OPT Application Engineer Jobs
Application Engineer jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in engineering, computer science, or a related technical field. These roles blend customer-facing work with hands-on technical problem-solving, and most employers filing LCAs for this title have a clear pattern of sponsoring work visas after OPT.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The New Mexico Department of Health works in many ways to promote, preserve and protect our health. ITASD supports many programs within DOH, all of which provide some of the most requested and important services we provide to our customers.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The purpose of this position within the ADSB team in the Information Technology Services Division will be to serve as the Senior IT Application Developer and Rhapsody Administrator for the New Mexico Department of Health.
This position will be responsible for operations, maintenance, support, planning, programming, and troubleshooting of our Rhapsody 5 and Rhapsody 6 servers, a custom PowerShell script based fax solution that uses Rhapsody as a scheduler, a custom PowerShell based file processing solution that operates within Rhapsody and transforms externally uploaded csv files into HL7 files, and custom HL7, Java, JavaScript, PowerShell, C# .NET, SQL, and Python programming solutions within and outside of Rhapsody.
The applicant will need to create, maintain, monitor, and customize Rhapsody Comm Points and Rhapsody Routes, maintain permissions, perform server and software maintenance, ensure viable backups, plan and perform Route and Comm Point migrations from Rhapsody 5 to Rhapsody 6, troubleshoot issues, and provide long term planning and guidance. This position performs highly complex assignments that frequently require the development of new or enhanced applications, processes, and technical solutions. The incumbent will contribute to all phases of the system development life cycle, including requirements gathering, systems analysis, solution design, development, testing, implementation, and ongoing support.
This position will work directly with, and will need to communicate effectively with, DOH Program partners, external Program partners, ITSD staff and Leadership, DOH management, and other technical staff at the Department of Information Technology (DoIT). This position requires the ability to perform and accomplish job requirements with minimal direction and/or supervision; the ability to work successfully in a team environment; and the ability to apply industry best practices.
CUSTOMERS
This position supports all of DOH.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Management Information Systems (MIS), Information Technology, Engineering, or similar technical degree and three (3) years of experience in software programming. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling seven (7) years may substitute for the required education and experience.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
Must possess and maintain a valid Driver’s License and must complete a Defensive Driving Course.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Office setting, exposure to Visual/Video Display terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and telephone usage with extended periods of sitting. Must be able to lift 25lbs.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
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Agency Contact Information: Naombael Frostad, (505) 469-9870 or email: Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
INTRODUCTION
The New Mexico Department of Health works in many ways to promote, preserve and protect our health. ITASD supports many programs within DOH, all of which provide some of the most requested and important services we provide to our customers.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The purpose of this position within the ADSB team in the Information Technology Services Division will be to serve as the Senior IT Application Developer and Rhapsody Administrator for the New Mexico Department of Health.
This position will be responsible for operations, maintenance, support, planning, programming, and troubleshooting of our Rhapsody 5 and Rhapsody 6 servers, a custom PowerShell script based fax solution that uses Rhapsody as a scheduler, a custom PowerShell based file processing solution that operates within Rhapsody and transforms externally uploaded csv files into HL7 files, and custom HL7, Java, JavaScript, PowerShell, C# .NET, SQL, and Python programming solutions within and outside of Rhapsody.
The applicant will need to create, maintain, monitor, and customize Rhapsody Comm Points and Rhapsody Routes, maintain permissions, perform server and software maintenance, ensure viable backups, plan and perform Route and Comm Point migrations from Rhapsody 5 to Rhapsody 6, troubleshoot issues, and provide long term planning and guidance. This position performs highly complex assignments that frequently require the development of new or enhanced applications, processes, and technical solutions. The incumbent will contribute to all phases of the system development life cycle, including requirements gathering, systems analysis, solution design, development, testing, implementation, and ongoing support.
This position will work directly with, and will need to communicate effectively with, DOH Program partners, external Program partners, ITSD staff and Leadership, DOH management, and other technical staff at the Department of Information Technology (DoIT). This position requires the ability to perform and accomplish job requirements with minimal direction and/or supervision; the ability to work successfully in a team environment; and the ability to apply industry best practices.
