H-1B Visa Senior Software Development Engineer In Test Jobs
Senior Software Development Engineer in Test roles qualify as H-1B visa specialty occupations under the software developer SOC code, meaning your employer files the LCA with DOL before petitioning USCIS. Most SDET positions at mid-size and enterprise tech companies carry active H-1B visa sponsorship history you can verify before applying.
Find H-1B Visa Senior Software Development Engineer In Test JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 42+ Senior Software Development Engineer In Test jobs
See all 42+ Senior Software Development Engineer In Test Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Senior Software Development Engineer In Test roles.
Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Join the team responsible for ensuring the highest quality for I/O technologies at the heart of products known to surprise and delight our customers!
The Core I/O Quality Engineering team is part of the Core OS organization and is responsible for validating functionality & stability of firmware device drivers & frameworks for High Speed I/O interfaces such as USB, Thunderbolt™, PCIe, DisplayPort and accessory management software.
DESCRIPTION
This is a highly entrepreneurial team, always looking for innovative ways to improve status quo and solve difficult problems. We are looking for someone who can lead the charge on quality for one or more technology areas. You will work in a fast paced environment, interacting directly with development teams within the organization as well as cross-functional teams. The nature of the position requires excellent communication skills, strong multi-tasking abilities & deep technical and debugging skills, along with a drive to make a difference. The ideal candidate will be highly technical, creative, motivated, and results driven.
Responsibilities
- Design, develop and own automated tests for new and existing technologies
- Own overall testing and quality of the technologies for which you are responsible
- Contribute to development of test frameworks & tools to support large scale testing on shipping & in-development Apple Systems
- Investigate and analyze issues spanning across the hardware and software interaction layers
- Work closely with engineering and project management teams to ensure quality releases
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelors in Computer Science/Electrical Engineering or equivalent experience/skills
- Solid OS & Embedded Systems fundamentals
- Familiarity with Python/C++/C programming
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with developing, testing or debugging device drivers, firmware or other low level software
- Experience in working with I/O technologies (USB, PCIe, Display technologies etc.)
- Experience using Protocol Analyzers & Oscilloscope
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 $150,400 and $277,600, 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.
INTRODUCTION
Join the team responsible for ensuring the highest quality for I/O technologies at the heart of products known to surprise and delight our customers!
The Core I/O Quality Engineering team is part of the Core OS organization and is responsible for validating functionality & stability of firmware device drivers & frameworks for High Speed I/O interfaces such as USB, Thunderbolt™, PCIe, DisplayPort and accessory management software.
DESCRIPTION
This is a highly entrepreneurial team, always looking for innovative ways to improve status quo and solve difficult problems. We are looking for someone who can lead the charge on quality for one or more technology areas. You will work in a fast paced environment, interacting directly with development teams within the organization as well as cross-functional teams. The nature of the position requires excellent communication skills, strong multi-tasking abilities & deep technical and debugging skills, along with a drive to make a difference. The ideal candidate will be highly technical, creative, motivated, and results driven.
Responsibilities
- Design, develop and own automated tests for new and existing technologies
- Own overall testing and quality of the technologies for which you are responsible
- Contribute to development of test frameworks & tools to support large scale testing on shipping & in-development Apple Systems
- Investigate and analyze issues spanning across the hardware and software interaction layers
- Work closely with engineering and project management teams to ensure quality releases
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelors in Computer Science/Electrical Engineering or equivalent experience/skills
- Solid OS & Embedded Systems fundamentals
- Familiarity with Python/C++/C programming
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with developing, testing or debugging device drivers, firmware or other low level software
- Experience in working with I/O technologies (USB, PCIe, Display technologies etc.)
- Experience using Protocol Analyzers & Oscilloscope
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 $150,400 and $277,600, 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.
See all 42+ H-1B Visa Senior Software Development Engineer In Test Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Senior Software Development Engineer In Test Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship in Senior Software Development Engineer In Test
Align your resume to SOC codes
USCIS evaluates H-1B petitions against the SOC code your employer lists on the LCA. Frame your SDET experience around software quality engineering and test automation architecture so your credentials clearly match the specialty occupation definition.
Verify employer LCA filing history first
Use Migrate Mate to filter SDET roles by employers with confirmed DOL LCA filings. This tells you which companies have sponsored the exact occupation before, cutting out outreach to employers with no H-1B track record.
Target E-Verify enrolled employers deliberately
STEM OPT authorization requires your employer to be E-Verify enrolled. If you're transitioning from OPT to H-1B, confirm E-Verify status before accepting an offer so your work authorization stays continuous through the cap-gap period.
Use OFLC Wage Search before salary negotiations
Your employer must pay at least the prevailing wage for your SDET role in the specific metro area. Pull the Level II or Level III wage from OFLC Wage Search before negotiating so you know the DOL floor your offer must clear.
Request premium processing for tight start dates
USCIS offers premium processing on I-129 petitions, with a 15-business-day adjudication window. If your offer has a fixed start date, ask your employer to file premium so you have a decision well before your required onboarding date.
Document specialized tooling on your petition
SDET roles can draw RFEs if USCIS questions specialty occupation status. Build your petition around specific frameworks, test infrastructure skills, and degree requirements listed in your offer letter to demonstrate the role demands a directly related bachelor's degree or higher.
H-1B Visa Senior Software Development Engineer In Test: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Senior SDET role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes. Senior Software Development Engineer in Test positions qualify under the software developer SOC code, which USCIS consistently recognizes as a specialty occupation requiring at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a directly related field. Roles that involve designing test automation frameworks, owning CI/CD pipeline quality, or leading test architecture are well-documented in the O*NET occupation profile and routinely approved.
How do I find employers that have sponsored H-1B visas for SDET roles?
Search Migrate Mate to browse SDET openings filtered by employers with confirmed H-1B LCA filing history in the DOL disclosure data. This removes the guesswork of cold-applying to companies that have never sponsored the role. Focus on employers with filings specifically under software developer or quality assurance engineer SOC codes, since those map most directly to SDET petitions.
Can my employer file my H-1B petition while I'm on OPT STEM extension?
Yes, and this is the standard path for most SDET candidates on F-1 status. Your employer files the H-1B petition during the April registration window, and if selected, the cap-gap rule automatically extends your OPT work authorization through September 30 or until USCIS adjudicates your petition, whichever comes later. Your employer must be E-Verify enrolled for cap-gap to apply.
What triggers an RFE on an H-1B petition for a Senior SDET position?
USCIS sometimes issues Requests for Evidence when the job description is broad or the degree requirement isn't narrowly stated. For SDET roles, RFEs often challenge whether the position genuinely requires a degree in a specific technical field rather than any bachelor's degree. Strong petitions include a detailed job duties breakdown tied to test engineering, a clear statement that a computer science or software engineering degree is required, and supporting evidence like your offer letter and the employer's internal job requisition.
Does the prevailing wage level affect my H-1B petition as an SDET?
Yes. Your employer certifies a prevailing wage on the LCA before filing with USCIS, and the wage level, Level I through Level IV, must match your actual experience and job duties. Senior SDET roles typically map to Level III or Level IV under the software developer wage category. You can verify the applicable wage for your metro area using the OFLC Wage Search before reviewing your offer, since any underpayment relative to the certified wage creates compliance risk for your employer.