OPT Software Engineering Manager Jobs

Software Engineering Manager jobs on OPT require employers who sponsor H-1B visas, since most OPT periods last 12 months, or 36 months for STEM-eligible graduates. These roles sit at the intersection of technical leadership and people management, and many employers classify them as specialty occupations requiring a bachelor's degree or higher in computer science or a related field.

Find OPT Software Engineering Manager Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs288+
Work Type83% On-site
Top LocationCupertino, CA
Most JobsApple

Showing 5 of 288+ Software Engineering Manager jobs

Patient Placement Case Mgr
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New 5h ago
Patient Placement Case Mgr
Baystate Health
Springfield, Massachusetts
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$47 - $64/hr
On-Site
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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Software Engineering Manager
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Added 1d ago
Software Engineering Manager
Ford Motor Company
Redford, Michigan
Software Engineering
Specialized Engineering
Technical Product & Program Management
Engineering (Non-Software)
Technical Program Management
Backend Engineering
$133k - $251k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Manufacturing Engineering Asc Mgr
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Added 2d ago
Manufacturing Engineering Asc Mgr
Lockheed Martin
Marietta, Georgia
Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering
Manufacturing Operations
Quality Control
Manufacturing Engineering
$105k - $195k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Customer Service Dept Mgr
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Added 3d ago
Customer Service Dept Mgr
Meijer
Danville, Illinois
Customer Service & Support
Human Resources
Project & Program Management
Customer Service
$48k - $76k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Mgr Customer Support
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Added 3d ago
Mgr Customer Support
BNSF Railway
Fort Worth, Texas
Customer Service & Support
Technical Product & Program Management
Project & Program Management
Customer Support
$92k - $120k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's
10,000+

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See all 288+ OPT Software Engineering Manager Jobs

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Tips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Software Engineering Manager

Target companies with a H-1B sponsorship track record

Search OFLC disclosure data to verify which companies have filed H-1B petitions for engineering manager roles before. Past sponsorship behavior is the strongest predictor of future willingness, especially at the manager level where headcount costs are higher.

Frame your OPT timeline early in conversations

Engineering manager hiring cycles run longer than IC roles, often 8 to 12 weeks. If your OPT expires in under six months, raise your authorization timeline in the first recruiter screen so both sides can plan around it without surprises later.

Clarify your STEM OPT eligibility before applying

Computer science, electrical engineering, and software engineering degrees typically qualify for the 24-month STEM extension, giving you 36 months total. Confirming this upfront gives hiring managers more confidence that sponsorship timelines are manageable before an H-1B is needed.

Emphasize cross-functional leadership, not just coding

Engineering manager roles require demonstrated people management, roadmap ownership, and stakeholder alignment. Sponsoring employers want to see you can lead teams, not just write code. Highlight direct reports, performance reviews, or cross-team projects prominently in your resume and interviews.

Focus on mid-size and large tech employers first

Startups under 50 employees often lack the legal infrastructure or budget to sponsor work visas at the management level. Companies with dedicated HR and immigration counsel, typically 200 or more employees, are significantly more likely to sponsor engineering managers on OPT.

Prepare a clear sponsorship ask for the offer stage

When an offer is extended, ask directly whether the company sponsors H-1B visas for this role and whether they have an immigration attorney on retainer. A confident, matter-of-fact ask signals professionalism and prevents ambiguity about your authorization needs before you accept.

Software Engineering Manager OPT: Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work as a Software Engineering Manager on OPT?

Yes. Software Engineering Manager roles qualify under OPT as long as the position is directly related to your degree field, typically computer science, software engineering, or a related discipline. Your employer does not need to file any USCIS petition during your OPT period, but the role must be a legitimate specialty occupation if you later need H-1B sponsorship.

Do Software Engineering Manager roles qualify for STEM OPT extension?

Most do, provided your underlying degree is in a STEM-designated field such as computer science, software engineering, or electrical engineering. The extension adds 24 months to your initial 12-month OPT, giving you 36 months total. Your employer must also be enrolled in E-Verify, which most companies large enough to hire engineering managers already satisfy.

How do I find Software Engineering Manager jobs that sponsor H-1B visas?

Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for roles tied to employers with H-1B sponsorship history, which is especially useful for engineering manager positions where sponsorship willingness varies significantly by company size and industry. Browsing on Migrate Mate saves you from applying to companies that routinely decline to sponsor at the manager level.

Is an engineering manager role considered a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?

Generally yes. USCIS has consistently approved Software Engineering Manager roles as specialty occupations when the position requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific technical field. The key is that the job description must genuinely require specialized knowledge, not just general management skills. Roles with vague requirements or that accept any degree field can face additional scrutiny.

What should I do if my OPT is expiring before a company completes its H-1B sponsorship process?

If your employer files your H-1B petition before your OPT expires and you have a timely filed cap-gap extension, you may be able to continue working through September 30 of the relevant year under cap-gap protection. Talk to your DSO and an immigration attorney as early as possible, ideally six months before expiration, to map out your specific timeline and options.