STEM OPT Data Consultant Jobs
Data Consultant roles in analytics, business intelligence, and data strategy qualify for STEM OPT when your degree falls under an approved CIP code. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify to hire you, and the 24-month STEM extension gives you up to 36 months total to build your U.S. consulting career.
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Get Access To All JobsThe application window is expected to close on: 09/15/2026
Join Cisco’s Customer Experience (CX) Professional Services team in delivering Cisco’s best in class data center solutions to global enterprise customers. Cisco CX data center engineers are consultants, leading service delivery efforts and mentoring other consultants within the team. As an engineer, you will help build solutions, perform implementations, and enable customer self-sufficiency on market-leading Cisco data center networking products.
Your Impact
- Work on data center infrastructure projects where you will install, integrate, configure, customize, optimize and automate Cisco’s data center networking solutions.
- Plan and execute network upgrades and network migration activity.
- Write design documents and migration plans.
- Present solutions to customers both remotely and in person.
- Articulate technical issues and present information in a concise manner to both technical and non-technical personnel.
- Interact and provide consultative support to customers.
- Work effectively with customers and project managers.
- Work on several different customer projects simultaneously.
- Travel up to 20% per year, though travel may vary depending on the project.
Minimum Qualifications:
- BS, CS, or University degree equivalent and 3+ years of meaningful experience in data center compute and networking.
- Experienced in routing and switching on Cisco’s Nexus platforms and with its NXOS operating systems.
- Experienced in VXLAN or Cisco ACI.
- Scripting experience (Python, Ansible, etc.).
- Use of AI in assisting with day-to-day activities and with scripting.
- Good written and verbal communication skills.
- Self-motivated with a focus on execution.
- Having consultant or consultative experience is a plus.
- Equivalent relevant work experience Professional level (e.g., CCNP) or equivalent relevant certification expected.
Why Cisco?
At Cisco, we’re revolutionizing how data and infrastructure connect and protect organizations in the AI era – and beyond. We’ve been innovating fearlessly for 40 years to create solutions that power how humans and technology work together across the physical and digital worlds. These solutions provide customers with unparalleled security, visibility, and insights across the entire digital footprint.
Fueled by the depth and breadth of our technology, we experiment and create meaningful solutions. Add to that our worldwide network of doers and experts, and you’ll see that the opportunities to grow and build are limitless. We work as a team, collaborating with empathy to make really big things happen on a global scale. Because our solutions are everywhere, our impact is everywhere.
We are Cisco, and our power starts with you.
Message to applicants applying to work in the U.S. and/or Canada:
The starting salary range posted for this position is $95,800.00 to $126,200.00 and reflects the projected salary range for new hires in this position in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including incentive compensation*, equity, or benefits.
Individual pay is determined by the candidate's hiring location, market conditions, job-related skillset, experience, qualifications, education, certifications, and/or training. The full salary range for certain locations is listed below. For locations not listed below, the recruiter can share more details about compensation for the role in your location during the hiring process.
U.S. employees are offered benefits, subject to Cisco’s plan eligibility rules, which include medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability coverage, and basic life insurance. Please see the Cisco careers site to discover more benefits and perks. Employees may be eligible to receive grants of Cisco restricted stock units, which vest following continued employment with Cisco for defined periods of time.
U.S. employees are eligible for paid time away as described below, subject to Cisco’s policies:
- 10 paid holidays per full calendar year, plus 1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees.
- 1 paid day off for employee’s birthday, paid year-end holiday shutdown, and 4 paid days off for personal wellness determined by Cisco.
- Non-exempt employees** receive 16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year, accrued at rate of 4.92 hours per pay period for full-time employees.
- Exempt employees participate in Cisco’s flexible vacation time off program, which has no defined limit on how much vacation time eligible employees may use (subject to availability and some business limitations).
- 80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter, and up to 80 hours of unused sick time carried forward from one calendar year to the next.
- Additional paid time away may be requested to deal with critical or emergency issues for family members.
- Optional 10 paid days per full calendar year to volunteer.
For non-sales roles, employees are also eligible to earn annual bonuses subject to Cisco’s policies.
Employees on sales plans earn performance-based incentive pay on top of their base salary, which is split between quota and non-quota components, subject to the applicable Cisco plan. For quota-based incentive pay, Cisco typically pays as follows:
- .75% of incentive target for each 1% of revenue attainment up to 50% of quota;
- 1.5% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 50% and 75%;
- 1% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 75% and 100%; and
- Once performance exceeds 100% attainment, incentive rates are at or above 1% for each 1% of attainment with no cap on incentive compensation.
