STEM OPT Data Center Engineer Jobs
Data Center Engineer roles in server infrastructure, network hardware, and systems operations qualify for STEM OPT, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization if your degree is in electrical engineering, computer science, or a related STEM field. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify to sign your I-983 training plan.
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Get Access To All JobsAbout the job
Our thirst for technology is a part of everything we do. The Data Center Engineering team takes the physical design of our data centers into the future. Our lab mirrors a research and development department - cutting-edge strategies are born, tested and tested again. Along with a team of great minds, you take on complex topics like how we use power or how to run state-of-the-art, environmentally-friendly facilities. You're a visionary who optimizes for efficiencies and never stops seeking improvements - even small changes that can make a huge impact. You generate ideas, communicate recommendations to senior-level executives and drive implementation alongside facilities technicians.
With your technical expertise, you ensure compliance with codes and standards, develop infrastructure improvements and serve as an expert in your specialty (e.g., cooling, electrical).
In this role, you will lead the development and review of program civil drawings and data center civil plans, including typical utility plans and coordination with consultant teams. You will develop and implement a comprehensive program construction schedule for civil works, support improvements to civil and geotechnical design standards, and contribute to the development of program products. Additionally, you will also possess general knowledge of and experience working with cross-discipline teams, including Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Architectural, Telecoms and Networking, and Utilities.
The US base salary range for this full-time position is $122,000-$174,000 + bonus + equity + benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.
Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and do not include bonus, equity, or benefits. Learn more about benefits at Google.
Responsibilities
- Define and author owner technical specification, focusing on performance, sustainability, innovation, and speed of execution.
- Produce concept design sketches and drawings for site civil layouts and master plans, working closely with cross functional teams.
- Review thoroughly and vet design packages (drawings, calculations, specifications, etc.) at each milestone, demonstrating full ownership of deliverables.
- Work closely with the site execution team on implementing the design, providing solutions as they arise.
- Work closely with the project controls team on validating cost and schedule estimates, providing innovative value engineered solutions where needed.
Minimum qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Civil/Structural Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
- 3 years of experience in civil/structural or site engineering.
- Experience with building design, coordination, and construction.
- Experience implementing civil/structural engineering principles (e.g., grading and drainage, hydraulic modeling, sediment control, erosion control, or soil migration).
Preferred qualifications:
- Master's degree in Civil Engineering or a related field.
- Experience working in a collaborative team environment and communicating technical issues in written and verbal forms (e.g., online collaboration and presentations).
- Knowledge of site layout, grading, drainage, road, and infrastructure layouts.
- Knowledge of water/wastewater design, hydraulic modeling, and Industry Construction means and methods.
In accordance with Washington state law, we are highlighting our comprehensive benefits package, which is available to all eligible US based employees. Benefits for this role include:
- Health, dental, vision, life, disability insurance
- Retirement Benefits: 401(k) with company match
- Paid Time Off: 20 days of vacation per year, accruing at a rate of 6.15 hours per pay period for the first five years of employment
- Sick Time: 40 hours/year (increased to 69 hours/year for Seattle) including 5 discretionary sick days per instance
- Maternity Leave (Short-Term Disability + Baby Bonding): 28-30 weeks
- Baby Bonding Leave: 18 weeks
- Holidays: 13 paid days per year
Google is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. See also Google's EEO Policy and EEO is the Law. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know by completing our Accommodations for Applicants form.
About the job
Our thirst for technology is a part of everything we do. The Data Center Engineering team takes the physical design of our data centers into the future. Our lab mirrors a research and development department - cutting-edge strategies are born, tested and tested again. Along with a team of great minds, you take on complex topics like how we use power or how to run state-of-the-art, environmentally-friendly facilities. You're a visionary who optimizes for efficiencies and never stops seeking improvements - even small changes that can make a huge impact. You generate ideas, communicate recommendations to senior-level executives and drive implementation alongside facilities technicians.
With your technical expertise, you ensure compliance with codes and standards, develop infrastructure improvements and serve as an expert in your specialty (e.g., cooling, electrical).
In this role, you will lead the development and review of program civil drawings and data center civil plans, including typical utility plans and coordination with consultant teams. You will develop and implement a comprehensive program construction schedule for civil works, support improvements to civil and geotechnical design standards, and contribute to the development of program products. Additionally, you will also possess general knowledge of and experience working with cross-discipline teams, including Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Architectural, Telecoms and Networking, and Utilities.
The US base salary range for this full-time position is $122,000-$174,000 + bonus + equity + benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.
Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and do not include bonus, equity, or benefits. Learn more about benefits at Google.
Responsibilities
- Define and author owner technical specification, focusing on performance, sustainability, innovation, and speed of execution.
- Produce concept design sketches and drawings for site civil layouts and master plans, working closely with cross functional teams.
- Review thoroughly and vet design packages (drawings, calculations, specifications, etc.) at each milestone, demonstrating full ownership of deliverables.
