OPT QA Specialist Jobs
QA Specialist roles are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in computer science, information systems, or engineering. Most positions qualify as STEM-designated occupations, making you eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Employers filing H-1B visa petitions regularly sponsor QA Specialists for long-term work authorization.
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4900 Tiedeman Road, Brooklyn Ohio
Job Summary
The Lead Analyst (QA) is a professional contributor within Controllership Quality Assurance (QA), responsible for supporting risk identification, issue management, and quality assurance activities across the Controllership organization. The role focuses on executing risk-based quality assurance reviews, identifying opportunities for process and control improvement, and helping ensure adherence to internal policies, regulatory expectations, and established governance practices.
Operating independently while collaborating closely with business partners and QA team members, this role executes risk-based quality assurance reviews and testing activities across Controllership processes, identifies potential risks and issues, supports the development of sustainable solutions to strengthen the overall control environment, and assesses the effectiveness of controls and risk management practices.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the planning, execution, and continuous improvement of designated QA reviews and testing activities within the Controllership organization.
- Assist in identifying, assessing, and monitoring risks and issues across Controllership processes and functions.
- Execute risk-based testing and review activities aligned with established QA methodologies and organizational priorities.
- Support issue management activities, including issue identification, root cause analysis, remediation tracking, and validation of corrective actions.
- Apply quality and risk standards aligned with internal policies, regulatory expectations, and industry best practices.
- Analyze review results, observations, and trends to identify improvement opportunities and emerging themes.
- Prepare clear and concise reporting and supporting materials for management and governance discussions.
- Serve as a resource for QA methodologies, testing approaches, and risk and control concepts.
- Monitor regulatory and industry developments impacting Controllership processes and support updates to QA methodologies as needed.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Risk Management, or a related discipline.
- Minimum of 2-3 years of experience in quality assurance, regulatory reporting, accounting, internal/external audit, risk management, or a related Finance function within a financial institution.
- Demonstrated experience working in a financial services environment with exposure to Finance or Controllership processes.
- Experience supporting testing, review, audit, assessment, or control evaluation activities.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills with the ability to identify risks, issues, and control weaknesses.
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with stakeholders and communicate findings and recommendations professionally.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with risk-based assessment frameworks, controls testing, issue management, or process reviews.
- Familiarity with financial reporting, regulatory reporting, accounting operations, or related Controllership activities.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to summarize findings and present information to management.
Competencies / Skills
Risk & Control Awareness
Demonstrates the ability to identify risks, assess control effectiveness, and support quality assurance activities across Controllership processes. Maintains an understanding of risk management principles and contributes to strengthening the control environment through thoughtful analysis and constructive challenge.
Testing & Review Execution
Participates in the planning, execution, and documentation of risk-based testing and review activities. Applies established methodologies to evaluate controls, identify issues, and develop practical recommendations that support business objectives and governance expectations.
Stakeholder Relationship-Building
Builds productive working relationships with Controllership and Finance stakeholders. Collaborates effectively across teams, facilitates information gathering, and supports alignment on issue remediation and control improvements.
Problem-Solving & Issue Management
Identifies, analyzes, and helps resolve risks and issues through structured review and assessment activities. Demonstrates sound judgment in evaluating findings, recommending solutions, and escalating concerns when appropriate.
Written & Verbal Communication
Communicates findings, observations, and recommendations clearly and effectively to management and business partners. Prepares accurate, concise documentation and presentations that support decision-making and governance activities.
Collaborative Teamwork
Works effectively within the QA team and across Controllership functions to support shared objectives. Contributes to a positive team environment, shares knowledge, and supports continuous improvement initiatives.
Accuracy, Timeliness & Planning
Maintains a high level of attention to detail and accountability while meeting quality standards and deadlines. Demonstrates strong organizational skills in managing multiple priorities, documenting testing activities, tracking issues, and supporting the execution of annual QA plans.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
This position is eligible to earn a base salary in the range of $63,000.00 - $96,000.00 annually. Placement within the pay range may differ based upon various factors, including but not limited to skills, experience and geographic location. Compensation for this role also includes eligibility for incentive compensation which may include production, commission, and/or discretionary incentives.
