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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As part of the AWS Applied AI Solutions organization, we have a vision to provide business applications, leveraging Amazon’s unique experience and expertise, that are used by millions of companies worldwide to manage day-to-day operations. We will accomplish this by accelerating our customers’ businesses through delivery of intuitive and differentiated technology solutions that solve enduring business challenges. We blend vision with curiosity and Amazon’s real-world experience to build opinionated, turnkey solutions. Where customers prefer to buy over build, we become their trusted partner with solutions that are no-brainers to buy and easy to use.
Come change the way the world sees the cloud! Amazon WorkSpaces is a managed desktop computing service in the cloud. Amazon WorkSpaces allows customers to easily provision cloud-based desktops that allow end-users to access the documents, applications and resources they need with the device of their choice, including laptops, iPad, Kindle Fire, Android tablets, and zero clients. With a few clicks in the AWS Management Console, customers can provision a high-quality cloud desktop experience (for Windows or Linux) for any number of users at a cost that is highly competitive with traditional desktops and half the cost of most virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) solutions.
We are looking for cross platform systems development engineers who are passionate about building, maintaining, and automating the systems that underpin the robust WorkSpaces-fleet system. On any given day, we use Python, Lambda, DynamoDB, CloudFormation, PowerShell as well as other public AWS services and a host of Amazon-internal tools. We don’t expect you to be an expert in, or necessarily even be familiar with, all of the technologies listed above, but we do expect you to be excited to learn about them!
In this role you’ll help WorkSpaces-Fleet expand into new regions, remove development friction through automation, and collaborate with a team of Systems Developers to help shape the future for the next generation of services to help customers reduce the mean-time-to manage their WorkSpaces. You’ll apply your creative and critical problem solving skills to develop and run multi-tenant at massive scale services.
WorkSpaces is changing the way that people use computers - come help us make history!
About the team
ABOUT AWS:
Diverse Experiences
Amazon values diverse experiences. Even if you do not meet all of the preferred qualifications and skills listed in the job description, we encourage candidates to apply. If your career is just starting, hasn’t followed a traditional path, or includes alternative experiences, don’t let it stop you from applying.
Why AWS
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform. We pioneered cloud computing and never stopped innovating — that’s why customers from the most successful startups to Global 500 companies trust our robust suite of products and services to power their businesses.
Work/Life Balance
We value work-life harmony. Achieving success at work should never come at the expense of sacrifices at home, which is why flexible work hours and arrangements are part of our culture. When we feel supported in the workplace and at home, there’s nothing we can’t achieve in the cloud.
Inclusive Team Culture
Here at AWS, it’s in our nature to learn and be curious. Our employee-led affinity groups foster a culture of inclusion that empower us to be proud of our differences. Ongoing events and learning experiences, including our Conversations on Race and Ethnicity and AmazeCon conferences, inspire us to never stop embracing our uniqueness.
Mentorship and Career Growth
We’re continuously raising our performance bar as we strive to become Earth’s Best Employer. That’s why you’ll find endless knowledge-sharing, mentorship and other career-advancing resources here to help you develop into a better-rounded professional.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 2+ years of non-internship professional software development experience
- 1+ years of designing or architecting (design patterns, reliability and scaling) of new and existing systems experience
- 7+ years of administrative experience in networking, storage systems, operating systems and hands-on systems engineering experience
- Knowledge of systems engineering fundamentals (networking, storage, operating systems)
- Experience programming with at least one modern language such as C++, C#, Java, Python, Golang, PowerShell, Ruby
- Bachelor's degree
- Experience debugging and systems analysis to identify and quickly resolve or mitigate issues
- 5+ years of provisioning, migrating, and managing end user computing and related services experience
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with PowerShell (preferred), Python, Ruby, or Java
- Experience working in an Agile environment using the Scrum methodology
- Knowledge of infrastructure automation delivered through the software development lifecycle in an API-enabled environment, including agile development, software architecture/patterns, and modern cloud services
- Knowledge of fundamentals of networking, security, databases (relational or NoSQL), operating systems (Unix, Linux, and/or Windows)
- Experience with AWS technologies like Redshift, S3, AWS Glue, EMR, Kinesis, FireHose, Lambda, and IAM roles and permissions
- Good understanding of Active Directory and other identity providers such as Jump cloud, Azure Entra.
