Software QA Engineer Jobs for OPT Students
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.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Nova Biomedical: One Global Brand. One Vision. Together under one name. Advanced Instruments and Nova Biomedical are now united under one brand, Nova Biomedical, marking a major milestone in our journey to deliver greater value to our customers. By combining our strengths, we're accelerating innovation, supporting critical workflows, and delivering world-class service across the biopharmaceutical and clinical markets.
At Nova Biomedical, we’re not just building instruments, we’re powering breakthroughs that improve lives. Our smart, science-driven solutions are trusted in over 100 countries to speed drug development and enhance patient care. Our integration brings together more than 70 years of scientific excellence with Nova’s cutting-edge innovation, forming a powerhouse of precision, purpose, and possibility. With FDA-registered, ISO-certified manufacturing, more than 125 FDA approvals, and industry-trusted diagnostics, we’re setting new standards in quality and reliability. Nova Biomedical is proud to be a global leader in osmolality testing and biotechnology and in vitro diagnostic (IVD) instrumentation, dedicated to advancing patient care and scientific discovery with a legacy that continues to shape the future of life sciences. With headquarters in Norwood and Waltham, Massachusetts, and a global team of nearly 2,000 employees, we’re building a collaborative, empowered culture grounded in shared values: Customer Centricity, Ingenuity, Ownership & Accountability, Collaboration, and Integrity.
Working at Nova Biomedical means joining a mission-driven organization where your contributions matter. Whether you're in engineering, science, manufacturing, or support, you’ll be part of a team that values innovation, invests in your growth, and is committed to making a real-world impact on global health.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Senior Software QA Engineer will be at the forefront of designing product quality into our next-generation clinical and biopharma Osmometer instruments from the start. Utilizing their experience in modern medical device development, this individual will work closely with our Regulatory Affairs / Quality Assurance and Engineering teams to develop overall test strategy for new products under development. This individual will actively propose and lead process improvements to reduce product development timelines while ensuring the quality and security of our solutions are market leading. You will be accountable for ensuring proper test case coverage, execution, review, and traceability documentation for assigned projects.
What You’ll Do
- Lead the development, review, and execution of software quality assurance processes and procedures for assigned projects
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure software development and validation activities meet quality and compliance requirements
- Perform risk assessments and develop mitigation strategies for software-related issues
- Conduct software validation activities in accordance with regulatory standards (FDA, ISO 13485)
- Review and approve software documentation, including validation plans, protocols, and reports
- Participate in internal and external quality audits
- Monitor and analyze software quality metrics to identify trends and areas for improvement
- Provide training and support to team members on software quality and validation processes
- Implement process and tool improvements to bring verification test case writing and approval concurrent with development for iterative development cycles
- Actively participate as a member of the development team, including reviewing work item acceptance criteria, providing inputs into work item estimation, and reporting of test status
- Execute manual and automated test cases for verification of requirements and work items within a development iteration
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Proven track record of commercial software test engineering in a medical device, scientific instrument, or similar environment controlling hardware as part of an overall system
- Bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant computer science, engineering subject, or equivalent commercial software engineering experience
- Commercial experience testing and shipping medical devices under ISO 13485
- Familiarity with current FDA requirements and guidance for cybersecurity
- Familiarity with feature, regression, and integration testing
- Experience utilizing Azure DevOps or similar systems for backlog, sprint boards, and test case management
- Understanding and practice of working in, and testing solutions for, regulatory compliant environments
- Skills in setup and configuration of PC, server, cloud hosted, and hardware test environments
- Understanding and experience with both business-oriented Agile and waterfall software development lifecycles
- Knowledge with 21 CFR Part 11 requirements
- Experience testing devices to published 3rd party communication protocols and APIs
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS ROLE INCLUDE
- The full list of physical requirements for this role is available upon request.
- Standard office environment
WHY WORK FOR NOVA BIOMEDICAL
- Flexible Medical, Dental, & Vision Coverage
- Competitive 401k company match
- Bonus Program, Generous PTO and paid holidays
- Generous Tuition reimbursement
- Hybrid and flexible work arrangements
- Professional development, engagement and events
- Company marketplace for lunch and snacks in our Norwood, MA, Billerica, MA and Westbrook, ME offices
- Company subsidized cafeteria in our Waltham, MA office
WORK LOCATION
Hybrid work schedule on-site in Norwood, 4 days/week on-site
TARGETED SALARY RANGE
$150,000 - $170,000/year
Nova Biomedical believes in transparency and integrity throughout all we do, including compensation. The provided salary range for this role represents the expected base salary or hourly rate for this opening. Actual compensation will be commensurate with the candidate’s experience and may vary based on individual factors such as location, skills, and education.
EEO STATEMENT
Nova Biomedical takes pride in being an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse and inclusive workforce. As a part of our commitment to a diverse and inclusive workforce, Nova Biomedical will continue to take steps to assure that recruitment, hiring, assignment, promotion, compensation, and all other personnel decisions are made and administered without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information or any other protected class.
