J-1 Visa Developer Relations Engineer Jobs
Developer Relations Engineer roles in the U.S. are accessible to exchange visitors through J-1 visa sponsorship, most commonly under the Trainee or Research Scholar program categories. Designated sponsor organizations issue your DS-2019, while the tech company or research institution acts as your host. No lottery, no annual cap.
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INTRODUCTION
This on-campus internship is intended for active University of South Florida (USF) undergraduate students who have received the Federal Work Study (FWS) award in their financial aid package for the 2026-2027 year. Students without the FWS award and nonstudents are not eligible candidates for this position.
The Guest Relations Intern serves as a key member of the Center for Career & Professional Development (CCPD) team by serving as a welcoming and helpful ambassador of the office. Interns will ensure guests receive a great impression of the office through all interactions, while delivering timely, accurate, and professional assistance.
Through hands-on experience in guest support, operational responsibilities, and project-based assignments with other areas of the office, interns will develop transferable skills in communication, professionalism, time management, and workplace collaboration. By the end of the year, the intern will also strengthen a number of NACE Career Readiness Competencies.
Responsibilities
- Represent the CCPD professionally in all interactions with students, alumni, employers, faculty, staff, parents, and visitors, strengthening Communication and Professionalism competencies.
- Provide front-line guest support by assessing needs, providing accurate information, and making appropriate referrals while applying Critical Thinking and Communication skills.
- Support daily office operations through appointment check-ins, records management, and use of Handshake and other systems, strengthening Technology and Professionalism competencies.
- Develop and maintain knowledge of CCPD’s programs, services, and resources to provide effective service delivery, strengthening Career & Self-Development competency.
- Maintain a professional, organized, and welcoming environment within shared office spaces, strengthening Leadership and Professionalism competencies.
- Participate in cross-training opportunities and provide operational support across the office, including Suit-A-Bull, career events, employer engagement activities, and other office initiatives as needed, building Teamwork, Communication, and Professionalism competencies.
- Provide administrative and project support to a designated partner team within the office, gaining experience in Teamwork, Leadership, Technology, and Career & Self Development. Projects will vary based on departmental priorities and intern skill areas.
- Other assigned duties as assigned.
Time Commitment
- This position is fully in-person and based on the Tampa campus. The CCPD office is located in the Student Services Building (SVC), room SVC 2088.
- Students may work up to 20 hours per week as an FWS student employee, with their maximum hours dictated by the FWS Award amount they received for the year.
- Work schedules will be determined based on office needs and student availability during operating hours of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- This position is expected to begin at the start of the Fall 2026 semester, with a strong preference for candidates who can commit through the end of the Spring 2028 semester.
- Opportunity to continue during the Summer 2027 semester and renewal for Fall 2027– Spring 2028 academic year will be based on performance and program needs, as well as continued FWS Award receipt.
Opportunities
- Gain hands-on experience and skill development in customer service, office operations, event support, and cross-functional project work.
- Learn and demonstrate basic employability skills such as timeliness to work, appropriate dress, interpersonal communication, time management, self-advocacy, and personal development.
- Develop NACE competencies in Career & Self-Development; Communication; Critical Thinking; Leadership; Professionalism; Teamwork; and Technology.
- Participate in project-based learning through collaboration with other teams within the office.
- Gain exposure to career development services, student programs, and employer engagement.
- Receive career coaching and mentorship, supporting Career & Self-Development competency.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Current USF undergraduate student.
- Recipient of Federal Work Study funding for the applicable academic year.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Previous experience in customer service, student leadership, retail, hospitality, office support, or campus involvement.
- Familiarity with CCPD services and programs, including prior use of services or attendance at events.
- Demonstrated interest in developing Communication, Leadership, Teamwork, and Career & Self-Development competencies.
General Skills
- Strong verbal and written communication skills to assist through in-person, phone call, email, and Microsoft Teams.
- Professionalism, friendly, and customer service orientation.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills.
- Problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and virtual communication platforms.
- Commitment to creating a welcoming environment for all guests.
Required Application Documents
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- Screenshot of Fall Class Schedule (must show your name on the screen)
- Screenshot of Federal Work Study Award (must show your name on the screen)
Contact Information
Please learn more about the Center for Career and Professional Development by visiting our website at https://careers.usf.edu/. For questions regarding this position, please contact TPACareers@usf.edu.
WORKING AT USF
With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF‘s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.
ABOUT USF
The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference.
COMPLIANCE AND FEDERAL NOTICES
This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.
Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship as a Developer Relations Engineer
Align your background to J-1 categories
The Trainee category fits professionals within five years of degree completion or relevant work. If your DevRel role is research-oriented, the Research Scholar category may apply. Confirm your eligibility window before targeting host employers.
Document developer advocacy work concretely
Designated sponsors and host employers assess your training plan against your actual experience. Compile evidence of technical writing, open-source contributions, conference talks, and SDK documentation to demonstrate you meet the specialty standard.
Target employers with established exchange visitor programs
Use Migrate Mate to filter Developer Relations Engineer roles at U.S. tech companies and research institutions that have a history of hosting J-1 exchange visitors, so you're not educating a hiring team about the program from scratch.
Request a training plan draft before accepting an offer
Your DS-2019 requires a detailed training plan signed by the host employer. Ask the hiring team to outline specific learning objectives and mentorship structures during late-stage interviews, not after you've accepted.
Check your country for the home residency requirement
Some J-1 Trainee and Research Scholar participants from specific countries, or those funded by their home government, face a two-year home residency requirement. Verify your status before committing to a host employer if you intend to pursue an H-1B visa or green card afterward.
Verify host employer English-language tech infrastructure
J-1 Trainee and Research Scholar regulations require that your host can provide structured training in English. For DevRel roles, confirm the employer runs English-language developer documentation, community forums, or SDK programs that form a legitimate training environment.
Developer Relations Engineer J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category fits a Developer Relations Engineer role?
It depends on your career stage. Current students or recent graduates within 12 months of degree completion typically qualify under the Intern category. Professionals within five years of graduation or relevant full-time work qualify under the Trainee category. If your DevRel role is embedded in academic or institutional research, the Research Scholar category may apply, though that requires a host affiliation with a university or research institute.
Who actually sponsors my J-1 visa as a Developer Relations Engineer?
The visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, such as CIEE, Cultural Vistas, or IIE, that issues your DS-2019 form and monitors your program compliance. Your tech company or research institution is the host employer, not the legal visa sponsor. The host provides the training environment and signs the training plan, but cannot issue the DS-2019 on its own.
How do I find U.S. employers willing to host a J-1 DevRel engineer?
Use Migrate Mate to search for Developer Relations Engineer positions at companies that have experience hosting J-1 exchange visitors. Many tech employers are unfamiliar with the J-1 host process, so targeting those already familiar with the DS-2019 and training plan requirements saves significant time during the offer stage.
Does the two-year home residency requirement apply to Developer Relations Engineer J-1 participants?
It can. The requirement applies if your exchange program was funded by your home government or a U.S. government agency, or if your home country appears on the State Department's skills list. If triggered, you must return home for two years before changing to H-1B or permanent resident status. Confirm your situation with your designated sponsor before signing a training plan.
What goes into the training plan a host employer signs for a J-1 DevRel role?
The training plan must describe specific skills you'll acquire, the timeline for each phase, your supervisor's qualifications, and how the training advances your career in developer advocacy or related technical fields. Vague plans citing general software exposure are routinely rejected by designated sponsors. Host employers should detail activities like SDK onboarding, technical documentation workflows, developer community program management, and public speaking engagements with measurable milestones.