STEM OPT IT Security Engineer Jobs

IT Security Engineer roles qualify for the STEM OPT 24-month extension if your degree is in a STEM-designated field like computer science, information security, or cybersecurity. Employers must be enrolled in E-Verify to hire you, and you'll need a signed I-983 training plan before your extension begins.

Find STEM OPT IT Security Engineer Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs93+
Work Type82% On-site
Top LocationAustin, TX
Most JobsPrinceton IT Services, Inc

Showing 5 of 93+ IT Security Engineer jobs

Lunar Outpost
Senior IT Security Engineer
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Lunar Outpost
Added 2w ago
Senior IT Security Engineer
Lunar Outpost
Golden, Colorado
Cybersecurity
Compliance & Legal
Cybersecurity Operations
Compliance & Risk
Security Engineering
$100k - $120k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Gas Transmission Systems
IT Security Engineer
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Gas Transmission Systems
Added 1mo ago
IT Security Engineer
Gas Transmission Systems
San Diego, California
Cybersecurity
Technical Product & Program Management
Security Engineering
On-Site
Associate's

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Carnegie Mellon University
IT Security Analyst/Engineer
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Carnegie Mellon University
Added 3w ago
IT Security Analyst/Engineer
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Cybersecurity
IT Support & Systems Administration
Security Engineering
IT Support
On-Site
Bachelor's
5,001-10,000

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Meijer
Senior IT Application Security Engineer
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Meijer
Added 1mo ago
Senior IT Application Security Engineer
Meijer
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Cybersecurity
Technical Product & Program Management
Security Engineering
Technical Program Management
$121k - $191k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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ConnectiveRx
Engineer, IT Information Security Operations
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ConnectiveRx
Added 1w ago
Engineer, IT Information Security Operations
ConnectiveRx
Whippany, New Jersey
Cybersecurity
Compliance & Legal
IT Support & Systems Administration
Technical Product & Program Management
Security Engineering
Compliance & Risk
IT Support
$71k - $103k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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Tips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as an IT Security Engineer

Verify your CIP code before applying

Not every computer science or IT degree automatically qualifies for STEM OPT. Check your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code against the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List to confirm eligibility before you target employers.

Confirm E-Verify enrollment during screening

Ask your recruiter directly whether the company is enrolled in E-Verify before any interview advances. Federal contractors are required to enroll, but many mid-size security firms aren't. Skipping this check can cost you weeks of wasted effort.

Build credentials around specific security frameworks

IT Security Engineer roles frequently list NIST, SOC 2, and ISO 27001 experience as non-negotiable. Earning a CompTIA Security+ or CISSP before your OPT period ends signals to hiring managers that you can contribute without an onboarding ramp.

Target employers with active government contracts

Federal contractors and agencies hiring IT Security Engineers are already E-Verify enrolled by law, which removes one of your biggest sponsorship barriers. Search for roles tied to FedRAMP compliance, FISMA, or DoD cybersecurity programs when evaluating where to apply.

Use Migrate Mate to find verified sponsoring employers

Filter your IT Security Engineer job search on Migrate Mate to surface employers with confirmed E-Verify enrollment and STEM OPT sponsorship history. This saves you from screening dozens of postings that won't support your work authorization.

Negotiate your I-983 training plan before accepting an offer

Your employer must sign a formal I-983 training plan that maps your IT Security Engineer duties to your STEM degree. Raise this during the offer stage, not after you start, so USCIS reporting obligations are clear to HR before your extension is filed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my degree qualify me for the STEM OPT extension as an IT Security Engineer?

Your degree qualifies if its CIP code appears on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Degrees in computer science, information assurance, cybersecurity, and electrical engineering typically qualify. Degrees in general business IT or management information systems may not. Confirm your specific CIP code with your Designated School Official before applying for the extension.

Does my IT Security Engineer employer need to be enrolled in E-Verify?

Yes. E-Verify enrollment is a hard legal requirement for any employer hiring a STEM OPT student. If your employer is not enrolled when your extension is approved, you cannot legally work. Ask HR to provide their E-Verify Company ID number before you accept an offer. Federal contractors are required to be enrolled, making them lower-risk targets.

What goes into the I-983 training plan for an IT Security Engineer role?

The I-983 must describe how your day-to-day IT Security Engineer duties directly relate to your STEM degree. It should identify specific learning objectives, such as implementing security controls or conducting vulnerability assessments, and explain how those objectives build on your academic training. Your employer signs the form and must provide updates every 12 months or when your role changes materially.

What happens to my work authorization if my H-1B is selected but my OPT expires before October 1?

Cap-gap protection automatically extends your OPT work authorization from your OPT expiration date through September 30 of the same fiscal year, as long as your employer filed a timely H-1B visa petition before your OPT expired. You can continue working as an IT Security Engineer during this window without any gap in authorization. USCIS confirms cap-gap eligibility through the receipt notice.

Where can I find IT Security Engineer jobs where employers already support STEM OPT?

Migrate Mate lists IT Security Engineer roles filtered for employers with E-Verify enrollment and a track record of STEM OPT sponsorship. Searching there removes the guesswork of identifying which postings will actually support your extension. You can also cross-reference the O*NET occupation profile for IT Security Engineers to understand the exact degree and skill requirements hiring managers use.