- Work closely with the site execution team on implementing the design, providing solutions as they arise.
- Work closely with the project controls team on validating cost and schedule estimates, providing innovative value engineered solutions where needed.
Minimum qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Civil/Structural Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
- 3 years of experience in civil/structural or site engineering.
- Experience with building design, coordination, and construction.
- Experience implementing civil/structural engineering principles (e.g., grading and drainage, hydraulic modeling, sediment control, erosion control, or soil migration).
Preferred qualifications:
- Master's degree in Civil Engineering or a related field.
- Experience working in a collaborative team environment and communicating technical issues in written and verbal forms (e.g., online collaboration and presentations).
- Knowledge of site layout, grading, drainage, road, and infrastructure layouts.
- Knowledge of water/wastewater design, hydraulic modeling, and Industry Construction means and methods.
In accordance with Washington state law, we are highlighting our comprehensive benefits package, which is available to all eligible US based employees. Benefits for this role include:
- Health, dental, vision, life, disability insurance
- Retirement Benefits: 401(k) with company match
- Paid Time Off: 20 days of vacation per year, accruing at a rate of 6.15 hours per pay period for the first five years of employment
- Sick Time: 40 hours/year (increased to 69 hours/year for Seattle) including 5 discretionary sick days per instance
- Maternity Leave (Short-Term Disability + Baby Bonding): 28-30 weeks
- Baby Bonding Leave: 18 weeks
- Holidays: 13 paid days per year
Google is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. See also Google's EEO Policy and EEO is the Law. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know by completing our Accommodations for Applicants form.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Data Center Engineer
Verify your CIP code before applying
Check that your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code maps to an ICE-designated STEM field. Data center roles typically align with computer engineering or electrical engineering CIPs. Your DSO confirms the match on your I-20 before authorizing the extension.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Ask hiring managers directly whether the company is enrolled in E-Verify before signing anything. Employers cannot legally onboard STEM OPT students without active E-Verify participation, and switching employers after your 60-day job search window closes is time-sensitive.
Target data center operators running 24/7 shift schedules
Colocation and hyperscale data center operators frequently hire engineers on rotating shifts, which can complicate the I-983 training plan if your listed duties change between shifts. Negotiate a role-specific training plan that covers all scheduled responsibilities before your start date.
Use Migrate Mate to filter employers with STEM OPT hiring history
Search Migrate Mate for Data Center Engineer openings at employers who have previously hired on OPT. Filtering by E-Verify enrollment status upfront cuts the time you spend vetting companies that can't legally sign your training plan.
File your I-983 training plan before your OPT end date
USCIS requires your I-983 to be approved and on file before your initial OPT expires. Data center contractors and staffing agencies add complexity because the signatory must be your direct employer of record, not the end client operating the facility.
Cross-reference your offer's job duties against O*NET
Pull the O*NET occupation profile for Data Center Engineers and compare it against the duties listed in your offer letter. If your actual responsibilities are narrower than the standard profile, update the I-983 job description to reflect exactly what you'll be doing to avoid RFE risk.
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Find Data Center Engineer JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does a Data Center Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your degree is in an ICE-designated STEM field such as computer science, electrical engineering, or information technology, and the role involves engineering work aligned with that field. The job title alone doesn't determine eligibility. Your DSO reviews your degree's CIP code and the duties listed in your I-983 training plan to confirm the connection before authorizing the 24-month extension.
What E-Verify requirement applies to my STEM OPT employer?
Your employer must be actively enrolled in E-Verify before you begin work on the STEM OPT extension. This is a federal requirement enforced by ICE, not something the employer can fulfill retroactively after you've started. Ask the recruiter or HR contact to confirm their E-Verify company ID number before you accept an offer, especially at smaller data center operators or colocation firms.
How do I structure the I-983 training plan for a Data Center Engineer position?
Your I-983 must describe specific learning objectives tied to your STEM degree, not just a list of job duties. For data center roles, this typically includes hands-on work in power systems, cooling infrastructure, network hardware, or server lifecycle management. Your supervisor and your DSO both sign the plan, and it must be updated within five business days if your role or employer changes materially during the extension period.
What happens to my STEM OPT if my data center employer loses E-Verify enrollment?
You must stop working immediately if your employer's E-Verify enrollment lapses or is terminated. ICE does not grant a grace period for this situation. You have 60 days to find a new E-Verify-enrolled employer and update your I-983. Migrate Mate can help you identify data center employers with active E-Verify enrollment so you're not starting that search from scratch under time pressure.
Can cap-gap protect my work authorization if my H-1B petition is filed during my STEM OPT period?
Yes. If your employer files an H-1B petition on your behalf before your STEM OPT expires and you're selected in the lottery, cap-gap automatically extends your OPT work authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year. You can continue working as a Data Center Engineer during this period without interruption, provided your employer maintains E-Verify enrollment and your I-983 remains current with USCIS.
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