OPT Release Manager Jobs
Release Manager jobs are well-suited for F-1 OPT students with backgrounds in computer science, information systems, or software engineering. Most roles qualify as STEM-designated positions, making you eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Employers in this space regularly sponsor H-1B visas, giving you a realistic path beyond your initial OPT period.
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Get Access To All JobsWho We Are
AeroVect is transforming ground handling with autonomy, redefining how airlines and ground service providers around the globe run day-to-day operations. We are a Series A company backed by top-tier venture capital investors in aviation and autonomous driving. Our customers include some of the world’s largest airlines and ground handling providers.
The Deployment & Release Manager is responsible for ensuring that AeroVect’s Autonomous Ground Support Equipment (AGSE) service deployments are safe and reliable, specifically the AV fleet.
This role requires a unique blend of balancing system level overviews and subsystem level details. The candidate will work directly with the Director of Safety, Systems, and Product and the VP of Engineering to develop and own processes that support and empower data-driven development while ensuring safe deployments and scaling.
You Will
- Own and drive the process to evaluate and approve deployments for defined Operational Design Domains (ODDs)
- Ensure that only the system and vehicles that have been verified, validated, and approved are deployed accordingly
- Support the bringup process for new AVs, from receipt to commissioning to first autonomous missions
- Own and drive the release process to evaluate and approve recurring SW updates, including gates, QA, etc.
- Partner with Engineering and Safety & Systems to verify that new software releases meet required criteria through simulation, closed course, shadow mode, and preliminary supervised testing before production rollout
- Schedule and execute software updates to the fleet, ensuring zero downtime during peak operational hours while maintaining 100% readiness for reversion protocols
- Define, document, and maintain the chosen configuration for every vehicle type (e.g., components, firmware versions, system parameters, connectivity settings, etc.)
- Own and drive the change management process and lead the board that reviews all requested changes from the chosen configuration (e.g., swapping a sensor)
- Maintain documentation of all changes with supporting artifacts in compliance with regulator and customer needs
You Have
- BS degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mechatronics, Aerospace, or equivalent preferred
- Extensive knowledge and hands-on experience with developing and managing safety-critical autonomous deployments
- Strong understanding of software development, system architecture, and cloud infrastructure
- Demonstrated ability to successfully manage XFN teams to align on a unified process vision and deliver against it
- Ability to articulate technical issues and solutions to all levels of the business, within and beyond the engineering communities
We Prefer
- MS in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or other related technical disciplines
- Experience with fostering a safety culture in the context of aviation / airline or robotics applications
- Familiarity with airport/airline operations and / or the airside driving environment at major global airports
- Experience with safety standards in the development and deployment of complex autonomous systems (including but not limited to ISO 26262, ISO 21448, UL 4600, IEC 61508, ANSI B56.5, ISO3691, ANSI 15.08)
Who We Are
AeroVect is transforming ground handling with autonomy, redefining how airlines and ground service providers around the globe run day-to-day operations. We are a Series A company backed by top-tier venture capital investors in aviation and autonomous driving. Our customers include some of the world’s largest airlines and ground handling providers.
The Deployment & Release Manager is responsible for ensuring that AeroVect’s Autonomous Ground Support Equipment (AGSE) service deployments are safe and reliable, specifically the AV fleet.
This role requires a unique blend of balancing system level overviews and subsystem level details. The candidate will work directly with the Director of Safety, Systems, and Product and the VP of Engineering to develop and own processes that support and empower data-driven development while ensuring safe deployments and scaling.
You Will
- Own and drive the process to evaluate and approve deployments for defined Operational Design Domains (ODDs)
- Ensure that only the system and vehicles that have been verified, validated, and approved are deployed accordingly
- Support the bringup process for new AVs, from receipt to commissioning to first autonomous missions
- Own and drive the release process to evaluate and approve recurring SW updates, including gates, QA, etc.
- Partner with Engineering and Safety & Systems to verify that new software releases meet required criteria through simulation, closed course, shadow mode, and preliminary supervised testing before production rollout
- Schedule and execute software updates to the fleet, ensuring zero downtime during peak operational hours while maintaining 100% readiness for reversion protocols
- Define, document, and maintain the chosen configuration for every vehicle type (e.g., components, firmware versions, system parameters, connectivity settings, etc.)
