OPT Staff Software Developer Jobs
Staff Software Developer jobs are accessible on OPT, but your 12-month standard window moves fast at this seniority level. Most roles require 5-8 years of experience, and employers sponsoring H-1B visa from Staff level are common in enterprise tech, fintech, and cloud infrastructure.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Cerebras Systems builds the world's largest AI chip, 56 times larger than GPUs. Our novel wafer-scale architecture provides the AI compute power of dozens of GPUs on a single chip, with the programming simplicity of a single device. This approach allows Cerebras to deliver industry-leading training and inference speeds and empowers machine learning users to effortlessly run large-scale ML applications, without the hassle of managing hundreds of GPUs or TPUs.
Cerebras' current customers include top model labs, global enterprises, and cutting-edge AI-native startups. OpenAI recently announced a multi-year partnership with Cerebras, to deploy 750 megawatts of scale, transforming key workloads with ultra high-speed inference.
Thanks to the groundbreaking wafer-scale architecture, Cerebras Inference offers the fastest Generative AI inference solution in the world, over 10 times faster than GPU-based hyperscale cloud inference services. This order of magnitude increase in speed is transforming the user experience of AI applications, unlocking real-time iteration and increasing intelligence via additional agentic computation.
Cerebras Systems Inc. has multiple openings for Member of Technical Staff (Software Engineer).
TITLE: Member of Technical Staff (Software Engineer)
JOB DUTIES
- Implement infrastructure to support high-performance, low-latency inference service.
- Deploy and configure Kubernetes services to ensure scalability and reliability of inference workloads.
- Optimize resource allocation and auto-scaling policies to handle variable inference demand while minimizing operational costs.
- Integrate inference services with containerized environments using Docker and Kubernetes for orchestration.
- Ensure high availability and fault tolerance by implementing multi-region deployments and disaster recovery strategies.
- Develop Python-based scripts and APIs to streamline data preprocessing, inference execution, and post-processing for real-time inference tasks.
- Collaborate with machine learning engineers to validate inference accuracy and performance against functional and latency requirements.
- Triage and resolve defects in the service by analyzing logs, metrics, and distributed traces.
- Debug issues related to model deployment, container orchestration, or networking configurations, documenting steps to reproduce and root-cause defects.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to address performance regressions, scalability issues, or integration failures in the inference pipeline.
- Develop automated scripts to detect and mitigate common failure modes, improving system reliability.
- Author detailed technical documentation for infrastructure configurations, inference workflows, and APIs, ensuring clarity for internal teams and external customers.
- Work with product management and user experience teams to define requirements for inference service interfaces, including configuration, monitoring, and event logging.
- Document and track defects, enhancements, and release notes using tools like Jira and Git, ensuring version control and traceability.
- Participate in release planning and prioritization discussions to align infrastructure development with customer needs and business objectives.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Master’s degree or foreign equivalent degree in Computer Science, or a related field and 1 year of experience as Software Developer, Student/Intern (Software Developer), Member of Technical Staff (Software Engineer), Software Engineer, or a related occupation required. Employer accepts full-time or equivalent part-time experience gained before, during or after graduate studies.
REQUIRED SKILLS
- Docker and Kubernetes;
- Java or C++;
- ActiveMQ and Kafka;
- Python or Groovy;
- JavaScript or TypeScript;
- Linux;
- SQL, OracleDB, and Redis; and
- Git
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Employer’s name: Cerebras Systems Inc.
Job site: 1237 E Arques Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94085
Telecommuting permitted
Salary Range: $169,600.00 per year to $175,000.00 per year
If you are interested in applying for this position, please apply online on this web page or mail resume to HR at Cerebras Systems Inc., 1237 E Arques Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94085. Please reference Job # 146 on resume or cover letter.
WHY JOIN CEREBRAS
People who are serious about software make their own hardware. At Cerebras we have built a breakthrough architecture that is unlocking new opportunities for the AI industry. With dozens of model releases and rapid growth, we’ve reached an inflection point in our business. Members of our team tell us there are five main reasons they joined Cerebras:
- Build a breakthrough AI platform beyond the constraints of the GPU.
- Publish and open source their cutting-edge AI research.
- Work on one of the fastest AI supercomputers in the world.
- Enjoy job stability with startup vitality.
- Our simple, non-corporate work culture that respects individual beliefs.
INTRODUCTION
Cerebras Systems builds the world's largest AI chip, 56 times larger than GPUs. Our novel wafer-scale architecture provides the AI compute power of dozens of GPUs on a single chip, with the programming simplicity of a single device. This approach allows Cerebras to deliver industry-leading training and inference speeds and empowers machine learning users to effortlessly run large-scale ML applications, without the hassle of managing hundreds of GPUs or TPUs.
Cerebras' current customers include top model labs, global enterprises, and cutting-edge AI-native startups. OpenAI recently announced a multi-year partnership with Cerebras, to deploy 750 megawatts of scale, transforming key workloads with ultra high-speed inference.
Thanks to the groundbreaking wafer-scale architecture, Cerebras Inference offers the fastest Generative AI inference solution in the world, over 10 times faster than GPU-based hyperscale cloud inference services. This order of magnitude increase in speed is transforming the user experience of AI applications, unlocking real-time iteration and increasing intelligence via additional agentic computation.
Cerebras Systems Inc. has multiple openings for Member of Technical Staff (Software Engineer).
TITLE: Member of Technical Staff (Software Engineer)
JOB DUTIES
- Implement infrastructure to support high-performance, low-latency inference service.
- Deploy and configure Kubernetes services to ensure scalability and reliability of inference workloads.
- Optimize resource allocation and auto-scaling policies to handle variable inference demand while minimizing operational costs.
- Integrate inference services with containerized environments using Docker and Kubernetes for orchestration.
