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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Amazon Web Services (AWS) is seeking a Data Center Project Architect to join its design team in Herndon, VA.
AWS Infrastructure Services owns the design, planning, delivery, and operation of all AWS global infrastructure. In other words, we’re the people who keep the cloud running. We support all AWS data centers and all of the servers, storage, networking, power, and cooling equipment that ensure our customers have continual access to the innovation they rely on. We work on the most challenging problems, with thousands of variables impacting the supply chain — and we’re looking for talented people who want to help.
You’ll join a diverse team of software, hardware, and network engineers, supply chain specialists, security experts, operations managers, and other vital roles. You’ll collaborate with people across AWS to help us deliver the highest standards for safety and security while providing seemingly infinite capacity at the lowest possible cost for our customers. And you’ll experience an inclusive culture that welcomes bold ideas and empowers you to own them to completion.
AWS designs, builds, and operates Data Centers (DC) around the world and is a leader in worldwide cloud-computing infrastructure.
Architects at AWS work to design resilient, cost effective DC facilities. Our team is responsible for achieving a world class uptime for our customers and drive to develop a fleet of buildings that emphasize security, safety, efficiency, and cost effectiveness, while finding new ways to meet AWS’s growing demand.
As a DC Project Architect at AWS, you will lead designs for Amazon DCs in our Americas Region and impact other projects around the world. As a DC Project Architect, you will be part of a highly creative and efficient design team comprised of Architects, Engineers, and Designers tasked with solving problems and challenging the status quo. As a subject matter expert, you will have a direct impact on the design of prototypical DC facilities, provide technical guidance, solve large scale implementation issues, and be responsible for architectural design requirements.
Key job responsibilities
- Communicate conceptual designs and create/maintain project documentation before, during, and after construction.
- Maintenance of Basis of Design, prototype design, and template specifications for architectural elements.
- Review and inform design RFPs.
- Manage our external design consultants through the design and construction process.
- Coordinate with internal and external Civil, Structural, Mechanical, Electrical, Controls, and Cabling design engineers.
- Effectively communicate design standards to internal and external project partners.
- Manage multiple fast paced projects simultaneously.
- Think outside of the box to find innovative solutions prior to and during the construction process to reduce costs without negative impacts on quality or reliability.
- Travel for site assessments, internal design meetings, construction review, and interfacing with design consultants. Anticipated travel not to exceed 25%.
About the team
Diverse Experiences
AWS values diverse experiences. Even if you do not meet all of the preferred qualifications and skills listed in the job description, we encourage candidates to apply. If your career is just starting, hasn’t followed a traditional path, or includes alternative experiences, don’t let it stop you from applying.
Why AWS?
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform. We pioneered cloud computing and never stopped innovating — that’s why customers from the most successful startups to Global 500 companies trust our robust suite of products and services to power their businesses.
Inclusive Team Culture
Here at AWS, it’s in our nature to learn and be curious. Our employee-led affinity groups foster a culture of inclusion that empower us to be proud of our differences. Ongoing events and learning experiences, including our Conversations on Race and Ethnicity (CORE) and AmazeCon conferences, inspire us to never stop embracing our uniqueness.
Mentorship & Career Growth
We’re continuously raising our performance bar as we strive to become Earth’s Best Employer. That’s why you’ll find endless knowledge-sharing, mentorship and other career-advancing resources here to help you develop into a better-rounded professional.
Work/Life Balance
We value work-life harmony. Achieving success at work should never come at the expense of sacrifices at home, which is why we strive for flexibility as part of our working culture. When we feel supported in the workplace and at home, there’s nothing we can’t achieve.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office including Outlook, Word, and Excel
- Experience with the design, construction, operation, or maintenance of mission critical facilities, especially data centers
- 4+ years of technical specialist, design and architecture experience
- NCARB recognized architecture license.
- 1+ years leading sub-consultants and project teams.
- Proficiency in building codes, regulations, and standards including IBC or equivalent.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Knowledge of building codes and regulations for your region
- Experience carrying design concepts through exploration, development, and into deployment or mass production
- Ability to travel internationally.
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
Location: USA, VA, Herndon
Salary: 96,600.00 - 160,000.00 USD annually
DESCRIPTION
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is seeking a Data Center Project Architect to join its design team in Herndon, VA.
