OPT Developer Tools Jobs
Developer Tools roles span compiler engineering, IDE plugins, SDK development, and DevOps infrastructure, all areas where F-1 OPT students with CS or software engineering degrees qualify. Your 12-month OPT window (up to 36 months with a STEM extension) gives you meaningful runway to land a role and transition to H-1B visa sponsorship.
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We love movies and we love TV. When the storytelling is good, it can be emotional, transformational, thought-provoking or just a really good laugh. Apple's video services are laser focused on curation, discovery and personalization, and there is a team of people with a passion for video behind every feature we ship. We work with studios, networks, channels and streaming services to bring the best content to Apple TV customers, and we help each of them discover their next favorite movie or TV show every day.
DESCRIPTION
We're looking for an AI Tools & Automation Specialist to join our Platform & Personalization team on the Apple TV app. In this role you will design and build practical tools that support the judgment and craft of our editorial, programming and testing teams, and you will help colleagues learn how to get the most from AI. You will turn good ideas into working prototypes, pitch the strongest ones to engineering partners and work with them to bring those ideas to life, and share what you build so others can use it and make it better.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree or 2 years of equivalent practical experience.
- Hands-on experience building with AI tools, including prompt engineering and using AI coding assistants to produce working prototypes.
- Good judgment when reviewing AI output: able to spot errors, gaps and bias, and to design simple checks and human review steps.
- Working knowledge of a scripting or web language (for example Python, JavaScript or TypeScript) and comfort with APIs, structured data and spreadsheets.
- Clear communicator who documents their work and enjoys explaining technical ideas to non-technical colleagues.
- Interest in movies, TV and how people discover content.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Familiarity with agentic workflows and with ways of connecting AI to data, such as retrieval-augmented generation (RAG).
- Experience turning a repeatable process into a report, dashboard or workflow.
- Understanding of responsible AI use, including data privacy and confidentiality.
- Experience with version control, test automation or deploying a small web application.
- Curious, organized and comfortable iterating on feedback.
COMPENSATION
- Base pay range for this role is between $119,700 and $180,300, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple’s discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You’ll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses — including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation.
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.
At Apple, we believe accessibility is a fundamental human right. You’ll find that idea reflected in everything here — in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong.
Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.
SUMMARY
We love movies and we love TV. When the storytelling is good, it can be emotional, transformational, thought-provoking or just a really good laugh. Apple's video services are laser focused on curation, discovery and personalization, and there is a team of people with a passion for video behind every feature we ship. We work with studios, networks, channels and streaming services to bring the best content to Apple TV customers, and we help each of them discover their next favorite movie or TV show every day.
DESCRIPTION
We're looking for an AI Tools & Automation Specialist to join our Platform & Personalization team on the Apple TV app. In this role you will design and build practical tools that support the judgment and craft of our editorial, programming and testing teams, and you will help colleagues learn how to get the most from AI. You will turn good ideas into working prototypes, pitch the strongest ones to engineering partners and work with them to bring those ideas to life, and share what you build so others can use it and make it better.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree or 2 years of equivalent practical experience.
- Hands-on experience building with AI tools, including prompt engineering and using AI coding assistants to produce working prototypes.
- Good judgment when reviewing AI output: able to spot errors, gaps and bias, and to design simple checks and human review steps.
- Working knowledge of a scripting or web language (for example Python, JavaScript or TypeScript) and comfort with APIs, structured data and spreadsheets.
- Clear communicator who documents their work and enjoys explaining technical ideas to non-technical colleagues.
- Interest in movies, TV and how people discover content.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Familiarity with agentic workflows and with ways of connecting AI to data, such as retrieval-augmented generation (RAG).
- Experience turning a repeatable process into a report, dashboard or workflow.
- Understanding of responsible AI use, including data privacy and confidentiality.
- Experience with version control, test automation or deploying a small web application.
- Curious, organized and comfortable iterating on feedback.
COMPENSATION
- Base pay range for this role is between $119,700 and $180,300, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple’s discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You’ll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses — including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation.
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.
At Apple, we believe accessibility is a fundamental human right. You’ll find that idea reflected in everything here — in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong.
Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Developer Tools
Target companies with active developer infrastructure teams
Companies building internal platforms, CI/CD pipelines, or SDKs for external developers typically have dedicated engineering headcount. These teams hire regularly and are more likely to have established H-1B visa sponsorship processes already in place.
Highlight open source contributions in your applications
Developer Tools roles value demonstrated impact on real codebases. Public contributions to compilers, language runtimes, or tooling libraries signal exactly the kind of work these teams do, and they make your visa sponsorship case stronger with concrete evidence of output.
Apply before your OPT start date if possible
Hiring timelines for technical roles can run six to ten weeks. Starting your search two to three months before your OPT authorization begins gives you room to complete interviews and receive an offer without rushing your DSO to process paperwork under pressure.
Know your STEM extension eligibility before interviewing
If your degree is in computer science, software engineering, or a related STEM field, you likely qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension. Telling employers you have up to three years of work authorization meaningfully reduces their perceived sponsorship risk.
Focus on mid-size tech companies, not just large enterprises
Startups building developer-facing products often sponsor visas but get overlooked by OPT candidates chasing big names. A 50 to 200 person company with a developer tools product can offer faster H-1B filing, more visibility, and direct access to decision-makers.
Frame your tooling experience around measurable developer impact
Employers want to know your work made other engineers faster or more reliable. Quantify your contributions: reduced build times, improved test coverage, or adoption rates of a tool you built. Concrete metrics differentiate you and strengthen your sponsorship justification internally.
Developer Tools OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work in a Developer Tools role on OPT without an employer sponsoring a visa right away?
Yes. OPT work authorization comes from your school and USCIS, not your employer, so you can start working as soon as your EAD card is valid. Your employer does not need to file any visa petition to hire you on OPT. Sponsorship only becomes relevant later, typically when your OPT period is approaching its end and you need an H-1B to stay authorized.
Do Developer Tools jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most do, provided your underlying degree is in a STEM-designated field such as computer science, software engineering, electrical engineering, or information systems. The job itself must also be directly related to your degree. Roles involving compiler development, SDK engineering, DevOps tooling, or platform infrastructure typically satisfy this requirement, giving you up to 36 months of total OPT authorization.
What makes Developer Tools companies more or less likely to sponsor H-1B visas?
Companies that build developer-facing products, maintain large engineering teams, or depend on specialized technical talent tend to have existing H-1B sponsorship processes. Startups with fewer than 50 employees may sponsor but often do so for the first time, which takes longer. Searching Migrate Mate filters for OPT-friendly Developer Tools roles can help you identify employers with a track record of sponsoring international engineers.
How does my F-1 status affect when I can start a Developer Tools job?
You can only begin working once your EAD card is physically in hand and the start date printed on it has arrived. Do not accept a start date earlier than your EAD start date, even if your offer letter precedes it. If your EAD is delayed, notify your employer immediately and contact your DSO. Most technical employers in this space are familiar with OPT timelines and can accommodate brief delays.
Are there Developer Tools roles that are harder to get on OPT due to security or access requirements?
Yes. Roles at defense contractors or companies building tools for government clients may require security clearances, which F-1 students are generally ineligible to obtain. Additionally, some internal developer tools teams work on classified infrastructure. Before applying, check whether the job description mentions clearance requirements or U.S. citizenship as a condition of employment, and prioritize commercial software and SaaS companies instead.