Biotech & Pharma STEM OPT Jobs in Washington DC
Washington DC's biotech and pharma sector draws F-1 STEM OPT candidates to organizations like the National Institutes of Health's surrounding research corridor, MedImmune, and contract research firms concentrated in the metro area. Roles in regulatory affairs, clinical research, and bioinformatics frequently appear in DC's federal-adjacent life sciences ecosystem, where STEM OPT authorization is a recognized hiring pathway.
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Get Access To All JobsKey Responsibilities
- Design, implement, and manage scalable, highly available, and secure AWS infrastructure using Infrastructure as Code (IaC) principles
- Develop, implement, maintain, and optimize CI/CD pipelines and workflows to automate software delivery processes using tools like Jenkins, AWS Code Pipeline, and GitLab CI
- Collaborate with software development and operations teams to ensure seamless integration, smooth deployments, and efficient troubleshooting of production issues; demonstrate flexibility and adaptability to changing requirements and technologies
- Implement and manage containerization and orchestration using technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes (Amazon ECS/EKS)
- Define and deploy systems for monitoring, logging, and alerting on the AWS platform using tools like AWS CloudWatch, Prometheus, and Grafana
- Ensure security best practices are integrated throughout the development lifecycle, managing IAM roles and policies, and implementing robust security controls
- Troubleshoot and resolve complex system issues across various application domains and platforms, performing root cause analysis to prevent recurrence
- Identify gaps in current processes, recommend improvements, and execute solutions to boost efficiency
- Document procedures, configurations, and best practices for cloud deployments
- Evaluate new technology alternatives and vendor products, recommending enhancements for architecture and processes to drive continuous improvement
- Manage disaster recovery design and deployment strategies across different regions
- Create and maintain comprehensive technical documentation for systems, processes, and operational procedures
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related technical field
- Minimum of 1-3 years of hands-on experience in provisioning, operating, and managing AWS environments
- Proficiency in core AWS services including EC2, S3, RDS, VPC, IAM, Lambda, CloudFormation, CloudWatch, and SQS
- Demonstrated experience with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools such as Terraform, Ansible or AWS CloudFormation
- Strong scripting and programming skills in languages such as Python, Bash, Shell, or Ruby
- Strong experience with modern DevOps tools, including CI/CD, infrastructure management, project management, logging, and compliance security scanning
- Hands-on experience with CI/CD tools (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab CI, AWS CodePipeline) and version control systems (Git/GitHub)
- Experience with containerization and orchestration technologies (Docker, Kubernetes)
- Understanding of networking concepts like VPN, VPCs, DNS, and load balancing
- Basic scripting skills in languages such as Python, Bash, Ruby or PowerShell AFS Skills: Cloud, AWS, Data Platforms, Microservices
- Strong background in Linux/Unix system administration
- Excellent problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across cross-functional teams
Preferred Certifications
- AWS Certified DevOps Engineer - Professional
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate or Professional
- Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) or related Kubernetes certification
- CompTIA Security+ or other relevant security certifications.
Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation; however, reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified individuals with disabilities unless doing so would impose undue hardship.
The total compensation package for this position will also include incentive compensation and benefits such as health insurance, unlimited paid time off, parental leave, a 401k matching program, and other benefits to its employees.
