STEM OPT Principal Software Engineer Jobs
Principal Software Engineer roles qualify for STEM OPT if your degree maps to an approved CIP code in computer science, engineering, or a related field. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify to authorize your 24-month extension, giving you up to 36 months total to build senior-level experience before pursuing H-1B visa sponsorship.
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Design, develop, troubleshoot, and debug software programs for databases, applications, tools, networks etc.
As a member of the software engineering division, you will apply basic to intermediate knowledge of software architecture to perform development tasks associated with designing, developing, and debugging software applications or operating systems according to provided specifications. In this role, you will build enhancements within an existing software architecture and occasionally suggest improvements to the architecture.
Duties and tasks are standard with some variation, requiring a solid understanding of roles, processes, and procedures. The candidate will perform moderately complex problem-solving with assistance and guidance in understanding and applying company policies and processes. A BS degree or equivalent experience relevant to the functional area is required, along with 3 years of software engineering or related experience.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- A BS degree or equivalent experience relevant to the functional area
- 3 years of software engineering or related experience
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field
- 5+ years of experience in software development
- Experience with programming and/or scripting languages such as Python, TCL, SQL, C/C++, JavaScript, Perl, and shell scripting
- Experience with Linux/UNIX/Solaris, including system administration
- Experience developing automated test software for server systems
- Basic understanding of computer architecture and hardware components
- Experience with networking and connectivity
- Ability to test hardware, perform software downloads and installations, and troubleshoot hardware and software issues
- Experience writing test cases to verify software quality
- Ability to document test procedures, issue resolutions, and test results
- Familiarity with the product development life cycle
- Experience with databases is a plus, but not required
The Test Engineer position is within the Supply Chain Operations organization and plays a critical role in server production. Test Engineers work at the intersection of hardware and software engineering within a close-knit team. Each engineer is assigned to support a specific product or product line.
In this role, you will:
- Develop code for test infrastructure and connectivity
- Test customer systems
- Perform software downloads
- Conduct troubleshooting to ensure the highest performance standards for assigned products
- Coordinate with various engineering groups to develop and implement test plans
- Provide technical support to the production floor
- Drive and influence design and process changes for assigned products
This position offers a rewarding and meaningful opportunity to utilize an exciting blend of both hardware and software skills.
About the Role
Design, develop, troubleshoot, and debug software programs for databases, applications, tools, networks etc.
As a member of the software engineering division, you will apply basic to intermediate knowledge of software architecture to perform development tasks associated with designing, developing, and debugging software applications or operating systems according to provided specifications. In this role, you will build enhancements within an existing software architecture and occasionally suggest improvements to the architecture.
Duties and tasks are standard with some variation, requiring a solid understanding of roles, processes, and procedures. The candidate will perform moderately complex problem-solving with assistance and guidance in understanding and applying company policies and processes. A BS degree or equivalent experience relevant to the functional area is required, along with 3 years of software engineering or related experience.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- A BS degree or equivalent experience relevant to the functional area
- 3 years of software engineering or related experience
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field
- 5+ years of experience in software development
- Experience with programming and/or scripting languages such as Python, TCL, SQL, C/C++, JavaScript, Perl, and shell scripting
- Experience with Linux/UNIX/Solaris, including system administration
- Experience developing automated test software for server systems
- Basic understanding of computer architecture and hardware components
- Experience with networking and connectivity
- Ability to test hardware, perform software downloads and installations, and troubleshoot hardware and software issues
- Experience writing test cases to verify software quality
- Ability to document test procedures, issue resolutions, and test results
- Familiarity with the product development life cycle
- Experience with databases is a plus, but not required
The Test Engineer position is within the Supply Chain Operations organization and plays a critical role in server production. Test Engineers work at the intersection of hardware and software engineering within a close-knit team. Each engineer is assigned to support a specific product or product line.
In this role, you will:
- Develop code for test infrastructure and connectivity
- Test customer systems
- Perform software downloads
- Conduct troubleshooting to ensure the highest performance standards for assigned products
- Coordinate with various engineering groups to develop and implement test plans
- Provide technical support to the production floor
- Drive and influence design and process changes for assigned products
This position offers a rewarding and meaningful opportunity to utilize an exciting blend of both hardware and software skills.
See all 369+ STEM OPT Principal Software Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Principal Software Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Principal Software Engineer
Verify your CIP code before applying
Check that your STEM degree's CIP code appears on the USCIS STEM Designated Degree Program List. A mismatch between your transcript's listed field and an approved code will disqualify you from the 24-month extension, regardless of your job title.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Ask the recruiter for the company's E-Verify Company ID or search the E-Verify employer database directly. A Principal Engineer offer from a non-enrolled employer means you can't activate your STEM OPT extension, even if the role and degree match perfectly.
Use O*NET to frame your training plan
The I-983 requires specific learning objectives tied to your role. Pull the Principal Software Engineer occupation profile from O*NET to identify the core tasks and skills DOL expects, then map your planned work assignments to those categories when completing Section 3.
Target employers with structured H-1B sponsorship pipelines
Principal-level roles often come with longer hiring cycles. Prioritize companies whose job postings explicitly reference visa sponsorship or whose engineering leadership tracks have a history of filing LCAs, since your 36-month window still requires eventual H-1B selection to maintain status.
Search for verified sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate
Filter for Principal Software Engineer openings on Migrate Mate, which surfaces employers verified against E-Verify enrollment and DOL Labor Condition Application filing history, so you're applying to companies already set up to support your STEM OPT authorization.
File your STEM OPT extension well before OPT expires
USCIS recommends filing Form I-765 at least 90 days before your initial OPT end date. If your extension application is pending when OPT expires, a timely-filed application gives you up to 180 days of continued authorization while USCIS adjudicates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Principal Software Engineer role qualify for STEM OPT?
Yes, if your degree is in an approved STEM field such as computer science, software engineering, electrical engineering, or a related discipline with an eligible CIP code. The job itself must also constitute practical training in that field. Principal Software Engineer roles typically qualify because they require and directly apply a STEM degree's core competencies, but your DSO confirms the match before endorsing the I-20.
How do I verify that a hiring employer is enrolled in E-Verify?
You can search the E-Verify employer search tool by company name or E-Verify Company ID to confirm enrollment status before you sign an offer. Enrollment must be active at the time your STEM OPT extension begins. If a company is not enrolled, your extension cannot be authorized regardless of how well the role aligns with your degree, so confirm this before the offer stage, not after.
What goes into the I-983 training plan for a Principal Software Engineer?
The I-983 requires you and your employer to document the specific duties, learning objectives, and supervision structure for your role. For a Principal Software Engineer, this typically covers system architecture responsibilities, technical leadership activities, and the engineering competencies you'll develop. Your employer's supervising engineer signs the plan, and your DSO must approve it before your extension is authorized. USCIS may audit the plan, so objectives should be concrete and tied to your degree field.
What happens to my STEM OPT if my H-1B petition is selected in the lottery?
If your H-1B petition is selected and filed for an October 1 start date, the cap-gap rule extends your STEM OPT authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year. You can continue working under cap-gap status if your employer filed before your STEM OPT end date. USCIS issues an updated I-20 reflecting the cap-gap extension period, which serves as your work authorization documentation during that time.
Where can I find Principal Software Engineer jobs that support STEM OPT?
Migrate Mate lists Principal Software Engineer openings filtered for employers with E-Verify enrollment and active LCA filing history, which are the two baseline requirements for STEM OPT authorization. Searching there reduces the risk of pursuing roles at companies that can't legally support your extension, saving time during a period when your authorization timeline is fixed and non-negotiable.