STEM OPT Senior IT Engineer Jobs
Senior IT Engineer roles in systems architecture, network infrastructure, and cloud operations qualify for STEM OPT's 24-month extension when your degree is in computer science, information technology, or a related STEM field. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and you'll train under a signed I-983 plan tied to your engineering responsibilities.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Barnard Construction Company, Inc., based in Bozeman, Montana, is a growing heavy-civil construction company with projects underway across the U.S. and Canada. Barnard is ranked by Engineering News-Record as one of the nation’s Top 400 contractors. At Barnard, we build complex projects and specialize in dam construction & rehabilitation, power transmission & distribution, tunneling, oil & gas pipelines and water & sewer pipeline projects. We are seeking a highly motivated IT Technician who is a problem solver, detail-oriented, flexible and able to focus on multiple tasks. We offer competitive salaries, profit sharing/401(k) retirement, a generous family health plan, annual bonuses, and challenging career opportunities with a financially solid company.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelors or Associates degree in Computer/Information Science, Computer Engineering or a related degree field. Equivalent experience in an IT related position will also be considered.
- Positive attitude.
- Experience working directly with customers and/or end users.
- Computer troubleshooting experience.
- Ethernet and phone cable wiring and troubleshooting.
- Proficiency with drive imaging technologies, such as SCCM and Microsoft WDS.
Responsibilities
- Provide help desk support to our organization
- Design and implement temporary office networks and phone systems
- Create “gold” images for use in our deployment of employee computers
- Create/delete/manage ActiveDirectory and email accounts
- Help steer the technologies used by the organization
Equal Opportunity Employer Veterans/Disabled, E-Verify Employer
INTRODUCTION
Barnard Construction Company, Inc., based in Bozeman, Montana, is a growing heavy-civil construction company with projects underway across the U.S. and Canada. Barnard is ranked by Engineering News-Record as one of the nation’s Top 400 contractors. At Barnard, we build complex projects and specialize in dam construction & rehabilitation, power transmission & distribution, tunneling, oil & gas pipelines and water & sewer pipeline projects. We are seeking a highly motivated IT Technician who is a problem solver, detail-oriented, flexible and able to focus on multiple tasks. We offer competitive salaries, profit sharing/401(k) retirement, a generous family health plan, annual bonuses, and challenging career opportunities with a financially solid company.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelors or Associates degree in Computer/Information Science, Computer Engineering or a related degree field. Equivalent experience in an IT related position will also be considered.
- Positive attitude.
- Experience working directly with customers and/or end users.
- Computer troubleshooting experience.
- Ethernet and phone cable wiring and troubleshooting.
- Proficiency with drive imaging technologies, such as SCCM and Microsoft WDS.
Responsibilities
- Provide help desk support to our organization
- Design and implement temporary office networks and phone systems
- Create “gold” images for use in our deployment of employee computers
- Create/delete/manage ActiveDirectory and email accounts
- Help steer the technologies used by the organization
Equal Opportunity Employer Veterans/Disabled, E-Verify Employer
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Senior IT Engineer
Verify your CIP code before applying
Not every IT degree automatically qualifies for the 24-month extension. Check your degree's CIP code against ICE's STEM Designated Degree Program List before targeting roles, so you don't accept an offer on a timeline your authorization can't support.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before interviewing
Ask your recruiter whether the company is enrolled in E-Verify before your first interview, not after an offer. Small IT consulting firms and boutique MSPs frequently skip enrollment, which disqualifies them as STEM OPT employers regardless of role fit.
Align your I-983 training plan to engineering deliverables
Your I-983 must map your daily Senior IT Engineer responsibilities, such as infrastructure design, incident management, or cloud migration, to specific learning objectives. Vague plans that list generic IT tasks get flagged by DSOs and can delay your extension start date.
Target employers with active H-1B filing history
Companies that file H-1B visa petitions for IT engineers are structurally set up to sponsor OPT workers through the transition. Use Migrate Mate to filter Senior IT Engineer roles by employers with verified STEM OPT and H-1B visa filing records, cutting your research time significantly.
Use OFLC Wage Search to benchmark your offer
Senior IT Engineer prevailing wages vary by SOC code and metro area. Pull the Level III or Level IV wage from the OFLC Wage Search for your exact location before negotiating, so you can identify whether an offer meets the threshold your future H-1B petition will require.
File your OPT extension 90 days before expiration
USCIS requires your STEM OPT extension application to reach them no later than 90 days before your current EAD expires. Missing that window means a gap in authorization, which can force you to stop working even if your employer is fully compliant and your I-983 is already signed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Senior IT Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your employer is enrolled in E-Verify and your degree falls under a STEM-designated CIP code such as computer science, information systems, or electrical engineering. The role itself must also provide practical training directly related to your degree field. Confirm the CIP code on ICE's STEM Designated Degree Program List before accepting an offer, since some IT-adjacent degrees don't qualify.
What should my I-983 training plan include for a Senior IT Engineer position?
Your I-983 must describe how the specific duties of the Senior IT Engineer role, such as network architecture, systems reliability engineering, or cloud infrastructure management, connect to the STEM skills from your degree. Generic job descriptions don't satisfy the requirement. Both you and your supervisor must sign the plan, and your DSO must receive it before USCIS can approve your extension.
How do I find Senior IT Engineer employers who are enrolled in E-Verify?
You can search for Senior IT Engineer openings on Migrate Mate, which filters roles by employers with verified E-Verify enrollment and STEM OPT hiring history. You can also ask recruiters directly or check with the Department of Homeland Security's E-Verify employer search tool to confirm enrollment status before committing time to an application process.
What happens to my STEM OPT authorization if my H-1B petition is filed but not yet approved?
If your employer files an H-1B petition before your EAD expires, cap-gap protection extends your STEM OPT authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year, or until your H-1B is approved or denied. You can continue working for the same E-Verify-enrolled employer during that period without interruption. USCIS guidance covers the exact conditions that trigger and maintain cap-gap status.
Can I switch Senior IT Engineer employers while on STEM OPT?
Yes, but you must update your I-983 with the new employer before starting work, and the new employer must be enrolled in E-Verify. Your DSO needs to process a new training plan in SEVIS, and you must report the employer change within ten days. Working for a non-E-Verify employer, even briefly, violates your STEM OPT terms and can jeopardize your status.