OPT Development Engineer Jobs
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 visa petitions, making it a realistic long-term path.
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Amazon is seeking exceptional software engineering talent to develop the on-robot software components that connect intelligent robots to fleet-scale cloud systems, enabling telemetry collection, model deployment, over-the-air updates, and fleet coordination at unprecedented scale. We're building revolutionary software infrastructure that combines AI, large-scale distributed systems, and advanced robotics orchestration to create adaptable automation solutions capable of coordinating heterogeneous robot fleets safely alongside humans in dynamic industrial environments.
As a Software Development Engineer, you will own on-robot software components that bridge the gap between autonomous robot intelligence and cloud-based fleet management. You will work at the intersection of embedded systems and cloud-connected distributed architectures, ensuring that on-robot software operates reliably under real-time constraints, bandwidth limitations, and the safety requirements of industrial environments where robots work alongside humans. Your work will enable robots to receive fleet coordination commands, publish operational telemetry, receive over-the-air software and model updates, and participate as intelligent members of a coordinated fleet.
The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in software development with a strong understanding of how systems integrate with cloud infrastructure and large-scale distributed operations. You are hands-on, writing production-quality code and building resilient software that operates in resource-constrained environments. You can reason about latency requirements, failure modes, data flow direction, and graceful degradation. If you're passionate about building the software that makes robots smarter, more connected, and more capable as part of a coordinated fleet, this role offers the chance to make a lasting impact on the future of automation.
Key job responsibilities
- Design, develop, and maintain on-robot software components that enable reliable connectivity between robots and cloud systems, supporting capabilities such as telemetry, remote updates, fleet coordination, and continuous learning.
- Build software that operates reliably under real-time constraints, handling bandwidth-constrained environments, intermittent connectivity, and the sensor data volumes generated by modern industrial robots.
- Collaborate with on-robot teams through joint architecture sessions to define and maintain clean software interfaces, with boundaries shaped by latency requirements, scope of optimization, data flow direction, failure modes, and development velocity.
- Develop and maintain automated test frameworks for on-robot software components, including hardware-in-the-loop testing, simulated fleet scenarios, and integration tests that validate the on-robot to cloud communication path end to end.
- Collaborate with applied science and data infrastructure teams to ensure on-robot telemetry and model deployment components meet the requirements of continuous learning pipelines and fleet intelligence systems.
- Collaborate with fleet management and platform teams to ensure on-robot components integrate cleanly with fleet management software, platform services, deployment infrastructure, and monitoring and alerting systems.
- Contribute to the design of robot communication APIs and platform architecture, ensuring they support scalability and multi-tenant requirements for both internal operations and future external customers.
- Leverage AI-native development practices and AI coding assistants to accelerate development while maintaining the quality and reliability standards required for software systems in industrial environments.
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
- 1+ years of software development engineer or related occupational experience
- 1+ years of designing and developing large-scale, multi-tiered, multi-threaded, embedded or distributed software applications, tools, systems, and services using: C#, C++, Java, or Perl experience
- 1+ years of Object Oriented Design experience
- Bachelor's degree or foreign equivalent in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related field
- Experience programming with at least one software programming language
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
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, MA, N.Reading
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $143,700.00 - $194,400.00 USD annually
DESCRIPTION
Amazon is seeking exceptional software engineering talent to develop the on-robot software components that connect intelligent robots to fleet-scale cloud systems, enabling telemetry collection, model deployment, over-the-air updates, and fleet coordination at unprecedented scale. We're building revolutionary software infrastructure that combines AI, large-scale distributed systems, and advanced robotics orchestration to create adaptable automation solutions capable of coordinating heterogeneous robot fleets safely alongside humans in dynamic industrial environments.
As a Software Development Engineer, you will own on-robot software components that bridge the gap between autonomous robot intelligence and cloud-based fleet management. You will work at the intersection of embedded systems and cloud-connected distributed architectures, ensuring that on-robot software operates reliably under real-time constraints, bandwidth limitations, and the safety requirements of industrial environments where robots work alongside humans. Your work will enable robots to receive fleet coordination commands, publish operational telemetry, receive over-the-air software and model updates, and participate as intelligent members of a coordinated fleet.
The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in software development with a strong understanding of how systems integrate with cloud infrastructure and large-scale distributed operations. You are hands-on, writing production-quality code and building resilient software that operates in resource-constrained environments. You can reason about latency requirements, failure modes, data flow direction, and graceful degradation. If you're passionate about building the software that makes robots smarter, more connected, and more capable as part of a coordinated fleet, this role offers the chance to make a lasting impact on the future of automation.
Key job responsibilities
- Design, develop, and maintain on-robot software components that enable reliable connectivity between robots and cloud systems, supporting capabilities such as telemetry, remote updates, fleet coordination, and continuous learning.
- Build software that operates reliably under real-time constraints, handling bandwidth-constrained environments, intermittent connectivity, and the sensor data volumes generated by modern industrial robots.
- Collaborate with on-robot teams through joint architecture sessions to define and maintain clean software interfaces, with boundaries shaped by latency requirements, scope of optimization, data flow direction, failure modes, and development velocity.
- Develop and maintain automated test frameworks for on-robot software components, including hardware-in-the-loop testing, simulated fleet scenarios, and integration tests that validate the on-robot to cloud communication path end to end.
- Collaborate with applied science and data infrastructure teams to ensure on-robot telemetry and model deployment components meet the requirements of continuous learning pipelines and fleet intelligence systems.
- Collaborate with fleet management and platform teams to ensure on-robot components integrate cleanly with fleet management software, platform services, deployment infrastructure, and monitoring and alerting systems.
- Contribute to the design of robot communication APIs and platform architecture, ensuring they support scalability and multi-tenant requirements for both internal operations and future external customers.
- Leverage AI-native development practices and AI coding assistants to accelerate development while maintaining the quality and reliability standards required for software systems in industrial environments.
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
- 1+ years of software development engineer or related occupational experience
- 1+ years of designing and developing large-scale, multi-tiered, multi-threaded, embedded or distributed software applications, tools, systems, and services using: C#, C++, Java, or Perl experience
- 1+ years of Object Oriented Design experience
- Bachelor's degree or foreign equivalent in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related field
- Experience programming with at least one software programming language
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
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, MA, N.Reading
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $143,700.00 - $194,400.00 USD annually
See all 687+ OPT Development Engineer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT 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.
Prioritize employers with active H-1B histories
Look for companies that have consistently sponsored H-1B visas for engineering roles. Past sponsorship behavior is the strongest signal that an employer will support your long-term work authorization after OPT ends.
Start your OPT application at least 90 days early
USCIS recommends applying for OPT up to 90 days before your program end date. Late applications shrink your authorized work window, which can complicate job start dates with employers expecting you to begin quickly.
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 OPT: Frequently 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.