STEM OPT Linux Engineer Jobs
Linux Engineer roles qualify for STEM OPT because they fall under computer science and information technology CIP codes recognized by ICE. Your STEM degree gives you a 24-month OPT extension beyond the initial 12 months, but your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify before you can start.
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Get Access To All JobsABOUT WIND RIVER
Wind River is a global leader in delivering software for mission-critical intelligent systems. For more than four decades, the company has been an innovator and pioneer, powering billions of systems that require the highest levels of security, safety, and reliability.
Wind River helps customers across automotive, aerospace, defense, industrial, medical, and telecommunications industries solve complex technology challenges on their journey toward the new intelligent machine economy. The company’s software powers generation after generation of the safest, most secure systems in the world. Examples include playing a key role in NASA space missions such as Artemis I, the James Webb Space Telescope, and multiple Mars rovers. We’ve achieved recent 5G milestones including the world’s first successful 5G data session with Verizon and building one of the largest Open RAN networks in the world with Vodafone.
About the opportunity
As a Debian Linux developer, you will make strategic decisions and participate in all the stages of the software development lifecycle to ensure the delivery of a high-quality product. You will have the opportunity to work with a collaborative and innovative team of engineers who are passionate about Linux and open-source software. Our team values transparency, open communication, and continuous learning, and has a track record of delivering high-quality products that make a real impact.
This is a unique opportunity to shape the direction of eLxr and work with a talented team of engineers to deliver a product that will make a real difference in the lives of our users.
Responsibilities:
- Design, develop, package, test, and deploy eLxr packages, applications, and tools
- Contribute improvements back to the Debian community
- Collaborate on security improvements and vulnerability management
- Troubleshoot and resolve customer issues
- Support integration and optimization for AI workloads
- Contribute to the review of Merge Requests to ensure best practices are being followed by individual contributors and reviewers ensuring the efficiency of the review process
- Ensure assigned milestones are delivered on time and within budget
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Product, QA, Documentation, Support) to ensure a cohesive product
- Identify and mitigate technical risks, and help develop contingency plans as needed
- Define and ensure compliance with eLxr guidelines and best practices
Requirements
- Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field
- 2+ years of experience in software development, with a focus on Linux
- Technical knowledge of Linux and related technologies
- Proficiency in software packaging and package management
- Demonstrated contributions to Linux distributions, ideally Debian, through documentation, bug fixes, or packages
- Knowledge of Linux user space applications and Linux kernel internals
- Familiarity with technologies such as UEFI and u-boot
- Strong debugging and application-building skills
- Experience with Agile development methodologies, CI/CD, and version control systems (e.g., Git)
- Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze complex technical issues and develop creative solutions
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Knowledge of cloud computing tools and platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure)
- Understanding of CVE management and security patching
- Experience across multiple programming languages
- Knowledge of container technologies and virtualization
Join us at Wind River, where we're not just shaping technology; we're shaping the future of a safer, more connected world. Your journey to make a meaningful impact begins here.
APPLICANT PRIVACY NOTICE:
Your privacy is of the utmost importance to us. At Wind River, we strictly adhere to all applicable data privacy laws. Please review Wind River's Applicant Privacy Notice, which can be found here.
Wind River is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to diversity. We prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation or any other legally protected status.
Special Clearance Requirements
This position will perform work that the U.S. government has specified can only be performed by a U.S. citizen on U.S. soil, and therefore any offer will be contingent upon verification of both of these requirements.
ABOUT WIND RIVER
Wind River is a global leader in delivering software for mission-critical intelligent systems. For more than four decades, the company has been an innovator and pioneer, powering billions of systems that require the highest levels of security, safety, and reliability.
Wind River helps customers across automotive, aerospace, defense, industrial, medical, and telecommunications industries solve complex technology challenges on their journey toward the new intelligent machine economy. The company’s software powers generation after generation of the safest, most secure systems in the world. Examples include playing a key role in NASA space missions such as Artemis I, the James Webb Space Telescope, and multiple Mars rovers. We’ve achieved recent 5G milestones including the world’s first successful 5G data session with Verizon and building one of the largest Open RAN networks in the world with Vodafone.
About the opportunity
As a Debian Linux developer, you will make strategic decisions and participate in all the stages of the software development lifecycle to ensure the delivery of a high-quality product. You will have the opportunity to work with a collaborative and innovative team of engineers who are passionate about Linux and open-source software. Our team values transparency, open communication, and continuous learning, and has a track record of delivering high-quality products that make a real impact.
This is a unique opportunity to shape the direction of eLxr and work with a talented team of engineers to deliver a product that will make a real difference in the lives of our users.
