OPT Software Test Engineer Jobs

Software Test Engineer jobs are consistently sponsored for OPT, with companies regularly filing LCAs for quality assurance and testing roles. STEM OPT extension eligibility is strong here since most positions require a degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related technical field, giving you up to three years of authorized work.

Find OPT Software Test Engineer Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs368+
Work Type85% On-site
Top LocationCupertino, CA
Most JobsApple

Showing 5 of 368+ Software Test Engineer jobs

Swift
Jr. Software Development Engineer in Test
We won't show you this job again
Swift
New 5h ago
Jr. Software Development Engineer in Test
Swift
Manassas, Virginia
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Software Engineering
Automation QA
$82k - $153k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

Have you applied for this role?

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Software Development Engineer in Test 2
We won't show you this job again
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
New 12h ago
Software Development Engineer in Test 2
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Lehi, Utah
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Software Engineering
Automation QA
Hybrid
Bachelor's
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

American Specialty Health
Software Engineer in Test II
We won't show you this job again
American Specialty Health
New 15h ago
Software Engineer in Test II
American Specialty Health
Remote
Software Engineering
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Automation QA
Backend Engineering
$89k - $118k/yr
Remote (US)
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

Have you applied for this role?

Nidec Motor Corporation
Software Test Engineer
We won't show you this job again
Nidec Motor Corporation
New 15h ago
Software Test Engineer
Nidec Motor Corporation
Rancho Cordova, California
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Software Engineering
Technical Product & Program Management
$80k - $85k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

Have you applied for this role?

PACCAR
Vehicle Software and Diagnostics Tool Test Engineer
We won't show you this job again
PACCAR
New 22h ago
Vehicle Software and Diagnostics Tool Test Engineer
PACCAR
Mount Vernon, Washington
Software Engineering
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Specialized Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
$71k - $106k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

See all 368+ Software Test Engineer Jobs

Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Software Test Engineer roles.

Get Access To All Jobs

See all 368+ OPT Software Test Engineer Jobs

Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Software Test Engineer Jobs.

Get Access To All Jobs

Tips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Software Test Engineer

Target companies with active QA teams

Large software companies and enterprises with dedicated QA departments file LCAs for test engineers far more consistently than early-stage startups. Look for organizations where software quality is a core function, not an afterthought assigned to developers.

Emphasize automation over manual testing

Employers sponsoring OPT students for test engineering roles strongly prefer candidates with automation experience. Proficiency in Selenium, Cypress, or Pytest signals a specialty occupation requiring your specific degree, which strengthens your authorization case at interview.

Confirm your role qualifies as a specialty occupation

Your job offer letter should specify a bachelor's degree in computer science or engineering as a requirement, not a preference. Roles where any degree suffices create complications for cap-gap and future H-1B visa sponsorship, so verify this before accepting.

Start the H-1B conversation before your OPT expires

If you're targeting the H-1B lottery, raise sponsorship with your employer by October of your first OPT year. Employers filing in March need several months to prepare LCAs and petitions, and many won't sponsor candidates who bring it up too late.

Document your STEM degree field carefully

STEM OPT extension requires your degree to appear on the DHS STEM list. Computer science, software engineering, and electrical engineering all qualify. Confirm your exact degree title matches the list before applying, as minor wording differences can delay DSO approval.

Use offer letters that specify testing responsibilities

When negotiating your offer, ensure the job description references test design, test automation, or software quality assurance explicitly. Vague titles like 'engineer' without defined testing duties can complicate I-983 training plan submissions for STEM OPT.

Software Test Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions

Do Software Test Engineer jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?

Yes, most Software Test Engineer roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, provided your degree is in a DHS-designated STEM field such as computer science, software engineering, or information systems. The key requirement is that your employer is E-Verify enrolled and willing to complete the I-983 training plan. Confirm your exact degree title appears on the official STEM designation list before applying.

How do I know if a company will sponsor my OPT as a Software Test Engineer?

The most reliable signal is whether the company has filed Labor Condition Applications for similar roles before. Companies with established QA or software engineering teams and H-1B sponsorship history are far more likely to support OPT students than those with no prior record. Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for OPT-friendly employers, making it straightforward to focus your search on companies already open to sponsorship.

Can I do contract or consulting work as a Software Test Engineer on OPT?

Yes, but with restrictions. On standard OPT, you can work for a staffing agency or consulting firm as long as the work is directly related to your degree and you're not classified as self-employed. For STEM OPT extension, the employer of record must be the E-Verify enrolled company signing your I-983, which complicates typical third-party consulting arrangements. Discuss the structure carefully with your DSO before accepting.

What testing skills make OPT candidates most competitive for sponsorship?

Employers consistently prioritize automation skills for sponsored roles. Experience with frameworks like Selenium, Cypress, Appium, or Pytest, combined with knowledge of CI/CD pipelines using tools like Jenkins or GitHub Actions, positions you as a specialist rather than a generalist. This specificity matters because specialty occupation status requires your degree to be directly tied to the role, which automation-heavy positions demonstrate more clearly than manual testing jobs.

What happens to my OPT authorization if my Software Test Engineer job ends?

On standard OPT, you have a 90-day unemployment limit across your entire authorization period. On STEM OPT extension, the limit is 150 days total, but it accumulates across both periods combined. You must report any job separation to your DSO promptly. If you're actively searching for a new role, Migrate Mate lists Software Test Engineer positions from employers open to OPT candidates, which can help shorten the gap.