STEM OPT Network Systems Administrator Jobs
Network Systems Administrator roles qualify for STEM OPT because they fall under computer and information science CIP codes recognized by ICE. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and your STEM degree unlocks a 24-month extension beyond your initial 12-month OPT, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization to build your U.S. career in network infrastructure.
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The Network Systems Administrator is responsible for supporting the design, implementation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of network infrastructure within the Cambrex environment. This role contributes to both local operational support and network-related projects across U.S. sites and, occasionally, global initiatives. The Network Systems Administrator works closely with internal IT teams, managed service providers, and vendors to ensure reliable, secure, and efficient network operations.
Responsibilities:
Network & Project Activities:
- Support the design, deployment, and enhancement of LAN/WAN infrastructure.
- Contribute to network-related projects across U.S. sites and occasionally global initiatives.
- Collaborate with global teams to standardize network architecture and best practices.
- Assist in implementing solutions related to routing & switching, network segmentation, and WAN/SD-WAN connectivity.
- Participate in planning and execution of infrastructure upgrades and migrations.
Operational Support:
- Provide support for network incidents and connectivity issues.
- Maintain and update network configurations and documentation.
- Work with vendors for troubleshooting and implementation support, especially for incidents and problems escalated from the MSP.
- Act as a local escalation point when required.
Infrastructure Support:
- Support core services such as Active Directory, DNS, and DHCP.
- Assist with general infrastructure tasks, including monitoring, patching, and basic system administration.
Cybersecurity & Compliance:
- Support the implementation and maintenance of network security controls, including firewalls, VPNs, and network access controls.
- Monitor network infrastructure for security threats, vulnerabilities, and suspicious activity, escalating issues as appropriate.
- Assist in vulnerability remediation efforts, including patch deployment and configuration reviews.
- Support cybersecurity incident response activities in coordination with internal IT teams, MSPs, and security vendors.
- Assist with identity and access management activities, including Active Directory administration and Group Policy management.
- Maintain secure network configurations and ensure infrastructure changes follow established cybersecurity and change management standards.
- Support disaster recovery and business continuity initiatives related to network and infrastructure systems.
Qualifications / Skills:
Technical Skills:
- Strong knowledge of TCP/IP networking, VLANs, routing, and switching.
- Experience with enterprise networking technologies (Cisco or equivalent).
- Familiarity with network troubleshooting tools and methodologies.
- Experience with wireless networking technologies.
- Experience with SD-WAN solutions is a plus.
- Basic knowledge of Windows Server and VMware virtualization.
- Experience with documentation (Knowledge Article development/upkeep).
- Familiar with ITSM tools and experience with incident, problem, and change management procedures.
- Domain Services experience including DNS, DHCP, Group Policy Management, and Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC).
- Experience in Azure, particularly hybrid environments, is a plus.
- Understanding of network security principles, including firewalls, VPNs, network segmentation, and secure network design.
- Familiarity with automation tools such as PowerShell, Power Automate, and Power BI is a plus.
Certifications (Preferred):
- CCNA (strongly preferred)
- CompTIA Security+ (preferred)
- Microsoft certifications are a plus.
- VMware certifications are a plus.
Key Competencies:
- Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills.
- Ability to balance operational support with project-related work.
- Effective communication skills in a global environment.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating with distributed teams.
- Strong organizational and documentation skills.
- Commitment to cybersecurity best practices and continuous improvement.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field (or equivalent experience).
- 3–5 years of hands-on experience in network administration.
Overview:
The Network Systems Administrator is responsible for supporting the design, implementation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of network infrastructure within the Cambrex environment. This role contributes to both local operational support and network-related projects across U.S. sites and, occasionally, global initiatives. The Network Systems Administrator works closely with internal IT teams, managed service providers, and vendors to ensure reliable, secure, and efficient network operations.
Responsibilities:
Network & Project Activities:
- Support the design, deployment, and enhancement of LAN/WAN infrastructure.
- Contribute to network-related projects across U.S. sites and occasionally global initiatives.
- Collaborate with global teams to standardize network architecture and best practices.
- Assist in implementing solutions related to routing & switching, network segmentation, and WAN/SD-WAN connectivity.
- Participate in planning and execution of infrastructure upgrades and migrations.
Operational Support:
- Provide support for network incidents and connectivity issues.
- Maintain and update network configurations and documentation.
- Work with vendors for troubleshooting and implementation support, especially for incidents and problems escalated from the MSP.
- Act as a local escalation point when required.
Infrastructure Support:
- Support core services such as Active Directory, DNS, and DHCP.
- Assist with general infrastructure tasks, including monitoring, patching, and basic system administration.
Cybersecurity & Compliance:
- Support the implementation and maintenance of network security controls, including firewalls, VPNs, and network access controls.
- Monitor network infrastructure for security threats, vulnerabilities, and suspicious activity, escalating issues as appropriate.
- Assist in vulnerability remediation efforts, including patch deployment and configuration reviews.
- Support cybersecurity incident response activities in coordination with internal IT teams, MSPs, and security vendors.
