STEM OPT Network Operations Engineer Jobs
Network Operations Engineer roles in IT infrastructure, network monitoring, and systems reliability qualify for STEM OPT work authorization. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and your STEM degree unlocks a 24-month extension beyond initial OPT, giving you up to 36 months to build U.S. work experience in this field.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Thank you for your interest in employment with Southeastern Louisiana University.
Southeastern Louisiana University's Office of Technology is seeking a skilled and motivated Network Administrator to join our team. This role offers the opportunity to work across a wide range of advanced systems critical to the daily operations of the University. In collaboration with the network administration team, the Network Administrator helps maintain, monitor, and troubleshoot a variety of complex technologies including VMware, Linux environments, wireless infrastructure, VoIP systems, and core network components like switches, routers, and firewalls. The position plays a key role in ensuring the performance, reliability, and security of our IT systems. Strong troubleshooting abilities, critical thinking, and a hands-on approach are essential in this dynamic and fast-paced environment.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university by hire date
- Genuine commitment to fostering and working in a diverse environment
- Valid Louisiana driver’s license and ability to complete Southeastern’s Driver Safety Course
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Hands-on experience and a passion for IT infrastructure
- Experience managing servers, networks, and data center environments
- 2 years of relevant IT experience
- Familiarity with core networking technologies: switching, routing, VLANs, and firewalls
- Understanding of foundational internet protocols such as HTTP, TLS/SSL, LDAP, DHCP, DNS, and TCP/IP
- Solid knowledge of cybersecurity principles and common threats
- Basic experience with Windows and Linux server operating systems
- Practical scripting skills in PowerShell, Python, or Bash
- Industry certifications such as CompTIA Network+ or Security+
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
- Cover Letter
- Resume/Vita
- Copies of Transcripts (official transcripts will be required if hired)
- Names and contact information for 3 references
Posting Close Date
August 17, 2026
Please Note: Applications must be completed and submitted by 11:59 p.m. on the posting close date to ensure consideration.
Southeastern Louisiana University is committed to fostering an environment of inclusion, respect and appreciation of differences in individuals. Southeastern is also designated as a State as a Model Employer (SAME) agency and provides assistance to persons needing accommodations or with the accessibility of materials.
How to Apply:
Complete an electronic application which can be used for this vacancy as well as future vacancies. Any required documents should be attached under the Resume/CV section of your application. If all required documents are not attached you will NOT be considered.
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for your interest in employment with Southeastern Louisiana University.
Southeastern Louisiana University's Office of Technology is seeking a skilled and motivated Network Administrator to join our team. This role offers the opportunity to work across a wide range of advanced systems critical to the daily operations of the University. In collaboration with the network administration team, the Network Administrator helps maintain, monitor, and troubleshoot a variety of complex technologies including VMware, Linux environments, wireless infrastructure, VoIP systems, and core network components like switches, routers, and firewalls. The position plays a key role in ensuring the performance, reliability, and security of our IT systems. Strong troubleshooting abilities, critical thinking, and a hands-on approach are essential in this dynamic and fast-paced environment.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university by hire date
- Genuine commitment to fostering and working in a diverse environment
- Valid Louisiana driver’s license and ability to complete Southeastern’s Driver Safety Course
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Hands-on experience and a passion for IT infrastructure
- Experience managing servers, networks, and data center environments
- 2 years of relevant IT experience
- Familiarity with core networking technologies: switching, routing, VLANs, and firewalls
- Understanding of foundational internet protocols such as HTTP, TLS/SSL, LDAP, DHCP, DNS, and TCP/IP
- Solid knowledge of cybersecurity principles and common threats
- Basic experience with Windows and Linux server operating systems
- Practical scripting skills in PowerShell, Python, or Bash
- Industry certifications such as CompTIA Network+ or Security+
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
- Cover Letter
- Resume/Vita
- Copies of Transcripts (official transcripts will be required if hired)
- Names and contact information for 3 references
Posting Close Date
August 17, 2026
Please Note: Applications must be completed and submitted by 11:59 p.m. on the posting close date to ensure consideration.
