STEM OPT Senior Staff Data Engineer Jobs
Senior Staff Data Engineer roles in distributed systems, data platform architecture, and ML infrastructure qualify for STEM OPT. Your STEM degree in computer science, data science, or a related field unlocks the 24-month extension, giving you up to 36 months total to work for any E-Verify-enrolled employer.
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INTRODUCTION
American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. seeks Senior Analysts, Data Science to review existing data systems designs based on analyzed data to help streamline data reporting processes.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Position requires a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Data Science, Data Analytics, Business Intelligence, Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or a related field, and 3 years of experience with analyzing customer data to identify trends and develop business strategies. Experience must include 1 year of experience with each of the following:
- developing data-driven strategic initiatives to enhance business performance
- analyzing complex financial datasets and performing data mining to identify commercial trends
- creating, maintaining, and optimizing business intelligence systems, dashboards, and reporting frameworks using MS Excel
- data visualization tools, including MS Excel and PowerBI
- process automation using Power Automate to streamline recurring analytics and reporting workflows
- preparing and maintaining technical documentation of data pipelines, methodologies, and analytical logic for auditability and knowledge sharing
- utilizing data analysis tools, including Google Big Query, Hive, MySQL Server, Numpy, Pandas, PySpark, Python, Spark, and SQL
Telecommuting is available up to 2 days per week.
LOCATION
Job Location: New York, NY
COMPENSATION
We back you with benefits that support your holistic well-being so you can be and deliver your best. This means caring for you and your loved ones' physical, financial, and mental health, as well as providing the flexibility you need to thrive personally and professionally:
- Competitive base salaries
- Bonus incentives
- 6% Company Match on retirement savings plan
- Free financial coaching and financial well-being support
- Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability benefits
- 20+ weeks paid parental leave for all parents, regardless of gender, offered for pregnancy, adoption or surrogacy
- Free access to global on-site wellness centers staffed with nurses and doctors (depending on location)
- Free and confidential counseling support through our Healthy Minds program
- Career development and training opportunities
For a full list of Team Amex benefits, visit our Colleague Benefits Site.
American Express is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status, age, or any other status protected by law. American Express will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest or conviction records, in accordance with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including, but not limited to, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. For positions covered by federal and/or state banking regulations, American Express will comply with such regulations as it relates to the consideration of applicants with criminal convictions.
US Job Seekers - Click to view the “Know Your Rights” poster. If the link does not work, you may access the poster by copying and pasting the following URL in a new browser window: https://www.eeoc.gov/poster
The below represents the expected salary range for this job requisition. Ultimately, in determining your pay, we’ll consider a number of job-related factors, including experience and location.
At American Express, our culture is built on a 175-year history of innovation, shared values and Leadership Behaviors, and an unwavering commitment to back our customers, communities, and colleagues. From delivering differentiated products to providing world-class customer service, we operate with a strong risk mindset, ensuring we continue to uphold our brand promise of trust, security, and service.
As part of Team Amex, you’ll experience our powerful backing with comprehensive support for your holistic well-being and many opportunities to learn new skills, develop as a leader, and grow your career. Here, your voice and ideas matter, your work makes an impact, and together, you will help us define the future of American Express.
See all 188+ STEM OPT Senior Staff Data Engineer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Senior Staff Data Engineer
Verify your CIP code before applying
Check that your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code maps to an approved STEM field on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Data engineering roles often require computer science or information systems CIP codes, and a mismatch can disqualify your extension request.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Ask the recruiter for the company's E-Verify company ID or have HR confirm active enrollment in writing. Not every employer knows their own status off the top of their head, and a company that isn't enrolled cannot legally employ you on STEM OPT.
Target companies with active data engineering LCA filings
Use Migrate Mate to filter employers by verified DOL Labor Condition Application filings for data engineering roles. This surfaces companies that have already navigated the STEM OPT and H-1B visa pipeline, not just companies that say they sponsor.
Negotiate your I-983 training plan before your start date
The I-983 must detail the specific technical skills, tools, and learning objectives tied to your Senior Staff Data Engineer responsibilities. Push for sign-off before day one so your DSO can update your SEVIS record without delaying your authorization.
Understand cap-gap if your H-1B is selected
If you're in your final OPT months when USCIS selects your H-1B registration, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of the fiscal year. You can keep working in your data engineering role without interruption if your employer files a timely petition.
Cross-reference wage levels using OFLC Wage Search
Senior Staff Data Engineer is a Level III or IV wage position in most metro areas. Run the OFLC Wage Search to confirm your offer aligns with the prevailing wage for your SOC code and location before signing, since underpayment can trigger compliance issues during H-1B filing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Senior Staff Data Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your underlying degree is in a DHS-designated STEM field such as computer science, electrical engineering, statistics, or information systems, and the role itself requires that technical foundation. Senior Staff Data Engineer positions typically involve distributed systems design, data pipeline architecture, or ML platform work, all of which align with STEM degree requirements. Confirm your degree's CIP code on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List before filing.
What E-Verify obligation does my employer have for STEM OPT?
Your employer must be actively enrolled in E-Verify before your STEM OPT extension begins, and they must run your employment verification through the system within three business days of your start date. E-Verify enrollment is a hard legal requirement under ICE SEVIS regulations, not optional. Ask your HR contact to confirm the company's E-Verify company ID in writing before accepting any offer.
What goes into an I-983 training plan for a Senior Staff Data Engineer?
The I-983 must document your specific learning objectives tied to the role, the technical skills and tools you'll develop such as Apache Spark, Kafka, or cloud data platform architecture, how those skills connect to your STEM degree, and how your employer will supervise and evaluate your progress. Vague job descriptions get rejected by DSOs. Work with your hiring manager to draft measurable goals before submitting the form.
How do I find Senior Staff Data Engineer employers who are enrolled in E-Verify?
Migrate Mate filters data engineering roles by verified E-Verify enrollment and active DOL Labor Condition Application filings, so you're only looking at employers who have already cleared the compliance bar. This saves you from applying broadly and discovering E-Verify gaps only after an offer, which is a common and frustrating outcome for STEM OPT students targeting senior-level engineering roles.
How does cap-gap affect me as a Senior Staff Data Engineer on STEM OPT?
If USCIS selects your H-1B registration during your STEM OPT period and your employer files your petition before your OPT expires, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30. You can continue working in your Senior Staff Data Engineer role without a gap in employment. USCIS requires a timely-filed petition for cap-gap to apply, so coordinate closely with your employer on the filing timeline.