Cybersecurity OPT Jobs in Illinois
Cybersecurity F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Illinois are concentrated in Chicago's financial district and the broader tech corridor, where firms like Motorola Solutions, Trustwave, and major financial institutions actively hire security analysts, penetration testers, and SOC engineers. Illinois's density of regulated industries, finance, healthcare, and defense contractors, creates consistent demand for OPT-eligible cybersecurity talent.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
GuidePoint Security provides trusted cybersecurity expertise, solutions and services that help organizations make better decisions and minimize risk. By taking a three-tiered, holistic approach for evaluating security posture and ecosystems, GuidePoint enables some of the nation's top organizations, such as Fortune 500 companies and U.S. government agencies, to identify threats, optimize resources and integrate best-fit solutions that mitigate risk.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Run client SAST/DAST/SCA tools, review outputs and provide recommendations
- Work with development teams to identify and remediate security vulnerabilities
- Provide security guidance during the software development lifecycle (SDLC)
- Identify, track, and prioritize security vulnerabilities
- Validate fixes and conduct retesting
- Implement and maintain application security tools and scanning solutions
- Create reports for technical and non-technical stakeholders
EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
- 2-3 years experience working in Application Security
- Understanding of Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and Continuous integration / Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) Pipeline tools and processes (e.g. GitHub, etc.)
- Strong working knowledge of Secure Development Lifecycles and experience remediating technical vulnerabilities identified by web application scanning tools, Information Systems architecture, security control design, and development experience
- Deep knowledge of manual testing tools such as Burp Suite Pro
- Knowledge of and experience with SAST/DAST/SCA Application Security tools. Invicti (DAST) or Checkmarx (SAST/SCA) experience highly preferred
- Experience with the integration of tools into development pipelines
- Understanding of a broad range of Application Security issues as well as their mitigation strategies
- Understanding of Application Security related vulnerabilities
- Experience with reviewing source code written in JavaScript, Python, Java, C++, PHP, or C# a plus
- Written communication skills for written interactions with clients
- Strong communication skills that include the ability to clearly articulate thoughts and distill complex problems into digestible pieces of information
- Personal drive and passion to not only continue growing yourself but also the Application Security Engineering practice
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or Information Security preferred
- Standard industry certifications are preferred
WHY GUIDEPOINT?
GuidePoint Security is a rapidly growing, profitable, privately-held value added reseller that focuses exclusively on Information Security. Since its inception in 2011, GuidePoint has grown to over 1,200 employees, established strategic partnerships with leading security vendors, and serves as a trusted advisor to more than 6,200 customers. Firmly-defined core values drive all aspects of the business, which have been paramount to the company's success and establishment of an enjoyable workplace atmosphere. At GuidePoint, your colleagues are knowledgeable, skilled, and experienced and will seek to collaborate and provide mentorship and guidance at every opportunity. This is a unique and rare opportunity to grow your career along with one of the fastest growing companies in the nation.
SOME ADDED PERKS….
- Remote workforce primarily (U.S. based only, some travel may be required for certain positions, working on-site may be required for Federal positions)
- Group Medical Insurance options: Zero Deductible PPO Plan (GuidePoint pays 90% of the premium for employees and 70% for family plans (spouse/children/family) or High Deductible Health Plan with HSA (GuidePoint pays 100% of the employees premiums and 75% for family plans (spouse/children/family). If you choose the High Deductible / HSA plan, GPS will contribute in 4 equal quarterly installments: ($850 per EE annually / $1750 per family annually (includes spouse/children/family options)
- Group Dental Insurance: GuidePoint pays 100% of the premium for employees and 75% of family plans
- 12 corporate holidays and a Flexible Time Off (FTO) program
- Healthy mobile phone and home internet allowance
- Eligibility for retirement plan after 2 months at open enrollment
- Pet Benefit Option
We use Greenhouse Software as our applicant tracking system and Zoom Scheduler for HR screen request scheduling. At times, your email may block our communication with you. Please be sure to check your SPAM folder so that you don't miss updates on your application.
INTRODUCTION
GuidePoint Security provides trusted cybersecurity expertise, solutions and services that help organizations make better decisions and minimize risk. By taking a three-tiered, holistic approach for evaluating security posture and ecosystems, GuidePoint enables some of the nation's top organizations, such as Fortune 500 companies and U.S. government agencies, to identify threats, optimize resources and integrate best-fit solutions that mitigate risk.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Run client SAST/DAST/SCA tools, review outputs and provide recommendations
- Work with development teams to identify and remediate security vulnerabilities
- Provide security guidance during the software development lifecycle (SDLC)
- Identify, track, and prioritize security vulnerabilities
- Validate fixes and conduct retesting
- Implement and maintain application security tools and scanning solutions
- Create reports for technical and non-technical stakeholders
EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
- 2-3 years experience working in Application Security
- Understanding of Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and Continuous integration / Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) Pipeline tools and processes (e.g. GitHub, etc.)