- Ensure high availability and fault tolerance by implementing multi-region deployments and disaster recovery strategies.
- Develop Python-based scripts and APIs to streamline data preprocessing, inference execution, and post-processing for real-time inference tasks.
- Collaborate with machine learning engineers to validate inference accuracy and performance against functional and latency requirements.
- Triage and resolve defects in the service by analyzing logs, metrics, and distributed traces.
- Debug issues related to model deployment, container orchestration, or networking configurations, documenting steps to reproduce and root-cause defects.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to address performance regressions, scalability issues, or integration failures in the inference pipeline.
- Develop automated scripts to detect and mitigate common failure modes, improving system reliability.
- Author detailed technical documentation for infrastructure configurations, inference workflows, and APIs, ensuring clarity for internal teams and external customers.
- Work with product management and user experience teams to define requirements for inference service interfaces, including configuration, monitoring, and event logging.
- Document and track defects, enhancements, and release notes using tools like Jira and Git, ensuring version control and traceability.
- Participate in release planning and prioritization discussions to align infrastructure development with customer needs and business objectives.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Master’s degree or foreign equivalent degree in Computer Science, or a related field and 1 year of experience as Software Developer, Student/Intern (Software Developer), Member of Technical Staff (Software Engineer), Software Engineer, or a related occupation required. Employer accepts full-time or equivalent part-time experience gained before, during or after graduate studies.
REQUIRED SKILLS
- Docker and Kubernetes;
- Java or C++;
- ActiveMQ and Kafka;
- Python or Groovy;
- JavaScript or TypeScript;
- Linux;
- SQL, OracleDB, and Redis; and
- Git
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Employer’s name: Cerebras Systems Inc.
Job site: 1237 E Arques Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94085
Telecommuting permitted
Salary Range: $169,600.00 per year to $175,000.00 per year
If you are interested in applying for this position, please apply online on this web page or mail resume to HR at Cerebras Systems Inc., 1237 E Arques Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94085. Please reference Job # 146 on resume or cover letter.
WHY JOIN CEREBRAS
People who are serious about software make their own hardware. At Cerebras we have built a breakthrough architecture that is unlocking new opportunities for the AI industry. With dozens of model releases and rapid growth, we’ve reached an inflection point in our business. Members of our team tell us there are five main reasons they joined Cerebras:
- Build a breakthrough AI platform beyond the constraints of the GPU.
- Publish and open source their cutting-edge AI research.
- Work on one of the fastest AI supercomputers in the world.
- Enjoy job stability with startup vitality.
- Our simple, non-corporate work culture that respects individual beliefs.
See all 82+ OPT Staff Software Developer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Staff Software Developer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Staff Software Developer
Target employers with established H-1B pipelines
Staff-level roles at companies with consistent H-1B visa filing histories signal genuine sponsorship infrastructure. Search OFLC disclosure data to verify which employers have sponsored Staff or Senior Software Developer positions in recent years before applying.
Apply early in your OPT window
Staff roles take longer to close than junior positions. Hiring cycles at this seniority often run 6-10 weeks, so applying within the first few months of OPT gives you time to clear interviews before your authorization window creates urgency.
Apply for STEM OPT extension before your standard OPT expires
If your degree is in computer science, software engineering, or a related STEM field, you qualify for a 24-month extension. File Form I-765 at least 90 days before your EAD expires to maintain continuous work authorization.
Lead with technical depth, not visa status
Staff engineers are evaluated on system design, architecture decisions, and cross-team influence. Front-load those qualifications in your resume and interviews. Addressing OPT status clearly but briefly avoids making it the centerpiece of your candidacy.
Prioritize companies that have sponsored at your exact level
Sponsorship willingness varies by seniority tier. An employer who regularly sponsors junior engineers may not have experience sponsoring Staff-level roles. Confirming prior Staff or Principal-level H-1B filings significantly reduces mid-process sponsorship hesitation.
Clarify cap-gap coverage if your H-1B is selected
If your H-1B is picked in the lottery while you hold STEM OPT, cap-gap regulations allow you to continue working through September 30. Confirm with your DSO that your STEM OPT is properly filed so cap-gap protection applies automatically.
Staff Software Developer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Staff Software Developer on OPT?
Yes. OPT authorizes full-time employment in roles directly related to your degree field. Staff Software Developer positions qualify under computer science, software engineering, and related STEM degrees. Your EAD card is the only document your employer needs to verify work authorization before your start date.
Do Staff Software Developer roles typically offer H-1B sponsorship?
Many do, particularly at mid-size and enterprise companies in tech, fintech, and cloud infrastructure. Staff-level engineers are expensive to hire and difficult to replace, which gives employers a stronger financial incentive to sponsor. Migrate Mate filters specifically for OPT-friendly and sponsoring employers so you can focus on companies already open to it.
How does STEM OPT extension work for software developers?
If your degree is in a qualifying STEM field, you can extend your OPT by 24 months beyond the initial 12, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization total. You must file Form I-765 with USCIS at least 90 days before your current EAD expires. Your employer also needs to enroll in E-Verify and sign a training plan.
What experience level is typically expected for Staff Software Developer roles?
Most Staff Software Developer postings expect 5-8 years of professional experience, with demonstrated ownership of complex systems and cross-functional collaboration. This is above Senior in most engineering ladders. If you are early in your OPT window with fewer years of experience, Senior Software Engineer roles may be a more realistic entry point.
Can I change employers while on OPT if I accept a Staff Software Developer role and it does not work out?
Yes, but OPT is not tied to a specific employer. You can change jobs as long as the new role is directly related to your degree field and you report the change to your DSO within 10 days. If you are on STEM OPT, your new employer must also be enrolled in E-Verify and sign a new training plan with your school.