STEM OPT Senior Systems Administrator Jobs
Senior Systems Administrator roles qualify for STEM OPT when your degree is in computer science, information technology, or a related CIP-coded field. The 24-month STEM OPT extension gives you up to 36 months total to work for an E-Verify-enrolled employer while building the infrastructure experience that supports long-term sponsorship.
Find STEM OPT Senior Systems Administrator JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 385+ Senior Systems Administrator jobs
See all 385+ Senior Systems Administrator Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Senior Systems Administrator roles.
Get Access To All JobsJob Summary
Provides advanced Linux/Unix systems administration in a 24×7 NOC environment. Handles Level 2 escalations, performs deep troubleshooting, executes system maintenance, and ensures reliability of Linux/Unix-based infrastructure across multiple locations.
Key Responsibilities
- Linux/Unix Systems Administration — Administers Linux/Unix development, test, and production servers including reloading, re-imaging, patching, configuration, and shell-level maintenance.
- Advanced Troubleshooting — Diagnoses and resolves complex Linux/Unix OS, service, and connectivity issues.
- Monitoring & Proactive Response — Performs daily monitoring of Linux/Unix systems, services, and performance; initiates proactive remediation.
- Software Management — Installs, removes, and upgrades Linux/Unix packages using native package managers (yum, apt, rpm, etc.).
- Incident Remediation — Owns Level 2 Linux/Unix-related tickets through resolution, including root cause analysis.
- Operational Reporting — Provides system evaluation reports and contributes to operational recommendations for Linux/Unix environments.
- Documentation & Compliance — Updates system records, ensures licensing compliance, and maintains accurate configuration data for Linux/Unix assets.
- Knowledge Transfer — Creates runbooks and how-to guides; trains Level 1 analysts on Linux/Unix procedures.
- Automation & AI Enablement — Utilizes automation, scripting, and AI-assisted tools to improve operational efficiency, streamline administrative tasks, and support incident resolution.
You will be successful in this role if you have:
- BA/BS degree and 2–4 years of relevant experience OR equivalent combination.
- Experience supporting enterprise Linux/Unix operating systems, including commonly used distributions such as Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), Ubuntu, SUSE Linux, or equivalent are preferred.
- Experience with Linux/Unix automation and scripting tools (e.g., Bash, Python, Ansible, or similar) are preferred.
- Familiarity with AI-assisted tools and technologies used for system administration, troubleshooting, and operational support are preferred.
- Relevant certifications such as CompTIA Linux+, RHCSA, or equivalent certifications are preferred.
- Ability to support 24×7 operations and rotating shifts.
- U.S. Citizenship and U.S. residency required. May also hold Windows credentials if permitted.
This role may require access to export-controlled commodities and technology. Therefore, to conform to U.S. export control regulations, applicant should be eligible for any required authorizations from the U.S. Government.
Unisys is proud to be an equal opportunity employer that considers all qualified applicants without regard to age, caste, citizenship, color, disability, family medical history, family status, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, parental status, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, veteran status or any other category protected by law.
This commitment includes our efforts to provide for all those who seek to express interest in employment the opportunity to participate without barriers. If you are a US job seeker unable to review the job opportunities herein, or cannot otherwise complete your expression of interest, without additional assistance and would like to discuss a request for reasonable accommodation, please contact our Global Recruiting organization at GlobalRecruiting@unisys.com or alternatively Toll Free: 888-560-1782 (Prompt 4). US job seekers can find more information about Unisys’ EEO commitment here.
Job Summary
Provides advanced Linux/Unix systems administration in a 24×7 NOC environment. Handles Level 2 escalations, performs deep troubleshooting, executes system maintenance, and ensures reliability of Linux/Unix-based infrastructure across multiple locations.
Key Responsibilities
- Linux/Unix Systems Administration — Administers Linux/Unix development, test, and production servers including reloading, re-imaging, patching, configuration, and shell-level maintenance.
- Advanced Troubleshooting — Diagnoses and resolves complex Linux/Unix OS, service, and connectivity issues.
- Monitoring & Proactive Response — Performs daily monitoring of Linux/Unix systems, services, and performance; initiates proactive remediation.
- Software Management — Installs, removes, and upgrades Linux/Unix packages using native package managers (yum, apt, rpm, etc.).
- Incident Remediation — Owns Level 2 Linux/Unix-related tickets through resolution, including root cause analysis.
- Operational Reporting — Provides system evaluation reports and contributes to operational recommendations for Linux/Unix environments.
- Documentation & Compliance — Updates system records, ensures licensing compliance, and maintains accurate configuration data for Linux/Unix assets.
- Knowledge Transfer — Creates runbooks and how-to guides; trains Level 1 analysts on Linux/Unix procedures.
- Automation & AI Enablement — Utilizes automation, scripting, and AI-assisted tools to improve operational efficiency, streamline administrative tasks, and support incident resolution.
You will be successful in this role if you have:
- BA/BS degree and 2–4 years of relevant experience OR equivalent combination.
