H-1B Visa Senior Staff Engineer Jobs
Senior Staff Engineer roles sit at the top of the individual contributor track, and many of the employers filling them sponsor H-1B visas. Because these positions require a specialty occupation degree and command wage Level III or IV prevailing wages, they're well-suited for H-1B qualification and employer-sponsored petitions.
See All Senior Staff Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 992+ Senior Staff Engineer jobs
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all 992+ Senior Staff Engineer jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Senior Staff Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsCompany:
Qualcomm Innovation Center, Inc.
Job Area:
Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Software Engineering
General Summary:
As a leading technology innovator, Qualcomm pushes the boundaries of what's possible to enable next-generation experiences and drives digital transformation to help create a smarter, connected future for all. As a Qualcomm Software Engineer, you will design, develop, create, modify, and validate embedded and cloud edge software, applications, and/or specialized utility programs that launch cutting-edge, world class products that meet and exceed customer needs. Qualcomm Software Engineers collaborate with systems, hardware, architecture, test engineers, and other teams to design system-level software solutions and obtain information on performance requirements and interfaces.
Drive Linux platform enablement for Qualcomm’s next-generation SoCs. Join the Linux Platform team to architect, build, and optimize Linux distribution support and infrastructure that empowers internal developers, validation, and product teams.
This role focuses on upstream-oriented Linux platform enablement, including image generation, packaging, integration, and CI/CD automation across major Linux distributions (Debian/Ubuntu, RHEL/Fedora). The position bridges silicon and firmware enablement with modern open-source distribution standards, supporting compute, server, embedded, and IoT platforms.
Minimum Qualifications:
* Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 6+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
OR
Master's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 5+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
OR
PhD in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 4+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
- 3+ years of work experience with Programming Language such as C, C++, Java, Python, etc.
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
Strong foundation in computer science and system-level software engineering.
Advanced Linux experience with the ability to debug complex issues spanning kernel, boot, and userspace.
Proficiency in Bash and Python for automation and tooling; working knowledge of C/C++.
Demonstrated ability to operate autonomously in ambiguous, fast-evolving technical environments.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across hardware, firmware, and software teams.
* Proven problem-solving abilities with systems-level thinking.
Preferred Qualifications:
Deep, hands-on experience with one or more major Linux distributions (RHEL/Fedora, Ubuntu/Debian), including image creation, packaging, update mechanisms, and integration workflows.
Strong experience with Git and GitHub-based development workflows, including CI/CD system design and maintenance (e.g., GitHub Actions, Jenkins).
Practical knowledge of Linux packaging ecosystems (RPM and/or Debian), including policy, dependency management, and reproducibility.
Solid understanding of Linux platform enablement and boot flows (UEFI, edk2, ACPI, GRUB, kconfig).
Experience contributing to upstream Linux kernel or userspace projects.
Familiarity with Linux desktop environments and developer-facing workflows.
* Experience with virtualization and container technologies (QEMU, KVM, Docker; Kubernetes a plus).
Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation during the application/hiring process, rest assured that Qualcomm is committed to providing an accessible process. You may e-mail disability-accomodations@qualcomm.com or call Qualcomm's toll-free number found here. Upon request, Qualcomm will provide reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities to be able participate in the hiring process. Qualcomm is also committed to making our workplace accessible for individuals with disabilities. (Keep in mind that this email address is used to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. We will not respond here to requests for updates on applications or resume inquiries).
To all Staffing and Recruiting Agencies: Our Careers Site is only for individuals seeking a job at Qualcomm. Staffing and recruiting agencies and individuals being represented by an agency are not authorized to use this site or to submit profiles, applications or resumes, and any such submissions will be considered unsolicited. Qualcomm does not accept unsolicited resumes or applications from agencies. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, Qualcomm employees or any other company location. Qualcomm is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes/applications.
EEO Employer: Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or any other protected classification.
Qualcomm expects its employees to abide by all applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to security and other requirements regarding protection of Company confidential information and other confidential and/or proprietary information, to the extent those requirements are permissible under applicable law.
