STEM OPT Backend Engineer Jobs
Backend Engineer roles in server infrastructure, APIs, and distributed systems directly align with STEM degrees in computer science, software engineering, and information technology. Your 24-month STEM OPT extension applies here, giving you up to 36 months total to work for any employer enrolled in E-Verify while you pursue long-term sponsorship.
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Get Access To All JobsAbout Ema
Ema is building the world’s leading Agentic AI platform to transform enterprise productivity. We enable organizations to delegate repetitive tasks to Ema, the Universal AI Employee, delivering 10x gains in workforce efficiency, across functions. Founded by former executives from Google, Coinbase, Flipkart, and Okta, our team includes engineers from premier tech companies and graduates of Stanford, MIT, UC Berkeley, CMU, and IITs. We are backed by industry leading investors including Accel, Naspers/Prosus, Section32, and angels like Sheryl Sandberg and Dustin Moskovitz. Headquartered in Silicon Valley and with offices in London, Bangalore and Vancouver, Ema is at the frontier of what Agentic AI can do in production — we ship real systems that run real business processes at scale.
Who are you?
We are seeking an experienced Enterprise Software Engineer to join the Ema team. As an Enterprise Software Engineer, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining our enterprise software applications. You will work with a cross-functional team of product managers, designers, and developers to deliver high-quality software solutions that meet the needs of our enterprise clients. The ideal candidate has experience building products across the stack and a firm understanding of web frameworks, APIs, databases, and multiple back-end languages. Most importantly, you are excited to be part of a mission-oriented, fast-paced, high-growth startup that can create a lasting impact.
You Will
- Develop and maintain enterprise software applications, including API, data, application, and service development
- Write clean, efficient, and maintainable code by employing test-driven development process.
- Build scalable and reliable back-end systems using languages like Go and Python
- Develop and maintain APIs using REST or GraphQL
- Integrate multiple enterprise applications and services using a scalable framework like FastAPI
- Build and maintain data schema using PostgreSQL, Redshift etc.
- Contribute to front-end interfaces using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript frameworks such as React or Angular
- Ensure that applications are secure and adhere to industry best practices
- Continuously improve software development processes and practices
Ideally, You'd Have
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field.
- At least 4 years of relevant work experience.
- Solid background in algorithms, data structures, and object-oriented programming
- Experience in back-end development using languages like Python and Go
- Knowledge of database technologies like PostgreSQL, Elastic, Redis.
- Knowledge of designing and building API platforms and integration systems.
- Experience with cloud technologies like GCP, AWS and Azure
- Experience with containerization technologies like Docker and Kubernetes
- Experience with integrating multiple enterprise applications, including frameworks and authentication.
- Understanding of security best practices and protocols for enterprise software applications
- Experience deploying software in multi-tenant SaaS environments.
- Knowledge of front-end technologies such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and front-end frameworks like React or Angular
- Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Experience working with global teams
For California Based Candidates
The standard base salary for this position is $135,000-$300,000 annually. Compensation offered will be determined by factors such as location, level, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Certain roles may be eligible for variable compensation, equity, and benefits.
Ema Unlimited is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetics.
About Ema
Ema is building the world’s leading Agentic AI platform to transform enterprise productivity. We enable organizations to delegate repetitive tasks to Ema, the Universal AI Employee, delivering 10x gains in workforce efficiency, across functions. Founded by former executives from Google, Coinbase, Flipkart, and Okta, our team includes engineers from premier tech companies and graduates of Stanford, MIT, UC Berkeley, CMU, and IITs. We are backed by industry leading investors including Accel, Naspers/Prosus, Section32, and angels like Sheryl Sandberg and Dustin Moskovitz. Headquartered in Silicon Valley and with offices in London, Bangalore and Vancouver, Ema is at the frontier of what Agentic AI can do in production — we ship real systems that run real business processes at scale.
Who are you?
We are seeking an experienced Enterprise Software Engineer to join the Ema team. As an Enterprise Software Engineer, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining our enterprise software applications. You will work with a cross-functional team of product managers, designers, and developers to deliver high-quality software solutions that meet the needs of our enterprise clients. The ideal candidate has experience building products across the stack and a firm understanding of web frameworks, APIs, databases, and multiple back-end languages. Most importantly, you are excited to be part of a mission-oriented, fast-paced, high-growth startup that can create a lasting impact.
You Will
- Develop and maintain enterprise software applications, including API, data, application, and service development
- Write clean, efficient, and maintainable code by employing test-driven development process.
