STEM OPT QA Automation Engineer Jobs
QA Automation Engineer roles sit squarely within STEM OPT eligibility, drawing on computer science, software engineering, and information systems degrees. Your 24-month STEM OPT extension applies here, giving you up to 36 months total to build U.S. experience, provided your employer is enrolled in E-Verify before your extension begins.
Find STEM OPT QA Automation Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 148+ QA Automation Engineer jobs
See all 148+ QA Automation Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new QA Automation Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Our client is seeking a QA Automation Engineer (SDET) to design, build, and maintain scalable automation frameworks and test suites that improve product reliability, delivery velocity, and overall software quality. This role will lead the end-to-end testing lifecycle by leveraging both automated and manual testing techniques to validate complex applications, identify defects, analyze system behavior, and support the delivery of secure, high-quality software. Working closely with Product, Engineering, Data, and Agile teams, this individual will help drive continuous improvement, enhance release stability, and ensure an exceptional user experience.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Testing & Quality Assurance:
- Design, develop, and maintain automation frameworks, testing pipelines, and automated test suites, including unit, API, integration, and end-to-end testing.
- Create and execute automated and manual test cases while analyzing logs, metrics, system behavior, and defects.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define requirements, test strategies, quality objectives, and acceptance criteria.
- Develop and maintain testing documentation, test plans, test cases, automation frameworks, and quality metrics.
- Identify, document, and track defects while working closely with development teams to verify resolutions.
Process Improvement & Agile Collaboration:
- Integrate automated testing processes into CI/CD pipelines to support continuous integration and continuous delivery practices.
- Work closely with product managers, engineers, and stakeholders to align testing efforts with business requirements.
- Participate in Agile ceremonies including sprint planning, daily stand-ups, backlog refinement, reviews, and retrospectives.
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives focused on product quality, test automation coverage, and development efficiency.
Compliance & Reporting:
- Support compliance requirements and quality standards applicable to regulated software environments.
- Provide regular updates to stakeholders regarding testing progress, quality metrics, risks, and release readiness.
- Ensure testing activities are appropriately documented and traceable.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
Experience:
- 3+ years of hands-on software quality assurance experience with a strong focus on test automation.
- Experience developing and maintaining automated test frameworks and automation suites.
- Strong understanding of Agile software development methodologies and CI/CD practices.
- Experience testing web applications, APIs, integrations, and distributed systems.
- Proficiency in Python, JavaScript, or similar scripting/programming languages.
- Familiarity with API testing tools and automation frameworks.
- Basic SQL skills for data validation, troubleshooting, and test verification.
- Proven ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision.
Skills:
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
- Ability to balance manual and automated testing approaches.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to software quality.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience working in highly regulated industries such as healthcare, life sciences, financial services, insurance, or similar sectors.
- Familiarity with regulatory, privacy, or compliance requirements applicable to software products.
- Experience with cloud-native applications and modern testing practices.
- Experience building or enhancing test automation frameworks from the ground up.
- Exposure to performance, security, or load testing methodologies.
INTRODUCTION
Our client is seeking a QA Automation Engineer (SDET) to design, build, and maintain scalable automation frameworks and test suites that improve product reliability, delivery velocity, and overall software quality. This role will lead the end-to-end testing lifecycle by leveraging both automated and manual testing techniques to validate complex applications, identify defects, analyze system behavior, and support the delivery of secure, high-quality software. Working closely with Product, Engineering, Data, and Agile teams, this individual will help drive continuous improvement, enhance release stability, and ensure an exceptional user experience.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Testing & Quality Assurance:
- Design, develop, and maintain automation frameworks, testing pipelines, and automated test suites, including unit, API, integration, and end-to-end testing.
- Create and execute automated and manual test cases while analyzing logs, metrics, system behavior, and defects.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define requirements, test strategies, quality objectives, and acceptance criteria.
- Develop and maintain testing documentation, test plans, test cases, automation frameworks, and quality metrics.
- Identify, document, and track defects while working closely with development teams to verify resolutions.
Process Improvement & Agile Collaboration:
- Integrate automated testing processes into CI/CD pipelines to support continuous integration and continuous delivery practices.
- Work closely with product managers, engineers, and stakeholders to align testing efforts with business requirements.
- Participate in Agile ceremonies including sprint planning, daily stand-ups, backlog refinement, reviews, and retrospectives.
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives focused on product quality, test automation coverage, and development efficiency.
Compliance & Reporting:
- Support compliance requirements and quality standards applicable to regulated software environments.
