STEM OPT Forward Deployed Software Engineer Jobs
Forward Deployed Software Engineer roles sit at the intersection of software development and on-site client work, making them a strong fit for STEM OPT students with computer science, engineering, or related degrees. Your 24-month STEM OPT extension applies as long as your employer is enrolled in E-Verify and your role directly uses your STEM degree.
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A job at TSMC Arizona offers an opportunity to work at the most advanced semiconductor fab in the United States. TSMC Arizona’s first fab will operate its leading-edge semiconductor process technology (N4 process), starting production in the first half of 2025. The second fab will utilize its leading edge N3 and N2 process technology and be operational in 2028. The recently announced third fab will manufacture chips using 2nm or even more advanced process technology, with production starting by the end of the decade. America’s leading technology companies are ready to rely on TSMC Arizona for the next generations of chips that will power the digital future.
As an AI Forward Deployed Engineer, you will demonstrate a strong sense of reliability and enthusiasm and will possess an attitude that embodies our core values – Integrity, Commitment, Innovation and Customer Trust.
As an AI Forward Deployed Engineer, you will work at the intersection of advanced artificial intelligence and semiconductor manufacturing. You will be deployed directly to the "front lines" of TSMC Arizona's operations, embedding yourself within business and engineering teams to deeply understand their domain-specific challenges. Armed with state-of-the-art AI tools, you will rapidly design, prototype, and validate solutions, turning complex operational pain points into agile, functional AI applications. Your work will bridge the gap between cutting-edge AI technology and real-world fab execution.
Responsibilities:
- Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, and business units to deeply understand their daily operations, complex domain knowledge, and workflow bottlenecks.
- Design and rapidly build functional AI prototypes and Proof-of-Concepts (PoCs) using modern Generative AI, Large Language Models (LLMs), RAG architectures, and AI agents to address domain-specific needs.
- Leverage low-code/no-code AI platforms, APIs, and modern rapid-application frameworks to quickly validate and iterate solutions in close collaboration with end-users.
- Conduct agile testing and performance evaluation on prototypes to ensure feasibility, accuracy, and business value within tight feedback loops.
- Partner with core IT and MLOps teams to transition successful "forward-deployed" prototypes into secure, scalable, and production-ready enterprise systems.
- Research, evaluate, and adopt emerging AI tools, open-source libraries, and methodologies to continuously accelerate the team’s prototyping speed.
- Maintain detailed technical documentation and user guides for validated prototypes to support seamless handovers and future productization.
Minimum Qualifications/Requirements:
Education:
- Bachelor's degree, preferably in Computer Science, Management Information Systems, Information Systems, Data Science, Industrial Engineering or a related engineering field or minimum 3 years' experience in software development and systems integration.
Technical Skills:
- Solid understanding of software engineering fundamentals and agile development methodologies.
- Strong programming skills in implementation (essential for AI integration) and familiarity with web/app prototyping frameworks (e.g., Streamlit, Gradio, FastAPI, or Node.js).
- Hands-on experience or a strong project portfolio in utilizing Generative AI tools, APIs (e.g., OpenAI, Anthropic), and orchestrating frameworks (e.g., LangChain, LlamaIndex, or Auto-GPT).
- Familiarity with basic database systems (SQL/NoSQL) and vector databases (e.g., Pinecone, Milvus, or Chroma).
Interpersonal Skills:
- High learning agility with the ability to quickly grasp complex semiconductor manufacturing concepts, engineering workflows, and business logic.
- Highly proactive, resourceful, and passionate about using creative, cutting-edge AI tools to solve practical problems rapidly.
- Excellent communication and collaborative skills to build trust with diverse business stakeholders and translate their needs into technical solutions.
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to sit for extended periods while working at a computer.
- Ability to use a computer, keyboard, and mouse for prolonged periods.
Shift:
TSMC Arizona operates 24/7, 365 days a year. This position requires candidates to have the ability and willingness to work from Monday through Friday 9am-6pm, and work on-call every 2 months. When on-call, candidates are expected to respond to the call 24x7 for that whole week.
Application Consideration Consent:
By applying to this position, I acknowledge and agree that my application and qualifications may be considered for other roles within the company. However, I reserve the right to withdraw my consent for future consideration of other roles within the company at any time.
Candidates must be willing and able to work on-site at our Phoenix Arizona facility.
As a valued member of the TSMC family, we place a significant focus on your health and well-being. When you are at your best—physically, mentally, and financially—our company thrives. TSMC offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits program that includes:
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans: Choose the options that best fit your and your family’s needs.
- Income-Protection Programs: Financial assistance during injury or illness.
