OPT Software QA Engineer Jobs

Software QA Engineer roles are among the more OPT-friendly positions in tech because many mid-size and large employers sponsor H-1B visas for this title. With STEM OPT giving you up to three years of work authorization, you have real runway to land a role and build toward long-term sponsorship.

Find OPT Software QA Engineer Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs465+
Work Type89% On-site
Top LocationHouston, TX
Most JobsApple

Showing 5 of 465+ Software QA Engineer jobs

Workday
Quality Assurance Engineer
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Workday
New 4h ago
Quality Assurance Engineer
Workday
Mason, Ohio
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
$105k - $148k/yr
Hybrid
Master's
10,000+

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Oakley
Supervisor- Quality Assurance
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Oakley
New 6h ago
Supervisor- Quality Assurance
Oakley
Foothill Ranch, California
Quality Control
Manufacturing Operations
Project & Program Management
$82k - $119k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Unicon Pharma Inc
Quality Assurance Compliance Specialist II
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Unicon Pharma Inc
New 6h ago
Quality Assurance Compliance Specialist II
Unicon Pharma Inc
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Compliance & Legal
Compliance & Risk
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Curia
Quality Assurance Specialist II
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Curia
New 8h ago
Quality Assurance Specialist II
Curia
Albany, New York
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Compliance & Legal
Compliance & Risk
$67k - $83k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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American Regent
QA Specialist
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American Regent
New 8h ago
QA Specialist
American Regent
Shirley, New York
Quality Control
Compliance & Legal
Healthcare Administration
Compliance & Risk
$70k - $80k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
501-1,000

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See all 465+ OPT Software QA Engineer Jobs

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Tips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Software QA Engineer

Filter by STEM-designated employers

STEM OPT extends your authorization to 36 months, but only with employers enrolled in E-Verify. Confirm E-Verify enrollment before applying. Most large tech and enterprise software companies already participate, making them safer bets for QA roles.

Emphasize automation skills in your resume

Employers filing H-1B petitions for QA engineers typically need a specialty occupation argument. Automation testing with Selenium, Cypress, or similar frameworks strengthens that case by demonstrating a clear need for specialized technical knowledge, not just general testing.

Target companies with active QA hiring pipelines

Companies that hire QA engineers repeatedly are far more likely to have established H-1B sponsorship processes. Check public labor condition application data to identify employers who have sponsored this job title before applying.

Address your OPT timeline early in the process

Bring up your work authorization status before the offer stage, not after. Mention your STEM OPT eligibility and H-1B cap-subject timing clearly so hiring managers can plan H-1B filing around the April lottery deadline without surprises.

Get your I-983 training plan right from day one

STEM OPT requires a signed I-983 training plan with your employer documenting how the role relates to your degree. For QA engineers, align the plan to your computer science or engineering coursework to satisfy your DSO and avoid compliance issues.

Pursue certifications that reinforce your specialty occupation case

Credentials like ISTQB, AWS Certified Developer, or relevant testing framework certifications help establish that your QA role requires specialized knowledge. This directly supports your employer's H-1B petition argument for software quality engineering positions.

Software QA Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions

Can F-1 OPT students work as Software QA Engineers in the United States?

Yes. Software QA Engineer is a specialty occupation that typically requires a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field, which aligns directly with F-1 OPT eligibility requirements. Both standard 12-month OPT and the 24-month STEM OPT extension apply, giving qualifying students up to 36 months of authorized work experience in this role.

Does a Software QA Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?

It depends on your degree. If your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as computer science, information technology, or electrical engineering, and your QA role is directly related to that field, you can apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Your DSO must approve the extension, and your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and co-sign your I-983 training plan.

How do I find Software QA Engineer jobs that sponsor OPT and H-1B visas?

Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters jobs by visa sponsorship willingness, so you're not applying to roles that will immediately reject you over work authorization. Browse Software QA Engineer listings on Migrate Mate to find employers who have an established history of hiring international candidates and sponsoring H-1B petitions for this job title.

Do Software QA Engineer employers typically sponsor H-1B visas after OPT?

Many do, particularly mid-size to large technology companies and enterprise software firms. QA engineering roles that require automation skills, specific testing frameworks, or domain expertise in regulated industries like finance or healthcare tend to have stronger H-1B sponsorship rates. Employers who hire repeatedly for this title and already have immigration counsel in place are the most reliable targets.

What should I include in my I-983 training plan as a Software QA Engineer on STEM OPT?

Your I-983 should describe how your day-to-day QA responsibilities directly apply knowledge from your degree program. Specific elements to document include the testing methodologies you use, any programming or scripting work involved in test automation, tools and frameworks relevant to your coursework, and measurable learning goals. Your employer's supervisor signs the plan, and your DSO must approve it before your STEM extension is granted.