Key has implemented an approach to employee workspaces which prioritizes in-office presence, while providing flexible options in circumstances where roles can be performed effectively in a mobile environment.
Job Posting Expiration Date: 10/20/2026
KeyCorp is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to sustaining an inclusive culture. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, pregnancy, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
Qualified individuals with disabilities or disabled veterans who are unable or limited in their ability to apply on this site may request reasonable accommodations by emailing HR_Compliance@keybank.com.
LI-Hybrid
Location:
4900 Tiedeman Road, Brooklyn Ohio
Job Summary
The Lead Analyst (QA) is a professional contributor within Controllership Quality Assurance (QA), responsible for supporting risk identification, issue management, and quality assurance activities across the Controllership organization. The role focuses on executing risk-based quality assurance reviews, identifying opportunities for process and control improvement, and helping ensure adherence to internal policies, regulatory expectations, and established governance practices.
Operating independently while collaborating closely with business partners and QA team members, this role executes risk-based quality assurance reviews and testing activities across Controllership processes, identifies potential risks and issues, supports the development of sustainable solutions to strengthen the overall control environment, and assesses the effectiveness of controls and risk management practices.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the planning, execution, and continuous improvement of designated QA reviews and testing activities within the Controllership organization.
- Assist in identifying, assessing, and monitoring risks and issues across Controllership processes and functions.
- Execute risk-based testing and review activities aligned with established QA methodologies and organizational priorities.
- Support issue management activities, including issue identification, root cause analysis, remediation tracking, and validation of corrective actions.
- Apply quality and risk standards aligned with internal policies, regulatory expectations, and industry best practices.
- Analyze review results, observations, and trends to identify improvement opportunities and emerging themes.
- Prepare clear and concise reporting and supporting materials for management and governance discussions.
- Serve as a resource for QA methodologies, testing approaches, and risk and control concepts.
- Monitor regulatory and industry developments impacting Controllership processes and support updates to QA methodologies as needed.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Risk Management, or a related discipline.
- Minimum of 2-3 years of experience in quality assurance, regulatory reporting, accounting, internal/external audit, risk management, or a related Finance function within a financial institution.
- Demonstrated experience working in a financial services environment with exposure to Finance or Controllership processes.
- Experience supporting testing, review, audit, assessment, or control evaluation activities.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills with the ability to identify risks, issues, and control weaknesses.
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with stakeholders and communicate findings and recommendations professionally.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with risk-based assessment frameworks, controls testing, issue management, or process reviews.
- Familiarity with financial reporting, regulatory reporting, accounting operations, or related Controllership activities.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to summarize findings and present information to management.
Competencies / Skills
Risk & Control Awareness
Demonstrates the ability to identify risks, assess control effectiveness, and support quality assurance activities across Controllership processes. Maintains an understanding of risk management principles and contributes to strengthening the control environment through thoughtful analysis and constructive challenge.
Testing & Review Execution
Participates in the planning, execution, and documentation of risk-based testing and review activities. Applies established methodologies to evaluate controls, identify issues, and develop practical recommendations that support business objectives and governance expectations.
Stakeholder Relationship-Building
Builds productive working relationships with Controllership and Finance stakeholders. Collaborates effectively across teams, facilitates information gathering, and supports alignment on issue remediation and control improvements.
Problem-Solving & Issue Management
Identifies, analyzes, and helps resolve risks and issues through structured review and assessment activities. Demonstrates sound judgment in evaluating findings, recommending solutions, and escalating concerns when appropriate.
Written & Verbal Communication
Communicates findings, observations, and recommendations clearly and effectively to management and business partners. Prepares accurate, concise documentation and presentations that support decision-making and governance activities.
Collaborative Teamwork
Works effectively within the QA team and across Controllership functions to support shared objectives. Contributes to a positive team environment, shares knowledge, and supports continuous improvement initiatives.
