STEM OPT Linux System Administrator Jobs
Linux System Administrator roles qualify for STEM OPT if your degree is in computer science, information technology, or a related CIP-code-eligible field. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify to hire you, and the 24-month extension gives you up to 36 months total to build experience in systems infrastructure, network administration, and enterprise Linux environments.
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Req ID: 375834
NTT DATA strives to hire exceptional, innovative and passionate individuals who want to grow with us. If you want to be part of an inclusive, adaptable, and forward-thinking organization, apply now.
We are currently seeking a Linux Systems Engineer - Server Migration to join our team in Salt Lake City, Utah (US-UT), United States (US).
Job Responsibilities Include:
- Own and engineer the Linux compute platform during our client’s server migration project, ensuring its stability, security, and performance throughout all migration phases.
- Plan, coordinate, and execute end-to-end server migrations from the source data center to the target location, including physical servers, ESXi hosts, and virtual machines.
- Manage and migrate VMware ESXi environments, including vMotion, Storage vMotion, and cold migrations of VMs across data center sites with minimal service disruption.
- Configure, troubleshoot, and migrate iSCSI storage networks, ensuring proper connectivity, multipathing, CHAP authentication, and performance between source and target environments.
- Manage LVM (Logical Volume Manager) configurations during migration, including volume group export/import, logical volume resizing, snapshot-based migrations, and filesystem integrity validation.
- Develop and maintain automation tooling to streamline migration tasks and ensure reliable workflows.
- Develop and execute migration runbooks, rollback plans, and validation checklists.
- Collaborate with internal clients and partner engineering teams to assess migration readiness and deliver solutions.
- Contribute to modern stack integration including Kubernetes and OpenStack.
- Troubleshoot complex issues during and after migration activities.
- Develop technical solutions to improve system reliability and scalability.
- Manage and optimize virtualization environments using VMware and OpenShift CNV.
- Participate in CI/CD pipeline implementation for infrastructure automation.
- Monitor system performance and implement proactive optimizations.
- Ensure adherence to security best practices and compliance requirements.
Basic Qualifications:
- 4+ years of experience in large-scale data center/server migration projects (P2V, V2V, site-to-site).
- 4+ years of extensive experience with Linux-based compute environments and OS internals.
- 4+ years of strong expertise with VMware ESXi/vSphere including host builds, VM provisioning, vMotion, Storage vMotion, DRS, and HA.
- 4+ years of in-depth knowledge of iSCSI storage networking including multipathing and troubleshooting.
- 4+ years of expert-level understanding of LVM including volume management, snapshots, and migration.
- 4+ years of strong knowledge of networking concepts such as TCP/IP, VLANs, routing, and firewalls.
- 4+ Years of Experience with containerization tools such as Kubernetes, OpenShift, and Docker.
- 4+ Years of Understanding of CI/CD tools including Git, Maven, and Jenkins.
- 4+ Years of Proficiency in scripting languages such as Bash and Python.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with scripting languages such as Python, Node.js, Perl, or Go and REST APIs.
- Experience with migration tools such as VMware vCenter Converter, Zerto, or Veeam.
- Experience with relational and NoSQL databases.
- Exposure to cloud platforms such as AWS, GCP, or Azure.
- Familiarity with security practices such as encryption, OAuth, and LDAP.
- Experience with configuration management tools such as Ansible, Puppet, or Chef.
- Knowledge of monitoring tools such as Prometheus, Grafana, or ELK stack.
- Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
Education:
- Bachelor's Degree in a Science or Engineering program with a minimum of 4 years of hands-on experience in a relevant role.
L1-NorthAmerica
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About NTT DATA
NTT DATA is a $30 billion business and technology services leader, serving 75% of the Fortune Global 100. We are committed to accelerating client success and positively impacting society through responsible innovation. We are one of the world's leading AI and digital infrastructure providers, with unmatched capabilities in enterprise-scale AI, cloud, security, connectivity, data centers and application services. our consulting and Industry solutions help organizations and society move confidently and sustainably into the digital future. As a Global Top Employer, we have experts in more than 50 countries. We also offer clients access to a robust ecosystem of innovation centers as well as established and start-up partners. NTT DATA is a part of NTT Group, which invests over $3 billion each year in RD.