- Provide regular updates to stakeholders regarding testing progress, quality metrics, risks, and release readiness.
- Ensure testing activities are appropriately documented and traceable.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
Experience:
- 3+ years of hands-on software quality assurance experience with a strong focus on test automation.
- Experience developing and maintaining automated test frameworks and automation suites.
- Strong understanding of Agile software development methodologies and CI/CD practices.
- Experience testing web applications, APIs, integrations, and distributed systems.
- Proficiency in Python, JavaScript, or similar scripting/programming languages.
- Familiarity with API testing tools and automation frameworks.
- Basic SQL skills for data validation, troubleshooting, and test verification.
- Proven ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision.
Skills:
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
- Ability to balance manual and automated testing approaches.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to software quality.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience working in highly regulated industries such as healthcare, life sciences, financial services, insurance, or similar sectors.
- Familiarity with regulatory, privacy, or compliance requirements applicable to software products.
- Experience with cloud-native applications and modern testing practices.
- Experience building or enhancing test automation frameworks from the ground up.
- Exposure to performance, security, or load testing methodologies.
See all 148+ STEM OPT QA Automation Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT QA Automation Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a QA Automation Engineer
Confirm your CIP code before applying
Your STEM OPT extension depends on your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code mapping to an approved STEM field. Computer science, software engineering, and information systems degrees all qualify, but check with your DSO before targeting QA Automation roles.
Verify E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
An employer must be actively enrolled in E-Verify before your STEM OPT extension can be authorized. Search the E-Verify employer database by company name to confirm enrollment status before you sign anything or let your initial OPT expire.
Target companies with structured QA teams
Employers with dedicated QA Automation teams are far more likely to have the infrastructure to complete the I-983 training plan, which requires documented learning objectives tied to your STEM degree. Startups without QA leads often can't fulfill this requirement properly.
Use Migrate Mate to filter E-Verify employers
Search QA Automation Engineer roles on Migrate Mate to surface employers already filtered for E-Verify enrollment and STEM OPT compatibility, so you're not manually cross-referencing every company before applying.
Negotiate I-983 training plan details before your start date
Your I-983 must include specific performance evaluation criteria and a direct connection between your job duties and your STEM degree. Get written confirmation from your hiring manager or HR team that they'll complete this before you submit your STEM OPT extension application.
File your STEM OPT extension at least 90 days early
USCIS allows you to file your I-765 extension up to 90 days before your initial OPT expires. Filing early protects your cap-gap authorization if your application is still pending when your EAD runs out, keeping you legally authorized to continue working.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a QA Automation Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, QA Automation Engineering falls under STEM OPT-eligible occupations when your degree is in a qualifying field such as computer science, software engineering, information systems, or a related discipline. Your DSO confirms eligibility based on your degree's CIP code, not the job title alone. The O*NET classification for this role supports STEM designation under the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List.
What does the I-983 training plan require for a QA Automation Engineer?
Your I-983 must document a formal training plan that connects your QA Automation duties directly to your STEM degree. It should include specific learning objectives, supervision details, and a salary that meets DOL standards. Your employer completes the plan with you, and it must be submitted to your DSO before USCIS approves your extension. Employers without a dedicated engineering or QA management structure often struggle to fulfill this requirement.
Does my employer need to be enrolled in E-Verify for my STEM OPT extension?
Yes, E-Verify enrollment is mandatory for your employer before your STEM OPT extension can be authorized. This applies even if the company already employed you during your initial OPT period without E-Verify. You can confirm enrollment by searching the E-Verify employer search tool by company name. If your employer isn't enrolled, your DSO cannot recommend the extension and USCIS will not approve it.
What happens to my work authorization if my STEM OPT extension is still pending when my EAD expires?
If you file your STEM OPT extension on time, before your current EAD expires, you receive an automatic 180-day cap-gap authorization that lets you continue working while USCIS processes your application. This protection only applies if you filed within the 90-day filing window. You can browse QA Automation Engineer roles at employers already set up for STEM OPT on Migrate Mate while you wait for your new EAD.
Are there specific STEM degree fields that qualify for QA Automation Engineer STEM OPT roles?
Computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, information systems, and electrical engineering are the most commonly approved degree fields for QA Automation Engineer STEM OPT extensions. Degrees in mathematics or statistics may also qualify depending on your DSO's assessment and the specific CIP code assigned to your program. Degrees in business, communications, or non-technical fields do not qualify, even if you held a QA Automation title during school.