- Strong working knowledge of Secure Development Lifecycles and experience remediating technical vulnerabilities identified by web application scanning tools, Information Systems architecture, security control design, and development experience
- Deep knowledge of manual testing tools such as Burp Suite Pro
- Knowledge of and experience with SAST/DAST/SCA Application Security tools. Invicti (DAST) or Checkmarx (SAST/SCA) experience highly preferred
- Experience with the integration of tools into development pipelines
- Understanding of a broad range of Application Security issues as well as their mitigation strategies
- Understanding of Application Security related vulnerabilities
- Experience with reviewing source code written in JavaScript, Python, Java, C++, PHP, or C# a plus
- Written communication skills for written interactions with clients
- Strong communication skills that include the ability to clearly articulate thoughts and distill complex problems into digestible pieces of information
- Personal drive and passion to not only continue growing yourself but also the Application Security Engineering practice
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or Information Security preferred
- Standard industry certifications are preferred
WHY GUIDEPOINT?
GuidePoint Security is a rapidly growing, profitable, privately-held value added reseller that focuses exclusively on Information Security. Since its inception in 2011, GuidePoint has grown to over 1,200 employees, established strategic partnerships with leading security vendors, and serves as a trusted advisor to more than 6,200 customers. Firmly-defined core values drive all aspects of the business, which have been paramount to the company's success and establishment of an enjoyable workplace atmosphere. At GuidePoint, your colleagues are knowledgeable, skilled, and experienced and will seek to collaborate and provide mentorship and guidance at every opportunity. This is a unique and rare opportunity to grow your career along with one of the fastest growing companies in the nation.
SOME ADDED PERKS….
- Remote workforce primarily (U.S. based only, some travel may be required for certain positions, working on-site may be required for Federal positions)
- Group Medical Insurance options: Zero Deductible PPO Plan (GuidePoint pays 90% of the premium for employees and 70% for family plans (spouse/children/family) or High Deductible Health Plan with HSA (GuidePoint pays 100% of the employees premiums and 75% for family plans (spouse/children/family). If you choose the High Deductible / HSA plan, GPS will contribute in 4 equal quarterly installments: ($850 per EE annually / $1750 per family annually (includes spouse/children/family options)
- Group Dental Insurance: GuidePoint pays 100% of the premium for employees and 75% of family plans
- 12 corporate holidays and a Flexible Time Off (FTO) program
- Healthy mobile phone and home internet allowance
- Eligibility for retirement plan after 2 months at open enrollment
- Pet Benefit Option
We use Greenhouse Software as our applicant tracking system and Zoom Scheduler for HR screen request scheduling. At times, your email may block our communication with you. Please be sure to check your SPAM folder so that you don't miss updates on your application.
Cybersecurity Job Roles in Illinois
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Search Cybersecurity Jobs in IllinoisCybersecurity Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
Which cybersecurity companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in Illinois?
Illinois-based employers with established F-1 OPT hiring patterns in cybersecurity include Motorola Solutions, Trustwave, Discover Financial Services, Allstate, and Boeing's Chicago operations. Large financial institutions headquartered downtown Chicago, including CME Group and Northern Trust, regularly bring on OPT students for security engineering and risk roles. Defense contractors with Illinois offices also hire for cleared and clearance-eligible cybersecurity positions.
Which cities in Illinois have the most cybersecurity F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Chicago accounts for the overwhelming majority of cybersecurity OPT sponsorship activity in Illinois, particularly in the Loop, River North, and Fulton Market tech corridor. Lisle and Downers Grove in the western suburbs host technology firms and managed security service providers with active OPT hiring. Champaign-Urbana, home to the University of Illinois, also has a smaller but growing cluster of cybersecurity employers connected to the university research community.
What types of cybersecurity roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship?
Roles that commonly qualify include security operations center analyst, threat intelligence analyst, penetration tester, cloud security engineer, application security engineer, and GRC analyst. These positions align with CIP and computer science degree fields recognized under OPT. Roles requiring active U.S. security clearances can complicate OPT eligibility, so students should confirm clearance requirements with the employer before applying.
How do I find cybersecurity F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Illinois?
Migrate Mate lets you filter cybersecurity roles in Illinois specifically by F-1 OPT sponsorship eligibility, showing verified employer sponsorship history drawn from DOL Labor Condition Application data. This lets you focus on companies that have actively sponsored OPT workers rather than applying broadly and hoping. Search by role type, SOC analyst, security engineer, GRC, and by Illinois city to narrow results to employers with a real sponsorship track record in cybersecurity.
Are there any Illinois-specific considerations for cybersecurity F-1 OPT sponsorship?
Illinois's concentration of regulated industries means many cybersecurity roles involve compliance frameworks like SOX, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS, which can strengthen OPT eligibility because the work ties directly to a specialized degree field. Some Chicago-area financial and government-adjacent employers require background checks or credit checks that take additional time. Students on STEM OPT extension should confirm that their employer is enrolled in E-Verify, which is a federal requirement for the 24-month extension.