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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Analytical Mechanics Associates (AMA) is seeking a Senior AWS/Linux Engineer to support internal IT operations (hybrid/remote eligible). This full-time position provides cloud infrastructure management, Linux systems administration, and security compliance enforcement for AMA's enterprise environment. The selected candidate will also be available to support external contracts as required by business needs, including NASA programs. This role requires a self-directed professional capable of independently managing AWS environments, hardening Linux systems, and ensuring compliance with government security standards.
Responsibilities
- Manage and maintain AMA's AWS cloud environments, including EC2, S3, VPC, IAM, Load Balancers, Security Hub, and Inspector
- Administer Red Hat/Rocky Linux systems across on-premises and cloud infrastructure
- Plan and execute infrastructure migrations from on-premises to AWS using tools such as Veeam
- Automate AWS resource provisioning and management using Terraform, Python, and AWS CLI
- Enforce security STIGs and hardening baselines across Linux and AWS environments
- Implement and maintain security configurations in accordance with NIST 800-171 and applicable compliance frameworks
- Manage Linux patching cycles and vulnerability remediation using AWS Inspector and related tools
- Support development teams with infrastructure needs, CI/CD pipelines, and environment provisioning
- Manage NASA Customer Environments as required by contract
- Support disaster recovery planning, testing, and execution
- Manage SSL certificates, load balancers, and network configurations
- Maintain comprehensive documentation of systems, configurations, and security posture
- Participate in security incident investigation and response
- Provide support to external contracts as directed by business requirements
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or related field
- 3-8 years of experience in cloud infrastructure and Linux systems administration
- Demonstrated experience independently managing AWS environments (EC2, S3, VPC, IAM, Security Hub, Inspector)
- Strong Red Hat Enterprise Linux / Rocky Linux administration skills, including patching and configuration management
- Experience implementing and enforcing STIG compliance and security hardening on Linux and AWS
- Proficiency with Infrastructure as Code tools (Terraform)
- Python scripting skills for automation and tooling
- Working knowledge of security compliance frameworks (NIST 800-171)
- CompTIA Security+ or equivalent security certification
- AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (minimum)
Preferred Qualifications
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect or SysOps Administrator certification
- Experience supporting NASA contracts or government IT environments
- Familiarity with Veeam backup and disaster recovery tools
- Experience migrating on-premises virtual machines to AWS
- Knowledge of network administration (VLANs, DHCP, firewall configuration)
- Experience with Active Directory and hybrid identity environments
- Familiarity with GitLab administration and CI/CD pipelines
- Experience with SIEM tools (e.g., LogRhythm)
- Knowledge of NetBox or similar infrastructure documentation platforms
- Experience with continuous monitoring and vulnerability scanning programs
Salary range: $86,065-$107,582 DOE
US citizenship or Permanent Residency required
Analytical Mechanics Associates (AMA) is proud of our customer relationships, our diverse and dynamic work environment, and our employees' career satisfaction. AMA is a small business with a wide reach; headquartered in Hampton, VA, AMA has operations in Greenbelt, MD; Huntsville, AL; Dallas and Houston, TX; Denver, CO; Mountain View, CA; and Edwards Air Force Base, CA. With over 60 years of experience, AMA specializes in aerospace engineering, science, analytics, information technology, and visualization solutions. AMA combines the best of engineering, science, and mathematics capabilities with the latest in information technologies, visualization, and multimedia to build creative solutions. We offer competitive salaries and a substantial benefits package, including but not limited to paid personal and federally recognized holiday leave, salary deferrals into a 401(k)-matching plan with immediate vesting, tuition reimbursement, short/long term disability plans, and a variety of medical, dental, and vision insurance options.
AMA is committed to the professional growth of every employee, understanding that the successes of our employees drive our success. We provide a work environment that is engaging, collaborative, and supportive.
AMA is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any applicant for employment or employee because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited under federal, state, or local laws.