For non-quota-based sales performance elements such as strategic sales objectives, Cisco may pay 0% up to 125% of target. Cisco sales plans do not have a minimum threshold of performance for sales incentive compensation to be paid.
The applicable full salary ranges for this position, by specific state, are listed below:
New York City Metro Area:
$119,600.00 - $174,200.00
Non-Metro New York state & Washington state:
$103,400.00 - $166,000.00
- For quota-based sales roles on Cisco’s sales plan, the ranges provided in this posting include base pay and sales target incentive compensation combined.
Employees in Illinois, whether exempt or non-exempt, will participate in a unique time off program to meet local requirements.
The application window is expected to close on: 09/15/2026
Join Cisco’s Customer Experience (CX) Professional Services team in delivering Cisco’s best in class data center solutions to global enterprise customers. Cisco CX data center engineers are consultants, leading service delivery efforts and mentoring other consultants within the team. As an engineer, you will help build solutions, perform implementations, and enable customer self-sufficiency on market-leading Cisco data center networking products.
Your Impact
- Work on data center infrastructure projects where you will install, integrate, configure, customize, optimize and automate Cisco’s data center networking solutions.
- Plan and execute network upgrades and network migration activity.
- Write design documents and migration plans.
- Present solutions to customers both remotely and in person.
- Articulate technical issues and present information in a concise manner to both technical and non-technical personnel.
- Interact and provide consultative support to customers.
- Work effectively with customers and project managers.
- Work on several different customer projects simultaneously.
- Travel up to 20% per year, though travel may vary depending on the project.
Minimum Qualifications:
- BS, CS, or University degree equivalent and 3+ years of meaningful experience in data center compute and networking.
- Experienced in routing and switching on Cisco’s Nexus platforms and with its NXOS operating systems.
- Experienced in VXLAN or Cisco ACI.
- Scripting experience (Python, Ansible, etc.).
- Use of AI in assisting with day-to-day activities and with scripting.
- Good written and verbal communication skills.
- Self-motivated with a focus on execution.
- Having consultant or consultative experience is a plus.
- Equivalent relevant work experience Professional level (e.g., CCNP) or equivalent relevant certification expected.
Why Cisco?
At Cisco, we’re revolutionizing how data and infrastructure connect and protect organizations in the AI era – and beyond. We’ve been innovating fearlessly for 40 years to create solutions that power how humans and technology work together across the physical and digital worlds. These solutions provide customers with unparalleled security, visibility, and insights across the entire digital footprint.
Fueled by the depth and breadth of our technology, we experiment and create meaningful solutions. Add to that our worldwide network of doers and experts, and you’ll see that the opportunities to grow and build are limitless. We work as a team, collaborating with empathy to make really big things happen on a global scale. Because our solutions are everywhere, our impact is everywhere.
We are Cisco, and our power starts with you.
Message to applicants applying to work in the U.S. and/or Canada:
The starting salary range posted for this position is $95,800.00 to $126,200.00 and reflects the projected salary range for new hires in this position in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including incentive compensation*, equity, or benefits.
Individual pay is determined by the candidate's hiring location, market conditions, job-related skillset, experience, qualifications, education, certifications, and/or training. The full salary range for certain locations is listed below. For locations not listed below, the recruiter can share more details about compensation for the role in your location during the hiring process.
U.S. employees are offered benefits, subject to Cisco’s plan eligibility rules, which include medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability coverage, and basic life insurance. Please see the Cisco careers site to discover more benefits and perks. Employees may be eligible to receive grants of Cisco restricted stock units, which vest following continued employment with Cisco for defined periods of time.
U.S. employees are eligible for paid time away as described below, subject to Cisco’s policies:
- 10 paid holidays per full calendar year, plus 1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees.
- 1 paid day off for employee’s birthday, paid year-end holiday shutdown, and 4 paid days off for personal wellness determined by Cisco.
- Non-exempt employees** receive 16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year, accrued at rate of 4.92 hours per pay period for full-time employees.
- Exempt employees participate in Cisco’s flexible vacation time off program, which has no defined limit on how much vacation time eligible employees may use (subject to availability and some business limitations).
- 80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter, and up to 80 hours of unused sick time carried forward from one calendar year to the next.
- Additional paid time away may be requested to deal with critical or emergency issues for family members.
- Optional 10 paid days per full calendar year to volunteer.
