STEM OPT Backend Software Developer Jobs
Backend Software Developer roles in server-side languages, APIs, and databases qualify for STEM OPT when your degree falls under an eligible CIP code. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and the 24-month STEM OPT extension gives you up to 36 months total to build your U.S. career in software engineering.
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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 Software Developer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Backend Software Developer
Verify your CIP code before applying
Your STEM OPT eligibility depends on your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code, not just your major title. Cross-check your I-20 CIP code against USCIS's STEM Designated Degree Program List before targeting backend roles requiring specific degree fields.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Ask recruiters for the employer's E-Verify Company ID or check enrollment through the E-Verify employer search tool. An employer who isn't enrolled can't legally hire you on STEM OPT, regardless of how enthusiastic they are about sponsorship.
Target backend teams inside larger engineering organizations
Companies running dedicated platform, infrastructure, or API teams are structurally accustomed to I-983 training plans because they can document distinct learning objectives by system or stack. Smaller shops with generalist engineers often struggle to write compliant training plans.
Use Migrate Mate to filter for STEM OPT employers
Search Migrate Mate for Backend Software Developer roles filtered to E-Verify-enrolled employers with active STEM OPT hiring history. This cuts the time you'd otherwise spend manually vetting employers who've never navigated the I-983 process.
Draft your I-983 training plan around your tech stack
Don't wait for your employer to write the I-983 from scratch. Prepare a draft that maps your role's learning goals to specific backend skills, such as distributed systems design or database optimization, so the employer can review and sign quickly after an offer is extended.
Apply during cap-gap if your H-1B is selected
If you're selected in the H-1B lottery before your STEM OPT expires, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of the fiscal year. Confirm your DSO updates your I-20 to reflect cap-gap status so backend employers see continuous authorization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which STEM degrees qualify for the STEM OPT extension in backend software development roles?
Degrees in computer science, computer engineering, software engineering, information technology, and applied mathematics commonly qualify because their CIP codes appear on the USCIS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Your eligibility is determined by your degree's CIP code on your I-20, not your job title. If your degree was in a related field like electrical engineering or data science, verify the exact CIP code with your DSO before applying to backend roles.
Does my backend software developer employer need to be enrolled in E-Verify?
Yes, E-Verify enrollment is a federal requirement for any employer hiring a STEM OPT student. Your employer must be enrolled before your STEM OPT extension is approved, not just at the time of your offer. You can confirm enrollment by asking your recruiter for the company's E-Verify Company ID or by searching the E-Verify employer database directly. Working for a non-enrolled employer would violate your STEM OPT terms.
What should the I-983 training plan include for a backend software developer role?
The I-983 must document specific learning objectives tied to your STEM degree, not just a general job description. For a backend role, that means listing concrete training goals such as designing RESTful APIs, optimizing relational database queries, or implementing microservices architecture. It must also include a supervision structure showing how your manager will mentor you, along with a salary confirmation that meets DOL standards. Both you and your employer sign it, and your DSO certifies it.
How does cap-gap work if I receive an H-1B selection while on STEM OPT as a backend developer?
Cap-gap bridges the period between your STEM OPT expiration and October 1, when your H-1B status begins. If your H-1B petition is filed and accepted before your STEM OPT ends, your work authorization extends automatically through September 30. You don't need to file a separate extension, but your DSO must issue an updated I-20 reflecting cap-gap status, and you should share that document with your backend employer's HR team to update your employment records.
Where can I find backend software developer jobs where employers are already set up for STEM OPT?
Migrate Mate filters backend software developer roles by employers enrolled in E-Verify and experienced with STEM OPT hiring. This matters because employers unfamiliar with the I-983 process can create delays even after extending an offer. Targeting companies with existing STEM OPT infrastructure, which you can identify through Migrate Mate, significantly reduces the risk of onboarding complications tied to training plan approval.