USCIS will approve the extension. Update the plan annually and when job duties change significantly.
How does cap-gap protection apply if I'm a Data Architect on STEM OPT?
If your employer files an H-1B petition for you before your STEM OPT EAD expires and you're selected in the lottery, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year. You can keep working as a Data Architect during this period without a new EAD. If USCIS issues a receipt notice before your OPT end date, your authorization continues uninterrupted while the petition is pending.
How do I find Data Architect jobs where employers already understand STEM OPT?
Employers with prior STEM OPT and H-1B filing history for data roles have already worked through the E-Verify enrollment, I-983 process, and prevailing wage requirements, making them far less likely to withdraw an offer due to paperwork. Migrate Mate surfaces Data Architect openings from employers with documented DOL filing history in data and computer systems occupations, so you can prioritize companies that have sponsored similar candidates before.