OPT Release Engineer Jobs

Release Engineer jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with backgrounds in computer science, software engineering, or systems engineering. Most roles qualify as STEM-designated positions, supporting a 24-month OPT extension. Employers in this space routinely work with DevOps, CI/CD pipelines, and build automation tools.

Find OPT Release Engineer Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs76+
Work Type72% On-site
Top LocationAuburn Hills, MI
Most JobsApple

Showing 5 of 76+ Release Engineer jobs

Selene Finance
Software Release Coordinator
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Selene Finance
Added 3d ago
Software Release Coordinator
Selene Finance
Dallas, Texas
Project & Program Management
Technical Product & Program Management
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Project Management
Technical Program Management
On-Site
Bachelor's

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AeroVect
Staff / Senior Deployment & Release Manager
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AeroVect
Added 4d ago
Staff / Senior Deployment & Release Manager
AeroVect
Atlanta, Georgia
Project & Program Management
Technical Product & Program Management
Specialized Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Stellantis
ADAS Design Release Engineer
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Stellantis
Added 4d ago
ADAS Design Release Engineer
Stellantis
Auburn Hills, Michigan
Specialized Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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American Battery Solutions
Enclosure Design Release Engineer
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American Battery Solutions
Added 4d ago
Enclosure Design Release Engineer
American Battery Solutions
Lake Orion, Michigan
Specialized Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Manufacturing Engineering
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Rivian
Design Release Engineer II
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Rivian
Added 1w ago
Design Release Engineer II
Rivian
Irvine, California
Specialized Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Manufacturing Engineering
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Tips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Release Engineer

Confirm your role qualifies as STEM OPT

Release Engineering falls under CIP codes tied to computer science and engineering. Before accepting an offer, verify your employer can sign off on a STEM OPT extension through your DSO. Not every company has done this before.

Highlight CI/CD and automation experience early

Hiring managers screen for hands-on experience with Jenkins, GitHub Actions, or similar tools. Lead with specific pipelines you've built or maintained. Generic software experience won't stand out for a role this specialized.

Apply before your OPT start date

Most Release Engineer roles involve background checks and onboarding that take two to four weeks. Starting your search at least 60 days before your OPT authorization begins gives you enough runway to clear those steps without losing work authorization time.

Target companies with existing DevOps or platform teams

Companies that already employ DevOps or SRE teams understand build and release workflows. They're far more likely to have dealt with OPT sponsorship before and won't need to be educated on the process from scratch.

Show ownership of the full release lifecycle

Employers want engineers who've managed deployments end-to-end, not just run scripts. Document specific releases you owned, including versioning, rollback planning, and post-deploy monitoring. That depth signals readiness for independent contribution on OPT.

Be transparent about your OPT timeline upfront

Release Engineers are embedded in long-running projects and release cycles. Employers need to plan around your authorization window. Disclosing your OPT dates during early conversations prevents misaligned expectations later in the hiring process.

Release Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions

Do Release Engineer jobs typically qualify for the STEM OPT extension?

Most Release Engineer roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension because they fall under computer science or software engineering CIP codes. The key requirement is that your employer must be E-Verify enrolled and willing to sign your training plan. Confirm both with HR before accepting an offer, since not every company has gone through the STEM OPT process before.

How do I find Release Engineer jobs that are open to OPT candidates?

Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters job listings by sponsorship willingness, so you're not sorting through hundreds of roles that exclude international candidates. Searching there saves significant time compared to general job boards where OPT compatibility is rarely disclosed upfront.

Can I start a Release Engineer job on day one of my OPT authorization?

Yes, as long as your EAD card has arrived and your start date is on or after the authorization start date printed on it. Many Release Engineer roles involve IT access provisioning and background checks that take additional time, so coordinate your actual start date with HR to avoid any gap between your EAD arriving and your official employment beginning.

What should I do if my OPT expires before my H-1B is approved?

If your employer files an H-1B visa petition on your behalf before your OPT expires, you're typically covered by a 240-day cap-gap extension that lets you keep working while the petition is pending. Release Engineering is a cap-subject occupation, so your employer must file during the H-1B regular filing season. Talk to your DSO and an immigration attorney well before your OPT end date.

Are Release Engineer internships eligible for OPT work authorization?

Yes, internships and full-time roles are both eligible for OPT as long as the position is directly related to your major field of study. A Release Engineer internship involving build systems, deployment automation, or version control work would typically satisfy the relatedness requirement for a computer science or software engineering degree. Document how the role connects to your coursework in case your DSO asks.