Privacy policy
https://advancedinstruments.showpad.com/share/DmsEd5QTLlqemTYABlvDW
INTRODUCTION
Nova Biomedical: One Global Brand. One Vision. Together under one name. Advanced Instruments and Nova Biomedical are now united under one brand, Nova Biomedical, marking a major milestone in our journey to deliver greater value to our customers. By combining our strengths, we're accelerating innovation, supporting critical workflows, and delivering world-class service across the biopharmaceutical and clinical markets.
At Nova Biomedical, we’re not just building instruments, we’re powering breakthroughs that improve lives. Our smart, science-driven solutions are trusted in over 100 countries to speed drug development and enhance patient care. Our integration brings together more than 70 years of scientific excellence with Nova’s cutting-edge innovation, forming a powerhouse of precision, purpose, and possibility. With FDA-registered, ISO-certified manufacturing, more than 125 FDA approvals, and industry-trusted diagnostics, we’re setting new standards in quality and reliability. Nova Biomedical is proud to be a global leader in osmolality testing and biotechnology and in vitro diagnostic (IVD) instrumentation, dedicated to advancing patient care and scientific discovery with a legacy that continues to shape the future of life sciences. With headquarters in Norwood and Waltham, Massachusetts, and a global team of nearly 2,000 employees, we’re building a collaborative, empowered culture grounded in shared values: Customer Centricity, Ingenuity, Ownership & Accountability, Collaboration, and Integrity.
Working at Nova Biomedical means joining a mission-driven organization where your contributions matter. Whether you're in engineering, science, manufacturing, or support, you’ll be part of a team that values innovation, invests in your growth, and is committed to making a real-world impact on global health.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Senior Software QA Engineer will be at the forefront of designing product quality into our next-generation clinical and biopharma Osmometer instruments from the start. Utilizing their experience in modern medical device development, this individual will work closely with our Regulatory Affairs / Quality Assurance and Engineering teams to develop overall test strategy for new products under development. This individual will actively propose and lead process improvements to reduce product development timelines while ensuring the quality and security of our solutions are market leading. You will be accountable for ensuring proper test case coverage, execution, review, and traceability documentation for assigned projects.
What You’ll Do
- Lead the development, review, and execution of software quality assurance processes and procedures for assigned projects
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure software development and validation activities meet quality and compliance requirements
- Perform risk assessments and develop mitigation strategies for software-related issues
- Conduct software validation activities in accordance with regulatory standards (FDA, ISO 13485)
- Review and approve software documentation, including validation plans, protocols, and reports
- Participate in internal and external quality audits
- Monitor and analyze software quality metrics to identify trends and areas for improvement
- Provide training and support to team members on software quality and validation processes
- Implement process and tool improvements to bring verification test case writing and approval concurrent with development for iterative development cycles
- Actively participate as a member of the development team, including reviewing work item acceptance criteria, providing inputs into work item estimation, and reporting of test status
- Execute manual and automated test cases for verification of requirements and work items within a development iteration
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Proven track record of commercial software test engineering in a medical device, scientific instrument, or similar environment controlling hardware as part of an overall system
- Bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant computer science, engineering subject, or equivalent commercial software engineering experience
- Commercial experience testing and shipping medical devices under ISO 13485
- Familiarity with current FDA requirements and guidance for cybersecurity
- Familiarity with feature, regression, and integration testing
- Experience utilizing Azure DevOps or similar systems for backlog, sprint boards, and test case management
- Understanding and practice of working in, and testing solutions for, regulatory compliant environments
- Skills in setup and configuration of PC, server, cloud hosted, and hardware test environments
- Understanding and experience with both business-oriented Agile and waterfall software development lifecycles
- Knowledge with 21 CFR Part 11 requirements
- Experience testing devices to published 3rd party communication protocols and APIs
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS ROLE INCLUDE
- The full list of physical requirements for this role is available upon request.
- Standard office environment
WHY WORK FOR NOVA BIOMEDICAL
- Flexible Medical, Dental, & Vision Coverage
- Competitive 401k company match
- Bonus Program, Generous PTO and paid holidays
- Generous Tuition reimbursement
- Hybrid and flexible work arrangements
- Professional development, engagement and events
- Company marketplace for lunch and snacks in our Norwood, MA, Billerica, MA and Westbrook, ME offices
- Company subsidized cafeteria in our Waltham, MA office
WORK LOCATION
Hybrid work schedule on-site in Norwood, 4 days/week on-site
TARGETED SALARY RANGE
$150,000 - $170,000/year
Nova Biomedical believes in transparency and integrity throughout all we do, including compensation. The provided salary range for this role represents the expected base salary or hourly rate for this opening. Actual compensation will be commensurate with the candidate’s experience and may vary based on individual factors such as location, skills, and education.
EEO STATEMENT
Nova Biomedical takes pride in being an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse and inclusive workforce. As a part of our commitment to a diverse and inclusive workforce, Nova Biomedical will continue to take steps to assure that recruitment, hiring, assignment, promotion, compensation, and all other personnel decisions are made and administered without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information or any other protected class.
Privacy policy
https://advancedinstruments.showpad.com/share/DmsEd5QTLlqemTYABlvDW
How to Get Visa 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.
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 jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently 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.
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