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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Get Access To All JobsApplications will be received until November 10, 2026. If the position is not filled by then, we may consider applications submitted after the deadline. Interested applicants must apply online by visiting the Denver Public Schools job board at careers.dpsk12.org.
About this job:
Develops and maintains software per business requirements with assistance from mid and senior level software developers. Develops technical design and technical and functional specifications, produces deliverables related to assigned project(s) and assists in post implementation support and system enhancement. Gathers, compiles and synthesizes information regarding technology processes or systems.
What DPS Offers You:
A Culture that values Equity, Accountability, Integrity, Collaboration and Fun with a shared vision that Every Learner Thrives.
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Salary Range: $76,211 - $91,454 Click here for more information on compensation for these roles.
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This position is represented by an employee association (bargaining unit). Please see the Employee Associations Page for the current master agreement and important documents associated with your bargaining unit.
What You'll Do:
- Develops software within architecture guidelines to meet the needs of business customers, learning and understanding the function for which the applications are designed.
- Specifies and implements code quality and development procedure best practices.
- Documents system issues and resolutions for future reference.
- Delivers high quality software applications and makes continuous improvements to systems.
- Serves as a technical expert, applying comprehensive technical skills to unique projects or production issues.
- Performs role of technical lead on small projects, as assigned.
What You’ll Need:
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field is preferred; however, an additional four (4) years of relevant technical experience may be substituted in lieu of a degree.
- Three (3) years minimum IT and/or business work experience in technical systems or programming functions.
- Experience in the following technologies: An object-oriented programming language such as C#, .NET, Java, or other; Client-side programming (Javascript, TypeScript); Frontend UI frameworks (Vue.js, or React.js) and associated build tooling (e.g. Vite); SQL Server / T-SQL development, including SSIS and DML; Agile Methodologies; Jira; Confluence; Technical experience and skills to quickly learn new systems and applications.
- Lead for racial and educational excellence and work to dismantle systems of oppression and inequity in our community, along with believing in and supporting all students so they feel seen and heard with access to high quality education.
- Live and work with a permanent home address in Colorado while working with us.
- Have the ability with or without accommodations to meet the physical demands of the position.
Denver Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender expression, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or any other status protected by law or regulations. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job-related factors.
Students First. Integrity. Equity. Collaboration. Accountability. Fun
Applications will be received until November 10, 2026. If the position is not filled by then, we may consider applications submitted after the deadline. Interested applicants must apply online by visiting the Denver Public Schools job board at careers.dpsk12.org.
About this job:
Develops and maintains software per business requirements with assistance from mid and senior level software developers. Develops technical design and technical and functional specifications, produces deliverables related to assigned project(s) and assists in post implementation support and system enhancement. Gathers, compiles and synthesizes information regarding technology processes or systems.
What DPS Offers You:
A Culture that values Equity, Accountability, Integrity, Collaboration and Fun with a shared vision that Every Learner Thrives.
-
Salary Range: $76,211 - $91,454 Click here for more information on compensation for these roles.
-
This position is represented by an employee association (bargaining unit). Please see the Employee Associations Page for the current master agreement and important documents associated with your bargaining unit.
What You'll Do:
- Develops software within architecture guidelines to meet the needs of business customers, learning and understanding the function for which the applications are designed.
- Specifies and implements code quality and development procedure best practices.
- Documents system issues and resolutions for future reference.
- Delivers high quality software applications and makes continuous improvements to systems.
- Serves as a technical expert, applying comprehensive technical skills to unique projects or production issues.
- Performs role of technical lead on small projects, as assigned.
What You’ll Need:
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field is preferred; however, an additional four (4) years of relevant technical experience may be substituted in lieu of a degree.
- Three (3) years minimum IT and/or business work experience in technical systems or programming functions.
- Experience in the following technologies: An object-oriented programming language such as C#, .NET, Java, or other; Client-side programming (Javascript, TypeScript); Frontend UI frameworks (Vue.js, or React.js) and associated build tooling (e.g. Vite); SQL Server / T-SQL development, including SSIS and DML; Agile Methodologies; Jira; Confluence; Technical experience and skills to quickly learn new systems and applications.
- Lead for racial and educational excellence and work to dismantle systems of oppression and inequity in our community, along with believing in and supporting all students so they feel seen and heard with access to high quality education.
- Live and work with a permanent home address in Colorado while working with us.
- Have the ability with or without accommodations to meet the physical demands of the position.
Denver Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender expression, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or any other status protected by law or regulations. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job-related factors.
Students First. Integrity. Equity. Collaboration. Accountability. Fun
See all 2,020+ STEM OPT Developer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips 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.