OPT Backend Software Engineer Jobs
Backend Software Engineer roles are among the most common OPT-sponsored positions in the U.S., with employers regularly filing H-1B visa and E-3 visa petitions for engineers in this field. Your 12-month OPT window, extendable to 36 months with a STEM extension, gives you a realistic runway to secure sponsorship.
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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 Software Engineer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Backend Software Engineer
Target companies with a STEM OPT track record
Look for employers who have previously filed H-1B visa petitions for backend engineers. Consistent filing history signals they understand the sponsorship process and are willing to invest in foreign national employees long-term.
Apply before your OPT start date when possible
Many backend engineering roles have long hiring cycles including technical screens, system design rounds, and offer negotiations. Starting your job search two to three months early gives you buffer before your authorization begins.
Highlight cloud and distributed systems experience
Employers sponsoring backend engineers want specialized skills, not generalists. Expertise in Kubernetes, AWS, or event-driven architectures strengthens your case that your role qualifies as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes.
Confirm your role qualifies for the STEM OPT extension
Backend Software Engineer roles typically fall under CIP code 11.0701 (Computer Science) or similar STEM codes. Verify your degree's CIP code with your DSO before accepting an offer to confirm you qualify for the 24-month extension.
Get your I-983 training plan signed early
For STEM OPT, your employer must sign a formal training plan with your DSO before the extension is approved. Raise this with HR during onboarding, not after your initial OPT expires, to avoid any gap in work authorization.
Focus applications on Series B and later startups and large tech employers
These companies have established legal and HR infrastructure to handle visa sponsorship. Early-stage startups often lack the resources or stability required to commit to a multi-year sponsorship timeline for backend engineering hires.
Backend Software Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Backend Software Engineer jobs typically qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, backend software engineering roles almost always qualify. The role must be directly related to your STEM degree, which for most backend engineers means a degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field. Your employer must also be enrolled in E-Verify. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your Designated School Official before applying for the extension.
How do I find Backend Software Engineer jobs that sponsor OPT and H-1B?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for this. You can filter Backend Software Engineer roles by employers who have a sponsorship history, so you're not wasting applications on companies that won't hire on OPT. Generic job boards don't surface visa sponsorship data, which makes it easy to apply to roles where you'd be disqualified before the first interview.
Can I work as a backend engineer for a client site or through a staffing agency on OPT?
Yes, but with important caveats for STEM OPT. Third-party placement arrangements are allowed only if your employer of record, not the end client, signs your I-983 training plan and supervises your work. USCIS has scrutinized staffing agency arrangements, so the relationship must be a genuine employer-employee setup with active oversight from the sponsoring company.
What happens to my OPT if I'm laid off from a Backend Software Engineer role?
You enter a 60-day grace period starting on your last day of employment. During that window, you can search for a new backend engineering role, transfer to a different visa status, or prepare to depart the U.S. If you're on STEM OPT, the same 60-day rule applies. Report any change in employment to your DSO immediately, as failing to do so can jeopardize your status.
Does a Backend Software Engineer role at a remote-first company count as valid OPT employment?
Yes. Remote work is valid OPT employment as long as the employer is a U.S.-based company and you're authorized to work in the U.S. For STEM OPT, your I-983 must accurately reflect your remote work arrangement, including how your employer will supervise your training. Update your DSO if your work location changes significantly during your authorization period.