STEM OPT Software Consultant Jobs

Software Consultant roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree falls under an eligible CIP code and your employer is enrolled in E-Verify. With 36 months of total OPT authorization, you have a realistic runway to build consulting experience and pursue H-1B visa sponsorship.

Find STEM OPT Software Consultant Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs46+
Work Type59% On-site
Top LocationAustin, TX
Most JobsCapgemini

Showing 5 of 46+ Software Consultant jobs

Suvoda
Software Design Consultant
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Suvoda
Added 2d ago
Software Design Consultant
Suvoda
Conshohocken, Pennsylvania
Consulting & Professional Services
Project & Program Management
Business Analysis
Project Management
On-Site
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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Cisco
Consulting Engineer
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Cisco
Added 1w ago
Consulting Engineer
Cisco
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
Consulting & Professional Services
Technical Product & Program Management
Solutions Engineering & Architecture
$103k - $174k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Oracle
Consulting Technical Manager
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Oracle
Added 2w ago
Consulting Technical Manager
Oracle
Austin, Texas
Consulting & Professional Services
Software Engineering
Business Analysis
Hybrid
Master's
10,000+

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HKA Global
Software Implementation Consultant
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HKA Global
Added 2w ago
Software Implementation Consultant
HKA Global
Roseville, California
Consulting & Professional Services
Project & Program Management
Business Analysis
Partnerships & Business Development
Project Management
$90k - $130k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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CDW
Consulting Engineer
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CDW
Added 2w ago
Consulting Engineer
CDW
Vernon Hills, Illinois
Consulting & Professional Services
Technical Product & Program Management
Project & Program Management
Technical Program Management
Project Management
$78k - $108k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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See all 46+ STEM OPT Software Consultant Jobs

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Tips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Software Consultant

Verify your CIP code before applying

Check that your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code maps to an approved STEM field in USCIS's STEM Designated Degree Program List. Computer science, information systems, and software engineering degrees typically qualify, but your DSO confirms the match.

Filter job postings by E-Verify enrollment status

STEM OPT is only valid with an E-Verify employer, so confirm enrollment before accepting any offer. Ask recruiters directly or search the E-Verify employer database to avoid offers that fall through at onboarding.

Benchmark consulting wages using OFLC Wage Search

Software Consultant roles span multiple SOC codes, which affects prevailing wage levels on the LCA your employer files. Run your target job title and location through the OFLC Wage Search to know what wage tier your role falls under before negotiating.

Start the I-983 training plan before your OPT end date

Your employer must sign a formal I-983 training plan outlining how the Software Consultant role connects to your STEM degree. Get this drafted and signed before your initial OPT expires so USCIS can process the extension without a gap in authorization.

Target consulting firms with active H-1B filing history

Use Migrate Mate to identify consulting employers who have sponsored H-1B petitions for roles matching your background. Filing history signals that the employer understands the sponsorship process and won't stall when your OPT runway shortens.

Understand specialty occupation framing for your specific role

Not every Software Consultant posting is written to satisfy USCIS's specialty occupation standard. Review the O*NET profile for your SOC code and confirm the job description requires a directly related bachelor's degree, not just a general technical background.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a Software Consultant role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?

It can, but two conditions must both be met. Your degree must appear on USCIS's STEM Designated Degree Program List under an approved CIP code, and the Software Consultant role must genuinely require that degree. Roles coded under Computer Systems Analysts or Software Developers in the SOC system typically satisfy the requirement, but your DSO reviews the specifics before authorizing the extension.

What E-Verify obligation does my employer have for STEM OPT?

Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify before you can start working on the STEM OPT extension. USCIS requires this enrollment as a condition of the program, and your DSO confirms it when authorizing your I-20 endorsement. If a company isn't enrolled, they must complete E-Verify enrollment before your extension start date or you can't legally begin. Browse STEM OPT-ready employers on Migrate Mate to find companies already meeting this requirement.

What does the I-983 training plan need to include for a Software Consultant role?

The I-983 must explain how the day-to-day work of your Software Consultant position directly relates to your STEM degree. That means naming specific technical competencies from the role, mapping them to coursework or degree objectives, and having both you and a company supervisor sign off. Vague descriptions like 'applies technical skills' won't satisfy the STEM OPT program's practical training requirement.

How does cap-gap protection apply if I'm on STEM OPT and selected in the H-1B lottery?

If your STEM OPT authorization is still valid when you're selected in the H-1B lottery and your employer files Form I-129 before the extension expires, cap-gap protection automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year. You don't file separately for cap-gap. Your EAD's cap-gap extension is confirmed through your updated I-20, which your DSO issues after USCIS receives the petition.

Can I work as a Software Consultant for a staffing firm or client-site placement on STEM OPT?

Yes, but the staffing firm itself must be your employer of record and enrolled in E-Verify, not the end client where you're placed. The I-983 training plan must reflect the work you actually perform at the client site, and the staffing firm's supervisor takes responsibility for signing and maintaining it. USCIS expects a direct employment relationship, so contract-to-hire arrangements require careful documentation.