For non-sales roles, employees are also eligible to earn annual bonuses subject to Cisco’s policies.
Employees on sales plans earn performance-based incentive pay on top of their base salary, which is split between quota and non-quota components, subject to the applicable Cisco plan. For quota-based incentive pay, Cisco typically pays as follows:
- .75% of incentive target for each 1% of revenue attainment up to 50% of quota;
- 1.5% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 50% and 75%;
- 1% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 75% and 100%; and
- Once performance exceeds 100% attainment, incentive rates are at or above 1% for each 1% of attainment with no cap on incentive compensation.
For non-quota-based sales performance elements such as strategic sales objectives, Cisco may pay 0% up to 125% of target. Cisco sales plans do not have a minimum threshold of performance for sales incentive compensation to be paid.
The applicable full salary ranges for this position, by specific state, are listed below:
New York City Metro Area:
$119,600.00 - $174,200.00
Non-Metro New York state & Washington state:
$103,400.00 - $166,000.00
- For quota-based sales roles on Cisco’s sales plan, the ranges provided in this posting include base pay and sales target incentive compensation combined.
Employees in Illinois, whether exempt or non-exempt, will participate in a unique time off program to meet local requirements.
See all 270+ STEM OPT Data Consultant Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Data Consultant Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Data Consultant
Verify your CIP code before applying
Check that your degree's CIP code appears on the DHS STEM OPT designated degree program list. Statistics, computer science, information science, and applied mathematics codes commonly support Data Consultant roles, but management information systems codes vary by institution.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Ask your recruiter for the employer's E-Verify Company ID number before signing anything. Consulting firms that staff you to client sites must themselves be E-Verify enrolled, not just the end client, since they're your employer of record.
Target consulting firms with active STEM OPT track records
Use Migrate Mate to filter Data Consultant openings by employers with verified STEM OPT hiring history. Firms that have filed training plans before move faster through onboarding and already understand the I-983 requirements.
Build your I-983 training plan around billable deliverables
Your I-983 must map each learning objective to a concrete project outcome, not generic skills. For Data Consultant roles, tie objectives to specific deliverables like dashboard builds, data pipeline development, or client-facing analytical reports your employer can track.
Research prevailing wages using OFLC Wage Search
Pull the wage level for your SOC code and work location using OFLC Wage Search before negotiating. Consulting firms billing clients at high rates sometimes offer below-prevailing wages to STEM OPT hires who don't verify the DOL benchmark first.
File your STEM OPT extension at least 90 days early
Submit your I-765 extension application at least 90 days before your initial OPT end date. USCIS processes these applications within 90 days in most cases, and timely filing lets you keep working during the cap-gap period if your authorization expires first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Data Consultant role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. Your degree's CIP code must appear on the DHS STEM OPT designated degree program list. Degrees in statistics, computer science, information science, applied mathematics, or engineering typically qualify. The role itself doesn't need to be classified as STEM, but your academic credential does. Confirm eligibility with your DSO before applying.
Does my employer have to be E-Verify enrolled for STEM OPT Data Consultant jobs?
Yes, E-Verify enrollment is a hard requirement, not optional. If you work at a consulting firm that places you with clients, the consulting firm must be E-Verify enrolled since they're your legal employer. The end client's enrollment status doesn't satisfy the requirement. You can confirm your employer's enrollment status by asking for their E-Verify Company ID before accepting an offer.
What goes into the I-983 training plan for a Data Consultant position?
Your I-983 must describe specific learning objectives tied to your STEM degree and show how the Data Consultant role advances those goals. It should name concrete project types, tools, and outcomes, such as developing data models, producing analytical reports, or building dashboards. Generic language about developing professional skills won't satisfy USCIS review. Your employer and DSO both sign the plan, and you update it if your role or responsibilities change significantly.
How does cap-gap work if my OPT ends while I'm working as a Data Consultant?
If your employer files an H-1B visa petition on your behalf before your OPT expires and you're selected in the lottery, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that year. You can continue working as a Data Consultant during this period without interruption. USCIS confirms cap-gap coverage on your updated I-20. If you're not selected or your employer doesn't file, your authorization ends when your OPT EAD expires.
Where can I find Data Consultant jobs that accept STEM OPT students?
Migrate Mate filters Data Consultant openings by employers with active E-Verify enrollment and STEM OPT hiring history, so you're not spending time applying to firms that won't work with your status. Firms already familiar with the I-983 process and training plan requirements move significantly faster through onboarding than those encountering STEM OPT for the first time.