UX Designer Jobs for OPT Students
UX Designer roles are among the more OPT-friendly positions in tech, most require a degree in design, HCI, or a related field, which satisfies F-1 work authorization requirements. STEM OPT extension eligibility depends on your specific degree CIP code, so confirm with your DSO before applying.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Sleeper is building the leading platform to connect friends over sports. On Sleeper, fans can check scores, play games, chat, share memes, and more. We have over 10 million fans on our platform worldwide, and we continually add new games and social features to expand the ultimate digital playground for sports fans.
LOCATION
- Hybrid (2 days): SF Bay Area, Seattle
- Remote: California (non-SF), Washington (non-Seattle), Oregon, or PST hours, with willingness to relocate for full-time
ABOUT THE DESIGN TEAM
We’re an agile group of designers passionate about building high-quality, intuitive experiences, but we’re also a tight-knit group that likes to have fun.
- We are willing to pick up a new sport or try out computer games together, for the purpose of “research”
- We work hard and play hard – we’re passionate and meticulous about our craft, but we also set time aside to have fun together
- We can see design everywhere and every day – we do annual trips to design-workshop together
YOU’LL HIT THE GROUND RUNNING
- Design user experiences across all of our platforms – iOS, Android, Web, Tablet
- Collaborate frequently with other designers in ideation sessions and receive feedback and mentorship from more senior designers
- Participate in design critiques to present your work to design team as well as business and engineering stakeholders
- Take ownership in aspects of design execution and create high-fidelity mockups and prototypes so engineers can ship your pixel-perfect designs
- Create design solutions that utilize design systems, and contribute to the development of our design system
- Be part of a small but mighty design team pushing the boundaries of product innovation to build the best product and further business goals
WE'RE SCOUTING FOR TEAM PLAYERS WHO HAVE...
- A graduation date of Summer 2026 or earlier; or graduates with some entry-level experience
- A strong portfolio, deck, or sample work showcasing your passion and foundations in design
- Ability to collaborate and work cross-functionally with Product, Engineering, and other Business partners in a fast-paced environment
- Strong attention to detail with an understanding of the fundamentals of UX, interaction and visual design
- May not know everything about product design, but are passionate about learning and growing
EXTRA POINTS IF YOU…
- Have a degree in one of the following majors or related fields: HCI, web/media design, human-centered or UI/UX design
- Have experience with fantasy sports, daily fantasy, or sports betting—or just a serious passion for football or basketball
MORE ABOUT THE INTERNSHIP...
- Join a small cohort of interns collaborating with mentors and senior team members
- Get onboarded to our design process and ramp up to full projects, including a capstone
- Completing the 12-week program gives you priority for our open full-time roles
Sleeper believes in quality over quantity, and intentionally keeps our team small as a result. In past roles, our team members found it very hard to make a big impact when companies grow too large in size, which has a detrimental effect on the product and the impact any single individual can have. Our team includes designers, engineers, product experts, and finance & operation focused on one thing — connecting people over sports. We believe in fair and equitable pay. Certain locations in the United States require job postings to include a reasonable estimate of the base salary range and/or a general description of benefits and other compensation applicable to the role.
For this role in those locations, a reasonable estimate of the base compensation range for new hires is $20 USD to $32 USD per hour. No overtime work allowed, and the internship will be for 12 weeks or otherwise negotiated; salary upon potential, full-time conversion will be adjusted and further negotiated.
Please note that the compensation range for this role takes into account a wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.
The policy of Sleeper is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, citizenship status, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status and to affirmatively seek to advance the principles of equal employment opportunity. Sleeper is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer and offers opportunities to all job seekers, including job seekers with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access the Company’s career webpage as a result of your disability. You may request reasonable accommodations by sending an email to jobs@sleeper.app.
Sleeper is backed by Silicon Valley’s top investors, including Andreessen Horowitz, General Catalyst, and Expa.
INTRODUCTION
Sleeper is building the leading platform to connect friends over sports. On Sleeper, fans can check scores, play games, chat, share memes, and more. We have over 10 million fans on our platform worldwide, and we continually add new games and social features to expand the ultimate digital playground for sports fans.
LOCATION
- Hybrid (2 days): SF Bay Area, Seattle
- Remote: California (non-SF), Washington (non-Seattle), Oregon, or PST hours, with willingness to relocate for full-time
ABOUT THE DESIGN TEAM
We’re an agile group of designers passionate about building high-quality, intuitive experiences, but we’re also a tight-knit group that likes to have fun.
- We are willing to pick up a new sport or try out computer games together, for the purpose of “research”
- We work hard and play hard – we’re passionate and meticulous about our craft, but we also set time aside to have fun together
- We can see design everywhere and every day – we do annual trips to design-workshop together
YOU’LL HIT THE GROUND RUNNING
- Design user experiences across all of our platforms – iOS, Android, Web, Tablet
- Collaborate frequently with other designers in ideation sessions and receive feedback and mentorship from more senior designers
- Participate in design critiques to present your work to design team as well as business and engineering stakeholders
- Take ownership in aspects of design execution and create high-fidelity mockups and prototypes so engineers can ship your pixel-perfect designs
- Create design solutions that utilize design systems, and contribute to the development of our design system
- Be part of a small but mighty design team pushing the boundaries of product innovation to build the best product and further business goals
WE'RE SCOUTING FOR TEAM PLAYERS WHO HAVE...