Responsibilities:
- Design, develop, package, test, and deploy eLxr packages, applications, and tools
- Contribute improvements back to the Debian community
- Collaborate on security improvements and vulnerability management
- Troubleshoot and resolve customer issues
- Support integration and optimization for AI workloads
- Contribute to the review of Merge Requests to ensure best practices are being followed by individual contributors and reviewers ensuring the efficiency of the review process
- Ensure assigned milestones are delivered on time and within budget
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Product, QA, Documentation, Support) to ensure a cohesive product
- Identify and mitigate technical risks, and help develop contingency plans as needed
- Define and ensure compliance with eLxr guidelines and best practices
Requirements
- Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field
- 2+ years of experience in software development, with a focus on Linux
- Technical knowledge of Linux and related technologies
- Proficiency in software packaging and package management
- Demonstrated contributions to Linux distributions, ideally Debian, through documentation, bug fixes, or packages
- Knowledge of Linux user space applications and Linux kernel internals
- Familiarity with technologies such as UEFI and u-boot
- Strong debugging and application-building skills
- Experience with Agile development methodologies, CI/CD, and version control systems (e.g., Git)
- Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze complex technical issues and develop creative solutions
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Knowledge of cloud computing tools and platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure)
- Understanding of CVE management and security patching
- Experience across multiple programming languages
- Knowledge of container technologies and virtualization
Join us at Wind River, where we're not just shaping technology; we're shaping the future of a safer, more connected world. Your journey to make a meaningful impact begins here.
APPLICANT PRIVACY NOTICE:
Your privacy is of the utmost importance to us. At Wind River, we strictly adhere to all applicable data privacy laws. Please review Wind River's Applicant Privacy Notice, which can be found here.
Wind River is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to diversity. We prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation or any other legally protected status.
Special Clearance Requirements
This position will perform work that the U.S. government has specified can only be performed by a U.S. citizen on U.S. soil, and therefore any offer will be contingent upon verification of both of these requirements.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Linux Engineer
Verify your CIP code matches Linux engineering
Check your degree's CIP code against ICE's STEM-designated degree program list before applying. Degrees in computer science, computer engineering, and information technology typically qualify, but your DSO must confirm the match before recommending the extension.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Ask recruiting contacts directly whether the company is enrolled in E-Verify before your first interview. Employers not enrolled cannot legally employ STEM OPT students, and switching employers after accepting an offer costs you weeks of job search time.
Use Migrate Mate to filter Linux roles by sponsorship history
Search Linux Engineer openings on Migrate Mate, which surfaces employers with verified work authorization filing history. This cuts the time you spend screening companies that have never hired international students.
Target employers with existing Linux infrastructure teams
Companies running large-scale Linux environments in finance, cloud infrastructure, and defense contracting hire Linux Engineers in volume and already have E-Verify and international hiring workflows in place. Prioritize these over startups building their first DevOps pipeline.
File your I-983 training plan with role-specific learning goals
Your I-983 must list concrete Linux engineering skills you'll develop, such as kernel configuration, system hardening, or automation with Ansible. Generic objectives get flagged by DSOs. Align the plan directly to your offer letter's job duties.
Time your STEM OPT application around your OPT end date
USCIS recommends filing the STEM OPT extension application at least 90 days before your initial OPT expires. If USCIS hasn't adjudicated by your expiration date, your work authorization automatically continues for up to 180 days while the application is pending.
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Find Linux Engineer JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does a Linux Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, provided your underlying degree carries a STEM-designated CIP code. Roles classified under computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or related fields typically qualify. The O*NET occupation code for Linux and systems engineers maps to computer occupations that USCIS and ICE recognize as STEM-eligible. Your DSO confirms the match and recommends the extension on your I-20.
What does the E-Verify requirement mean for my Linux Engineer job search?
Every employer who hires you on STEM OPT must be enrolled in E-Verify before your first day of work. E-Verify is a federal system that confirms work authorization electronically. If a company isn't enrolled, you cannot legally accept the role on STEM OPT. Migrate Mate filters Linux Engineer listings to show employers with relevant hiring history, which narrows your search to companies already familiar with this requirement.
What goes into the I-983 training plan for a Linux Engineer position?
Your I-983 must describe specific technical skills you'll develop on the job, the supervision structure, how the employer will evaluate your progress, and how the training connects to your STEM degree. For Linux Engineers, this typically includes skills like system administration, security hardening, network configuration, or infrastructure automation. Your employer's designated supervisor signs the form, and your DSO countersigns before USCIS reviews your application.
How does cap-gap protection apply if I'm a Linux Engineer waiting on H-1B approval?
If your employer files an H-1B petition on your behalf before your STEM OPT expires, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year. You can continue working as a Linux Engineer in your current role under the same employer during this period. USCIS confirms cap-gap eligibility through the receipt notice on the I-129 petition.
Can I work as a Linux Engineer contractor or through a staffing agency on STEM OPT?
You can work through a staffing agency only if the agency itself is enrolled in E-Verify and is your employer of record, meaning they pay your wages and control your work. If the end client directs your day-to-day tasks but the agency pays you, the agency must be E-Verify enrolled. Your I-983 training plan must name the employer of record, not the end client, as the supervising organization.
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