OPT C Software Engineer Jobs
C Software Engineer roles are a strong fit for OPT authorization, with most positions requiring a degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or a related field. Employers in systems programming, embedded development, and infrastructure routinely sponsor OPT students, and STEM OPT extension eligibility is nearly universal for this role.
See All OPT C Software Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 75+ C Software 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 75+ C Software Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new C Software Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsOverview
We are seeking a talented full stack developer with strong C++ skills that enjoys coding powerful and intuitive desktop software. Join us if you are looking for a fulfilling career in software development where you design and create both user-friendly frontends and robust backend functions and APIs. As a Software Developer on the ModelBuilder team, you will help us develop innovative new capabilities for analytical modeling. This is a great opportunity to join a fast-paced and agile team as we support the work of our large global customer base who are solving critical problems using spatial analysis and ModelBuilder in Esri's Desktop GIS product, ArcGIS Pro.
Responsibilities
- Build the next generation workflow-based diagramming interface and user experiences for ArcGIS Pro that allows simple or complex sequences of tools to run efficiently
- Follow design patterns, development methodologies, and deployment techniques using C++, C#, .NET, MVVM, and WPF
- Find, analyze, and fix bugs and performance problems whenever they occur in the software
- Build and ship quality software by working effectively in an agile, highly interactive, and creative team environment
- Work closely with product specialists and software designers to create innovative new ModelBuilder capabilities
- Become an expert in interaction patterns and use of the third-party diagramming library and supporting backend APIs and framework used by ModelBuilder
- Contribute to and run unit tests to ensure high quality development free of regressions
Requirements
- 2+ years of experience in C++ with strong understanding of memory management, smart pointers, multithreading and concurrency, performance optimization and profiling and more
- Strong proficiency in C# (.NET) including object-oriented design principles, asynchronous programming (async/await), parallel processing methods, dependency injection and application lifecycle management and more
- Strong understanding of API design, component based and layered architectures, interoperability between native (C++) and managed (.NET) code and more
- Ability to make informed tradeoffs between performance, maintainability, and extensibility
- Proven experience diagnosing and resolving memory leaks, race conditions, deadlocks, bottlenecks in CPU and memory intensive applications and familiarity with profiling and diagnostics tools for both C++ and .NET and more
- Experience designing modular, scalable, and maintainable systems
- Ability to clearly analyze and describe problems, and propose solutions
- Ability to collaborate in a team environment and work closely with software developers, product engineers, and others to build quality software in a constantly evolving agile environment
- Bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field
- GitHub link showcasing your projects and work
Recommended Qualifications
- Master's or PhD in computer science or a related field
- Familiarity with Esri products or similar GIS or spatial software
- Experience in areas of data analysis
- Experience with development and release of commercial software products
- Experience with Agile software development using Scrum
- Experience writing testable (or test-driven) software
The Company
At Esri, diversity is more than just a word on a map. When employees of different experiences, perspectives, backgrounds, and cultures come together, we are more innovative and ultimately a better place to work. We believe in having a diverse workforce that is unified under our mission of creating positive global change. We understand that diversity, equity, and inclusion is not a destination but an ongoing process. We are committed to the continuation of learning, growing, and changing our workplace so every employee can contribute to their life's best work. Our commitment to these principles extends to the global communities we serve by creating positive change with GIS technology.
If you don't meet all of the preferred qualifications for this position, we encourage you to still apply!
Esri is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please email askcareers@esri.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please note that only those inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this e-mail address.
Esri takes our responsibility to protect your privacy seriously. We are committed to respecting your privacy by providing transparency in how we acquire and use your information, giving you control of your information and preferences, and holding ourselves to the highest national and international standards, including CCPA and GDPR compliance.
Overview
We are seeking a talented full stack developer with strong C++ skills that enjoys coding powerful and intuitive desktop software. Join us if you are looking for a fulfilling career in software development where you design and create both user-friendly frontends and robust backend functions and APIs. As a Software Developer on the ModelBuilder team, you will help us develop innovative new capabilities for analytical modeling. This is a great opportunity to join a fast-paced and agile team as we support the work of our large global customer base who are solving critical problems using spatial analysis and ModelBuilder in Esri's Desktop GIS product, ArcGIS Pro.