AWS Infrastructure Services owns the design, planning, delivery, and operation of all AWS global infrastructure. In other words, we’re the people who keep the cloud running. We support all AWS data centers and all of the servers, storage, networking, power, and cooling equipment that ensure our customers have continual access to the innovation they rely on. We work on the most challenging problems, with thousands of variables impacting the supply chain — and we’re looking for talented people who want to help.
You’ll join a diverse team of software, hardware, and network engineers, supply chain specialists, security experts, operations managers, and other vital roles. You’ll collaborate with people across AWS to help us deliver the highest standards for safety and security while providing seemingly infinite capacity at the lowest possible cost for our customers. And you’ll experience an inclusive culture that welcomes bold ideas and empowers you to own them to completion.
AWS designs, builds, and operates Data Centers (DC) around the world and is a leader in worldwide cloud-computing infrastructure.
Architects at AWS work to design resilient, cost effective DC facilities. Our team is responsible for achieving a world class uptime for our customers and drive to develop a fleet of buildings that emphasize security, safety, efficiency, and cost effectiveness, while finding new ways to meet AWS’s growing demand.
As a DC Project Architect at AWS, you will lead designs for Amazon DCs in our Americas Region and impact other projects around the world. As a DC Project Architect, you will be part of a highly creative and efficient design team comprised of Architects, Engineers, and Designers tasked with solving problems and challenging the status quo. As a subject matter expert, you will have a direct impact on the design of prototypical DC facilities, provide technical guidance, solve large scale implementation issues, and be responsible for architectural design requirements.
Key job responsibilities
- Communicate conceptual designs and create/maintain project documentation before, during, and after construction.
- Maintenance of Basis of Design, prototype design, and template specifications for architectural elements.
- Review and inform design RFPs.
- Manage our external design consultants through the design and construction process.
- Coordinate with internal and external Civil, Structural, Mechanical, Electrical, Controls, and Cabling design engineers.
- Effectively communicate design standards to internal and external project partners.
- Manage multiple fast paced projects simultaneously.
- Think outside of the box to find innovative solutions prior to and during the construction process to reduce costs without negative impacts on quality or reliability.
- Travel for site assessments, internal design meetings, construction review, and interfacing with design consultants. Anticipated travel not to exceed 25%.
About the team
Diverse Experiences
AWS values diverse experiences. Even if you do not meet all of the preferred qualifications and skills listed in the job description, we encourage candidates to apply. If your career is just starting, hasn’t followed a traditional path, or includes alternative experiences, don’t let it stop you from applying.
Why AWS?
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform. We pioneered cloud computing and never stopped innovating — that’s why customers from the most successful startups to Global 500 companies trust our robust suite of products and services to power their businesses.
Inclusive Team Culture
Here at AWS, it’s in our nature to learn and be curious. Our employee-led affinity groups foster a culture of inclusion that empower us to be proud of our differences. Ongoing events and learning experiences, including our Conversations on Race and Ethnicity (CORE) and AmazeCon conferences, inspire us to never stop embracing our uniqueness.
Mentorship & Career Growth
We’re continuously raising our performance bar as we strive to become Earth’s Best Employer. That’s why you’ll find endless knowledge-sharing, mentorship and other career-advancing resources here to help you develop into a better-rounded professional.
Work/Life Balance
We value work-life harmony. Achieving success at work should never come at the expense of sacrifices at home, which is why we strive for flexibility as part of our working culture. When we feel supported in the workplace and at home, there’s nothing we can’t achieve.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office including Outlook, Word, and Excel
- Experience with the design, construction, operation, or maintenance of mission critical facilities, especially data centers
- 4+ years of technical specialist, design and architecture experience
- NCARB recognized architecture license.
- 1+ years leading sub-consultants and project teams.
- Proficiency in building codes, regulations, and standards including IBC or equivalent.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Knowledge of building codes and regulations for your region
- Experience carrying design concepts through exploration, development, and into deployment or mass production
- Ability to travel internationally.
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
Location: USA, VA, Herndon
Salary: 96,600.00 - 160,000.00 USD annually
See all 222+ STEM OPT Data Architect Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Data Architect Jobs.
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.