OPT Software Engineer Intern Jobs
Software Engineer Intern roles are among the most OPT-friendly positions in tech. Most qualify as STEM OPT roles, meaning you can work for up to three years if your employer is E-Verify registered. CPT experience counts toward your practical training period, so apply early to make the most of your authorization window.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
THIS INTERNSHIP IS FOR SUMMER 2026 BASED IN OUR PORTSMOUTH, NH OFFICE
Sprague is passionate about delivering the diverse products and programs that warm, power and move the world. We keep homes warm through Northeastern winters and hospitals cool through summer. We help small businesses focus on serving their communities, and our renewable fuels keep our country’s infrastructure running. From importing wind energy components to deploying leading-edge solar technology to help power terminal facilities, we are committed to continually evolving to meet our customers’ changing energy needs.
Our Culture
Sprague values innovation, safety, integrity, and people. We know that our people are what set us apart from our competition, and we work hard to make sure each employee across our 20+ locations knows how important they are to our organization. We recently surveyed our employees to ask them their favorite part of the job. Unanimously, they answered, "The people I work with." You are part of a team and a family at Sprague, and everyone works together to ensure both the success of the company and of the individual.
Do you like to get involved where you work? Is giving back important to you? Sprague has a range of committees to support varying initiatives (Sustainability, Charitable, Scholarship, FunForce, Innovation etc.). Sprague is a place that cares about its employees, its community, and about creating a place where people want to come to work every day.
ABOUT THE POSITION:
We are looking for a Software Engineer Intern who brings a strong desire to learn, a proactive mindset, and the persistence to work through challenges. This role is best suited for someone with a foundational programming background who is curious, self-motivated, and driven to continuously improve. In this role, you will work on a defined project or set of features with regular guidance and check-ins. You will gain practical experience building software while developing your problem-solving and engineering skills.
Responsibilities:
- Contribute to the design, development, and testing of software features
- Write clean, readable, and maintainable code with guidance
- Debug issues and participate in problem-solving efforts
- Collaborate with team members through code reviews and discussions
- Learn and apply new tools and technologies as needed
- Communicate progress, challenges, and questions clearly
- Participate in requirement discussions and contribute to basic design decisions
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Pursuing or recently completed a degree, bootcamp, or certificate program in Computer Science or a related field
- Positive, proactive attitude with a strong desire to learn and improve
- Demonstrated curiosity and willingness to work through problems before escalating
- Ability to communicate clearly and collaborate within a team environment
- Foundational understanding of at least one programming language (e.g., Python, Java, JavaScript)
- Experience using AI-assisted development tools to support coding, debugging, and learning workflows
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Familiarity with AI-assisted development tools (e.g., Copilot, Codex, Claude Code)
- Exposure to building applications that incorporate AI capabilities (e.g., integrating APIs such as OpenAI)
- Familiarity with developer tools such as Git
- Exposure to building applications (e.g., user interfaces, APIs, databases)
- Basic awareness of development practices (e.g., CI/CD, cloud platforms, Agile)
WHAT YOU’LL GAIN
- Hands-on experience working on a real project
- Regular mentorship and feedback
- Exposure to team-based software development practices
- Opportunity to grow technical and professional skills in a collaborative environment
Sprague is an EEO/AA employer. We strongly encourage minorities, females, Vets and individuals with disabilities to apply.
As a federal contractor we adhere to OFCCP employment regulations. Click here for OFCCP compliance information.
INTRODUCTION
THIS INTERNSHIP IS FOR SUMMER 2026 BASED IN OUR PORTSMOUTH, NH OFFICE
Sprague is passionate about delivering the diverse products and programs that warm, power and move the world. We keep homes warm through Northeastern winters and hospitals cool through summer. We help small businesses focus on serving their communities, and our renewable fuels keep our country’s infrastructure running. From importing wind energy components to deploying leading-edge solar technology to help power terminal facilities, we are committed to continually evolving to meet our customers’ changing energy needs.
Our Culture
Sprague values innovation, safety, integrity, and people. We know that our people are what set us apart from our competition, and we work hard to make sure each employee across our 20+ locations knows how important they are to our organization. We recently surveyed our employees to ask them their favorite part of the job. Unanimously, they answered, "The people I work with." You are part of a team and a family at Sprague, and everyone works together to ensure both the success of the company and of the individual.
Do you like to get involved where you work? Is giving back important to you? Sprague has a range of committees to support varying initiatives (Sustainability, Charitable, Scholarship, FunForce, Innovation etc.). Sprague is a place that cares about its employees, its community, and about creating a place where people want to come to work every day.
ABOUT THE POSITION:
We are looking for a Software Engineer Intern who brings a strong desire to learn, a proactive mindset, and the persistence to work through challenges. This role is best suited for someone with a foundational programming background who is curious, self-motivated, and driven to continuously improve. In this role, you will work on a defined project or set of features with regular guidance and check-ins. You will gain practical experience building software while developing your problem-solving and engineering skills.