Job Description:
Analytical Mechanics Associates (AMA) is seeking a Senior AWS/Linux Engineer to support internal IT operations (hybrid/remote eligible). This full-time position provides cloud infrastructure management, Linux systems administration, and security compliance enforcement for AMA's enterprise environment. The selected candidate will also be available to support external contracts as required by business needs, including NASA programs. This role requires a self-directed professional capable of independently managing AWS environments, hardening Linux systems, and ensuring compliance with government security standards.
Responsibilities
- Manage and maintain AMA's AWS cloud environments, including EC2, S3, VPC, IAM, Load Balancers, Security Hub, and Inspector
- Administer Red Hat/Rocky Linux systems across on-premises and cloud infrastructure
- Plan and execute infrastructure migrations from on-premises to AWS using tools such as Veeam
- Automate AWS resource provisioning and management using Terraform, Python, and AWS CLI
- Enforce security STIGs and hardening baselines across Linux and AWS environments
- Implement and maintain security configurations in accordance with NIST 800-171 and applicable compliance frameworks
- Manage Linux patching cycles and vulnerability remediation using AWS Inspector and related tools
- Support development teams with infrastructure needs, CI/CD pipelines, and environment provisioning
- Manage NASA Customer Environments as required by contract
- Support disaster recovery planning, testing, and execution
- Manage SSL certificates, load balancers, and network configurations
- Maintain comprehensive documentation of systems, configurations, and security posture
- Participate in security incident investigation and response
- Provide support to external contracts as directed by business requirements
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or related field
- 3-8 years of experience in cloud infrastructure and Linux systems administration
- Demonstrated experience independently managing AWS environments (EC2, S3, VPC, IAM, Security Hub, Inspector)
- Strong Red Hat Enterprise Linux / Rocky Linux administration skills, including patching and configuration management
- Experience implementing and enforcing STIG compliance and security hardening on Linux and AWS
- Proficiency with Infrastructure as Code tools (Terraform)
- Python scripting skills for automation and tooling
- Working knowledge of security compliance frameworks (NIST 800-171)
- CompTIA Security+ or equivalent security certification
- AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (minimum)
Preferred Qualifications
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect or SysOps Administrator certification
- Experience supporting NASA contracts or government IT environments
- Familiarity with Veeam backup and disaster recovery tools
- Experience migrating on-premises virtual machines to AWS
- Knowledge of network administration (VLANs, DHCP, firewall configuration)
- Experience with Active Directory and hybrid identity environments
- Familiarity with GitLab administration and CI/CD pipelines
- Experience with SIEM tools (e.g., LogRhythm)
- Knowledge of NetBox or similar infrastructure documentation platforms
- Experience with continuous monitoring and vulnerability scanning programs
Salary range: $86,065-$107,582 DOE
US citizenship or Permanent Residency required
Analytical Mechanics Associates (AMA) is proud of our customer relationships, our diverse and dynamic work environment, and our employees' career satisfaction. AMA is a small business with a wide reach; headquartered in Hampton, VA, AMA has operations in Greenbelt, MD; Huntsville, AL; Dallas and Houston, TX; Denver, CO; Mountain View, CA; and Edwards Air Force Base, CA. With over 60 years of experience, AMA specializes in aerospace engineering, science, analytics, information technology, and visualization solutions. AMA combines the best of engineering, science, and mathematics capabilities with the latest in information technologies, visualization, and multimedia to build creative solutions. We offer competitive salaries and a substantial benefits package, including but not limited to paid personal and federally recognized holiday leave, salary deferrals into a 401(k)-matching plan with immediate vesting, tuition reimbursement, short/long term disability plans, and a variety of medical, dental, and vision insurance options.
AMA is committed to the professional growth of every employee, understanding that the successes of our employees drive our success. We provide a work environment that is engaging, collaborative, and supportive.
AMA is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any applicant for employment or employee because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited under federal, state, or local laws.
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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.
Frequently 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 visa 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.