STEM OPT IT Program Manager Jobs
IT Program Manager roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension when your degree falls under an eligible CIP code and your employer is enrolled in E-Verify. With a STEM background in computer science, information systems, or engineering, you can work in this role for up to 36 months total on OPT while building toward long-term visa sponsorship.
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IT Program Manager – Manufacturing Quality Systems
Location: Georgetown, KY / Plano, TX (final work location to be confirmed)
Work Arrangement: On-site
Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Travel: Approximately 25%, including occasional international travel
Position Overview
K&K Technical Group is seeking an experienced IT Program Manager – Manufacturing Quality Systems to support enterprise technology and quality-system initiatives within a large automotive manufacturing organization.
This position will coordinate multiple cross-functional projects involving IT, manufacturing, quality systems, database technologies, and business operations. The ideal candidate is a highly organized project leader with strong communication skills and experience managing complex technology implementations across multiple teams and locations.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and coordinate multiple technology and quality-system initiatives across manufacturing operations.
- Develop and maintain project plans, schedules, milestones, and deliverables.
- Collaborate with IT, Quality, Engineering, Finance, and manufacturing stakeholders.
- Track project progress, identify risks, resolve issues, and communicate updates to leadership.
- Coordinate software implementations, system upgrades, releases, and deployment activities.
- Facilitate project meetings, stakeholder reviews, and executive presentations.
- Maintain project documentation, dashboards, and status reports.
- Support change management, process improvements, and technology transitions.
- Assist with project budgeting, resource planning, and business-case development.
- Ensure alignment between technical teams and business objectives.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree required.
- Experience managing complex IT projects, technology programs, or enterprise system implementations.
- Strong project planning, scheduling, risk management, and stakeholder coordination skills.
- Experience working with cross-functional technical and business teams.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, and other Microsoft 365 applications.
- Experience with Jira or similar project management and reporting tools.
- Excellent written, verbal, and executive-level communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting automotive or manufacturing operations.
- Familiarity with manufacturing quality management systems.
- Experience with Agile, Scrum, or PI Planning methodologies.
- Knowledge of enterprise databases, including Oracle or PostgreSQL.
- Experience coordinating software releases, system migrations, and production deployments.
- Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing, Hoshin Kanri, or continuous improvement practices.
- Experience with change-control processes and project governance.
Work Environment
- On-site position supporting manufacturing and technology teams.
- Approximately 10% overtime, including occasional weekends.
- Up to 25% travel to manufacturing facilities throughout North America, including potential travel to Canada.
- Occasional manufacturing shop-floor access requiring appropriate safety equipment.
About K&K Technical Group
K&K Technical Group provides engineering, technical, and professional staffing solutions to leading manufacturing and industrial organizations. We connect talented professionals with opportunities to contribute to innovative projects and advanced manufacturing operations.
Apply today to learn more about this opportunity!
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as an IT Program Manager
Verify your CIP code before applying
Pull your transcript and confirm your degree's CIP code appears on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program list. IT Program Manager roles sit at the intersection of technology and business, so borderline degrees like Management Information Systems need explicit verification before you commit to a job search timeline.
Target employers already enrolled in E-Verify
Before accepting an offer, confirm the employer's E-Verify enrollment through the E-Verify employer search. Companies with existing STEM OPT hires have already completed the I-983 Training Plan process and are far less likely to stall your start date over compliance questions.
Structure your I-983 around measurable program deliverables
IT Program Managers are evaluated on outcomes, so frame your training plan around quantifiable deliverables: program milestones owned, cross-functional teams led, and budget cycles managed. A vague I-983 invites USCIS scrutiny; specific, role-mapped learning objectives do not.
Search Migrate Mate for IT Program Manager roles with STEM OPT employers
Migrate Mate filters IT Program Manager postings by employers with active STEM OPT hiring history, so you're not guessing which companies understand the E-Verify requirement and the I-983 process. Start your search there to skip the manual vetting step.
Use OFLC Wage Search to benchmark your offer against prevailing wage
IT Program Manager prevailing wages vary significantly by metropolitan area and experience level. Run the OFLC Wage Search using SOC code 11-3021 before negotiating, so your offered salary doesn't undercut the DOL threshold that will appear on any future LCA filing.
Time your extension filing to protect your cap-gap window
If your employer files an H-1B visa petition before your OPT expires, the cap-gap provision automatically extends your work authorization through September 30. File your STEM OPT extension at least 90 days before your EAD end date so there's no gap between authorizations heading into that window.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an IT Program Manager role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your underlying degree carries an eligible CIP code under the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program list. Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, and related STEM fields typically qualify. The role itself is not what triggers eligibility; your degree classification is. Confirm your specific CIP code with your DSO before submitting the STEM OPT extension application to USCIS.
What does the I-983 Training Plan need to include for an IT Program Manager position?
Your I-983 must document a structured learning objective tied directly to your STEM degree. For IT Program Managers, that means outlining specific technical competencies you'll develop, such as systems integration oversight, enterprise architecture governance, or data-driven program tracking. Generic management duties aren't sufficient. Both you and your employer sign the plan, and your DSO must authorize it before your STEM OPT extension is approved.
How do I confirm my employer is enrolled in E-Verify before accepting an offer?
Use the E-Verify employer search tool to look up the company by name or employer ID. E-Verify enrollment is a federal requirement for all STEM OPT employers, and no I-983 Training Plan is valid without it. If a prospective employer isn't listed, they must enroll before your STEM OPT extension can begin, which can delay your start date by weeks.
What happens to my STEM OPT authorization if my employer's H-1B petition is selected in the lottery?
If your employer files an H-1B petition before your STEM OPT EAD expires, the cap-gap provision extends your work authorization automatically through September 30 of that year. You can keep working in your IT Program Manager role during that window without interruption. If the petition is denied or withdrawn, your authorization ends and you'll need to act quickly to maintain status.
Where can I find IT Program Manager jobs with employers that already support STEM OPT?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for STEM OPT job seekers and surfaces IT Program Manager roles at employers with verified STEM OPT hiring history. That means the companies listed already understand the E-Verify enrollment requirement, the I-983 process, and the 24-month extension timeline, so you're not educating HR from scratch during interviews.