STEM OPT Developer Jobs

Developer roles in software engineering, data engineering, and systems architecture directly align with STEM OPT eligibility. Your STEM degree qualifies you for a 24-month OPT extension, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization, provided your employer is enrolled in E-Verify and your role connects to your degree field.

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Overview

Open Jobs853+
Top Visa TypeF-1 OPT
Work Type75% On-site
Median Salary$86K
Top LocationNew York, NY
Most JobsDeloitte

Showing 5 of 853+ Developer jobs

PUMA
Developer
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PUMA
Added 1w ago
Developer
PUMA
Somerville, Massachusetts
Product Management
Project & Program Management
Partnerships & Business Development
Project Management
$62,700/yr - $83,380/yr
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Aditi Consulting
Developer
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Aditi Consulting
Added 2w ago
Developer
Aditi Consulting
Nashville, Tennessee
Software Engineering
Cloud & DevOps
Data Science & Analytics
Full-stack Engineering
Backend Engineering
$50/hr - $51/hr
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's

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Johns Hopkins University
Developer
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Johns Hopkins University
Added 3w ago
Developer
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, Maryland
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
Technical Product & Program Management
Technical Program Management
$24/hr - $42/hr
Remote (US)
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Freese and Nichols
Developer
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Freese and Nichols
Added 1mo ago
Developer
Freese and Nichols
Fort Worth, Texas
Software Engineering
Technical Product & Program Management
IT Support & Systems Administration
IT Support
Not listed
Hybrid
1+ yr exp.
Bachelor's

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Northwestern University
Developer
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Northwestern University
Added 1mo ago
Developer
Northwestern University
Chicago, Illinois
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
Backend Engineering
Data Science
$72,339/yr - $96,729/yr
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's

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Tips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Developer

Verify your CIP code before applying

Your STEM OPT eligibility depends on your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code. Check your I-20 to confirm your program is on the STEM Designated Degree Program List before targeting developer roles, especially if your degree is in a adjacent field like information systems.

Cross-reference job titles against your degree

Developer roles span software, data, and embedded systems. Pull the O*NET occupation profile for the specific title you're applying to and confirm the educational requirements align with your STEM degree field. Mismatches create problems when your DSO certifies the training plan.

Filter employers by E-Verify enrollment status

Only E-Verify-enrolled employers can legally hire STEM OPT students. Before applying, confirm enrollment through the E-Verify employer search. Use Migrate Mate to browse developer roles already filtered for E-Verify-compliant employers, cutting out this manual verification step.

File your I-983 training plan before day one

USCIS requires a completed I-983 training plan signed by both you and your employer before your STEM OPT period begins. Draft it with your manager using your actual job description, not a generic template. Vague learning objectives are the most common reason DSOs push back on approval.

Target employers with existing H-1B filing history

Developers who want long-term status after OPT expires need an employer willing to file an H-1B. Check DOL LCA disclosure data to identify companies that have filed for software or engineering roles in the past two fiscal years. Past filing behavior predicts future sponsorship more reliably than job posting language.

Time your STEM OPT application around cap-gap risk

If you plan to transition to H-1B after STEM OPT, apply during the H-1B registration window in your final year. Cap-gap protection extends your work authorization through September 30 if your H-1B petition is filed timely, but only if your OPT EAD is still valid on April 1.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does my degree qualify me for the STEM OPT extension as a developer?

Your degree qualifies if it appears on the STEM Designated Degree Program List maintained by the Department of Homeland Security. Degrees in computer science, computer engineering, information technology, electrical engineering, and applied mathematics typically qualify. Check your I-20 for your CIP code and cross-reference it against the official list. A general business degree does not qualify even if you've been coding professionally.

What makes an employer eligible to hire me on STEM OPT?

The employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and in good standing with the program. STEM OPT regulations also require that the employer have a bona fide employer-employee relationship with you, meaning they control your work and supervise your training plan. Third-party staffing arrangements where you're placed at a client site require the end client, not just the staffing firm, to meet these requirements.

What goes into an I-983 training plan for a developer role?

The I-983 requires specific learning objectives tied to your degree field, a description of how your developer role applies your STEM coursework, your compensation and hours, and supervisor information. Generic objectives like 'develop coding skills' will likely be rejected by your DSO. The plan must be signed by both you and an authorized company representative, then kept on file and updated if your role or supervisor changes.

How does cap-gap work if my STEM OPT is active when I'm selected in the H-1B lottery?

If your H-1B petition is timely filed after a successful lottery selection and your OPT EAD is still valid on April 1, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30. You don't need to file a new EAD for this. Your employer must remain E-Verify enrolled throughout the cap-gap period, and your I-983 training plan stays in effect until your H-1B start date.

Where can I find developer jobs that are confirmed to accept STEM OPT students?

Migrate Mate filters developer roles by employers enrolled in E-Verify, which is the baseline requirement for STEM OPT hiring. You can search by job title, location, and degree field relevance rather than manually checking each employer's E-Verify status. This is especially useful for identifying companies with a track record of hiring F-1 students for engineering and software roles.

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