STEM OPT Network Architect Jobs
Network Architect roles qualify for STEM OPT because they sit under CIP codes tied to computer science, information systems, and electrical engineering degrees. Your 24-month STEM OPT extension gives you up to 36 months total to work for any employer enrolled in E-Verify, with no lottery and no employer petition required.
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Get Access To All JobsPenn State Health - Penn State Health Corporation
Location: US:PA: Hershey
Work Type: Full Time
FTE: 1.00
Shift: Day
Hours: Monday - Friday; 8:00a - 5:00p
SUMMARY OF POSITION:
Responsible to work with business and technical stakeholders in the design, delivery and integration of solutions that depend on network infrastructure. Provide the highest level of escalation and oversight in the delivery of relevant technical value. This is an expert-level resource with strong integration, technical, project, and communications skills.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Responsible for high-level network planning, design, and optimization.
- Develops strategies and direction for network systems solutions using current and emerging technologies (including wireless, data center, cloud architectures, application delivery, unified communications/VoIP, network management and monitoring systems, routing and switching, network access control systems and security architectures).
- Plans and recommends network hardware, systems management software and architecture.
- Evaluates and recommends new products, maintains knowledge of emerging technologies for application to the enterprise.
- Monitors and reports network performance, ensures capacity planning is performed, and is proactive in assessing and making recommendations for improvement.
- Supervises multiple projects from inception to completion. Organizes multiple project teams, vendors, consultants, and contractors.
- Interacts with upper levels of management and submits status reports, budget information, upgrade recommendations, and problem alerts.
- Creates and maintains a high performance environment characterized by positive leadership and a strong team orientation.
- Serves as a technology escalation point in support of implementation and operations issues and troubleshooting.
- Provides technical direction and guidance in support of other network operations staff.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Either: (a) Bachelor's degree plus six additional years of related experience or (b) ten years total of related experience required. Adheres to and exhibits our organizational core values as outlined by Penn State Health.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:
- Strong written & oral communication skills
- Strong project management skills
- Strong relationship management skills
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
We prefer an individual who has functioned in an architectural role with progressively higher level of responsibility and/or complexity in designing and implementing technical solutions that align with the requirements of this position.
WHY PENN STATE HEALTH?
Penn State Health offers exceptional opportunities to learn and grow, exposure to a wide patient population, and the ability to provide individualized, innovative, and specialized care to patients in the community.
Penn State Health offers an exceptional benefits package including medical, dental and vision with no waiting period as well as a Total Rewards Program that highlights a few of the many additional offerings below:
- Be Well with Employee Wellness Programs, and Fitness Discounts (University Fitness Center, Peloton).
- Be Balanced with Generous Paid Time Off, Personal Time, and Paid Parental Leave.
- Be Secured with Retirement, Extended Illness Bank, Life Insurance, and Identity Theft Protection.
- Be Rewarded with Competitive Pay, Tuition Reimbursement, and PAWS UP employee recognition program.
- Be Supported by the HR Solution Center, Learning and Organizational Development and Virtual Benefits Orientation, Employee Exclusive Concierge Service for scheduling.
WHY PENN STATE HEALTH CORPORATION?
There are many ways to make an impact with one of the leading research, teaching, and clinical healthcare systems in the country. Through a combination of operational, corporate, clinical, and nonclinical roles, we are advancing excellence and innovation in health care together as one team. As Penn State Health continues to evolve for the future, we are committed to hiring dedicated employees who are passionate about delivering the best possible support across our entire integrated health system.
Within Penn State Health’s Shared Services Entity, we encourage our employees at every turn to continue their education and advancement. Numerous opportunities are available for professional development and career growth.
YOU TAKE CARE OF THEM. WE’LL TAKE CARE OF YOU. State-of-the-art equipment, endless learning, and a culture of excellence – that’s Penn State Health. But what makes our healthcare award-winning? That’s all you.
