CPT Staff Engineer Jobs

Staff Engineer CPT jobs place F-1 students in senior technical leadership roles where hands-on architecture work directly satisfies curriculum requirements in computer science, software engineering, or related programs. Your DSO must authorize each CPT position individually, and the role's technical scope must align with your degree plan before you start.

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Overview

Open Jobs18+
Top Visa TypeF-1 CPT
Work Type56% Hybrid
Median Salary$257K
Top LocationNew York, NY
Most JobsWhatnot

Showing 5 of 18+ Staff Engineer jobs

K Health
Principal/Staff Engineer
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K Health
Added 1mo ago
Principal/Staff Engineer
K Health
New York, New York
Software Engineering
Technical Product & Program Management
Cloud & DevOps
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Technical Program Management
$215,000/yr - $275,000/yr
Hybrid
7+ yrs exp.
None

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American Structurepoint
Staff Engineer
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American Structurepoint
Added 2mo ago
Staff Engineer
American Structurepoint
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Civil & Structural Engineering
Specialized Engineering
Civil Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
On-Site
Bachelor's

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City of New York
Staff Engineering Intern, Bureau of Environmental Disease Prevention
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City of New York
Added 1mo ago
Staff Engineering Intern, Bureau of Environmental Disease Prevention
City of New York
New York City, New York
Specialized Engineering
Environmental Engineering
Not listed
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Zscaler
Sr. Staff Software Engineer
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Zscaler
Added 1mo ago
Sr. Staff Software Engineer
Zscaler
San Jose, California
Software Engineering
Backend Engineering
$220,000/yr
Hybrid
7+ yrs exp.
None

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Discord
Staff Software Engineer
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Discord
Added 1mo ago
Staff Software Engineer
Discord
United States
Software Engineering
Product Management
Full-stack Engineering
Backend Engineering
$248,000/yr - $279,000/yr
On-Site
8+ yrs exp.
None

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Staff Engineer CPT: Frequently Asked Questions

Does a Staff Engineer role qualify as CPT?

Yes, if the work is an integral part of your established curriculum and your DSO approves it. Staff Engineer positions typically involve systems design, technical leadership, and cross-functional architecture work. Your department must connect those duties to a specific course, thesis, or program requirement. A generic job description isn't enough; the academic link must be explicit and documented before your DSO signs off.

Can I do CPT as a Staff Engineer at a startup without a formal HR team?

CPT authorization doesn't require the employer to have a dedicated HR department, but you do need a formal offer letter that specifies start date, end date, hours per week, and job duties. Smaller companies often lack familiarity with CPT. You'll need to guide them through the documentation your DSO requires, including the employer's EIN and a description of how the role ties to your academic program.

How do I find Staff Engineer CPT jobs that are open to F-1 students?

Migrate Mate lists Staff Engineer roles filtered for employers with visa sponsorship history, so you're not cold-applying to companies with no track record of working with international students. Filter by CPT-compatible roles and look for employers who have filed LCAs for senior engineering positions. That filing history is a reliable signal that the company has the internal infrastructure to support your CPT authorization process.

Does full-time CPT as a Staff Engineer affect my OPT eligibility?

Yes. One year or more of full-time CPT, defined as 20 or more hours per week, eliminates your OPT eligibility entirely. Part-time CPT, under 20 hours per week, has no impact on OPT regardless of duration. If your program allows it, structuring your Staff Engineer CPT as part-time preserves your 12-month OPT and potential 24-month STEM OPT extension for after graduation.

What happens if my CPT authorization period ends before the project wraps up?

You must stop working on the date your CPT authorization expires. You can apply for a new CPT authorization for the following semester if you're still enrolled and the work remains connected to your curriculum. Your employer will need to provide updated offer documentation, and your DSO must issue a new I-20 with the extended dates. Working even one day past your CPT end date is an unauthorized employment violation.