Pay range and Other Compensation & Benefits:
$162,600.00 - $244,000.00
The above pay scale reflects the broad, minimum to maximum, pay scale for this job code for the location for which it has been posted. Even more importantly, please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Qualcomm. We also offer a competitive annual discretionary bonus program and opportunity for annual RSU grants (employees on sales-incentive plans are not eligible for our annual bonus). In addition, our highly competitive benefits package is designed to support your success at work, at home, and at play. Your recruiter will be happy to discuss all that Qualcomm has to offer – and you can review more details about our US benefits at this link.
If you would like more information about this role, please contact Qualcomm Careers.
Company:
Qualcomm Innovation Center, Inc.
Job Area:
Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Software Engineering
General Summary:
As a leading technology innovator, Qualcomm pushes the boundaries of what's possible to enable next-generation experiences and drives digital transformation to help create a smarter, connected future for all. As a Qualcomm Software Engineer, you will design, develop, create, modify, and validate embedded and cloud edge software, applications, and/or specialized utility programs that launch cutting-edge, world class products that meet and exceed customer needs. Qualcomm Software Engineers collaborate with systems, hardware, architecture, test engineers, and other teams to design system-level software solutions and obtain information on performance requirements and interfaces.
Drive Linux platform enablement for Qualcomm’s next-generation SoCs. Join the Linux Platform team to architect, build, and optimize Linux distribution support and infrastructure that empowers internal developers, validation, and product teams.
This role focuses on upstream-oriented Linux platform enablement, including image generation, packaging, integration, and CI/CD automation across major Linux distributions (Debian/Ubuntu, RHEL/Fedora). The position bridges silicon and firmware enablement with modern open-source distribution standards, supporting compute, server, embedded, and IoT platforms.
Minimum Qualifications:
* Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 6+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
OR
Master's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 5+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
OR
PhD in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 4+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
- 3+ years of work experience with Programming Language such as C, C++, Java, Python, etc.
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
Strong foundation in computer science and system-level software engineering.
Advanced Linux experience with the ability to debug complex issues spanning kernel, boot, and userspace.
Proficiency in Bash and Python for automation and tooling; working knowledge of C/C++.
Demonstrated ability to operate autonomously in ambiguous, fast-evolving technical environments.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across hardware, firmware, and software teams.
* Proven problem-solving abilities with systems-level thinking.
Preferred Qualifications:
Deep, hands-on experience with one or more major Linux distributions (RHEL/Fedora, Ubuntu/Debian), including image creation, packaging, update mechanisms, and integration workflows.
Strong experience with Git and GitHub-based development workflows, including CI/CD system design and maintenance (e.g., GitHub Actions, Jenkins).
Practical knowledge of Linux packaging ecosystems (RPM and/or Debian), including policy, dependency management, and reproducibility.
Solid understanding of Linux platform enablement and boot flows (UEFI, edk2, ACPI, GRUB, kconfig).
Experience contributing to upstream Linux kernel or userspace projects.
Familiarity with Linux desktop environments and developer-facing workflows.
* Experience with virtualization and container technologies (QEMU, KVM, Docker; Kubernetes a plus).
Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation during the application/hiring process, rest assured that Qualcomm is committed to providing an accessible process. You may e-mail disability-accomodations@qualcomm.com or call Qualcomm's toll-free number found here. Upon request, Qualcomm will provide reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities to be able participate in the hiring process. Qualcomm is also committed to making our workplace accessible for individuals with disabilities. (Keep in mind that this email address is used to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. We will not respond here to requests for updates on applications or resume inquiries).
To all Staffing and Recruiting Agencies: Our Careers Site is only for individuals seeking a job at Qualcomm. Staffing and recruiting agencies and individuals being represented by an agency are not authorized to use this site or to submit profiles, applications or resumes, and any such submissions will be considered unsolicited. Qualcomm does not accept unsolicited resumes or applications from agencies. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, Qualcomm employees or any other company location. Qualcomm is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes/applications.
EEO Employer: Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or any other protected classification.
Qualcomm expects its employees to abide by all applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to security and other requirements regarding protection of Company confidential information and other confidential and/or proprietary information, to the extent those requirements are permissible under applicable law.
