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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Cadent ignites seamless connections between brands, publishers, and consumers. Our predictive AI orchestrates outcomes across any platform, any media, and every stage of the customer journey. Learn more at Cadent.com.
Cadent is seeking a Backend Engineer Intern to join our team for Summer 2026. Interns will gain hands-on experience by working with our teams on real backend systems—not observing from the sidelines.
Each intern will also complete one or more individual projects, tailored to their skills and interests, and present their work to the Technology Leadership team at the end of the program. Project scope and timelines will be defined at the start of the internship.
Responsibilities:
- Interns will support their assigned team with tasks that may include:
- Attending team meetings
- Performing technical research
- Supporting supervisors and teammates on active initiatives
- Using department-specific tools and software for day-to-day work
PERKS:
- Competitive pay
- College credit (if applicable)
- Intern development programming
- Cross-team and interdepartmental Lunch & Learns
QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
- Rising junior or senior pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related field
- Strong programming fundamentals in at least one object-oriented language (e.g., C#, Python)
- Understanding of how APIs work (HTTP, request/response, basic REST concepts)
- Familiarity with relational databases and writing basic SQL queries
- Ability to debug problems and reason through backend logic
- Experience building projects beyond coursework (projects, internships, or co-ops)
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Self-motivated, collaborative, and willing to take initiative
WORK COMMITMENT:
- Full-time: 40 hours per week during the internship term
NICE TO HAVE (NOT REQUIRED):
- Experience with .NET / C#
- Exposure to cloud or serverless technologies (e.g., AWS Lambda, Azure Functions, GCP)
- Basic understanding of authentication, APIs, or distributed systems
- Experience with Git, CI/CD, or deployment workflows
WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE:
By the end of the internship, you will:
- Deliver 1–2 backend features or enhancements end-to-end
- Write and modify production-ready API code
- Work with real datasets and understand data flow through backend systems
- Navigate and contribute confidently to a modern backend codebase
INTERVIEW PROCESS:
We focus on a practical, no-nonsense interview process:
- Walkthrough of a project you’ve built (what worked, what didn’t, and lessons learned)
- Basic API design or coding exercise (language-flexible)
- SQL questions (joins, filtering, simple aggregation)
- Discussion of how you would design or debug a simple backend workflow
WHY JOIN CADENT?
- Real backend engineering experience
- Exposure to production APIs, databases, and cloud systems
- Direct mentorship from experienced engineers
- Opportunity for full-time conversion based on performance
So, if the leading edge of media technology is the place you want to be, please contact us today and let’s start the conversation!
Cadent is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to supporting all its employees when it comes to Inclusion & Diversity. Cadent’s policy is to provide equal opportunity for applicants & employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual identity or orientation, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability or medical condition (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition), sexual and reproductive health decisions, genetic information, marital status (including domestic partnerships and civil unions), pregnancy, culture ancestry, familial or caregiver status, military status, veteran status, socioeconomic status, unemployment status, status as a victim of domestic violence or any other basis prohibited by law. and will not discriminate against the basis of disability. This commitment is honored when it comes to decisions on hiring, recruiting, training, promotions, compensations, benefits, transfers and terminations.
Cadent is seeking to actively engage with our employees from a wide variety of cultures and to connect with our clients differently. Our workforce has generational diversity that supports greater innovation when we maximize representation of all diversity. Our active employee resource groups promote engagement across all groups of individuals that are represented within the company and externally.
PAY RANGE:
USD $20.00 - USD $25.00 /Hr.
Overview:
Cadent ignites seamless connections between brands, publishers, and consumers. Our predictive AI orchestrates outcomes across any platform, any media, and every stage of the customer journey. Learn more at Cadent.com.
Cadent is seeking a Backend Engineer Intern to join our team for Summer 2026. Interns will gain hands-on experience by working with our teams on real backend systems—not observing from the sidelines.
Each intern will also complete one or more individual projects, tailored to their skills and interests, and present their work to the Technology Leadership team at the end of the program. Project scope and timelines will be defined at the start of the internship.
Responsibilities:
- Interns will support their assigned team with tasks that may include:
- Attending team meetings
- Performing technical research
- Supporting supervisors and teammates on active initiatives
- Using department-specific tools and software for day-to-day work
PERKS:
- Competitive pay
- College credit (if applicable)
- Intern development programming
- Cross-team and interdepartmental Lunch & Learns
QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
- Rising junior or senior pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related field
- Strong programming fundamentals in at least one object-oriented language (e.g., C#, Python)
- Understanding of how APIs work (HTTP, request/response, basic REST concepts)
- Familiarity with relational databases and writing basic SQL queries
- Ability to debug problems and reason through backend logic
- Experience building projects beyond coursework (projects, internships, or co-ops)
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Self-motivated, collaborative, and willing to take initiative
WORK COMMITMENT:
- Full-time: 40 hours per week during the internship term
NICE TO HAVE (NOT REQUIRED):
- Experience with .NET / C#
- Exposure to cloud or serverless technologies (e.g., AWS Lambda, Azure Functions, GCP)
- Basic understanding of authentication, APIs, or distributed systems
- Experience with Git, CI/CD, or deployment workflows
WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE:
By the end of the internship, you will:
- Deliver 1–2 backend features or enhancements end-to-end
- Write and modify production-ready API code
- Work with real datasets and understand data flow through backend systems
- Navigate and contribute confidently to a modern backend codebase
INTERVIEW PROCESS:
We focus on a practical, no-nonsense interview process:
- Walkthrough of a project you’ve built (what worked, what didn’t, and lessons learned)
- Basic API design or coding exercise (language-flexible)
- SQL questions (joins, filtering, simple aggregation)
- Discussion of how you would design or debug a simple backend workflow
WHY JOIN CADENT?
- Real backend engineering experience
- Exposure to production APIs, databases, and cloud systems
- Direct mentorship from experienced engineers
- Opportunity for full-time conversion based on performance
So, if the leading edge of media technology is the place you want to be, please contact us today and let’s start the conversation!
Cadent is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to supporting all its employees when it comes to Inclusion & Diversity. Cadent’s policy is to provide equal opportunity for applicants & employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual identity or orientation, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability or medical condition (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition), sexual and reproductive health decisions, genetic information, marital status (including domestic partnerships and civil unions), pregnancy, culture ancestry, familial or caregiver status, military status, veteran status, socioeconomic status, unemployment status, status as a victim of domestic violence or any other basis prohibited by law. and will not discriminate against the basis of disability. This commitment is honored when it comes to decisions on hiring, recruiting, training, promotions, compensations, benefits, transfers and terminations.
Cadent is seeking to actively engage with our employees from a wide variety of cultures and to connect with our clients differently. Our workforce has generational diversity that supports greater innovation when we maximize representation of all diversity. Our active employee resource groups promote engagement across all groups of individuals that are represented within the company and externally.
PAY RANGE:
USD $20.00 - USD $25.00 /Hr.
See all 3,070+ Backend Engineer jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Backend Engineer roles.
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 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.
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Find Backend Engineer JobsFrequently 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.
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