OPT Systems Development Engineer Jobs
Systems Development Engineer jobs are among the strongest OPT fits in tech: most roles require a CS or software engineering degree, align directly with STEM OPT's 24-month extension, and attract employers experienced with F-1 work authorization. Roles span cloud infrastructure, automation, and distributed systems across some of the most active OPT sponsors in the industry.
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Get Access To All JobsMINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or a related field and 3 years of experience in the job offered or in a Systems Development Engineer-related occupation.
- Alternatively, will accept a Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or a related field, and 1 year of experience in the job offered or in a Systems Development Engineer-related occupation.
- Position requires 1 year of experience in the following: Systems design; Systems implementation; Technical infrastructure deployment; Technical infrastructure maintenance; and Systems automation using coding or scripting.
ABOUT THE JOB
Google Cloud accelerates every organization’s ability to digitally transform its business and industry. We deliver enterprise-grade solutions that leverage Google’s cutting-edge technology, and tools that help developers build more sustainably. Customers in more than 200 countries and territories turn to Google Cloud as their trusted partner to enable growth and solve their most critical business problems.
The US base salary range for this full-time position is $193,200 to $198,000 + 15% bonus target + equity + benefits determined by role, level, and location. Individual pay is determined by additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Learn more about benefits at Google.
Position reports to the Google (Sunnyvale, CA) office & may allow for a hybrid schedule per Google policy.
Responsibilities
- Participate in on-call activities and work with primary responders to fix system issues.
- Manage the systems operating within the assigned domain.
- Troubleshoot technical issues and evaluate technical data. Develop recommendations for systems and services within the domain.
- Respond to tickets and bugs within team-defined service-level objectives (SLOs). Work with customers to define distributed systems requirements, testing procedures, and solutions.
- Regional and international travel more than 10% of the time required.
Google is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. See also Google's EEO Policy and EEO is the Law. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know by completing our Accommodations for Applicants form.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or a related field and 3 years of experience in the job offered or in a Systems Development Engineer-related occupation.
- Alternatively, will accept a Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or a related field, and 1 year of experience in the job offered or in a Systems Development Engineer-related occupation.
- Position requires 1 year of experience in the following: Systems design; Systems implementation; Technical infrastructure deployment; Technical infrastructure maintenance; and Systems automation using coding or scripting.
ABOUT THE JOB
Google Cloud accelerates every organization’s ability to digitally transform its business and industry. We deliver enterprise-grade solutions that leverage Google’s cutting-edge technology, and tools that help developers build more sustainably. Customers in more than 200 countries and territories turn to Google Cloud as their trusted partner to enable growth and solve their most critical business problems.
The US base salary range for this full-time position is $193,200 to $198,000 + 15% bonus target + equity + benefits determined by role, level, and location. Individual pay is determined by additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Learn more about benefits at Google.
Position reports to the Google (Sunnyvale, CA) office & may allow for a hybrid schedule per Google policy.
Responsibilities
- Participate in on-call activities and work with primary responders to fix system issues.
- Manage the systems operating within the assigned domain.
- Troubleshoot technical issues and evaluate technical data. Develop recommendations for systems and services within the domain.
- Respond to tickets and bugs within team-defined service-level objectives (SLOs). Work with customers to define distributed systems requirements, testing procedures, and solutions.
- Regional and international travel more than 10% of the time required.
Google is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. See also Google's EEO Policy and EEO is the Law. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know by completing our Accommodations for Applicants form.
See all 51+ OPT Systems Development Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Systems Development Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Systems Development Engineer
Target STEM-designated employers first
Companies that regularly file H-1B visa petitions for engineering roles are far more likely to support OPT and STEM OPT extensions. Look for employers with consistent engineering hiring patterns rather than one-off technical hires.
Frame your degree field precisely
Systems Development Engineer roles typically require Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or Software Engineering. Confirm your degree CIP code qualifies for STEM OPT before applying, since your DSO uses it to authorize the 24-month extension.
Start your STEM OPT extension application early
File Form I-765 for your STEM OPT extension at least 90 days before your initial OPT expires. A timely filing grants a 180-day automatic extension, protecting your authorization while USCIS processes the application.
Know your employer's E-Verify status
STEM OPT requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify. Confirm this before accepting an offer. Most large tech employers already participate, but smaller startups and consulting firms sometimes do not.
Prepare a technical portfolio that signals long-term value
Employers weighing sponsorship costs want confidence in your trajectory. A portfolio showing systems design work, infrastructure projects, or open-source contributions demonstrates the depth that justifies investing in your visa process beyond OPT.
Understand the I-983 training plan requirement
STEM OPT requires a signed I-983 training plan outlining your learning objectives, supervision structure, and how the role relates to your degree. Discuss this with your employer during onboarding so it's ready when your DSO needs it.
Systems Development Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Systems Development Engineer role qualify for STEM OPT?
Yes, in most cases. STEM OPT eligibility is based on your degree's CIP code, not the job title itself. If your degree is in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related STEM field, and the role aligns with that training, you qualify for the 24-month extension. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before applying.
How do I find Systems Development Engineer jobs that accept OPT students?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for F-1 OPT students, making it straightforward to find Systems Development Engineer roles with employers experienced in work authorization. Searching broadly and then filtering manually is inefficient when OPT status narrows the field significantly. Migrate Mate is built for exactly this search.
Can I work as a Systems Development Engineer at a staffing agency on OPT?
Standard OPT permits third-party placements, but STEM OPT has stricter rules. For STEM OPT, the employer of record must sign the I-983, be enrolled in E-Verify, and provide real supervision and training. If a staffing agency is placing you at a client site, the regulatory requirements around who qualifies as your employer become complex and worth clarifying with your DSO.
What happens if my OPT expires before I receive an H-1B approval?
If your employer files an H-1B petition by April 1 of the relevant cap year and you have valid STEM OPT at that point, your work authorization is automatically extended through September 30 under the cap-gap provision. This covers the gap between OPT expiration and the October 1 H-1B start date, as long as the petition remains pending or approved.
How many hours per week can I work as a Systems Development Engineer on OPT?
Post-completion OPT requires at least 20 hours of work per week to maintain valid status. Full-time Systems Development Engineer roles at 40 hours per week are well within the limit. Working fewer than 20 hours, or going unemployed for more than 90 cumulative days during your OPT period, puts your status at risk.