- Experience supporting enterprise Linux/Unix operating systems, including commonly used distributions such as Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), Ubuntu, SUSE Linux, or equivalent are preferred.
- Experience with Linux/Unix automation and scripting tools (e.g., Bash, Python, Ansible, or similar) are preferred.
- Familiarity with AI-assisted tools and technologies used for system administration, troubleshooting, and operational support are preferred.
- Relevant certifications such as CompTIA Linux+, RHCSA, or equivalent certifications are preferred.
- Ability to support 24×7 operations and rotating shifts.
- U.S. Citizenship and U.S. residency required. May also hold Windows credentials if permitted.
This role may require access to export-controlled commodities and technology. Therefore, to conform to U.S. export control regulations, applicant should be eligible for any required authorizations from the U.S. Government.
Unisys is proud to be an equal opportunity employer that considers all qualified applicants without regard to age, caste, citizenship, color, disability, family medical history, family status, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, parental status, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, veteran status or any other category protected by law.
This commitment includes our efforts to provide for all those who seek to express interest in employment the opportunity to participate without barriers. If you are a US job seeker unable to review the job opportunities herein, or cannot otherwise complete your expression of interest, without additional assistance and would like to discuss a request for reasonable accommodation, please contact our Global Recruiting organization at GlobalRecruiting@unisys.com or alternatively Toll Free: 888-560-1782 (Prompt 4). US job seekers can find more information about Unisys’ EEO commitment here.
See all 385+ STEM OPT Senior Systems Administrator Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Senior Systems Administrator Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Senior Systems Administrator
Verify your CIP code before applying
Cross-check your degree's CIP code against the official STEM OPT designated degree list at USCIS before targeting roles. Computer science, information systems, and network engineering codes qualify, but a mismatch can invalidate your extension eligibility entirely.
Filter job postings for E-Verify enrollment
Run prospective employers through the E-Verify employer search tool before investing time in an application. Systems administrator roles at many staffing agencies and smaller managed service providers look appealing but fall outside the E-Verify requirement, disqualifying them for STEM OPT.
Target infrastructure-heavy employers with H-1B history
Use Migrate Mate to identify employers with active STEM OPT hiring and H-1B visa filing history for systems administrator roles. Companies that have filed for this SOC code before understand the training plan requirement and won't stall on I-983 paperwork.
Map your I-983 training goals to real infrastructure projects
Draft your I-983 training plan around concrete deliverables: server migrations, Active Directory deployments, or cloud infrastructure buildouts. Vague goals like 'gain systems experience' trigger DSO rejections. Tie each learning objective to a specific project your employer is already running.
Negotiate your offer letter to reflect STEM OPT terms
Ask for explicit confirmation that your employment agreement acknowledges E-Verify participation and STEM OPT reporting obligations before signing. Some employers agree verbally but haven't updated their onboarding process, which creates compliance problems at the 6-month and 12-month self-evaluation checkpoints.
Check prevailing wage before discussing compensation
Look up the wage level for your target metro area using the OFLC Wage Search before salary conversations. The DOL prevailing wage for Senior Systems Administrators varies significantly by region and level, and knowing the floor protects you from offers that undercut what future H-1B sponsorship would legally require.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Senior Systems Administrator role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your underlying degree carries an eligible CIP code, such as computer science, information systems, computer engineering, or a closely related STEM field. The role itself must also involve the direct application of that STEM knowledge. Confirm your CIP code against the STEM Designated Degree Program List published by USCIS before filing your STEM OPT extension application with your DSO.
What does the I-983 training plan require for a systems administrator position?
Your I-983 must describe how the role applies your STEM degree, list specific learning objectives tied to infrastructure or systems work, and include your employer's signature. For a Senior Systems Administrator, that means documenting hands-on projects like network architecture, server administration, or security operations, not generic job duties. Your employer must also submit 6-month and 12-month evaluations confirming your progress against those stated goals.
How do I confirm my employer is enrolled in E-Verify?
Use the E-Verify employer search tool maintained by the Department of Homeland Security to look up the company by name or location before accepting an offer. Enrollment status is public. Note that some large employers operate multiple E-Verify accounts by subsidiary or location, so confirm the specific hiring entity, not just the parent company, is enrolled and active at the time you begin work.
Does cap-gap protection apply if my employer files for H-1B while I'm on STEM OPT?
Yes. If your STEM OPT authorization expires between April 1 and October 1 and your employer has filed a timely H-1B cap-subject petition, cap-gap automatically extends your EAD and F-1 status until October 1 of that fiscal year. You can continue working as a Senior Systems Administrator without interruption during that window, provided the petition remains pending or approved and your employer maintains E-Verify enrollment throughout.
Where can I find Senior Systems Administrator jobs at employers who hire STEM OPT students?
Migrate Mate filters Senior Systems Administrator listings by employers with E-Verify enrollment and prior STEM OPT and H-1B filing activity, so you're not wasting applications on companies unfamiliar with the training plan process. This is particularly useful for this role because many systems administrator openings come through staffing firms or smaller IT shops that aren't E-Verify enrolled and can't legally employ STEM OPT workers.