- 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan: Secure your financial future with competitive employer contributions.
- Paid Time-Off Programs and Holidays: Recharge and spend quality time with loved ones.
Work Location:
5088 W. Innovation Circle, Phoenix, AZ 85083
TSMC is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.
We encourage all qualified individuals to apply and welcome applications from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If you need an accommodation as part of the application process, please contact P_LOA@tsmc.com.
TSMC Arizona maintains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.
All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of TSMC Arizona’s pre-employment screening process. This process may include verifying the candidate’s identity, confirming legal authorization to work in the offered position's location, educational background and a comprehensive background check, where permitted by local regulations.
LI-Onsite
Date: Sep 17, 2026
Country/Region: US
City: Phoenix
Company: TSMC Arizona
Nearest Major Market: Phoenix
AI Forward Deployed Engineer
A job at TSMC Arizona offers an opportunity to work at the most advanced semiconductor fab in the United States. TSMC Arizona’s first fab will operate its leading-edge semiconductor process technology (N4 process), starting production in the first half of 2025. The second fab will utilize its leading edge N3 and N2 process technology and be operational in 2028. The recently announced third fab will manufacture chips using 2nm or even more advanced process technology, with production starting by the end of the decade. America’s leading technology companies are ready to rely on TSMC Arizona for the next generations of chips that will power the digital future.
As an AI Forward Deployed Engineer, you will demonstrate a strong sense of reliability and enthusiasm and will possess an attitude that embodies our core values – Integrity, Commitment, Innovation and Customer Trust.
As an AI Forward Deployed Engineer, you will work at the intersection of advanced artificial intelligence and semiconductor manufacturing. You will be deployed directly to the "front lines" of TSMC Arizona's operations, embedding yourself within business and engineering teams to deeply understand their domain-specific challenges. Armed with state-of-the-art AI tools, you will rapidly design, prototype, and validate solutions, turning complex operational pain points into agile, functional AI applications. Your work will bridge the gap between cutting-edge AI technology and real-world fab execution.
Responsibilities:
- Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, and business units to deeply understand their daily operations, complex domain knowledge, and workflow bottlenecks.
- Design and rapidly build functional AI prototypes and Proof-of-Concepts (PoCs) using modern Generative AI, Large Language Models (LLMs), RAG architectures, and AI agents to address domain-specific needs.
- Leverage low-code/no-code AI platforms, APIs, and modern rapid-application frameworks to quickly validate and iterate solutions in close collaboration with end-users.
- Conduct agile testing and performance evaluation on prototypes to ensure feasibility, accuracy, and business value within tight feedback loops.
- Partner with core IT and MLOps teams to transition successful "forward-deployed" prototypes into secure, scalable, and production-ready enterprise systems.
- Research, evaluate, and adopt emerging AI tools, open-source libraries, and methodologies to continuously accelerate the team’s prototyping speed.
- Maintain detailed technical documentation and user guides for validated prototypes to support seamless handovers and future productization.
Minimum Qualifications/Requirements:
Education:
- Bachelor's degree, preferably in Computer Science, Management Information Systems, Information Systems, Data Science, Industrial Engineering or a related engineering field or minimum 3 years' experience in software development and systems integration.
Technical Skills:
- Solid understanding of software engineering fundamentals and agile development methodologies.
- Strong programming skills in implementation (essential for AI integration) and familiarity with web/app prototyping frameworks (e.g., Streamlit, Gradio, FastAPI, or Node.js).
- Hands-on experience or a strong project portfolio in utilizing Generative AI tools, APIs (e.g., OpenAI, Anthropic), and orchestrating frameworks (e.g., LangChain, LlamaIndex, or Auto-GPT).
- Familiarity with basic database systems (SQL/NoSQL) and vector databases (e.g., Pinecone, Milvus, or Chroma).
Interpersonal Skills:
- High learning agility with the ability to quickly grasp complex semiconductor manufacturing concepts, engineering workflows, and business logic.
- Highly proactive, resourceful, and passionate about using creative, cutting-edge AI tools to solve practical problems rapidly.
- Excellent communication and collaborative skills to build trust with diverse business stakeholders and translate their needs into technical solutions.
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to sit for extended periods while working at a computer.
- Ability to use a computer, keyboard, and mouse for prolonged periods.
Shift:
TSMC Arizona operates 24/7, 365 days a year. This position requires candidates to have the ability and willingness to work from Monday through Friday 9am-6pm, and work on-call every 2 months. When on-call, candidates are expected to respond to the call 24x7 for that whole week.