Responsibilities
- Build the next generation workflow-based diagramming interface and user experiences for ArcGIS Pro that allows simple or complex sequences of tools to run efficiently
- Follow design patterns, development methodologies, and deployment techniques using C++, C#, .NET, MVVM, and WPF
- Find, analyze, and fix bugs and performance problems whenever they occur in the software
- Build and ship quality software by working effectively in an agile, highly interactive, and creative team environment
- Work closely with product specialists and software designers to create innovative new ModelBuilder capabilities
- Become an expert in interaction patterns and use of the third-party diagramming library and supporting backend APIs and framework used by ModelBuilder
- Contribute to and run unit tests to ensure high quality development free of regressions
Requirements
- 2+ years of experience in C++ with strong understanding of memory management, smart pointers, multithreading and concurrency, performance optimization and profiling and more
- Strong proficiency in C# (.NET) including object-oriented design principles, asynchronous programming (async/await), parallel processing methods, dependency injection and application lifecycle management and more
- Strong understanding of API design, component based and layered architectures, interoperability between native (C++) and managed (.NET) code and more
- Ability to make informed tradeoffs between performance, maintainability, and extensibility
- Proven experience diagnosing and resolving memory leaks, race conditions, deadlocks, bottlenecks in CPU and memory intensive applications and familiarity with profiling and diagnostics tools for both C++ and .NET and more
- Experience designing modular, scalable, and maintainable systems
- Ability to clearly analyze and describe problems, and propose solutions
- Ability to collaborate in a team environment and work closely with software developers, product engineers, and others to build quality software in a constantly evolving agile environment
- Bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field
- GitHub link showcasing your projects and work
Recommended Qualifications
- Master's or PhD in computer science or a related field
- Familiarity with Esri products or similar GIS or spatial software
- Experience in areas of data analysis
- Experience with development and release of commercial software products
- Experience with Agile software development using Scrum
- Experience writing testable (or test-driven) software
The Company
At Esri, diversity is more than just a word on a map. When employees of different experiences, perspectives, backgrounds, and cultures come together, we are more innovative and ultimately a better place to work. We believe in having a diverse workforce that is unified under our mission of creating positive global change. We understand that diversity, equity, and inclusion is not a destination but an ongoing process. We are committed to the continuation of learning, growing, and changing our workplace so every employee can contribute to their life's best work. Our commitment to these principles extends to the global communities we serve by creating positive change with GIS technology.
If you don't meet all of the preferred qualifications for this position, we encourage you to still apply!
Esri is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please email askcareers@esri.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please note that only those inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this e-mail address.
Esri takes our responsibility to protect your privacy seriously. We are committed to respecting your privacy by providing transparency in how we acquire and use your information, giving you control of your information and preferences, and holding ourselves to the highest national and international standards, including CCPA and GDPR compliance.
See all 75+ OPT C Software Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT C Software Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a C Software Engineer
Lead with systems-level experience
Hiring managers for C roles prioritize demonstrated experience with memory management, pointers, and low-level system calls. Highlight projects involving operating systems, device drivers, or embedded firmware to stand out from candidates with only higher-level language backgrounds.
Confirm your STEM OPT extension eligibility early
C Software Engineer roles almost always fall under qualifying STEM fields, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Verify your degree CIP code with your DSO before interviews so you can confidently discuss your full authorization timeline with employers.
Target industries with high C usage
Embedded systems, aerospace, defense, telecommunications, and operating system development are the heaviest users of C. Companies like chip manufacturers, automotive software vendors, and network hardware firms are far more accustomed to OPT sponsorship than general software shops.
Prepare to discuss OPT mechanics clearly
Employers unfamiliar with OPT often conflate it with H-1B visa sponsorship. Be ready to explain that OPT requires no employer petition, no filing fees, and no lottery, which removes the primary barriers that make smaller companies hesitant to hire international candidates.
Showcase open-source or portfolio projects in C
Public GitHub repositories with C projects, such as a custom memory allocator, shell implementation, or network socket library, serve as concrete proof of skill. Reviewers screening for systems engineers weigh working code heavily, especially when you have limited U.S. work history.
Address the 90-day unemployment limit proactively
OPT allows a maximum of 90 days of unemployment, and job searching takes time. Start your search several months before graduation, and document any volunteer or part-time C development work to demonstrate continuous engagement in your field during your authorized period.
C Software Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do C Software Engineer employers commonly hire OPT students?
Yes, particularly in embedded systems, telecommunications, and infrastructure software. These industries rely heavily on C and have consistent hiring pipelines for international candidates. Many employers in these sectors are familiar with OPT mechanics and treat it as standard work authorization. You can browse OPT-friendly C Software Engineer openings directly on Migrate Mate.
Does a C Software Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
In most cases, yes. If your degree is in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or a closely related STEM field, your role will almost certainly qualify. The 24-month STEM extension brings your total OPT authorization to 36 months. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO to make sure your specific program is on the STEM designated degree program list.
Can I work on C projects as a contractor or through a staffing agency on OPT?
Yes, with conditions. OPT permits contract and staffing agency work as long as the work is directly related to your degree field and you are actively supervised and engaged in qualifying employment. Unpaid arrangements do not count toward your authorized period. Make sure any contract role involves actual C development work, not peripheral or administrative duties.
What should I do if my OPT expires before I receive an H-1B approval?
If your employer files an H-1B petition before your OPT expires and you receive a receipt notice, you may be eligible for a cap-gap extension that bridges your status through September 30 of that fiscal year. This allows you to keep working legally in your C Software Engineer role without interruption. Your DSO can update your SEVIS record once the petition is received.
How do I document my C Software Engineer employment correctly for OPT compliance?
You must report your employer, job title, and start date to your DSO within 10 days of starting work, and your DSO updates your SEVIS record accordingly. Keep copies of your offer letter, pay stubs, and employment verification documents. For contract roles, a statement from the agency or client confirming your C development duties is useful documentation in case of a USCIS review.