OPT Backend Engineer Jobs
Backend Engineer roles are among the most OPT-friendly positions in tech. Most require a degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field, which aligns well with F-1 eligibility. STEM OPT extension applies, giving you up to 36 months of authorized work to gain experience and secure H-1B visa sponsorship.
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Get Access To All JobsAbout the role and team
Operating across key business areas like grocery and food, the Consumer Incentives team drives Uber's growth and long-term profitability. We deliver products that create seamless, affordable, and enjoyable customer experiences by building AI/ML-powered intelligence and sophisticated distributed systems at scale for hundreds of millions of global users.
In this role, you will build products powered by advanced AI/ML solutions and scalable distributed systems. Your work will optimize user experiences across multiple verticals, such as grocery and food, while fostering sustainable business growth. Key responsibilities include:
- Launching products to power key consumer experience and business outcomes.
- Driving projects across full lifecycles spanning initial scoping, offline evaluation, experimental testing, production deployment, and post-launch maintenance.
- Designing, tuning, and enhancing systems and algorithms to operate at scale.
- Partnering with cross-functional stakeholders across product management, operations, and data science.
Basic Qualifications
- 3+ years of experience delivering production software solutions, or a PhD in a relevant field (CS, OR, EE, Statistics, etc.)
- Proficiency in at least one programming language such as Python, Go, or Java
- Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively with cross-functional partners
- Strong sense of ownership to drive projects end-to-end
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in designing and delivering large-scale consumer products
- Experience in building scalable distributed systems
- Experience in data analytics and experimental design
Compensation
For New York City, NY-based roles: The base salary range for this role is USD $171,000 per year - USD $190,000 per year.
For San Francisco, CA-based roles: The base salary range for this role is USD $171,000 per year - USD $190,000 per year.
For Seattle, WA-based roles: The base salary range for this role is USD $171,000 per year - USD $190,000 per year.
For all US locations, you will be eligible to participate in Uber's bonus program, and may be offered an equity award & other types of comp. All full-time employees are eligible to participate in a 401(k) plan. You will also be eligible for various benefits.
Ready to Ride?
This isn't the kind of place where you follow a playbook - it's where you help write one. If you're driven by impact, energized by challenge, and ready to shape how the world moves - we'd love to hear from you.
You may be eligible for bonuses, equity, and other compensation, as well as a range of benefits. Explore our benefits.
Offices remain key to collaboration and Uber's culture. Unless approved for full remote work, employees must spend at least 50% of their time in-office. Some roles, like those at greenlight hubs, require full-time in-office presence. Ask your Recruiter for details about this role's requirements.
Uber is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know by completing this form.
About the role and team
Operating across key business areas like grocery and food, the Consumer Incentives team drives Uber's growth and long-term profitability. We deliver products that create seamless, affordable, and enjoyable customer experiences by building AI/ML-powered intelligence and sophisticated distributed systems at scale for hundreds of millions of global users.
In this role, you will build products powered by advanced AI/ML solutions and scalable distributed systems. Your work will optimize user experiences across multiple verticals, such as grocery and food, while fostering sustainable business growth. Key responsibilities include:
- Launching products to power key consumer experience and business outcomes.
- Driving projects across full lifecycles spanning initial scoping, offline evaluation, experimental testing, production deployment, and post-launch maintenance.
- Designing, tuning, and enhancing systems and algorithms to operate at scale.
- Partnering with cross-functional stakeholders across product management, operations, and data science.
Basic Qualifications
- 3+ years of experience delivering production software solutions, or a PhD in a relevant field (CS, OR, EE, Statistics, etc.)
- Proficiency in at least one programming language such as Python, Go, or Java
- Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively with cross-functional partners
- Strong sense of ownership to drive projects end-to-end
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in designing and delivering large-scale consumer products
- Experience in building scalable distributed systems
- Experience in data analytics and experimental design
Compensation
For New York City, NY-based roles: The base salary range for this role is USD $171,000 per year - USD $190,000 per year.
For San Francisco, CA-based roles: The base salary range for this role is USD $171,000 per year - USD $190,000 per year.
