STEM OPT Data Engineering Intern Jobs

Data Engineering Intern roles qualify for STEM OPT when your degree falls under an eligible CIP code in computer science, information technology, or a related STEM field. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and the 24-month extension gives you up to 36 months total to build hands-on pipeline and infrastructure experience while maintaining F-1 status.

Find STEM OPT Data Engineering Intern Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs1,118+
Work Type71% On-site
Top LocationNew York, NY
Most JobsAmazon.com

Showing 5 of 1,118+ Data Engineering Intern jobs

American Express
Senior Analysts, Data Science
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American Express
New 2h ago
Senior Analysts, Data Science
American Express
New York, New York
Data Science & Analytics
Business Analysis
Data Science
Data Analytics
$109k - $150k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's
10,000+

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First Student
IT Data Analyst
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First Student
New 2h ago
IT Data Analyst
First Student
Cincinnati, Ohio
Data Science & Analytics
Business Analysis
Data Science
Data Analytics
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Xcel Energy
Data Scientist
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Xcel Energy
New 5h ago
Data Scientist
Xcel Energy
Denver, Colorado
Data Science & Analytics
Data Engineering
Data Science
Data Analytics
$85k - $139k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Fifth Third Bank
Data Engineer I
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Fifth Third Bank
New 6h ago
Data Engineer I
Fifth Third Bank
Cincinnati, Ohio
Data Engineering
Cloud & DevOps
Software Engineering
Cloud Engineering
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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UC Davis Health
Senior Data Scientist
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UC Davis Health
New 6h ago
Senior Data Scientist
UC Davis Health
Sacramento, California
Data Science & Analytics
Software Engineering
Healthcare Administration
Data Science
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
ML (Machine Learning)
$9,747 - $20k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Tips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Data Engineering Intern

Verify your CIP code before applying

Check that your degree's CIP code appears on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program list. Data engineering roles most often align with computer science, information systems, or electrical engineering codes, and a mismatch disqualifies your extension before you even start.

Screen job postings for E-Verify enrollment

Before submitting any application, confirm the employer is enrolled in E-Verify through the official E-Verify employer search. Internship postings rarely flag this upfront, so checking early saves you from accepting an offer that can't support your STEM OPT extension.

Build a portfolio around data pipeline projects

Hiring managers for data engineering intern roles expect evidence of ETL workflow design, SQL query optimization, or cloud data stack experience. A public GitHub repository with documented pipeline projects gives recruiters a concrete reason to move you forward over candidates with identical coursework.

Request the I-983 training plan before your start date

Your employer must complete and sign the I-983 before your STEM OPT extension begins. Ask your hiring manager or HR contact to initiate the training plan during onboarding so your DSO can submit the I-20 update to USCIS without delays that could gap your work authorization.

Use Migrate Mate to find E-Verify employers hiring interns

Filter your data engineering intern search on Migrate Mate to surface employers already enrolled in E-Verify and with OPT hiring history. This cuts the time you'd otherwise spend manually researching sponsorship eligibility company by company across general job boards.

Align your application timeline with your OPT end date

File your STEM OPT extension application with USCIS no later than 90 days before your initial OPT EAD expires. For data engineering intern roles that convert to full-time, this timeline also affects cap-gap eligibility if your employer files an H-1B visa petition on your behalf.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a data engineering intern role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?

Yes, if your degree is in an eligible STEM field such as computer science, information systems, or a related discipline with a qualifying CIP code on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program list. The role itself must also provide practical training directly related to your degree. Your DSO confirms eligibility when you apply for the extension through USCIS.

How do I know if a data engineering intern employer is enrolled in E-Verify?

Use the official E-Verify employer search tool to look up any company before you accept an offer. E-Verify enrollment is a hard requirement for STEM OPT, and internship postings rarely disclose this information upfront. You can also browse Data Engineering Intern roles on Migrate Mate, which surfaces employers with verified OPT hiring history so you're not starting from scratch on each application.

What goes into the I-983 training plan for a data engineering internship?

The I-983 requires your employer to describe the specific learning objectives, supervision structure, and how the internship connects to your STEM degree. For data engineering roles, this typically includes goals around pipeline architecture, data modeling, or cloud infrastructure work. Your employer signs the plan, your DSO updates your I-20, and you must report any material changes to training within five business days.

What happens to my STEM OPT if my data engineering internship converts to a full-time role and my employer files an H-1B petition?

If your employer files an H-1B petition on your behalf before your OPT EAD expires and you're selected in the lottery, cap-gap protections allow you to keep working through September 30 of that fiscal year even if your EAD expires first. You must maintain valid F-1 status throughout this period, and your DSO should update your SEVIS record to reflect the cap-gap extension.

Which STEM degree fields make you eligible for the STEM OPT extension in a data engineering role?

Degrees in computer science, computer engineering, information technology, electrical engineering, mathematics, and statistics are among the most common qualifying fields for data engineering positions. The degree must appear under an eligible CIP code on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program list. Check O*NET for the occupational classification tied to the data engineering intern role to confirm the degree-to-occupation alignment your DSO will review.