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.

Find STEM OPT Developer Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs2,809+
Work Type78% On-site
Top LocationSeattle, WA
Most JobsAmazon.com

Showing 5 of 2,809+ Developer jobs

Presbyterian Healthcare Services
AI Automation Developer
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Presbyterian Healthcare Services
New 7h ago
AI Automation Developer
Presbyterian Healthcare Services
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Software Engineering
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Solutions Engineering & Architecture
Technical Product & Program Management
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Automation QA
Technical Program Management
$88k - $149k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Virginia Tech
Business Applications Developer
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Virginia Tech
New 7h ago
Business Applications Developer
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia
Software Engineering
Partnerships & Business Development
Project & Program Management
Project Management
$66k - $75k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
5,001-10,000

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BTI Solutions
Jr. Java Developer
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BTI Solutions
New 7h ago
Jr. Java Developer
BTI Solutions
Plano, Texas
Software Engineering
On-Site
Bachelor's
201-500

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TD SYNNEX
Software Developer II
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TD SYNNEX
New 9h ago
Software Developer II
TD SYNNEX
Reston, Virginia
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
Backend Engineering
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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RepliGen Corporation
Software Developer I
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RepliGen Corporation
New 9h ago
Software Developer I
RepliGen Corporation
Bridgewater, New Jersey
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
Backend Engineering
$72k - $104k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
201-500

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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 visa. 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.

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.