OPT Software Engineer Jobs
Software Engineer is one of the most OPT-friendly roles in the U.S. job market, with hundreds of employers actively filing H-1B visa sponsorship each year. Your 12-month OPT period (plus a 24-month STEM extension if your degree qualifies) gives you real runway to land a role and build toward long-term status.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
ADVANCE YOUR CAREER. ADVANCE THE WORLD.
At AMD, we believe technology has the power to solve the world’s most important challenges. From advancing healthcare and scientific discovery to powering AI and the technologies people rely on every day, innovation at AMD is shaping the future.
Whether you’re designing next-gen processors, enabling AI breakthroughs, or bringing leading edge products to market, every role at AMD contributes to something bigger — technology that moves the world forward. Join us and, together, we’ll advance your career.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Job Role and Responsibility: Xilinx, Inc., a subsidiary of AMD, Inc., is hiring Sr. Software Development Engineer to Research, design, develop, and/or test operating systems-level software, compilers, and/or network distribution software for semiconductor operations, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Plan, design, develop and/or test software systems for software enhancements and new products. Set operational specifications and formulate and/or analyze software requirements. Drive projects or processes of significant technical importance. Develop compilers for deep learning workloads on company hardware. Create automation scripts to streamline hardware debugging, optimize environment installations, and validate software feature implementations. Exercise wide latitude in determining objectives and approaches to critical assignments. Demonstrate flexibility, strong motivation and a proven record of meeting aggressive deadlines as well as the ability to work as part of a team. Participate in code reviews, creating unit tests, authoring detailed documentation related to work, and working with on-site and offshore teams to deliver the software solutions on schedule. Partake in all phases of the software development including system requirements analysis, coordinating feature design and development across functional and organization boundaries. Utilize knowledge of computers and electronics, including circuit boards, processors, chips, and electronic equipment, as well as knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles. Apply knowledge of engineering principles, best practices, and technologies to the design, development, and testing of various company proprietary products.
Multiple openings. Qualified applicants click “APPLY NOW” button to apply online. Travel required: NO
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Degree required
Master’s degree or foreign equivalent in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Applied Data Science, or related field.
Qualifications: Amount and type of experience required: None.
Specific skills required: The following skills are required:
- Machine learning algorithms and frameworks;
- Deep Neural Network architectures, including CNN and RNN;
- AI framework, including PyTorch and TensorFlow;
- Software programming skills (C++ and Python);
- Optimizing Machine Learning applications for a target architecture;
- Software verification;
- Software debugging (macOS, Linux, or Unix);
- Git; and
- Data structures.
Experience may be gained through graduate-level coursework, research, assistantship, or internship experience.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Preferred Skills: N/A
BENEFITS
Benefits offered are described: AMD benefits at a glance.
AMD does not accept unsolicited resumes from headhunters, recruitment agencies, or fee-based recruitment services. AMD and its subsidiaries are equal opportunity, inclusive employers and will consider all applicants without regard to age, ancestry, color, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, national origin, race, religion, political and/or third-party affiliation, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates and will accommodate applicants’ needs under the respective laws throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process.
AMD may use Artificial Intelligence to help screen, assess or select applicants for this position. AMD’s “Responsible AI Policy” is available here. This posting is for an existing vacancy.
INTRODUCTION
ADVANCE YOUR CAREER. ADVANCE THE WORLD.
At AMD, we believe technology has the power to solve the world’s most important challenges. From advancing healthcare and scientific discovery to powering AI and the technologies people rely on every day, innovation at AMD is shaping the future.
Whether you’re designing next-gen processors, enabling AI breakthroughs, or bringing leading edge products to market, every role at AMD contributes to something bigger — technology that moves the world forward. Join us and, together, we’ll advance your career.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Job Role and Responsibility: Xilinx, Inc., a subsidiary of AMD, Inc., is hiring Sr. Software Development Engineer to Research, design, develop, and/or test operating systems-level software, compilers, and/or network distribution software for semiconductor operations, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Plan, design, develop and/or test software systems for software enhancements and new products. Set operational specifications and formulate and/or analyze software requirements. Drive projects or processes of significant technical importance. Develop compilers for deep learning workloads on company hardware. Create automation scripts to streamline hardware debugging, optimize environment installations, and validate software feature implementations. Exercise wide latitude in determining objectives and approaches to critical assignments. Demonstrate flexibility, strong motivation and a proven record of meeting aggressive deadlines as well as the ability to work as part of a team. Participate in code reviews, creating unit tests, authoring detailed documentation related to work, and working with on-site and offshore teams to deliver the software solutions on schedule. Partake in all phases of the software development including system requirements analysis, coordinating feature design and development across functional and organization boundaries. Utilize knowledge of computers and electronics, including circuit boards, processors, chips, and electronic equipment, as well as knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles. Apply knowledge of engineering principles, best practices, and technologies to the design, development, and testing of various company proprietary products.