Application Consideration Consent:
By applying to this position, I acknowledge and agree that my application and qualifications may be considered for other roles within the company. However, I reserve the right to withdraw my consent for future consideration of other roles within the company at any time.
Candidates must be willing and able to work on-site at our Phoenix Arizona facility.
As a valued member of the TSMC family, we place a significant focus on your health and well-being. When you are at your best—physically, mentally, and financially—our company thrives. TSMC offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits program that includes:
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans: Choose the options that best fit your and your family’s needs.
- Income-Protection Programs: Financial assistance during injury or illness.
- 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan: Secure your financial future with competitive employer contributions.
- Paid Time-Off Programs and Holidays: Recharge and spend quality time with loved ones.
Work Location:
5088 W. Innovation Circle, Phoenix, AZ 85083
TSMC is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.
We encourage all qualified individuals to apply and welcome applications from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If you need an accommodation as part of the application process, please contact P_LOA@tsmc.com.
TSMC Arizona maintains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.
All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of TSMC Arizona’s pre-employment screening process. This process may include verifying the candidate’s identity, confirming legal authorization to work in the offered position's location, educational background and a comprehensive background check, where permitted by local regulations.
LI-Onsite
Date: Sep 17, 2026
Country/Region: US
City: Phoenix
Company: TSMC Arizona
Nearest Major Market: Phoenix
See all 67+ STEM OPT Forward Deployed Software Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Forward Deployed Software Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Forward Deployed Software Engineer
Verify your degree qualifies under CIP codes
STEM OPT eligibility depends on your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code, not just the field name. Cross-check your degree against the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List before applying to confirm your extension is valid.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Your employer must be actively enrolled in E-Verify to sponsor your STEM OPT extension. Ask HR for their E-Verify Company ID or check enrollment status through the E-Verify employer search before signing any offer letter.
Frame your deployment experience as direct STEM application
The I-983 training plan requires your role to directly apply your STEM degree. Document how your on-site client work uses software engineering skills, not just customer support tasks, so your DSO can certify the training plan without issues.
Target companies with established federal contract work
Forward deployed roles at companies holding federal contracts almost always require E-Verify enrollment by law, which removes a common STEM OPT barrier. Filter your search toward defense, government tech, and regulated-industry employers for this reason.
Use Migrate Mate to find employers with verified E-Verify status
Search Forward Deployed Software Engineer roles on Migrate Mate, where employer E-Verify enrollment is surfaced alongside job listings so you're not spending time vetting employers manually before applying.
File your STEM OPT extension application 90 days early
USCIS requires your I-765 STEM OPT application to be filed no earlier than 90 days before your initial OPT expires. Missing this window means a gap in work authorization, which disqualifies you from the cap-gap protection if an H-1B visa petition is pending.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Forward Deployed Software Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your degree is on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List and your day-to-day work directly applies STEM knowledge. Forward deployed roles that involve software development, systems integration, or technical problem-solving at client sites generally qualify. Roles that are primarily relationship management or account support without substantive engineering work may not satisfy the direct-application requirement your DSO must certify on the I-983.
What E-Verify requirement applies to my STEM OPT employer?
Any employer hiring you on a STEM OPT extension must be enrolled in E-Verify at the specific work site where you'll be employed. If you're deployed to a client site, your direct employer, not the client, must be E-Verify enrolled. Verify enrollment before your start date because USCIS can revoke an approved STEM OPT extension if the employer falls out of compliance after hiring you.
How do I complete the I-983 training plan for a forward deployed role?
Your I-983 must describe the specific STEM learning objectives tied to your forward deployment assignments. List the technical skills you'll develop, the engineering methodologies you'll apply on-site, and how those activities connect to your degree field. Your employer signs the plan, your DSO certifies it, and you resubmit an updated version every 12 months. Vague job descriptions that don't reference STEM competencies are the most common reason DSOs push back on I-983 approvals.
What happens to my STEM OPT authorization if an H-1B is filed while I'm in this role?
If your employer files an H-1B petition on your behalf before your STEM OPT expires, cap-gap protection automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year while USCIS adjudicates the petition. You can continue working in your Forward Deployed Software Engineer role throughout the cap-gap period without interruption, as long as the petition remains pending and your employer stays E-Verify enrolled.
Where can I find Forward Deployed Software Engineer jobs that accept STEM OPT students?
Migrate Mate lists Forward Deployed Software Engineer roles filtered for employers who hire STEM OPT students, so you can identify E-Verify enrolled companies without manually vetting each one. You can also cross-reference open roles against DOL Labor Condition Application disclosure data to confirm an employer has a history of sponsoring work authorization in software engineering occupations before you apply.