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.
Find OPT Software Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 2,404+ Software Engineer jobs
See all 2,404+ Software Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Software Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsAbout us
We’re the world’s leading provider of secure financial messaging services, headquartered in Belgium. We are the way the world moves value – across borders, through cities and overseas. No other organisation can address the scale, precision, pace and trust that this demands, and we’re proud to support the global economy.
We’re unique too. We were established to find a better way for the global financial community to move value – a reliable, safe and secure approach that the community can trust, completely. We’re always striving to be better and are constantly evolving in an ever-changing landscape, without undermining that trust. Five decades on, our vibrant community reflects the complexity and diversity of the financial ecosystem. We innovate diligently, test exhaustively, then implement fast. In a connected and exciting era, our mission has never been more relevant. Swift now has a presence in 200+ countries and legal territories to serve a community of more than 12,000 banks and financial institutions.
Education
University degree in computer science or related field.
Experience
- Relevant professional experience in software development, test automation, or system integration.
- Strong hands-on experience working in Linux environments.
- Proficiency in scripting and automation using Python, Shell scripting, or similar technologies.
- Experience with test automation frameworks, qualification testing, and system integration activities is highly desirable.
- Understanding of software development lifecycle, quality assurance processes, and continuous improvement practices.
- Experience with CI/CD technologies such as Cloudbees and CDRO.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, develop, maintain, and enhance test automation solutions supporting SwiftNet Services components.
- Contribute to integration, qualification, and regression testing activities to ensure product quality and system reliability.
- Analyze requirements and translate business and technical needs into effective automation and testing solutions.
- Investigate, troubleshoot, and resolve technical issues across development, testing, and production-like environments.
- Collaborate with engineers, architects, and stakeholders to identify improvements and implement robust solutions.
- Develop and maintain technical documentation, test artifacts, automation frameworks, and operational procedures.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities to increase automation coverage, efficiency, and maintainability.
- Provide technical guidance and support to team members and contribute to knowledge sharing within the squad.
- Participate in code reviews, testing reviews, and quality assurance activities to maintain high engineering standards.
- Contribute to the long-term evolution of the squad's automation framework and testing strategy, helping ensure scalability and sustainability of solutions.
The estimated salary range for a new hire into this position in Virginia is $82,361 USD Annual to $152,955 Annual USD. Salary may vary depending on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location. Our compensation packages include a competitive base salary and bonus opportunity for all employees contingent on personal and company performance. Our generous benefits program includes medical, dental, vision and life insurance with no premium costs for our employees and their families, and retirement plan plus matching 401k.
We give you the freedom to be yourself. We are creating an environment of unique individuals – like you – with different perspectives on the financial industry and the world. A diverse and inclusive environment in which everyone’s voice counts and where you can reach your full potential.
We are committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation related to accessibility during your application or interview, please contact accessibility-Sysgroup@swift.com or indicate this in your application. Please note that this mailbox is not monitored for general recruitment enquiries and should only be used for accessibility or accommodation-related requests (for example related to vision, hearing or neurodiversity). All requests are confidential and will not affect your candidacy. Don’t meet every single requirement? At Swift, we are dedicated to building a workplace where people can bring their full selves and ideas to the team, so if you are excited about this role, we encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every single qualification.
About us
We’re the world’s leading provider of secure financial messaging services, headquartered in Belgium. We are the way the world moves value – across borders, through cities and overseas. No other organisation can address the scale, precision, pace and trust that this demands, and we’re proud to support the global economy.
We’re unique too. We were established to find a better way for the global financial community to move value – a reliable, safe and secure approach that the community can trust, completely. We’re always striving to be better and are constantly evolving in an ever-changing landscape, without undermining that trust. Five decades on, our vibrant community reflects the complexity and diversity of the financial ecosystem. We innovate diligently, test exhaustively, then implement fast. In a connected and exciting era, our mission has never been more relevant. Swift now has a presence in 200+ countries and legal territories to serve a community of more than 12,000 banks and financial institutions.
Education
University degree in computer science or related field.
Experience
- Relevant professional experience in software development, test automation, or system integration.
- Strong hands-on experience working in Linux environments.
- Proficiency in scripting and automation using Python, Shell scripting, or similar technologies.
- Experience with test automation frameworks, qualification testing, and system integration activities is highly desirable.
- Understanding of software development lifecycle, quality assurance processes, and continuous improvement practices.
- Experience with CI/CD technologies such as Cloudbees and CDRO.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, develop, maintain, and enhance test automation solutions supporting SwiftNet Services components.
- Contribute to integration, qualification, and regression testing activities to ensure product quality and system reliability.
- Analyze requirements and translate business and technical needs into effective automation and testing solutions.
- Investigate, troubleshoot, and resolve technical issues across development, testing, and production-like environments.
- Collaborate with engineers, architects, and stakeholders to identify improvements and implement robust solutions.
- Develop and maintain technical documentation, test artifacts, automation frameworks, and operational procedures.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities to increase automation coverage, efficiency, and maintainability.
- Provide technical guidance and support to team members and contribute to knowledge sharing within the squad.
- Participate in code reviews, testing reviews, and quality assurance activities to maintain high engineering standards.
- Contribute to the long-term evolution of the squad's automation framework and testing strategy, helping ensure scalability and sustainability of solutions.
The estimated salary range for a new hire into this position in Virginia is $82,361 USD Annual to $152,955 Annual USD. Salary may vary depending on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location. Our compensation packages include a competitive base salary and bonus opportunity for all employees contingent on personal and company performance. Our generous benefits program includes medical, dental, vision and life insurance with no premium costs for our employees and their families, and retirement plan plus matching 401k.
We give you the freedom to be yourself. We are creating an environment of unique individuals – like you – with different perspectives on the financial industry and the world. A diverse and inclusive environment in which everyone’s voice counts and where you can reach your full potential.
We are committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation related to accessibility during your application or interview, please contact accessibility-Sysgroup@swift.com or indicate this in your application. Please note that this mailbox is not monitored for general recruitment enquiries and should only be used for accessibility or accommodation-related requests (for example related to vision, hearing or neurodiversity). All requests are confidential and will not affect your candidacy. Don’t meet every single requirement? At Swift, we are dedicated to building a workplace where people can bring their full selves and ideas to the team, so if you are excited about this role, we encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every single qualification.
See all 2,404+ OPT Software Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Software Engineer Jobs.
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.