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
If you reside in a state or locality with enacted pay transparency laws, you are entitled to request and receive additional details regarding compensation and benefits. For assistance, please contact us at 202-524-8238 between 8:00 AM and 5:30 PM ET, Monday through Friday.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, implement, and manage scalable, highly available, and secure AWS infrastructure using Infrastructure as Code (IaC) principles
- Develop, implement, maintain, and optimize CI/CD pipelines and workflows to automate software delivery processes using tools like Jenkins, AWS Code Pipeline, and GitLab CI
- Collaborate with software development and operations teams to ensure seamless integration, smooth deployments, and efficient troubleshooting of production issues; demonstrate flexibility and adaptability to changing requirements and technologies
- Implement and manage containerization and orchestration using technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes (Amazon ECS/EKS)
- Define and deploy systems for monitoring, logging, and alerting on the AWS platform using tools like AWS CloudWatch, Prometheus, and Grafana
- Ensure security best practices are integrated throughout the development lifecycle, managing IAM roles and policies, and implementing robust security controls
- Troubleshoot and resolve complex system issues across various application domains and platforms, performing root cause analysis to prevent recurrence
- Identify gaps in current processes, recommend improvements, and execute solutions to boost efficiency
- Document procedures, configurations, and best practices for cloud deployments
- Evaluate new technology alternatives and vendor products, recommending enhancements for architecture and processes to drive continuous improvement
- Manage disaster recovery design and deployment strategies across different regions
- Create and maintain comprehensive technical documentation for systems, processes, and operational procedures
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related technical field
- Minimum of 1-3 years of hands-on experience in provisioning, operating, and managing AWS environments
- Proficiency in core AWS services including EC2, S3, RDS, VPC, IAM, Lambda, CloudFormation, CloudWatch, and SQS
- Demonstrated experience with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools such as Terraform, Ansible or AWS CloudFormation
- Strong scripting and programming skills in languages such as Python, Bash, Shell, or Ruby
- Strong experience with modern DevOps tools, including CI/CD, infrastructure management, project management, logging, and compliance security scanning
- Hands-on experience with CI/CD tools (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab CI, AWS CodePipeline) and version control systems (Git/GitHub)
- Experience with containerization and orchestration technologies (Docker, Kubernetes)
- Understanding of networking concepts like VPN, VPCs, DNS, and load balancing
- Basic scripting skills in languages such as Python, Bash, Ruby or PowerShell AFS Skills: Cloud, AWS, Data Platforms, Microservices
- Strong background in Linux/Unix system administration
- Excellent problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across cross-functional teams
Preferred Certifications
- AWS Certified DevOps Engineer - Professional
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate or Professional
- Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) or related Kubernetes certification
- CompTIA Security+ or other relevant security certifications.
Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation; however, reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified individuals with disabilities unless doing so would impose undue hardship.
The total compensation package for this position will also include incentive compensation and benefits such as health insurance, unlimited paid time off, parental leave, a 401k matching program, and other benefits to its employees.
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
If you reside in a state or locality with enacted pay transparency laws, you are entitled to request and receive additional details regarding compensation and benefits. For assistance, please contact us at 202-524-8238 between 8:00 AM and 5:30 PM ET, Monday through Friday.
STEM OPT Biotech & Pharma Job Roles in Washington DC
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Search Biotech & Pharma Jobs in Washington DCBiotech & Pharma STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Washington DC: Frequently Asked Questions
Which biotech and pharma companies sponsor F-1 STEM OPT visas in Washington DC?
The DC metro area is home to several biotech and pharma employers with documented STEM OPT hiring activity, including MedImmune (AstraZeneca's biologics arm based in nearby Gaithersburg), EMERGENT BioSolutions, and a concentration of contract research organizations and government contractors supporting NIH and FDA operations. Many positions sit within the broader DC-Maryland-Virginia corridor rather than strictly within DC city limits.
Which areas in Washington DC have the most biotech and pharma F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Most biotech and pharma activity in the Washington DC area clusters in the surrounding Maryland suburbs, particularly the I-270 technology corridor through Rockville, Gaithersburg, and Bethesda, which hosts the FDA headquarters and a dense concentration of life sciences firms. Within DC proper, roles tend to be policy-oriented or regulatory in nature, often tied to federal agencies, advocacy groups, or health-focused consultancies.
What types of biotech and pharma roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship?
Roles that qualify for STEM OPT in biotech and pharma generally carry a STEM-designated Classification of Instructional Programs code tied to the graduate's degree. Common qualifying positions in the DC area include bioinformatics analyst, clinical data scientist, regulatory affairs specialist with a life sciences degree, pharmaceutical research associate, and quality assurance scientist. The specific degree-to-role alignment is what USCIS and the employer assess when authorizing STEM OPT.
How do I find biotech and pharma F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Washington DC?
Migrate Mate filters biotech and pharma employer listings specifically for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship eligibility in the Washington DC area, drawing on DOL Labor Condition Application data to surface companies with verified sponsorship history. You can search by role type, location, and visa category to identify employers along the DC-Maryland research corridor who have actively hired on STEM OPT authorization rather than sifting through unverified postings.
Are there Washington DC-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in biotech and pharma?
Yes. Because many DC-area biotech and pharma employers hold federal contracts or work closely with agencies like the NIH and FDA, candidates should confirm that their prospective employer participates in E-Verify, which is a mandatory requirement for STEM OPT extensions. Federal contractors are already required to use E-Verify, which can simplify that compliance step. However, security clearance requirements at some contractors may affect eligibility for international candidates on student visa status.