Development Engineer Jobs for OPT Students
Development Engineer jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in mechanical, electrical, civil, or systems engineering. Most roles qualify as STEM OPT extensions, giving you up to three years of work authorization. Employers in this field regularly file H-1B petitions, making it a realistic long-term path.
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Want to help us build software systems to make the world’s best product catalog better?
One of the reasons why the catalog buying experience on Amazon is appealing to buyers is because Amazon controls and curates product listings a buyer sees. This provides Amazon buyers a one stop experience to find all information about the product, sellers who are selling the product, and offers available for purchase. Item Identity Services (IIS) organization is responsible and authority for establishing product identity and attributes which lights up product detail page, supply chain and fulfillment use cases across all marketplaces. The portfolio of services and products we own directly impacts both seller and buyer experiences. Being the world’s largest product catalog with billions of products, and billions of transactions per day the scale our services support is massive. We employ a combination of human-curated rules and machine learning techniques and apply them to product data at Amazon scale.
We are looking for a customer-focused and highly-motivated software design engineer to help build software systems to improve the quality of Earth’s largest e-commerce catalog. This role will present you an opportunity to work with collaborative leaders, work backwards from customers, identify problems, propose innovative solutions, relentlessly raise standards, and have a positive impact on hundreds of millions of Amazon customers.
About the team
IS services support hundreds of internal clients, and businesses that contribute to the Amazon catalog. We value inclusivity, transparency, and customer-centric solutions. We foster a culture of ownership, empowerment, and provide support system that enable leaders to drive business impact. We continuously invest in mechanisms and software systems that help us sustainably meet the business demand.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 3+ years of non-internship professional software development experience
- 2+ years of non-internship design or architecture (design patterns, reliability and scaling) of new and existing systems experience
- Experience programming with at least one modern language such as Java, C++, or C# including object-oriented design
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- 3+ years of full software development life cycle, including coding standards, code reviews, source control management, build processes, testing, and operations experience
- Bachelor's degree in computer science or equivalent
- Experience working with AWS Services
- Experience in software development, or experience troubleshooting and debugging technical systems and experience that includes strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and effective communication abilities
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
LOCATION
USA, WA, Seattle
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $143,700.00 - $194,400.00 USD annually
DESCRIPTION
Want to help us build software systems to make the world’s best product catalog better?
One of the reasons why the catalog buying experience on Amazon is appealing to buyers is because Amazon controls and curates product listings a buyer sees. This provides Amazon buyers a one stop experience to find all information about the product, sellers who are selling the product, and offers available for purchase. Item Identity Services (IIS) organization is responsible and authority for establishing product identity and attributes which lights up product detail page, supply chain and fulfillment use cases across all marketplaces. The portfolio of services and products we own directly impacts both seller and buyer experiences. Being the world’s largest product catalog with billions of products, and billions of transactions per day the scale our services support is massive. We employ a combination of human-curated rules and machine learning techniques and apply them to product data at Amazon scale.
We are looking for a customer-focused and highly-motivated software design engineer to help build software systems to improve the quality of Earth’s largest e-commerce catalog. This role will present you an opportunity to work with collaborative leaders, work backwards from customers, identify problems, propose innovative solutions, relentlessly raise standards, and have a positive impact on hundreds of millions of Amazon customers.
About the team
IS services support hundreds of internal clients, and businesses that contribute to the Amazon catalog. We value inclusivity, transparency, and customer-centric solutions. We foster a culture of ownership, empowerment, and provide support system that enable leaders to drive business impact. We continuously invest in mechanisms and software systems that help us sustainably meet the business demand.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 3+ years of non-internship professional software development experience
- 2+ years of non-internship design or architecture (design patterns, reliability and scaling) of new and existing systems experience
- Experience programming with at least one modern language such as Java, C++, or C# including object-oriented design
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- 3+ years of full software development life cycle, including coding standards, code reviews, source control management, build processes, testing, and operations experience
- Bachelor's degree in computer science or equivalent
- Experience working with AWS Services
- Experience in software development, or experience troubleshooting and debugging technical systems and experience that includes strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and effective communication abilities
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
LOCATION
USA, WA, Seattle
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $143,700.00 - $194,400.00 USD annually
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Development Engineer
Confirm your degree field matches the role
Development Engineer positions typically require a degree in engineering or a closely related technical field. Before applying, verify your major aligns with the job description to avoid OPT authorization issues and strengthen your candidacy from the start.
Address OPT timing clearly in interviews
Employers often hesitate because they misunderstand OPT timelines. Explain that your OPT EAD is already in process or approved, state your exact authorized start date, and clarify that STEM extension gives you additional runway beyond the initial period.
Target product companies over staffing firms
Direct employers in manufacturing, aerospace, defense, and tech file far more H-1B petitions for Development Engineers than staffing agencies do. Product companies also offer more structured sponsorship processes and clearer long-term employment paths.
Document all engineering projects for your resume
Development Engineer roles require demonstrated technical depth. Quantify your contributions with metrics where possible, such as cycle time reductions or reliability improvements, to differentiate yourself from candidates with similar academic backgrounds and OPT status.
Development Engineer jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Do Development Engineer jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most do, but it depends on your degree field, not just the job title. If your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or computer engineering, and the role uses those skills directly, you can apply for the 24-month STEM extension after your initial 12-month OPT period.
How do I find Development Engineer roles that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT and international students, so every role on the platform is filtered for sponsorship and work authorization compatibility. Searching there saves you from applying to positions where OPT is an automatic disqualifier, which is a common and frustrating experience on general job boards.
Can I work as a Development Engineer on OPT if my degree is in a related but not identical field?
Yes, in most cases. OPT requires that your job be directly related to your major area of study, but the connection does not have to be exact. A materials science graduate working on product development, or an industrial engineer in a process development role, would generally satisfy the relatedness requirement. When in doubt, consult your DSO before accepting an offer.
Do Development Engineer employers typically sponsor H-1B visas?
Many do, particularly in industries like aerospace, defense, semiconductors, and medical devices, where engineering talent is scarce and companies invest in retaining skilled employees long-term. That said, sponsorship policies vary by company size and budget. Researching a company's historical H-1B filings before accepting an offer is a practical way to gauge their commitment.
What happens if my OPT EAD is still pending when an employer wants me to start?
You cannot begin work until your EAD arrives, even if your OPT start date has passed. Communicate your timeline to the employer as early as possible and share your EAD receipt notice as proof the application is in process. Most engineering employers will adjust a start date by a few weeks if you are transparent and proactive about the situation.
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