This job posting is a general outline of duties performed and is not to be misconstrued as encompassing all duties performed within the position. Eligibility for shift differential pay based on the terms outlined in company policy or union contract. All individuals (including current employees) selected for a position will undergo a background check appropriate for the position's responsibilities.
Penn State Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected class including disability or veteran status. Penn State Health’s policies and objectives are in direct compliance with all federal and state constitutional provisions, laws, regulations, guidelines, and executive orders that prohibit or outlaw discrimination.
Union: Non Bargained
Penn State Health - Penn State Health Corporation
Location: US:PA: Hershey
Work Type: Full Time
FTE: 1.00
Shift: Day
Hours: Monday - Friday; 8:00a - 5:00p
SUMMARY OF POSITION:
Responsible to work with business and technical stakeholders in the design, delivery and integration of solutions that depend on network infrastructure. Provide the highest level of escalation and oversight in the delivery of relevant technical value. This is an expert-level resource with strong integration, technical, project, and communications skills.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Responsible for high-level network planning, design, and optimization.
- Develops strategies and direction for network systems solutions using current and emerging technologies (including wireless, data center, cloud architectures, application delivery, unified communications/VoIP, network management and monitoring systems, routing and switching, network access control systems and security architectures).
- Plans and recommends network hardware, systems management software and architecture.
- Evaluates and recommends new products, maintains knowledge of emerging technologies for application to the enterprise.
- Monitors and reports network performance, ensures capacity planning is performed, and is proactive in assessing and making recommendations for improvement.
- Supervises multiple projects from inception to completion. Organizes multiple project teams, vendors, consultants, and contractors.
- Interacts with upper levels of management and submits status reports, budget information, upgrade recommendations, and problem alerts.
- Creates and maintains a high performance environment characterized by positive leadership and a strong team orientation.
- Serves as a technology escalation point in support of implementation and operations issues and troubleshooting.
- Provides technical direction and guidance in support of other network operations staff.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Either: (a) Bachelor's degree plus six additional years of related experience or (b) ten years total of related experience required. Adheres to and exhibits our organizational core values as outlined by Penn State Health.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:
- Strong written & oral communication skills
- Strong project management skills
- Strong relationship management skills
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
We prefer an individual who has functioned in an architectural role with progressively higher level of responsibility and/or complexity in designing and implementing technical solutions that align with the requirements of this position.
WHY PENN STATE HEALTH?
Penn State Health offers exceptional opportunities to learn and grow, exposure to a wide patient population, and the ability to provide individualized, innovative, and specialized care to patients in the community.
Penn State Health offers an exceptional benefits package including medical, dental and vision with no waiting period as well as a Total Rewards Program that highlights a few of the many additional offerings below:
- Be Well with Employee Wellness Programs, and Fitness Discounts (University Fitness Center, Peloton).
- Be Balanced with Generous Paid Time Off, Personal Time, and Paid Parental Leave.
- Be Secured with Retirement, Extended Illness Bank, Life Insurance, and Identity Theft Protection.
- Be Rewarded with Competitive Pay, Tuition Reimbursement, and PAWS UP employee recognition program.
- Be Supported by the HR Solution Center, Learning and Organizational Development and Virtual Benefits Orientation, Employee Exclusive Concierge Service for scheduling.
WHY PENN STATE HEALTH CORPORATION?
There are many ways to make an impact with one of the leading research, teaching, and clinical healthcare systems in the country. Through a combination of operational, corporate, clinical, and nonclinical roles, we are advancing excellence and innovation in health care together as one team. As Penn State Health continues to evolve for the future, we are committed to hiring dedicated employees who are passionate about delivering the best possible support across our entire integrated health system.
Within Penn State Health’s Shared Services Entity, we encourage our employees at every turn to continue their education and advancement. Numerous opportunities are available for professional development and career growth.