- Build scalable and reliable back-end systems using languages like Go and Python
- Develop and maintain APIs using REST or GraphQL
- Integrate multiple enterprise applications and services using a scalable framework like FastAPI
- Build and maintain data schema using PostgreSQL, Redshift etc.
- Contribute to front-end interfaces using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript frameworks such as React or Angular
- Ensure that applications are secure and adhere to industry best practices
- Continuously improve software development processes and practices
Ideally, You'd Have
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field.
- At least 4 years of relevant work experience.
- Solid background in algorithms, data structures, and object-oriented programming
- Experience in back-end development using languages like Python and Go
- Knowledge of database technologies like PostgreSQL, Elastic, Redis.
- Knowledge of designing and building API platforms and integration systems.
- Experience with cloud technologies like GCP, AWS and Azure
- Experience with containerization technologies like Docker and Kubernetes
- Experience with integrating multiple enterprise applications, including frameworks and authentication.
- Understanding of security best practices and protocols for enterprise software applications
- Experience deploying software in multi-tenant SaaS environments.
- Knowledge of front-end technologies such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and front-end frameworks like React or Angular
- Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Experience working with global teams
For California Based Candidates
The standard base salary for this position is $135,000-$300,000 annually. Compensation offered will be determined by factors such as location, level, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Certain roles may be eligible for variable compensation, equity, and benefits.
Ema Unlimited is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetics.
See all 49+ STEM OPT Backend Engineer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Backend Engineer
Verify your CIP code before applying
Your STEM OPT extension depends on your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code matching a STEM-designated field. Check your DSO's records to confirm your computer science, software engineering, or IT degree qualifies before targeting Backend Engineer roles.
Screen employers for E-Verify enrollment early
Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify before your STEM OPT extension begins. Ask recruiters directly during the screening call, or look up the company in the E-Verify employer search tool before investing time in their process.
Align your I-983 training plan to backend engineering work
Your I-983 must list specific learning objectives tied to your role, not a generic job description. Connect backend responsibilities like API design, database architecture, or distributed systems to the technical skills from your STEM degree program.
Use Migrate Mate to find Backend Engineer roles at E-Verify employers
Search Migrate Mate to filter Backend Engineer openings at companies already enrolled in E-Verify and with documented sponsorship history, so you're applying where your STEM OPT authorization is actually usable from day one.
Target companies with active H-1B filing patterns
Backend Engineer roles at companies with consistent H-1B visa LCA filings signal a real sponsorship pipeline for when your OPT authorization ends. Cross-reference DOL Labor Condition Application disclosure data to identify employers who regularly sponsor software engineering roles.
Understand cap-gap protection before your OPT expires
If your employer files an H-1B petition before your STEM OPT end date and it's selected in the lottery, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30. Confirm the filing timeline with your employer's HR team well before your EAD expires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my degree qualify me for the STEM OPT extension as a Backend Engineer?
Your degree must fall under a STEM-designated Classification of Instructional Programs code recognized by the Department of Homeland Security. Degrees in computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, and information technology commonly qualify. Your DSO can confirm your specific CIP code. The Backend Engineer role itself doesn't determine eligibility, your degree field does, so verify this before you start applying.
Does every company hiring Backend Engineers accept STEM OPT authorization?
No. To employ you on a STEM OPT extension, your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, a federal online verification system. Not every tech company, startup, or contractor is enrolled. Ask HR directly whether the company is an active E-Verify participant before you accept an offer. You can also search the E-Verify employer database to confirm enrollment status independently.
What goes into the I-983 training plan for a Backend Engineer role?
The I-983 must describe how your Backend Engineer position provides practical training related to your STEM degree. It should list specific goals such as building RESTful APIs, designing relational database schemas, or implementing microservices architectures, and connect each to coursework or skills from your program. Your employer signs it, your DSO endorses it, and USCIS can review it at any time during your extension.
How does cap-gap work if I'm a Backend Engineer on STEM OPT?
If your employer files an H-1B petition on your behalf before your STEM OPT EAD expires and USCIS selects it in the lottery, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through October 1 of that fiscal year. You can continue working as a Backend Engineer during this period without interruption. If your petition isn't selected, your authorization ends when your EAD expires, so have a contingency plan ready.
Where can I find Backend Engineer jobs that are open to STEM OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate lists Backend Engineer roles at employers enrolled in E-Verify and with documented H-1B sponsorship history, so you can filter for companies where your STEM OPT authorization is actually viable. Targeting employers with active Labor Condition Application filings through DOL disclosure data also helps you identify companies with established hiring pipelines for international engineers on work authorization.