STEM OPT Entry Level Jobs
Entry level jobs are a strong fit for STEM OPT students: most require the bachelor's degrees that qualify you for the 24-month extension, and entry-level hiring cycles give you time to confirm E-Verify enrollment before your initial OPT period ends. Your 36 months of total work authorization covers a full early-career runway.
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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 2,006+ STEM OPT Entry Level Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization in Entry Level
Verify your CIP code before applying
Check that your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code maps to a DHS-designated STEM field. Your DSO can confirm this from your I-20, and mismatches discovered after filing delay or invalidate your extension.
Screen job postings for E-Verify language
Look for 'E-Verify employer' or 'authorized to work in the U.S.' disclosures in the job listing. If neither appears, ask the recruiter directly before investing time in the process, since E-Verify enrollment is a hard requirement for STEM OPT.
Search verified sponsors on Migrate Mate
Filter entry level roles by employers already confirmed as E-Verify participants on Migrate Mate. This removes the guesswork of vetting sponsorship eligibility yourself and puts you in front of roles structured for OPT students from day one.
Draft your I-983 training plan early
The I-983 must document specific learning objectives tied to your STEM degree before your employer signs it. Prepare a draft outlining your role, skills you'll develop, and how each maps to your field so the employer review goes quickly.
Time your application to your OPT end date
Submit your STEM OPT extension application no later than 90 days before your initial OPT expires. USCIS recommends filing earlier given processing variability, and a gap in authorization resets your job search timeline significantly.
Confirm the role qualifies as a training experience
USCIS requires that your entry level position provide practical training directly related to your degree. Review the job description against your I-983 objectives before accepting an offer to avoid a denial or a required amendment later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work in an entry level job on STEM OPT?
Yes. Entry level roles qualify for STEM OPT as long as the position provides practical training directly related to your STEM degree and your employer is enrolled in E-Verify. The role doesn't need to be senior or highly specialized. What matters is the connection between your job duties and your degree field, which you document on the I-983 training plan.
How do I know if an entry level employer is enrolled in E-Verify?
Ask the recruiter or HR contact directly whether the company is an E-Verify participant. Some job postings include this disclosure, but many don't. You can also ask for the company's E-Verify company ID as confirmation. Migrate Mate filters entry level listings by verified E-Verify employers, so you can skip this vetting step and apply with confidence.
What STEM degrees qualify me for the 24-month OPT extension?
Your degree must fall under a DHS-designated STEM Classification of Instructional Programs code. Common qualifying fields include computer science, engineering, mathematics, biology, chemistry, and data science, but the full list is maintained by DHS and tied to the CIP code on your I-20. Your DSO can confirm your eligibility before you file. Degrees outside designated codes don't qualify regardless of how technical the role is.
What is the I-983 and what do I need from my entry level employer?
The I-983 is a training plan that documents how your entry level role connects to your STEM degree. You and your employer complete it together before your extension is filed. Your employer must describe your job duties, identify the skills you'll gain, and sign the form. USCIS can request it during a site visit, so both you and your employer should keep copies for the full duration of your authorization.
Does cap-gap coverage apply while my STEM OPT extension is pending?
Cap-gap applies to F-1 students whose H-1B visa petition is filed before their OPT expires, not to the STEM OPT extension itself. If you're in your initial OPT period and your employer files an H-1B petition on your behalf, cap-gap extends your work authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year. The STEM OPT extension is a separate process filed with USCIS and doesn't trigger cap-gap coverage on its own.