Green Card Senior Software Development Engineer In Test Jobs
Senior Software Development Engineer In Test roles qualify for EB-2 and EB-3 green card sponsorship through PERM labor certification, where your employer documents that no qualified U.S. worker is available. Tech companies with active engineering organizations regularly file I-140 petitions for SDET candidates holding advanced degrees or substantial specialized experience.
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INTRODUCTION
Apple is where individual imaginations gather together, committing to the values that lead to great work. Every new product we build, service we create, or Apple Store experience we deliver is the result of us making each other’s ideas stronger. Here, you’ll do more than join something - you’ll add something. Video Engineering is seeking a strong, experienced, self-motivated Software Development Engineer in Test with a passion for making all Apple product experience the best it can be. You will be working on the latest Apple products, ensuring that the video experience is the best in the world!
DESCRIPTION
In this role, your main responsibility will be test design and development for video processing frameworks and low-level software of video codecs, covering both functionality verification and quality measurement across all iOS/macOS/tvOS/visionOS platforms. The work targets image & video encoding/decoding, editing/post-processing, and machine learning based technologies.
Your daily tasks will include developing software and tools to validate algorithms and code changes of projects, designing test cases, and architecting test harnesses. You will implement tests in C/C++, Objective-C, Swift, and Python/Shell scripting using test frameworks. Additionally, you will automate workflows in testing and quality evaluation pipelines, triage and root-cause failures, and drive early test strategy and planning. You will also build LLM-based tools and agentic workflows that extend what these pipelines can automate at scale.
You will partner with R&D engineering teams and both internal and external cross-functional partners to ensure image and video frameworks/firmware/drivers deliver the highest quality video experience.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- BS and a minimum of 10 years relevant industry experience
- 6+ years programming experience in C/C++, Objective-C/Swift, and Python
- 6+ years development experience on macOS or unix/linux platform
- Hands-on experience using LLMs in software development, including building workflows with AI/LLM-based tools
- Experience in test case development and software testing methodologies
- Understanding of software engineering concepts with hands-on experience practicing CI/CD in software development
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Strong knowledge of software engineering and development lifecycles
- Experience in building LLM-powered tooling - including prompt engineering, agent design, tool/API integration, and MCP-based integrations
- Experience in test development using frameworks such as XCTest or PyTest
- Experience with white-box / grey-box testing, API testing, mutation testing, static testing, or code coverage analysis
- Experience in image or video quality evaluation or model benchmarking and quality metrics
- Understanding of image or video codecs (e.g. AVC, HEVC, VP9, AV1) and video processing pipelines
- Excellent problem solving and debugging skills
- Great communication and negotiation skills, able to collaborate and work as a team
- Self-sufficient and self-motivated, and able to work independently and drive projects to closure in a timely manner
PAY & BENEFITS
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $184,700 and $324,800, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Green Card Sponsorship in Senior Software Development Engineer In Test
Document your degree equivalency early
If your computer science or engineering degree is from outside the U.S., get a credential evaluation before applying. PERM requires your qualifications to match the job requirements exactly, and a mismatched evaluation can stall your I-140 filing.
Filter employers by PERM filing history
Target tech companies that have filed PERM applications for software engineering and QA roles in the past two years. An employer with no PERM history for technical roles is unlikely to start the process for an SDET position.
Search SDET roles on Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to find Senior SDET positions at employers with verified green card sponsorship history. Filtering by role type and sponsorship activity saves weeks of manual research across job boards and OFLC disclosure files.
Clarify the EB-2 versus EB-3 pathway upfront
If your offer requires only a bachelor's degree, most employers file under EB-3. If the role requires a master's or equivalent, push for EB-2 classification during negotiations, since priority date backlogs differ significantly by category and your birth country.
Confirm prevailing wage before accepting an offer
Your employer must pay at least the DOL prevailing wage for your SDET job title and location. Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up Level II and Level III wages for your metro area before signing, so you can flag any shortfall before PERM is filed.
Ask about concurrent I-485 filing eligibility
If your priority date is current when USCIS approves your I-140, you can file for adjustment of status at the same time. For SDET candidates born outside China and India, this concurrent filing can cut years off your wait for a green card.
Green Card Senior Software Development Engineer In Test: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Senior SDET role qualify for EB-2 or EB-3 green card sponsorship?
Most Senior SDET positions qualify for EB-3 when the posted requirement is a bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or a related field. If the role genuinely requires a master's degree or equivalent advanced specialized training, your employer can file under EB-2 instead. The classification affects your priority date queue, which matters most if you were born in India or China.
How does green card sponsorship differ from H-1B for this role?
H-1B visa is a temporary nonimmigrant status capped at 85,000 new approvals annually and subject to a lottery. EB-2 and EB-3 green card sponsorship through PERM has no annual cap on petitions filed, though visa number availability varies by country of birth. The PERM and I-140 process is permanent by design, and an approved I-140 lets you port to a new employer after 180 days under AC21 if your green card hasn't yet been issued.
How long does the PERM process take for a Senior SDET position?
PERM labor certification typically takes six to twelve months from the time your employer posts the mandatory recruitment ads to when DOL issues a certified application, though analyst review cases can run significantly longer. After PERM, your employer files Form I-140 with USCIS. For applicants born outside high-backlog countries, adjustment of status can follow within months of I-140 approval if a visa number is immediately available.
What should I look for in an employer willing to sponsor my green card as an SDET?
Prioritize employers with a dedicated immigration program and legal counsel who understand PERM requirements for software engineering roles. Ask whether the company has filed PERM applications for SDET or QA engineer titles before, whether they pay prevailing wage at Level II or above, and whether they will start the process within your first year. Use Migrate Mate to identify companies that have an active sponsorship history for technical roles matching your background.
Can I change jobs after my I-140 is approved but before I have my green card?
Yes. Under AC21 portability, once your I-140 has been approved and your adjustment of status application has been pending for at least 180 days, you can move to a new employer in the same or similar occupational classification without losing your priority date. For Senior SDET professionals, roles in software quality engineering, test automation, or software development in test generally qualify as same or similar. Consult an immigration attorney before making the switch.