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
LOCATION
USA, WA, Seattle - 129,200.00 - 174,800.00 USD annually
DESCRIPTION
As part of the AWS Applied AI Solutions organization, we have a vision to provide business applications, leveraging Amazon’s unique experience and expertise, that are used by millions of companies worldwide to manage day-to-day operations. We will accomplish this by accelerating our customers’ businesses through delivery of intuitive and differentiated technology solutions that solve enduring business challenges. We blend vision with curiosity and Amazon’s real-world experience to build opinionated, turnkey solutions. Where customers prefer to buy over build, we become their trusted partner with solutions that are no-brainers to buy and easy to use.
Come change the way the world sees the cloud! Amazon WorkSpaces is a managed desktop computing service in the cloud. Amazon WorkSpaces allows customers to easily provision cloud-based desktops that allow end-users to access the documents, applications and resources they need with the device of their choice, including laptops, iPad, Kindle Fire, Android tablets, and zero clients. With a few clicks in the AWS Management Console, customers can provision a high-quality cloud desktop experience (for Windows or Linux) for any number of users at a cost that is highly competitive with traditional desktops and half the cost of most virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) solutions.
We are looking for cross platform systems development engineers who are passionate about building, maintaining, and automating the systems that underpin the robust WorkSpaces-fleet system. On any given day, we use Python, Lambda, DynamoDB, CloudFormation, PowerShell as well as other public AWS services and a host of Amazon-internal tools. We don’t expect you to be an expert in, or necessarily even be familiar with, all of the technologies listed above, but we do expect you to be excited to learn about them!
In this role you’ll help WorkSpaces-Fleet expand into new regions, remove development friction through automation, and collaborate with a team of Systems Developers to help shape the future for the next generation of services to help customers reduce the mean-time-to manage their WorkSpaces. You’ll apply your creative and critical problem solving skills to develop and run multi-tenant at massive scale services.
WorkSpaces is changing the way that people use computers - come help us make history!
About the team
ABOUT AWS:
Diverse Experiences
Amazon values diverse experiences. Even if you do not meet all of the preferred qualifications and skills listed in the job description, we encourage candidates to apply. If your career is just starting, hasn’t followed a traditional path, or includes alternative experiences, don’t let it stop you from applying.
Why AWS
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform. We pioneered cloud computing and never stopped innovating — that’s why customers from the most successful startups to Global 500 companies trust our robust suite of products and services to power their businesses.
Work/Life Balance
We value work-life harmony. Achieving success at work should never come at the expense of sacrifices at home, which is why flexible work hours and arrangements are part of our culture. When we feel supported in the workplace and at home, there’s nothing we can’t achieve in the cloud.
Inclusive Team Culture
Here at AWS, it’s in our nature to learn and be curious. Our employee-led affinity groups foster a culture of inclusion that empower us to be proud of our differences. Ongoing events and learning experiences, including our Conversations on Race and Ethnicity and AmazeCon conferences, inspire us to never stop embracing our uniqueness.
Mentorship and Career Growth
We’re continuously raising our performance bar as we strive to become Earth’s Best Employer. That’s why you’ll find endless knowledge-sharing, mentorship and other career-advancing resources here to help you develop into a better-rounded professional.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 2+ years of non-internship professional software development experience
- 1+ years of designing or architecting (design patterns, reliability and scaling) of new and existing systems experience
- 7+ years of administrative experience in networking, storage systems, operating systems and hands-on systems engineering experience
- Knowledge of systems engineering fundamentals (networking, storage, operating systems)
- Experience programming with at least one modern language such as C++, C#, Java, Python, Golang, PowerShell, Ruby
- Bachelor's degree
- Experience debugging and systems analysis to identify and quickly resolve or mitigate issues
- 5+ years of provisioning, migrating, and managing end user computing and related services experience
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with PowerShell (preferred), Python, Ruby, or Java
- Experience working in an Agile environment using the Scrum methodology
- Knowledge of infrastructure automation delivered through the software development lifecycle in an API-enabled environment, including agile development, software architecture/patterns, and modern cloud services
- Knowledge of fundamentals of networking, security, databases (relational or NoSQL), operating systems (Unix, Linux, and/or Windows)
- Experience with AWS technologies like Redshift, S3, AWS Glue, EMR, Kinesis, FireHose, Lambda, and IAM roles and permissions
- Good understanding of Active Directory and other identity providers such as Jump cloud, Azure Entra.
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
LOCATION
USA, WA, Seattle - 129,200.00 - 174,800.00 USD annually
See all 109+ 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.