OPT Quality Assurance Specialist Jobs
Quality Assurance Specialist roles are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students in STEM fields like computer science, engineering, and information systems. Most QA positions qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to three years of U.S. work authorization to build a career in software testing, quality engineering, or process improvement.
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Get Access To All JobsLocation:
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
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Quality Assurance Specialist
Lead with your STEM OPT eligibility
Mention your STEM OPT authorization upfront in your resume summary and cover letter. Employers in tech and manufacturing are familiar with the 24-month extension, and framing it as three years of runway removes a common objection before the conversation starts.
Target industries with high QA demand
Software, medical devices, automotive, and aerospace companies hire QA Specialists at volume. These industries have established immigration compliance programs and are more likely to support OPT students through the authorization period and into H-1B visa sponsorship down the line.
Get specific about your testing toolkit
Employers screen QA candidates on tools first. Highlight experience with Selenium, JIRA, TestRail, Postman, or SQL on your resume. Specificity signals job readiness and shortens the evaluation process, which matters when hiring managers are weighing OPT timelines.
Frame quality metrics as business impact
QA work is easy to undersell. Quantify your contributions: defect rates reduced, test coverage increased, release cycles shortened. Employers evaluating OPT candidates want evidence that you add measurable value, not just that you can follow a testing protocol.
Address your OPT end date honestly and early
If an employer asks about your work authorization timeline, be straightforward. Explain your current OPT period, your STEM extension eligibility if applicable, and that you're actively building toward long-term sponsorship. Clarity early prevents misaligned expectations later in the process.
Prioritize companies with active I-129 filing histories
Companies that have sponsored H-1B petitions in QA or engineering roles are more likely to do it again. Researching employer sponsorship history before applying lets you focus your effort on realistic opportunities rather than roles that have never supported visa sponsorship.
Quality Assurance Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Quality Assurance Specialist jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most Quality Assurance Specialist positions qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, provided your degree is in an eligible field such as computer science, information systems, engineering, or a related STEM discipline. The role itself must also be directly related to your degree. If both conditions are met, you can work for up to three years total on OPT before needing H-1B or another status.
What do employers need to know about hiring a QA Specialist on OPT?
Employers don't need to file any visa petition to hire you on OPT. Your work authorization comes from your EAD card, which you manage through your university's DSO. The employer's main obligations are to confirm the role relates to your degree field and, if you're on STEM OPT, to register with E-Verify and provide a formal training plan. Most mid-size and large companies already meet these requirements.
Can I work as a QA Specialist contractor or on a contract-to-hire basis on OPT?
Yes, contract and contract-to-hire arrangements are generally permitted on OPT, provided you have a clear employer-employee relationship and the work relates to your degree. Staffing agency placements can work, but you must have a bona fide offer and cannot be self-employed. Confirm the arrangement with your DSO before accepting, since STEM OPT has additional reporting requirements that affect how contract work is documented.
Where can I find Quality Assurance Specialist jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT and visa-sponsored job searches. You can filter for Quality Assurance Specialist roles by job title, industry, and visa sponsorship status, so you're only seeing employers who are open to your work authorization situation. General job boards don't filter this way, which means a lot of wasted applications on roles that won't move forward with OPT candidates.
What happens to my QA job if my OPT expires before my H-1B is approved?
If your employer files an H-1B petition before your OPT expires and you're subject to the cap, you may be protected by cap-gap, which automatically extends your OPT status through September 30 of that year. During cap-gap, you can continue working for the same employer in the same role. If you're not selected in the lottery or your employer doesn't file in time, your authorization ends when your OPT expires and you'd need to stop working.