Pay range and Other Compensation & Benefits:
$162,600.00 - $244,000.00
The above pay scale reflects the broad, minimum to maximum, pay scale for this job code for the location for which it has been posted. Even more importantly, please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Qualcomm. We also offer a competitive annual discretionary bonus program and opportunity for annual RSU grants (employees on sales-incentive plans are not eligible for our annual bonus). In addition, our highly competitive benefits package is designed to support your success at work, at home, and at play. Your recruiter will be happy to discuss all that Qualcomm has to offer – and you can review more details about our US benefits at this link.
If you would like more information about this role, please contact Qualcomm Careers.
See all 992+ Senior Staff Engineer jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Senior Staff Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Senior Staff Engineer
Verify your degree maps to the role
USCIS requires your bachelor's or higher degree to be in a field directly related to the specific engineering discipline. A computer science or electrical engineering degree supports most Senior Staff Engineer petitions; a general business degree typically won't.
Use OFLC Wage Search before negotiating
Senior Staff Engineers usually fall into DOL wage Level III or IV. Pull the prevailing wage for your SOC code and metro area before your offer conversation so you know the H-1B floor your employer must certify on the LCA.
Search Migrate Mate for active H-1B sponsors
Filter by Senior Staff Engineer roles on Migrate Mate to see employers with verified LCA filing history for this specific level. That filing history signals they understand the H-1B process and aren't learning it on your case.
Ask about cap-exempt employer eligibility early
Research universities, nonprofit research institutions, and government-affiliated labs can file H-1B petitions outside the annual cap. If you're targeting those environments, confirm cap-exempt status before lottery season so your timeline isn't tied to April registration.
Confirm the employer files premium processing
At senior individual contributor levels, offers sometimes move faster than standard USCIS processing allows. Ask directly whether the employer routinely uses premium processing for H-1B petitions and who bears that cost before signing.
Check your O*NET profile supports specialty occupation
USCIS adjudicators sometimes request evidence that a role qualifies as a specialty occupation. Your O*NET occupational profile for Senior Staff Engineer documents the typical education requirement and helps your employer's attorney build a stronger petition.
Senior Staff Engineer jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Senior Staff Engineer JobsSenior Staff Engineer H-1B Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Senior Staff Engineer roles typically qualify as specialty occupations for H-1B purposes?
Yes. Senior Staff Engineer positions generally require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, electrical engineering, software engineering, or a closely related technical field, which meets USCIS's specialty occupation standard. The key is that your degree field must align directly with the engineering discipline the role involves, not just technical work broadly.
Which wage level should a Senior Staff Engineer expect on the LCA?
Most Senior Staff Engineer roles are filed at DOL wage Level III or Level IV, reflecting the advanced expertise and independent judgment the position requires. The employer certifies on the LCA that your offered wage meets or exceeds the prevailing wage for that level. You can verify the applicable prevailing wage for your SOC code and work location using the OFLC Wage Search.
How do I find employers who have actually sponsored H-1B visas for Senior Staff Engineers?
Migrate Mate aggregates DOL Labor Condition Application data by job title and employer, so you can see which companies have filed H-1B petitions for Senior Staff Engineer roles specifically. That filing history is a stronger signal than a company simply listing H-1B sponsorship as available, since it shows they've executed the process at this seniority level before.
Can a Senior Staff Engineer change employers mid-H-1B without losing status?
Yes, through H-1B portability. If you've had your H-1B approved for at least 180 days and your new employer files a petition before your current one expires, you can start the new job as soon as USCIS receives the petition, not after approval. The new LCA must reflect the prevailing wage for the Senior Staff Engineer role at the new employer's location.
Does the H-1B annual cap affect Senior Staff Engineer hiring at all employers?
Not at all employers. Companies registered as institutions of higher education, affiliated nonprofits, or government research organizations can file H-1B petitions outside the 85,000-slot annual cap and at any time of year. If you're targeting a startup or for-profit tech company, the cap applies and your employer must register you in the USCIS lottery, typically in March for an October 1 start date.
See which Senior Staff Engineer employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
Search Senior Staff Engineer Jobs