- Assist with identity and access management activities, including Active Directory administration and Group Policy management.
- Maintain secure network configurations and ensure infrastructure changes follow established cybersecurity and change management standards.
- Support disaster recovery and business continuity initiatives related to network and infrastructure systems.
Qualifications / Skills:
Technical Skills:
- Strong knowledge of TCP/IP networking, VLANs, routing, and switching.
- Experience with enterprise networking technologies (Cisco or equivalent).
- Familiarity with network troubleshooting tools and methodologies.
- Experience with wireless networking technologies.
- Experience with SD-WAN solutions is a plus.
- Basic knowledge of Windows Server and VMware virtualization.
- Experience with documentation (Knowledge Article development/upkeep).
- Familiar with ITSM tools and experience with incident, problem, and change management procedures.
- Domain Services experience including DNS, DHCP, Group Policy Management, and Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC).
- Experience in Azure, particularly hybrid environments, is a plus.
- Understanding of network security principles, including firewalls, VPNs, network segmentation, and secure network design.
- Familiarity with automation tools such as PowerShell, Power Automate, and Power BI is a plus.
Certifications (Preferred):
- CCNA (strongly preferred)
- CompTIA Security+ (preferred)
- Microsoft certifications are a plus.
- VMware certifications are a plus.
Key Competencies:
- Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills.
- Ability to balance operational support with project-related work.
- Effective communication skills in a global environment.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating with distributed teams.
- Strong organizational and documentation skills.
- Commitment to cybersecurity best practices and continuous improvement.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field (or equivalent experience).
- 3–5 years of hands-on experience in network administration.
See all STEM OPT Network Systems Administrator Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Network Systems Administrator
Verify your CIP code before applying
Check that your degree's CIP code appears on the STEM OPT designated degree list maintained by ICE. Computer engineering, information science, and computer and information systems security codes all qualify. Confirm with your DSO before targeting roles.
Check E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Any employer hiring you on STEM OPT must be actively enrolled in E-Verify, not just registered. Search the E-Verify employer search tool directly to confirm enrollment status before you invest time in interviews or negotiate an offer.
Target employers with active government contracts
Federal contractors are required by law to use E-Verify for all new hires, making them structurally reliable STEM OPT employers. Network administration roles in defense IT, federal systems integrators, and managed service providers serving government agencies carry this built-in compliance.
Draft your I-983 training plan around specific network competencies
Your I-983 must list concrete learning objectives tied to your job duties, not generic language. For network systems roles, map objectives to skills like routing protocol configuration, network security monitoring, and infrastructure automation so USCIS reviewers can verify alignment with your STEM degree.
Use Migrate Mate to filter roles by E-Verify status
Searching broadly wastes time on employers who can't legally hire STEM OPT students. Migrate Mate filters Network Systems Administrator openings by verified E-Verify enrollment, so every application you send goes to an employer already set up to bring you on.
Negotiate your start date around DSO processing time
Your DSO must update your SEVIS record and issue a new I-20 before your STEM OPT extension becomes valid. That processing takes time, so align your offer letter start date with that window rather than accepting a date that leaves you in a gap.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Network Systems Administrator role qualify for STEM OPT?
Yes, if your employer classifies the role under a qualifying SOC code and your degree carries a CIP code on ICE's STEM OPT designated degree list. Degrees in computer engineering, information systems, computer science, and network and system administration typically qualify. Confirm the CIP code with your DSO and verify the job description reflects technical duties consistent with your field of study.
Does my employer need to be enrolled in E-Verify for STEM OPT?
Yes. E-Verify enrollment is a strict legal requirement for any employer hiring a STEM OPT student. Enrollment in E-Verify is not the same as being registered or having used it in the past. Confirm active enrollment through the E-Verify employer search before accepting an offer. Without it, you cannot lawfully work under the STEM OPT extension regardless of how the job is structured.
What goes into an I-983 training plan for a network systems role?
The I-983 must document specific learning objectives that connect your day-to-day duties to your STEM degree. For a Network Systems Administrator, that means listing concrete skills like firewall management, VPN configuration, network performance analysis, or cloud infrastructure deployment alongside the degree competencies they reinforce. Vague objectives like 'gain technical experience' are insufficient. Both you and your employer must sign the form, and your DSO reviews it before approving the extension.
What happens to my STEM OPT if my employer loses E-Verify enrollment?
If your employer's E-Verify enrollment lapses or is terminated after your STEM OPT begins, your authorization to work for that employer is no longer valid. USCIS requires continuous E-Verify enrollment throughout your entire STEM OPT period. You would need to find a new E-Verify-enrolled employer and update your SEVIS record through your DSO. Do not continue working for an employer that is no longer enrolled.
How do I find Network Systems Administrator jobs that accept STEM OPT?
Migrate Mate lists Network Systems Administrator openings filtered by employers who are enrolled in E-Verify and have a history of hiring international candidates. That filtering matters because it removes the step of having to verify eligibility manually for each application. Search Migrate Mate directly to see current openings matched to STEM OPT requirements.