Multiple openings. Qualified applicants click “APPLY NOW” button to apply online. Travel required: NO
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Degree required
Master’s degree or foreign equivalent in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Applied Data Science, or related field.
Qualifications: Amount and type of experience required: None.
Specific skills required: The following skills are required:
- Machine learning algorithms and frameworks;
- Deep Neural Network architectures, including CNN and RNN;
- AI framework, including PyTorch and TensorFlow;
- Software programming skills (C++ and Python);
- Optimizing Machine Learning applications for a target architecture;
- Software verification;
- Software debugging (macOS, Linux, or Unix);
- Git; and
- Data structures.
Experience may be gained through graduate-level coursework, research, assistantship, or internship experience.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Preferred Skills: N/A
BENEFITS
Benefits offered are described: AMD benefits at a glance.
AMD does not accept unsolicited resumes from headhunters, recruitment agencies, or fee-based recruitment services. AMD and its subsidiaries are equal opportunity, inclusive employers and will consider all applicants without regard to age, ancestry, color, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, national origin, race, religion, political and/or third-party affiliation, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates and will accommodate applicants’ needs under the respective laws throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process.
AMD may use Artificial Intelligence to help screen, assess or select applicants for this position. AMD’s “Responsible AI Policy” is available here. This posting is for an existing vacancy.
See all 1,954+ OPT Software Engineer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Software Engineer
Target companies with H-1B filing history
Employers who have filed H-1B visa petitions for software engineers in the past are your strongest leads. Past filing behavior is the most reliable signal that a company is willing to sponsor international candidates through OPT and beyond.
Apply before your OPT start date
Hiring cycles for engineering roles take four to eight weeks. Start applying two to three months before your OPT begins so your authorization is active by the time an offer arrives and background checks clear.
Address OPT early in recruiter conversations
Mention your OPT status in the first recruiter call, not after a final-round interview. Framing it as 12 months plus a 24-month STEM extension gives employers a clearer picture of your available work timeline.
Highlight your STEM extension eligibility
Computer science, electrical engineering, and related STEM degrees qualify for the 24-month extension. Calling this out explicitly tells hiring managers you have up to three years of work authorization before any H-1B sponsorship is required.
Focus your search on mid-size tech companies
Large enterprises often have rigid sponsorship policies, while startups may lack HR infrastructure. Mid-size companies with 50 to 500 engineers frequently sponsor OPT candidates and move faster through their hiring process.
Use Migrate Mate to filter for OPT-ready employers
Migrate Mate surfaces software engineering roles at companies with verified sponsorship history. Filtering by OPT eligibility upfront saves significant time compared to screening hundreds of listings that never mention work authorization.
Software Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Software Engineer on OPT without employer sponsorship?
Yes. During your OPT period, you're authorized to work for any qualifying employer without them filing anything on your behalf initially. Your employer does not sponsor your OPT, USCIS grants it based on your F-1 status. Sponsorship only becomes relevant if you want to transition to an H-1B or another long-term visa after OPT ends.
Does my software engineering job need to be related to my degree field?
Yes, and this is enforced. OPT employment must be directly related to your degree field. A computer science graduate working as a software engineer is a clear match. A business administration graduate doing the same role would likely violate OPT terms. If your degree is adjacent, document how the work connects to your major before accepting an offer.
How does the 24-month STEM OPT extension work for software engineers?
If your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as computer science, software engineering, or electrical engineering, you can apply for a 24-month extension after your initial 12-month OPT period. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and both you and your employer must complete a formal training plan. This gives you up to 36 months of total OPT authorization.
Where can I find software engineering jobs that sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students on OPT and F-1 status. It surfaces software engineering roles at employers with verified sponsorship history, so you're not guessing which companies are open to work authorization. Filtering by OPT eligibility narrows your search to positions where your status is already expected and accounted for by the hiring team.
Can I do freelance or contract software engineering work on OPT?
Yes, with conditions. OPT permits self-employment and contract work as long as each engagement is directly related to your degree field and you work at least 20 hours per week in aggregate. You cannot be unemployed for more than 90 cumulative days during standard OPT, or 150 days on a STEM extension, so maintaining consistent billable work is essential for staying in status.