YOU TAKE CARE OF THEM. WE’LL TAKE CARE OF YOU. State-of-the-art equipment, endless learning, and a culture of excellence – that’s Penn State Health. But what makes our healthcare award-winning? That’s all you.
This job posting is a general outline of duties performed and is not to be misconstrued as encompassing all duties performed within the position. Eligibility for shift differential pay based on the terms outlined in company policy or union contract. All individuals (including current employees) selected for a position will undergo a background check appropriate for the position's responsibilities.
Penn State Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected class including disability or veteran status. Penn State Health’s policies and objectives are in direct compliance with all federal and state constitutional provisions, laws, regulations, guidelines, and executive orders that prohibit or outlaw discrimination.
Union: Non Bargained
See all STEM OPT Network Architect Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization in Network Architect
Verify your CIP code before applying
Check that your degree's CIP code maps to an approved STEM designation. Network Architecture roles typically align with computer science, computer engineering, or information systems programs. Your DSO confirms the match on your updated I-20 before filing the STEM OPT extension.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Your employer must be actively enrolled in E-Verify, not just registered. Ask the recruiter or HR contact to confirm their E-Verify Company ID during the offer stage, before you sign anything. USCIS requires active enrollment, not just intent to enroll.
Target employers with active H-1B LCA filings
Network Architect roles require specialty occupation experience that maps well to H-1B visa sponsorship. Use Migrate Mate to find employers with verified DOL Labor Condition Application filing history in network engineering and architecture, so you're applying where sponsorship pathways already exist.
Build an I-983 training plan around Cisco or SASE projects
Your I-983 must tie learning objectives to your STEM degree, not just job duties. Frame training goals around specific technical competencies, like software-defined networking or zero-trust architecture, that connect directly to your computer science or engineering coursework.
Use OFLC Wage Search to benchmark your offer
The DOL sets prevailing wage tiers for Network Architect roles by geography and experience level. Pull the Level II or Level III wage for your metro using OFLC Wage Search before your offer negotiation so you can verify your compensation meets the regulatory floor.
Time your STEM OPT filing to avoid authorization gaps
File your STEM OPT extension with USCIS at least 90 days before your initial OPT EAD expires. A timely filing gives you a 180-day automatic extension of work authorization if USCIS hasn't adjudicated by your EAD end date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Network Architect role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, as long as your degree falls under an approved STEM CIP code and the role requires applying that STEM knowledge. Network Architect positions draw on computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or information systems degrees, all of which commonly appear on the STEM Designated Degree Program List. Your DSO verifies the CIP code match when updating your I-20 for the extension.
What E-Verify requirement applies to my employer for STEM OPT?
Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify before your STEM OPT extension begins. Enrollment at the time of hire isn't sufficient if it lapses. You can ask HR for the company's E-Verify Company ID to confirm active status. If your employer isn't enrolled, you can't use STEM OPT authorization at that job, regardless of the role.
What goes into the I-983 training plan for a Network Architect position?
The I-983 must identify specific learning objectives tied to your STEM degree, not just describe your job duties. For a Network Architect, that means articulating how your work in areas like network design, security architecture, or cloud infrastructure directly applies skills from your computer science or engineering program. Your employer's supervisor and your DSO both sign off on the plan before you submit.
How does cap-gap protection work if I get an H-1B petition filed while on STEM OPT?
If your employer files an H-1B petition on your behalf before your STEM OPT EAD expires and you're selected in the lottery, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year. You can continue working as a Network Architect during that period without interruption. USCIS does not issue a new EAD for cap-gap; your existing authorization continues by operation of law.
Where can I find Network Architect jobs at employers who already hire STEM OPT students?
Migrate Mate filters Network Architect roles by employers with verified E-Verify enrollment and DOL LCA filing history in network engineering occupations. That means you're not cold-applying to companies unfamiliar with STEM OPT requirements. You can also cross-reference the O*NET occupation profile for Network Architects to understand which degree fields and job zone classifications support your application.