Responsibilities:
- Contribute to the design, development, and testing of software features
- Write clean, readable, and maintainable code with guidance
- Debug issues and participate in problem-solving efforts
- Collaborate with team members through code reviews and discussions
- Learn and apply new tools and technologies as needed
- Communicate progress, challenges, and questions clearly
- Participate in requirement discussions and contribute to basic design decisions
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Pursuing or recently completed a degree, bootcamp, or certificate program in Computer Science or a related field
- Positive, proactive attitude with a strong desire to learn and improve
- Demonstrated curiosity and willingness to work through problems before escalating
- Ability to communicate clearly and collaborate within a team environment
- Foundational understanding of at least one programming language (e.g., Python, Java, JavaScript)
- Experience using AI-assisted development tools to support coding, debugging, and learning workflows
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Familiarity with AI-assisted development tools (e.g., Copilot, Codex, Claude Code)
- Exposure to building applications that incorporate AI capabilities (e.g., integrating APIs such as OpenAI)
- Familiarity with developer tools such as Git
- Exposure to building applications (e.g., user interfaces, APIs, databases)
- Basic awareness of development practices (e.g., CI/CD, cloud platforms, Agile)
WHAT YOU’LL GAIN
- Hands-on experience working on a real project
- Regular mentorship and feedback
- Exposure to team-based software development practices
- Opportunity to grow technical and professional skills in a collaborative environment
Sprague is an EEO/AA employer. We strongly encourage minorities, females, Vets and individuals with disabilities to apply.
As a federal contractor we adhere to OFCCP employment regulations. Click here for OFCCP compliance information.
See all 479+ OPT Software Engineer Intern Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Software Engineer Intern
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before applying
STEM OPT extensions require your employer to be E-Verify registered. Check this before your first interview, not after you receive an offer. Many startups aren't enrolled yet but will register if you ask early in the process.
Highlight your CPT projects strategically
Internships completed on CPT are directly relevant to software engineering roles. Frame them as professional experience, not coursework. Recruiters at tech companies value shipped code and real team contributions, regardless of whether the role was school-authorized.
Apply to companies with existing OPT infrastructure
Companies that have sponsored OPT students before already have HR processes in place. Look for engineering teams with international colleagues, which signals familiarity with work authorization workflows and reduces friction during onboarding.
Be upfront about your OPT end date
Disclose your OPT expiration timeline to hiring managers before the offer stage. For a summer internship, this rarely matters. For a return offer converting to full-time, they need lead time to plan H-1B visa sponsorship or explore alternatives.
Target STEM-designated degree programs
Software engineering internships qualify for STEM OPT only if your degree is on the official STEM list. Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, and Information Systems typically qualify. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before banking on the 24-month extension.
Use your university's employer network as a starting point
Many companies recruiting on-campus have already navigated OPT paperwork for previous hires. These employers carry lower risk for OPT students than cold applications. Then expand your search on Migrate Mate to find roles explicitly open to OPT candidates.
Software Engineer Intern OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Software Engineer Intern on OPT?
Yes. Software engineering internships are a direct match for OPT authorization, which requires your employment to be related to your degree field. If your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as Computer Science or Electrical Engineering, you may also qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension after your initial 12-month OPT period ends, giving you up to three years of authorized work.
Does a Software Engineer Intern role qualify for STEM OPT?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. Your degree program must appear on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program list, and your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify. The internship itself must be directly related to your degree field. If all three conditions are met, you can apply for the 24-month extension before your initial OPT expires. Confirm your eligibility with your DSO early.
How do I find Software Engineer Intern jobs that accept OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and lists software engineering internships from employers open to work authorization. Filtering by OPT-friendly roles saves significant time compared to applying broadly and discovering authorization issues late in the process. Companies listed there have typically hired OPT students before, which means smoother onboarding and less back-and-forth with HR.
What happens if my OPT expires during or after the internship?
If your OPT expires while you're employed, you lose work authorization immediately and must stop working. Plan around this by tracking your I-20 end date and EAD card expiration carefully. If the internship converts to a full-time role, your employer may sponsor an H-1B petition. For a summer internship with a hard end date, expiration during the role is unlikely but verify the timeline with your DSO regardless.
Does a Software Engineer Intern role count as qualifying employment for OPT purposes?
Yes, as long as the work is directly related to your field of study. USCIS requires that OPT employment be relevant to your degree, and a software engineering internship clearly satisfies that requirement for CS, software engineering, or related STEM graduates. Part-time internships of at least 20 hours per week also count, though full-time roles are more common and offer stronger alignment with future H-1B sponsorship if a return offer follows.