STEM OPT Technical Support Engineer Jobs
Technical Support Engineer roles qualify for STEM OPT when your degree is in computer science, information technology, or a related CIP-coded field. The 24-month extension gives you up to 36 months total to build U.S. work experience, provided your employer is enrolled in E-Verify and signs your I-983 training plan.
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INTRODUCTION
In this role, he/she will maintain the computer desktop environment by analyzing requirements, resolving problems, installing hardware and software solutions, and supporting the internal IT work order system. He/she will be responsible for the administration and internal support of the Company's PCs, laptops, mobile devices, printers, servers, and related IT equipment. Tasks include end-user support, license tracking, and performing PC maintenance, upgrades, and configurations.
Responsibilities:
- Provide work order system support and resolve problems to the end user's satisfaction.
- Monitor and respond quickly and effectively to requests received through the IT work order system.
- Monitor the Service Desk for tickets assigned to the queue and process them first in and first out based on priority.
- Modify configurations, utilities, software default settings, etc., for the local workstation.
- Utilize and maintain the work order system tracking software.
- Document internal procedures.
- Assist with onboarding of new users.
- Ensure each workstation assigned has a computer, monitor, keyboard, mouse, hard drive, and any additional specialized equipment.
- Install, test, and configure new workstations, peripheral equipment, and software following internal procedures.
- Maintained inventory of all equipment, software, and licenses using the internal inventory system.
- If an issue cannot be resolved in 5 minutes or less, report it to the work order system for escalation.
- Manage PC setup and deployment for new employees using standard hardware, images, and software.
- Assign users and computers to proper groups in Active Directory.
- Perform timely workstation hardware and software upgrades as required.
- Provide technical assistance and support for incoming work orders and computer systems, software, and hardware issues.
- Respond to work orders electronically, in person, or over the phone.
- Draft training manuals and procedures.
- Coach computer users on basic Windows setup.
- Maintain daily performance of computer systems.
- Respond to email messages for customers/users seeking guidance.
- Inquire to determine the nature of issues.
- Walk the customer/user through the problem-solving process.
- Install, modify, and repair computer hardware and software.
- Clean up computers.
- Run diagnostic programs to resolve problems.
- Resolve technical problems with Local Area Networks (LAN), Wide Area Networks (WAN), and other systems.
- Install computer peripherals for users.
- Follow up with customers/users to ensure the issues have been resolved.
- Gain feedback from customers/users about computer usage.
- Run reports to determine recurrent malfunctions.
REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor's Degree in Information Systems, Business, Communications, or a related field
- Two years of relevant technical experience
Pratt Industries is America's 5th largest paper and packaging company with more than 10,000 highly skilled green collar employees dedicated to the environment and sustainability. Pratt Industries is one of the largest corrugated packaging companies in America, with sophisticated manufacturing facilities in more than twenty states. The company operates several of the most modern, cost effective paper mills in the country, as well as a series of sheet and box plants strategically placed throughout the United States offering a wide range of creative packaging solutions. Pratt Industries is committed to recycling and the environment by harvesting the urban forest.
Pratt Industries offers competitive compensation plans with incentive opportunities, full benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, All State, Pre-Paid Legal, and 401(k) with company match, paid vacation, paid holidays, and childbearing and parental leave.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Technical Support Engineer
Verify your CIP code matches the role
Check your degree's CIP code against USCIS's STEM Designated Degree Program List before applying. Computer science, information systems, and computer engineering codes typically qualify, but a mismatch between your transcript and the role's technical requirements can trigger a DSO denial.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Ask your hiring manager or recruiter to provide the company's E-Verify Company ID number. An employer can want to hire you and still be ineligible if they haven't enrolled. E-Verify enrollment is a hard requirement, not a formality you can work around after starting.
Target employers with active H-1B filing history
Technical support roles sit in a sponsorship gray zone where some employers file routinely and others never have. Use Migrate Mate to filter for companies that have filed LCAs for technical support or IT operations roles, so you're not discovering sponsorship barriers at the offer stage.
Build your I-983 training plan around measurable outcomes
Your I-983 must document how the Technical Support Engineer role relates to your STEM degree. List specific technical skills you'll develop, such as systems diagnostics, network troubleshooting, or ticketing platform administration. Vague plans citing only soft skills are the leading cause of DSO rejections.
Use the OFLC Wage Search to anchor your salary negotiation
Your employer's LCA must certify a wage at or above the prevailing wage for your SOC code and work location. Pull the prevailing wage for Technical Support Engineers in your target city from the OFLC Wage Search before you negotiate, so you know the floor the employer is already committed to meeting.
File your extension 90 days before OPT expires
Your DSO must receive your extension request no later than 90 days before your OPT end date. Late submissions can't be backdated and will leave a gap in your work authorization. USCIS then has up to 90 days to adjudicate, so the filing window is tighter than most students realize.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Technical Support Engineer role qualify for STEM OPT?
Yes, if your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as computer science, information technology, computer engineering, or information systems, and the role directly applies that training. The job must appear on or map to an approved SOC code, and your DSO will verify that the position aligns with your CIP code before approving your I-983. O*NET classifies Technical Support Engineers under computer occupations, which typically satisfies this alignment requirement.
What does the E-Verify requirement mean for Technical Support Engineer job searches?
Every employer who hires you on STEM OPT must be enrolled in E-Verify. This is a federal electronic employment eligibility verification system, and enrollment is mandatory regardless of company size or industry. You can ask a recruiter for the company's E-Verify ID or request written confirmation before signing an offer. Migrate Mate filters job listings to show employers who meet this requirement, which removes the guesswork from your search.
What goes into the I-983 training plan for a Technical Support Engineer?
Your I-983 must describe the specific technical skills you'll develop in the role, how those skills connect to your STEM degree, and what measurable learning goals the employer is committing to. For a Technical Support Engineer, this typically means documenting training in areas like systems troubleshooting, software diagnostics, network support, or customer-facing technical escalation processes. Your employer's supervisor signs the form, making their commitment official before your DSO approves the extension.
How does cap-gap protection apply if I'm a Technical Support Engineer waiting on H-1B?
If your employer files an H-1B visa petition on your behalf before your OPT expires and your registration is selected, cap-gap automatically extends your STEM OPT work authorization through September 30 of the fiscal year the H-1B takes effect. You can continue working in your Technical Support Engineer role during this period without any gap, as long as you remain employed by the same petitioning employer. USCIS issues no separate document for cap-gap; your I-20 with the cap-gap annotation serves as proof.
Can I work remotely as a Technical Support Engineer on STEM OPT?
Remote work is permitted on STEM OPT, but the location of your actual worksite must be reported accurately on your I-983 and reflected in your employer's LCA. If you move to a different city or state, the prevailing wage on the LCA may need to be updated to match the new location's DOL wage level. Your DSO should be notified of any material change to your work location, and your employer is responsible for maintaining compliant LCA conditions throughout your authorization period.