Whenever possible, we hire locally to NTT DATA offices or client sites. This ensures we can provide timely and effective support tailored to each client’s needs. While many positions offer remote or hybrid work options, these arrangements are subject to change based on client requirements. For employees near an NTT DATA office or client site, in-office attendance may be required for meetings or events, depending on business needs. At NTT DATA, we are committed to staying flexible and meeting the evolving needs of both our clients and employees. NTT DATA recruiters will never ask for payment or banking information and will only use @nttdata.com and @talent.nttdataservices.com email addresses. If you are requested to provide payment or disclose banking information, please submit a contact us form, https://us.nttdata.com/en/contact-us.
NTT DATA endeavors to make https://us.nttdata.com accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact us at https://us.nttdata.com/en/contact-us. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications. NTT DATA is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. For our EEO Policy Statement, please click here. If you'd like more information on your EEO rights under the law, please click here. For Pay Transparency information, please click here.
See all 32+ STEM OPT Linux System Administrator Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Linux System Administrator
Verify your CIP code before applying
Cross-reference your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code against the DHS STEM OPT designated degree list. Computer science, information systems, and network engineering programs typically qualify, but degree titles vary by institution and some borderline fields get denied.
Check E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Before signing an offer, confirm the employer is actively enrolled in E-Verify, not just registered. Ask HR for their E-Verify company ID or look up the employer on the E-Verify employer search tool to avoid accepting a role that disqualifies your extension.
Use O*NET to anchor your I-983 training plan
Pull the Linux System Administrator occupational profile from O*NET and use its listed knowledge areas and tasks to draft the learning objectives section of your I-983. DSOs flag training plans that are too vague, and O*NET gives you defensible, role-specific language.
Target employers with active LCA filings in IT infrastructure
Employers who have filed Labor Condition Applications for systems administrator or network engineer roles under DOL have already cleared the prevailing-wage and E-Verify requirements. Use Migrate Mate to filter for employers with verified LCA filing history in these occupation categories.
Negotiate your start date around DSO processing time
Your DSO needs time to issue a STEM OPT-endorsed I-20 after you submit the I-765, and USCIS processing adds additional weeks. Build at least 90 days between your offer acceptance and your intended start date so your EAD arrives before your initial OPT expires.
Align your job duties to STEM OPT practical training criteria
The role must directly relate to your STEM degree. For a Linux sysadmin position, document how responsibilities like kernel configuration, scripting automation, or systems security tie to coursework. Misalignment between your job duties and degree field is the most common I-983 rejection trigger.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Linux System Administrator role qualify for STEM OPT?
Yes, if your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as computer science, information technology, or computer engineering and the role's core duties directly relate to that field. Linux system administration involves applied computer science through OS configuration, scripting, and infrastructure management, which typically satisfies USCIS's practical training requirement. Confirm your degree's CIP code appears on the DHS STEM designated degree list before applying.
Does my employer need to be enrolled in E-Verify to hire me on STEM OPT?
Yes. E-Verify enrollment is a federal requirement for all STEM OPT employers, not a preference. Your employer must be enrolled before your STEM OPT extension is approved. If you receive a job offer from an employer who isn't enrolled, they'll need to complete E-Verify registration before USCIS will authorize your extension. Use the E-Verify employer search to confirm enrollment status before your I-983 is signed.
What goes into the I-983 training plan for a sysadmin position?
The I-983 requires your employer to describe specific learning objectives that connect the role to your STEM degree. For a Linux System Administrator, that means documenting tasks like shell scripting, system performance monitoring, access control management, and network configuration, then mapping each to coursework or competencies from your degree program. Vague entries like 'general IT support' are routinely flagged by DSOs. Use the O*NET occupation profile for Linux administrators to pull precise, defensible task language.
How does cap-gap protection work if my H-1B is selected during my STEM OPT period?
If you're on STEM OPT and your H-1B visa petition is selected in the lottery and filed before your EAD expires, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year. You don't need to file anything additional. Your employer should continue your employment without interruption as long as your H-1B was timely filed and your STEM OPT was still valid at the time of filing, per USCIS guidance.
Where can I find Linux System Administrator jobs where employers are already set up for STEM OPT hiring?
Migrate Mate filters job listings by employers who have filed Labor Condition Applications with DOL, which confirms E-Verify enrollment and prevailing-wage compliance. Searching on Migrate Mate lets you focus on Linux System Administrator openings at companies that have already cleared the foundational STEM OPT employer requirements, rather than discovering eligibility gaps after an offer is made.