- A graduation date of Summer 2026 or earlier; or graduates with some entry-level experience
- A strong portfolio, deck, or sample work showcasing your passion and foundations in design
- Ability to collaborate and work cross-functionally with Product, Engineering, and other Business partners in a fast-paced environment
- Strong attention to detail with an understanding of the fundamentals of UX, interaction and visual design
- May not know everything about product design, but are passionate about learning and growing
EXTRA POINTS IF YOU…
- Have a degree in one of the following majors or related fields: HCI, web/media design, human-centered or UI/UX design
- Have experience with fantasy sports, daily fantasy, or sports betting—or just a serious passion for football or basketball
MORE ABOUT THE INTERNSHIP...
- Join a small cohort of interns collaborating with mentors and senior team members
- Get onboarded to our design process and ramp up to full projects, including a capstone
- Completing the 12-week program gives you priority for our open full-time roles
Sleeper believes in quality over quantity, and intentionally keeps our team small as a result. In past roles, our team members found it very hard to make a big impact when companies grow too large in size, which has a detrimental effect on the product and the impact any single individual can have. Our team includes designers, engineers, product experts, and finance & operation focused on one thing — connecting people over sports. We believe in fair and equitable pay. Certain locations in the United States require job postings to include a reasonable estimate of the base salary range and/or a general description of benefits and other compensation applicable to the role.
For this role in those locations, a reasonable estimate of the base compensation range for new hires is $20 USD to $32 USD per hour. No overtime work allowed, and the internship will be for 12 weeks or otherwise negotiated; salary upon potential, full-time conversion will be adjusted and further negotiated.
Please note that the compensation range for this role takes into account a wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.
The policy of Sleeper is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, citizenship status, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status and to affirmatively seek to advance the principles of equal employment opportunity. Sleeper is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer and offers opportunities to all job seekers, including job seekers with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access the Company’s career webpage as a result of your disability. You may request reasonable accommodations by sending an email to jobs@sleeper.app.
Sleeper is backed by Silicon Valley’s top investors, including Andreessen Horowitz, General Catalyst, and Expa.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a UX Designer
Lead with your portfolio, not your authorization status
Hiring managers decide on UX candidates based on portfolio quality before reviewing anything else. A strong case study that shows your process from research to final design will get you further than any cover letter explaining your OPT status.
Target companies that already employ international designers
Companies that have sponsored UX designers before are far more likely to do it again. Check DOL LCA disclosure data filtered for UX and product design job titles to identify employers with a track record of international hires.
Know your STEM extension eligibility before you start applying
UX Design programs under HCI or Information Science CIP codes often qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO, it significantly changes how employers view your available work authorization window.
Frame your international perspective as a design asset
Cross-cultural fluency is genuinely valuable in UX. If you've designed for users across different cultural contexts or languages, call that out explicitly in your portfolio and interviews, it differentiates you in a way most domestic candidates cannot.
Apply to mid-size product companies, not just big tech
Mid-size SaaS and product companies often have faster hiring decisions and more flexibility on sponsorship than large enterprises. They're also more likely to have a single UX team where your impact is visible and your sponsorship case is easier to make.
UX Designer jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Do UX Designer roles typically qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your specific degree, not the job title. If your degree is in Human-Computer Interaction, Information Science, or a design program with a qualifying STEM CIP code, you may be eligible for the 24-month extension. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO, your university's international student office has the final say, not your employer.
How do I explain my OPT status to a hiring manager without losing the offer?
Be direct and prepared. Tell them you're authorized to work for up to 12 months on OPT, that you may qualify for a 24-month STEM extension depending on your degree, and that H-1B sponsorship would be the long-term path. Framing it as a clear, manageable timeline works better than being vague or apologetic about your status.
Where can I find UX Designer jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is the best starting point, it's built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters for employers open to sponsoring international candidates. Searching a general job board makes it hard to tell which companies will actually move forward with OPT workers, so a platform filtered for your situation saves significant time.
Can I work as a freelance UX Designer on OPT?
Yes, but with conditions. Self-employment is permitted on OPT as long as the work is directly related to your degree field and you're actively running a legitimate business. You need a valid business entity and should document your work carefully. Consult your DSO before pursuing freelance work to make sure your specific situation is compliant.
Does my UX design internship count toward OPT if it's unpaid?
Unpaid positions are allowed on OPT only if they meet strict criteria, the position must be a legitimate part of an established internship program, directly related to your degree, and compliant with federal labor laws. Many unpaid arrangements do not meet these standards. Your DSO can review the specific offer before you accept to confirm it qualifies.
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