STEM OPT Data Center Technician Jobs
Data Center Technician roles in hardware maintenance, systems monitoring, and network infrastructure qualify for STEM OPT work authorization when your degree is in a STEM-designated field. The 24-month STEM OPT extension brings your total OPT period to 36 months, and your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify before your extension is approved.
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INTRODUCTION
Itron is innovating new ways for utilities and cities to manage energy and water. We create a more resourceful world to protect essential resources for today and tomorrow. Join us.
This is an on‑site internship located at Itron’s Data Center in the Atlanta area (Lithia Springs) and is designed for students who are motivated to learn, contribute, and collaborate in a safe, inclusive, and innovative workplace.
Internship Duration
At least 20 hours per week, flexibility on days for when work is completed. Targeting a summer 2026 start with likelihood to continue through the fall and winter.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Support daily operations of Itron’s data center infrastructure, including power distribution units (PDUs), low‑ and high‑voltage equipment, cabling, and hardware installation, with a strong focus on safety, quality, and customer‑centric outcomes.
- Utilize standard workplace hand tools to complete assigned data center tasks accurately and efficiently while following established procedures and safety standards.
- Assist with pulling, routing, labeling, and securing cables and equipment to maintain reliable connectivity and organized infrastructure that supports customer‑critical systems.
- Document data center assets, configurations, and fixtures to enable remote visibility, operational efficiency, and accountable decision‑making.
- Lift, move, and position equipment (up to 50 lbs. unassisted, with supported lifting beyond 50 lbs.) in alignment with safety guidelines and team best practices.
- Follow all workplace safety, security, and confidentiality requirements to protect people, equipment, and customer data.
- Collaborate with cross‑functional and diverse team members to support continuous improvement, agility, and innovation within data center operations.
Required Skills & Experience
- Currently enrolled in an accredited two‑ or four‑year degree program related to technology or engineering (e.g., Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, Electrical Technician programs).
- Ability to read, understand, and follow technical instructions, standard operating procedures, and safety protocols.
- Ability to perform physical tasks including standing, stooping, crouching, reaching, bending, twisting, climbing ladders, and lifting up to 50 lbs. unassisted.
- Clear, professional communication skills, including the ability to create basic written documentation.
- Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively with multi‑lingual and diverse colleagues in a fast‑paced environment.
- Ability to commute to and work on‑site at Itron’s Atlanta, Georgia data center (this role is not remote).
Preferred Skills & Experience
- Prior internship, coursework, or hands‑on experience in a data center, facilities, technical operations, or related environment.
- Exposure to electrical systems, networking fundamentals, or structured cabling concepts.
- Demonstrated interest in technology, infrastructure, and supporting reliable utility and energy services for communities.
Travel: 0-10%
Physical Demands:
This job will require working indoors in an air-conditioned data center. Must be able to stoop, stand, crouch, reach, bend, twist, climb a ladder and lift up to 50 lbs. unassisted (supported lifting beyond 50lbs).
This is a safety sensitive role.
Itron is committed to building an inclusive and diverse workforce and providing an authentic workplace experience for all employees. If you are excited about this role but your past experiences don't perfectly align with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway. In the end, you may be just who we are looking for!
The successful candidate's starting wage will be determined based on permissible, non-discriminatory factors such as skills and experience.
Itron is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you require an accommodation to apply, please contact a recruiting representative at 1-800-635-5461 or email Accessibility@itron.com.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Data Center Technician
Confirm your CIP code before applying
Not every computer science or engineering degree automatically qualifies for STEM OPT. Cross-reference your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code against the DHS STEM OPT designated degree program list before targeting roles, so you don't apply under a false assumption.
Target managed service providers and colocation facilities
Managed service providers and colocation data center operators hire technicians across multiple client sites, making them more likely to have formal OPT onboarding processes and E-Verify enrollment already in place compared to smaller, single-site operators.
Build your I-983 training plan around specific technical tasks
USCIS requires your I-983 to list concrete learning objectives tied to your STEM degree. For data center roles, map duties like server rack configuration, cabling standards, and incident response protocols directly to the engineering or computer science concepts from your coursework.
Use Migrate Mate to find verified STEM OPT positions
Search Migrate Mate to find Data Center Technician openings at employers with confirmed E-Verify enrollment. This removes the guesswork of vetting each company individually and surfaces roles where your STEM OPT authorization is already understood by the hiring team.
Start your extension filing 90 days before OPT expires
Your DSO must recommend the STEM OPT extension in SEVIS, and USCIS must receive your I-765 before your initial OPT EAD expires. Filing late disqualifies you from the automatic 180-day cap-gap extension that bridges the gap while USCIS adjudicates.
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Find Data Center Technician JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does a Data Center Technician role qualify for STEM OPT?
It depends on your degree, not just the job title. STEM OPT eligibility is tied to your degree's CIP code appearing on the DHS designated STEM degree program list. Degrees in computer science, electrical engineering, information technology, and related fields typically qualify. Your DSO confirms eligibility when recommending the extension in SEVIS. Check the O*NET profile for Data Center Technician to understand which degree fields align with the role's technical requirements.
Does my employer need to be enrolled in E-Verify for STEM OPT?
Yes. E-Verify enrollment is a hard requirement for STEM OPT, not a preference. USCIS will not approve your I-765 extension if your employer is not actively enrolled. Before accepting any offer, verify the employer's E-Verify status using the E-Verify employer search tool. Enrollment must be in place before your extension is filed, so confirm it early in the hiring process rather than during onboarding.
What goes into the I-983 training plan for a data center role?
The I-983 requires both you and your employer to document how your day-to-day work relates to your STEM degree. For Data Center Technician positions, this means mapping specific duties, such as hardware diagnostics, network troubleshooting, environmental monitoring, and server deployment, to learning objectives grounded in your engineering or computer science coursework. Vague job descriptions like 'perform technical tasks' are not sufficient. USCIS expects the plan to demonstrate a direct connection between the work and your academic training.
How does cap-gap protection apply if I'm a Data Center Technician on STEM OPT?
If your employer files an H-1B petition on your behalf during the H-1B registration window and you're selected, cap-gap extends your STEM OPT work authorization automatically through September 30 of that year. This matters because STEM OPT extensions can run right up to the H-1B start date, and without cap-gap you'd have a gap in authorization. Your EAD does not need to be reissued during this period as long as your status is properly maintained.
Where can I find Data Center Technician jobs that accept STEM OPT students?
Migrate Mate lists Data Center Technician openings at employers with E-Verify enrollment, so you're not spending time vetting companies that can't legally hire you on STEM OPT. Data center roles are concentrated in hyperscale operators, colocation providers, and managed service companies, many of which have structured programs for OPT and STEM OPT candidates. Searching by E-Verify status upfront shortens your hiring timeline significantly.
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