Southeastern Louisiana University is committed to fostering an environment of inclusion, respect and appreciation of differences in individuals. Southeastern is also designated as a State as a Model Employer (SAME) agency and provides assistance to persons needing accommodations or with the accessibility of materials.
How to Apply:
Complete an electronic application which can be used for this vacancy as well as future vacancies. Any required documents should be attached under the Resume/CV section of your application. If all required documents are not attached you will NOT be considered.
See all 172+ STEM OPT Network Operations Engineer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Network Operations Engineer
Verify your CIP code qualifies
Check that your degree's CIP code appears on the STEM Designated Degree Program List published by USCIS. Computer science, electrical engineering, and information technology CIP codes typically qualify, but some interdisciplinary programs require your DSO to confirm eligibility before you apply.
Filter employers by E-Verify status
STEM OPT employers must be enrolled in E-Verify before your training plan is filed. Ask hiring managers directly or have your recruiter confirm active enrollment. An employer who isn't yet enrolled can still hire you, but enrollment must be completed before your I-983 is submitted to your DSO.
Target network engineering teams at E-Verify-heavy industries
Federal contractors, defense primes, and healthcare systems are required by law or regulation to use E-Verify, making them structurally more likely to already be enrolled. Prioritize job applications at these employers to reduce friction during the STEM OPT authorization process.
Build your I-983 training plan around NOC responsibilities
Your I-983 must connect your daily NOC duties, such as incident response, routing protocol management, and network performance monitoring, directly to your STEM degree coursework. Generic training plan language gets flagged by DSOs. Map each job function to a specific academic skill from your transcript.
Use Migrate Mate to find STEM OPT network engineering jobs
Search Network Operations Engineer roles on Migrate Mate, which filters listings to employers with verified E-Verify enrollment so you're not wasting applications on companies that can't legally onboard a STEM OPT student without additional steps.
Negotiate your start date around OPT cap-gap timing
If your initial OPT expires while an H-1B visa petition is pending, your work authorization continues under cap-gap rules. Communicate this timeline to hiring managers early so your Network Operations Engineer role can begin or continue without a gap that triggers I-9 re-verification complications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my STEM degree qualify me for the 24-month STEM OPT extension as a Network Operations Engineer?
Your degree qualifies if its CIP code appears on the USCIS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Degrees in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, and information systems commonly qualify. If your degree is in a field like business information systems or applied technology, confirm the CIP code with your DSO before accepting a Network Operations Engineer offer, since eligibility depends on the specific program classification, not the job title.
Does my employer need to be enrolled in E-Verify before I can start as a Network Operations Engineer on STEM OPT?
Yes. E-Verify enrollment is a legal requirement for any employer hiring a STEM OPT student. The enrollment must be active before your I-983 training plan is submitted to your DSO. If the employer isn't yet enrolled, they can complete E-Verify registration before your start date. Use Migrate Mate to browse Network Operations Engineer roles at employers already verified for STEM OPT hiring.
What should my I-983 training plan include for a Network Operations Engineer role?
The I-983 must describe how your daily responsibilities connect to your STEM degree. For a Network Operations Engineer, this means mapping tasks like network monitoring, incident escalation, BGP or OSPF configuration, and infrastructure troubleshooting to specific skills from your degree curriculum. Generic descriptions don't satisfy DSO or USCIS review. Your employer's direct supervisor or HR team must sign the plan and confirm the training activities are real and ongoing.
Can I work as a Network Operations Engineer during the cap-gap period if my H-1B petition is pending?
Yes, if your STEM OPT EAD expires while a timely filed H-1B petition is pending, cap-gap rules automatically extend your work authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year. Your employer doesn't need to refile any work authorization documents, but you should carry your EAD, your H-1B receipt notice, and your I-20 reflecting the cap-gap extension whenever you travel or present employment verification.
How do I find Network Operations Engineer employers who sponsor STEM OPT students?
Sponsoring STEM OPT students requires E-Verify enrollment, a willingness to file the I-983 training plan, and semi-annual evaluations. Not every employer advertising network engineering roles has done this before. You can cross-reference DOL LCA filing history to see which employers have previously sponsored work visas, which signals familiarity with the authorization process. Migrate Mate surfaces Network Operations Engineer listings from employers already set up for STEM OPT hiring.