Accuracy, Timeliness & Planning
Maintains a high level of attention to detail and accountability while meeting quality standards and deadlines. Demonstrates strong organizational skills in managing multiple priorities, documenting testing activities, tracking issues, and supporting the execution of annual QA plans.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
This position is eligible to earn a base salary in the range of $63,000.00 - $96,000.00 annually. Placement within the pay range may differ based upon various factors, including but not limited to skills, experience and geographic location. Compensation for this role also includes eligibility for incentive compensation which may include production, commission, and/or discretionary incentives.
Key has implemented an approach to employee workspaces which prioritizes in-office presence, while providing flexible options in circumstances where roles can be performed effectively in a mobile environment.
Job Posting Expiration Date: 10/20/2026
KeyCorp is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to sustaining an inclusive culture. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, pregnancy, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
Qualified individuals with disabilities or disabled veterans who are unable or limited in their ability to apply on this site may request reasonable accommodations by emailing HR_Compliance@keybank.com.
LI-Hybrid
See all 426+ OPT QA Specialist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a QA Specialist
Verify your degree qualifies for STEM OPT
QA Specialist roles often qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, but your degree field must appear on the STEM Designated Degree Program List. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before applying to roles requiring extended authorization.
Target employers with a QA H-1B sponsorship track record
Search OFLC disclosure data to identify companies that have filed H-1B visa petitions for QA or software testing roles in the past two years. Past sponsorship behavior is the strongest signal that an employer will support your long-term authorization.
Address your OPT timeline proactively with hiring managers
Mention your OPT authorization dates early in the process, not at the offer stage. QA teams with hiring cycles tied to product release schedules need to plan around your work authorization window to avoid onboarding delays.
Highlight automation skills to strengthen your candidacy
Employers sponsoring QA Specialists for H-1B status need to justify the specialty occupation classification. Demonstrating expertise in test automation frameworks like Selenium or Cypress makes your role easier to classify and your petition stronger.
Apply to mid-size software companies, not just large enterprises
Mid-size software and SaaS companies frequently sponsor QA hires and move faster than large corporations. They often have fewer internal bureaucratic hurdles around OPT and H-1B paperwork, making them practical targets during your OPT window.
Get your EAD card details ready before interviews progress
Have your EAD card number, expiration date, and STEM extension eligibility confirmed before offer negotiations begin. Employers appreciate candidates who can answer work authorization questions clearly and without delay, which signals professionalism and preparation.
QA Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a QA Specialist role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree field, not just the job title. QA Specialist positions commonly qualify when your degree is in computer science, information systems, software engineering, or a related STEM field listed on the designated degree program list. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before assuming eligibility, since degrees in non-STEM fields will not qualify even if the job itself involves technical work.
Will employers sponsor a QA Specialist on OPT for an H-1B?
Many do, particularly software companies and tech-forward employers who rely on structured QA teams. The key is finding employers with a documented history of H-1B sponsorship for QA or software testing roles. Migrate Mate filters for OPT-friendly employers, so you can focus your search on companies already open to sponsorship rather than guessing from job listings alone.
Can a QA Specialist role be classified as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes, when the position requires a specific bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant technical field. Roles focused on manual testing without a technical degree requirement have faced more scrutiny in H-1B adjudications. Positions requiring expertise in test automation, API testing, or performance engineering, backed by a computer science or engineering degree, have a much clearer path to specialty occupation classification.
What should I do if my OPT expires before the H-1B cap-gap period starts?
If your employer files an H-1B petition by April 1 before your OPT expires, the cap-gap provision automatically extends your work authorization through September 30. If your OPT expires before April 1 and no petition is filed in time, you cannot continue working. Planning your job search and offer timing around the H-1B filing window is critical for QA Specialists relying on this transition.
Are contract or staffing agency QA roles a good option during OPT?
They can be, but they come with tradeoffs. Contract roles through staffing agencies count toward your OPT work requirement, and some agencies do sponsor H-1B petitions. However, agency sponsorship is less predictable than direct employer sponsorship, and third-party placement arrangements can complicate H-1B specialty occupation petitions. Direct-hire QA roles at product companies generally offer a more stable path to long-term sponsorship.