- Own and drive the change management process and lead the board that reviews all requested changes from the chosen configuration (e.g., swapping a sensor)
- Maintain documentation of all changes with supporting artifacts in compliance with regulator and customer needs
You Have
- BS degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mechatronics, Aerospace, or equivalent preferred
- Extensive knowledge and hands-on experience with developing and managing safety-critical autonomous deployments
- Strong understanding of software development, system architecture, and cloud infrastructure
- Demonstrated ability to successfully manage XFN teams to align on a unified process vision and deliver against it
- Ability to articulate technical issues and solutions to all levels of the business, within and beyond the engineering communities
We Prefer
- MS in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or other related technical disciplines
- Experience with fostering a safety culture in the context of aviation / airline or robotics applications
- Familiarity with airport/airline operations and / or the airside driving environment at major global airports
- Experience with safety standards in the development and deployment of complex autonomous systems (including but not limited to ISO 26262, ISO 21448, UL 4600, IEC 61508, ANSI B56.5, ISO3691, ANSI 15.08)
See all OPT Release Manager Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Release Manager
Lead with your OPT authorization upfront
State your OPT status and end date clearly in your resume header or cover letter. Release Manager hiring managers coordinate cross-functional timelines, so demonstrating you can communicate clearly about your own work authorization signals the right instincts.
Highlight STEM eligibility to extend your runway
If your degree is in computer science, information systems, or a related STEM field, mention your 24-month STEM OPT extension eligibility. This gives sponsors up to three years before H-1B sponsorship becomes necessary, which meaningfully reduces their risk.
Target companies with established DevOps or engineering release cycles
Mid-to-large technology companies running regular software release cadences are most likely to have dedicated Release Manager roles and existing H-1B sponsorship infrastructure. Smaller startups may not have the legal resources to sponsor efficiently.
Quantify your release coordination experience
Employers sponsoring OPT hires want proven contributors, not trainees. Cite specific metrics: number of releases managed, deployment frequency, rollback rates reduced, or cross-team dependencies coordinated. Concrete numbers justify the sponsorship investment for hiring managers.
Get comfortable discussing your timeline in interviews
Prepare a concise, confident answer for when interviewers ask about your work authorization. Explain your current OPT period, your STEM extension eligibility if applicable, and your H-1B timeline. Uncertainty here creates hesitation in sponsors who are otherwise interested.
Prioritize employers with H-1B sponsorship history
Companies that have sponsored H-1B visas before already understand the process, costs, and timeline. Use Migrate Mate to find Release Manager roles posted by verified sponsoring employers, reducing time spent on opportunities that will stall at the offer stage.
Release Manager OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Release Manager jobs typically qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, Release Manager roles generally qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your underlying degree is in a STEM-designated field such as computer science, information systems, or software engineering. The role itself must also involve work directly related to your degree. Your Designated School Official can confirm your specific eligibility before you apply.
How do I find Release Manager jobs where the employer is open to OPT sponsorship?
The most efficient approach is searching platforms that filter for sponsorship-friendly employers from the start. Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and lists Release Manager roles from employers who have demonstrated willingness to sponsor work authorization. This eliminates the frustrating cycle of applying to positions that quietly screen out OPT candidates at the offer stage.
Can I work as a Release Manager on Day 1 OPT while waiting for my EAD card?
No. You cannot begin working as a Release Manager, or in any paid role, until you have your physical EAD card in hand. Your official start date must be on or after the card's start date. Apply for OPT at least 90 days before your intended start date to avoid gaps, since USCIS processing can take several months.
What happens to my Release Manager job if my H-1B petition isn't selected in the lottery?
If you're on STEM OPT and your H-1B isn't selected, your OPT authorization continues until its expiration date. Many employers will refile in the next lottery cycle. Some Release Manager roles also qualify for cap-exempt H-1B sponsorship through nonprofit research organizations or universities, which is worth exploring if the lottery doesn't go your way.
Do Release Manager roles at large tech companies sponsor OPT more reliably than smaller firms?
Generally yes. Established technology companies with recurring software release operations tend to have dedicated immigration counsel, standardized sponsorship workflows, and budget allocated for H-1B filings. Smaller companies may offer Release Manager titles but lack the infrastructure to efficiently sponsor work authorization, making the process slower and less predictable for OPT candidates.