For Seattle, WA-based roles: The base salary range for this role is USD $171,000 per year - USD $190,000 per year.
For all US locations, you will be eligible to participate in Uber's bonus program, and may be offered an equity award & other types of comp. All full-time employees are eligible to participate in a 401(k) plan. You will also be eligible for various benefits.
Ready to Ride?
This isn't the kind of place where you follow a playbook - it's where you help write one. If you're driven by impact, energized by challenge, and ready to shape how the world moves - we'd love to hear from you.
You may be eligible for bonuses, equity, and other compensation, as well as a range of benefits. Explore our benefits.
Offices remain key to collaboration and Uber's culture. Unless approved for full remote work, employees must spend at least 50% of their time in-office. Some roles, like those at greenlight hubs, require full-time in-office presence. Ask your Recruiter for details about this role's requirements.
Uber is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know by completing this form.
See all 65+ OPT Backend Engineer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Backend Engineer
Target STEM-designated employers first
Companies with an active E-Verify enrollment are required for your 24-month STEM OPT extension. Filter your search to employers already enrolled, since this signals they've hired international students before and understand the authorization process.
Lead with your authorization timeline upfront
Tell recruiters you have 12 months of OPT with STEM extension eligibility for up to 36 months total. Framing it as a multi-year window reduces hesitation and gives hiring managers a clear picture of your availability before sponsorship is needed.
Highlight backend-specific skills that are hard to source locally
Expertise in distributed systems, Kubernetes, Go, or Rust can make sponsorship worthwhile for employers. The harder your skill set is to find domestically, the stronger the business case for a company to invest in your visa sponsorship.
Focus on mid-size tech companies and funded startups
Series B and C startups often sponsor backend engineers because they're scaling fast and competing for talent aggressively. They're less bureaucratic than large enterprises and more willing to move quickly on candidates with strong technical profiles.
Get your OPT EAD card details ready before applying
Have your EAD card number, OPT start and end dates, and STEM extension eligibility documented. Recruiters may ask during initial screening, and having accurate answers immediately signals that you've managed your authorization responsibly.
Use Migrate Mate to find roles open to OPT candidates
Searching general job boards means filtering through roles that won't sponsor. Migrate Mate surfaces backend engineering jobs from employers who have sponsored international candidates, saving you time and reducing the chance of wasting applications on closed doors.
Backend Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Backend Engineer on OPT without employer sponsorship?
Yes, during your initial OPT period you're authorized to work without any additional employer action beyond verifying your EAD. Your employer simply needs to confirm your work authorization. Sponsorship only becomes relevant when you need H-1B visa status after OPT expires, and most backend engineering roles qualify for H-1B as specialty occupations requiring a related degree.
Does a Backend Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Backend engineering roles almost always qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, provided your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Information Systems. Your employer must be E-Verify enrolled, and you'll need a formal training plan submitted through your DSO. This gives you up to 36 months total to work and pursue H-1B sponsorship.
What happens if I lose my Backend Engineer job while on OPT?
You have a 60-day unemployment grace period during your initial OPT and during your STEM extension. Accumulated unemployment days cannot exceed 90 days across your full OPT period. If you go beyond that, you fall out of status. Report job changes to your DSO immediately, update your SEVP portal record, and prioritize finding a new backend role quickly. Migrate Mate is a good place to search for OPT-eligible openings fast.
Do Backend Engineers on OPT need to worry about the H-1B cap?
If your goal is long-term work authorization, yes. The H-1B lottery runs once per year with registrations in March for an October 1 start date. Backend engineers at cap-exempt employers like universities or nonprofit research institutions bypass the lottery entirely. For cap-subject employers, you'll need to be selected in the lottery, so having a full 36 months of OPT authorization gives you multiple lottery cycles if needed.
Can I work as a contractor or on a project basis as a Backend Engineer on OPT?
Yes, but with important constraints. OPT requires that your work is directly related to your degree field, which backend engineering typically satisfies. However, you must be engaged in actual employment rather than passive investment or ownership. Contract and consulting arrangements are allowed as long as you can document the work relationship, hours, and how the role relates to your degree when required by USCIS or your DSO.