Government STEM OPT Jobs in New Mexico
Government F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in New Mexico are concentrated around federal research installations and defense contractors, with major employers including Sandia National Laboratories, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and the Air Force Research Laboratory at Kirtland Air Force Base. Albuquerque and Los Alamos lead hiring activity, particularly for roles in engineering, data science, and applied research.
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Posting Details
- APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED WITHOUT WORK EXPERIENCE OR A RESUME WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. IF ATTACHING A RESUME, RESUME MUST INCLUDE DATES OF EMPLOYMENT FOR EACH JOB (MONTH and YEAR) AND DETAILS OF WORK EXPERIENCE/JOB DUTIES*
THIS POSTING WILL BE USED FOR ONGOING RECRUITMENT AND MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME. APPLICANT LISTS MAY BE SCREENED MORE THAN ONCE.
Why does the job exist?
The job exists to provide quality assurance testing and production application support to the NMCD end user community. The position will monitor and resolve issues in the quality assurance ticketing queue; design, develop, maintain and provide production support for web applications/solutions to support NMCD business processes; and will work with senior developers to perform configuration tasks and ongoing support for multiple agency systems. This position should have knowledge of web application development utilizing .NET framework. This position requires strong analytical thinking, problem solving and communication skills.
How does it get done?
The job gets done by providing the review, testing and documentation of application functionality in both new and existing systems, answering emails and tickets submitted to the NMCD help desk ticketing system. The position provides support for production systems, troubleshooting, resolving and communicating with the NMCD user community. Specifically, the Associate IT Quality Assurance Analyst will:
- Verify correct functionality of software by testing and analyzing processes, applications, or services;
- Prepare test plans, test scenarios, test scripts, and will prepare and use test data based on these items;
- Conduct system testing, regression testing, stress testing, and/or other testing methodologies required by projects and coordinate with business analysts, developers and business Subject Matter Experts (SME's);
- Utilize help desk ticketing system to track and manage assigned production support tickets and artifacts.
Who are the customers?
The position provides support to the New Mexico Corrections Department Staff which consists of the Adult Prisons Division, Probation and Parole Division, Administrative Services Division, and the Adult Parole Board.
Ideal Candidate
The position provides support to the New Mexico Corrections Department Staff which consists of the Adult Prisons Division, Probation and Parole Division, Administrative Services Division, and the Adult Parole Board.
Minimum Qualification
Associate degree in Computer Science, Management Information Systems (MIS), Information Technology, Engineering, or similar technical degree and two (2) years of experience in systems or business analysis related to technology or systems quality assurance (QA). Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling four (4) years may substitute for the required education and experience.
Employment Requirements
Must possess and maintain a valid New Mexico Driver's License. Employment is subject to a pre-employment background investigation and is conditional pending results.
Working Conditions
Work is performed in an adult prison environment, which includes daily contact with inmates. Willingness to work in a correctional facility, may be required to work odd hours, overtime, holidays, and weekends.
Supplemental Information
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Agency Contact Information: Enzo Franco (505)827-8877 or email: Enzo.Franco@cd.nm.gov
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
Bargaining Unit Position
This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
STEM OPT Government Job Roles in New Mexico
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Search Government Jobs in New MexicoGovernment STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in New Mexico: Frequently Asked Questions
Which government employers in New Mexico sponsor F-1 STEM OPT workers?
The most active government-linked sponsors in New Mexico include Sandia National Laboratories, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and federal contractors operating near Kirtland Air Force Base and White Sands Missile Range. These organizations regularly hire STEM graduates for research, engineering, and technical roles and have established processes for supporting F-1 STEM OPT employment authorization.
Which cities in New Mexico have the most government F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Albuquerque accounts for the largest share of government STEM OPT opportunities in New Mexico, driven by Sandia National Laboratories and Kirtland Air Force Base contractors. Los Alamos is the second most active hub, centered on Los Alamos National Laboratory. Santa Fe and Las Cruces also have federal agency offices and New Mexico State University-affiliated government research programs that hire STEM OPT students.
What types of government roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in New Mexico?
Roles that qualify must fall under a STEM-designated Classification of Instructional Programs code and require a directly related degree. In New Mexico's government sector, qualifying positions commonly include computer scientists, electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, physicists, nuclear engineers, data analysts, and cybersecurity specialists. Roles at national laboratories and defense research facilities are well suited to STEM OPT given their technical degree requirements.
How do I find government F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in New Mexico?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for F-1 STEM OPT eligibility, letting you search government sector roles in New Mexico without manually screening each employer. Because national laboratories and federal contractors must file Labor Condition Applications with the DOL, Migrate Mate can surface employers with verified sponsorship activity in New Mexico's government sector, saving significant research time.
Are there state-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT in New Mexico's government sector?
Many of New Mexico's largest government employers, including national laboratories managed under Department of Energy contracts, require security clearances for certain roles. F-1 STEM OPT students are generally eligible to begin the clearance process, but timelines can extend beyond a standard OPT authorization period. Applicants should confirm clearance requirements early and ensure their employer can support a timely transition to a longer-term work authorization if needed.