CUSTOMERS
This position supports all of DOH.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Management Information Systems (MIS), Information Technology, Engineering, or similar technical degree and three (3) years of experience in software programming. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling seven (7) years may substitute for the required education and experience.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
Must possess and maintain a valid Driver’s License and must complete a Defensive Driving Course.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Office setting, exposure to Visual/Video Display terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and telephone usage with extended periods of sitting. Must be able to lift 25lbs.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here
Agency Contact Information: Naombael Frostad, (505) 469-9870 or email: Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
See all 780+ OPT Application Engineer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an Application Engineer
Target employers with active LCA filings
Companies that have filed Labor Condition Applications for Application Engineer roles have already committed to visa sponsorship infrastructure. Prioritize these employers early, as they understand the process and are far less likely to withdraw offers over work authorization concerns.
Clarify your OPT timeline upfront
Application Engineer hiring cycles often run three to six months. Know your OPT end date and STEM OPT extension eligibility before applying, so you can communicate your authorization window clearly and avoid late-stage surprises that cause employers to hesitate.
Emphasize your degree-to-role alignment
Application Engineer is a specialty occupation requiring a directly related degree. Explicitly connect your engineering or computer science coursework to the role in your resume and interviews, since employers will need to demonstrate this alignment when sponsoring your H-1B visa.
Look for roles at mid-size software and hardware companies
Mid-size technology companies frequently sponsor Application Engineers because the role is critical to their customer success operations. These employers often have faster hiring decisions and more direct access to the decision-makers who approve sponsorship than large enterprise organizations.
Prepare to discuss post-OPT authorization options
Employers who haven't sponsored before may ask what comes after OPT. Be ready to explain the H-1B cap-subject process, the April filing timeline, and that your STEM OPT extension can provide up to three additional years of work authorization while a petition is pending.
Highlight cross-functional experience in your application
Application Engineers sit between engineering and sales or customer success teams. Demonstrating experience collaborating across functions makes you a stronger candidate and signals to employers that you can deliver immediate value, which reduces hesitation around investing in long-term visa sponsorship.
Application Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as an Application Engineer on F-1 OPT?
Yes. Application Engineer roles qualify for F-1 OPT because they require a bachelor's degree or higher in engineering, computer science, or a closely related technical field, which satisfies the specialty occupation standard. Your degree must align with the specific role, so a mechanical engineering degree supporting an industrial automation application engineer position is fine, while a business degree generally would not be.
Does an Application Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not just the job title. If your bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree is in a STEM-designated field such as computer science, electrical engineering, or mechanical engineering, and your employer is enrolled in E-Verify, you can apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. This gives you up to three years of total OPT work authorization, which significantly improves your H-1B sponsorship odds.
What types of employers hire Application Engineers who sponsor OPT and H-1B?
Software companies, industrial automation firms, semiconductor manufacturers, and enterprise hardware vendors are the most common sponsors for Application Engineer roles. Companies like Siemens, Keysight, PTC, and Ansys have consistent LCA filing histories for this title. To find employers currently hiring Application Engineers who have a track record of sponsoring, browse Migrate Mate, which surfaces visa-friendly job listings specifically for OPT students.
How should I answer questions about work authorization as an Application Engineer candidate?
Be direct and specific. State that you're authorized to work on F-1 OPT, give your authorization end date, and confirm your STEM extension eligibility if applicable. Explain that H-1B sponsorship would be needed after OPT ends and provide a brief timeline: employers file in March for an October 1 start. Framing it as a straightforward, well-documented process tends to reduce employer hesitation more effectively than vague reassurances.
Is an Application Engineer role considered a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Application Engineer roles have generally qualified as specialty occupations because they require theoretical and practical application of highly specialized engineering knowledge. The key factor is whether the employer can demonstrate a degree in a specific technical discipline is a normal requirement for the position. Roles focused purely on sales support with minimal technical depth can face scrutiny, so the job description and your responsibilities both matter when an employer builds the H-1B petition.