CPT Software Engineer Jobs

Software Engineer CPT jobs let F-1 students apply classroom computer science skills to real engineering work while staying in status. Your DSO must authorize each CPT position before you start, and the role must connect directly to your degree program. Part-time CPT (under 20 hours per week) keeps your full-time OPT eligibility intact after graduation.

Find CPT Software Engineer Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs151+
Work Type84% On-site
Top LocationSan Jose, CA
Most JobsTikTok

Showing 5 of 151+ Software Engineer jobs

Cisco
Software Engineer Embedded Systems I
We won't show you this job again
Cisco
Added 1d ago
Software Engineer Embedded Systems I
Cisco
San Jose, California
Software Engineering
Cloud & DevOps
Embedded Systems Engineering
DevOps
Backend Engineering
$44k - $185k/yr
On-Site
Associate's
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Amazon.com
Software Development Engineer Intern
We won't show you this job again
Amazon.com
Added 4d ago
Software Development Engineer Intern
Amazon.com
Seattle, Washington
Software Engineering
Data Engineering
Cloud & DevOps
Backend Engineering
Cloud Engineering
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Gordon Food Service
Software Engineer Intern
We won't show you this job again
Gordon Food Service
Added 4d ago
Software Engineer Intern
Gordon Food Service
Wyoming, Michigan
Software Engineering
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Technical Product & Program Management
Technical Program Management
Backend Engineering
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Bot Auto
Software Engineer Intern
We won't show you this job again
Bot Auto
Added 4d ago
Software Engineer Intern
Bot Auto
Houston, Texas
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Data Science
Backend Engineering
On-Site
Bachelor's

Have you applied for this role?

Tower Research Capital
Software Engineer Intern
We won't show you this job again
Tower Research Capital
Added 5d ago
Software Engineer Intern
Tower Research Capital
New York, New York
Software Engineering
Data Engineering
Backend Engineering
$3,500 - $4,200/mo
On-Site
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

Have you applied for this role?

See all 151+ Software Engineer Jobs

Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Software Engineer roles.

Get Access To All Jobs

See all 151+ CPT Software Engineer Jobs

Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new CPT Software Engineer Jobs.

Get Access To All Jobs

Software Engineer CPT: Frequently Asked Questions

Does a software engineering CPT job have to match my exact major?

Your DSO must document a direct relationship between the CPT position and your degree program, but it doesn't have to match your major title word for word. A computer science student doing backend development work at a fintech company generally qualifies. A business administration student doing the same role faces a much harder authorization case. Your DSO makes the final call based on your program's curriculum requirements.

Can I do CPT at a startup that doesn't have a formal HR department?

Yes. CPT authorization depends on your school's approval and the existence of a formal offer letter, not the size or structure of the employer. Your DSO needs written confirmation of your role, start date, hours per week, and supervisor contact. Startups without HR typically have a founder or engineering lead issue this directly. Confirm the company has a valid EIN, since your school may require it.

How do I find software engineering employers who are open to CPT students?

CPT acceptance isn't always listed in job postings. Migrate Mate shows employers with verified DOL filing history in software engineering roles, which signals familiarity with F-1 work authorization requirements. Reaching out to engineering managers directly and mentioning CPT upfront saves time. Mid-size technology companies and firms with existing university recruiting programs tend to have established CPT onboarding processes.

Does part-time CPT affect my chances of getting H-1B sponsorship later?

Part-time CPT under 20 hours per week preserves your full 12 months of OPT eligibility, which includes the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree qualifies. More OPT time means more runway for H-1B lottery cycles. Employers filing H-1B visa petitions evaluate candidates on skills and fit, not CPT history, so part-time CPT during school doesn't create any direct barrier to sponsorship.

What happens if my CPT software engineering role changes scope after authorization?

CPT authorization is issued for a specific employer, location, and role. If your job title, department, or primary work location changes materially, you need to notify your DSO and likely obtain a new or amended authorization before the change takes effect. Working outside your authorized CPT terms creates a status violation. Get any role changes documented in writing from your employer and bring them to your DSO before your next semester enrollment.