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 Jobs17+
Work Type47% On-site
Top LocationNew York, NY
Most JobsWhatnot

Showing 5 of 17+ Staff Engineer jobs

Databricks
Staff Software Engineer - Database Engine Internals
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Databricks
Added 1mo ago
Staff Software Engineer - Database Engine Internals
Databricks
Mountain View, California
Software Engineering
Data Engineering
Backend Engineering
$260k/yr
On-Site
Doctorate

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Hinge Health
Staff Software Engineer
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Hinge Health
Added 2mo ago
Staff Software Engineer
Hinge Health
San Francisco, California
Software Engineering
Technical Product & Program Management
Backend Engineering
Full-stack Engineering
$198k - $296k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's

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Included Health
Staff Cloud Security Engineer
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Included Health
Added 5mo ago
Staff Cloud Security Engineer
Included Health
Remote
Cloud & DevOps
Cybersecurity
Software Engineering
Cloud Engineering
DevOps
Security Engineering
Remote (US)
Bachelor's

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Discord
Staff Software Engineer
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Discord
Added 5mo ago
Staff Software Engineer
Discord
United States
Software Engineering
Product Management
Full-stack Engineering
Backend Engineering
$248k - $279k/yr
On-Site
None

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Whatnot
Staff Software Engineer
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Whatnot
Added 5mo ago
Staff Software Engineer
Whatnot
Los Angeles, California
Software Engineering
Technical Product & Program Management
Backend Engineering
$245k - $290k/yr
Hybrid
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.