STEM OPT Quality Assurance Tester Jobs

Quality Assurance Tester roles in software and hardware testing qualify for the STEM OPT extension, giving you up to 24 additional months of work authorization beyond your initial OPT year. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and your degree in computer science, engineering, or a related STEM field must align with the CIP code on your I-20.

Find STEM OPT Quality Assurance Tester Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs286+
Work Type83% On-site
Top LocationSeattle, WA
Most JobsAmazon.com

Showing 5 of 286+ Quality Assurance Tester jobs

UL Solutions
Senior Penetration Tester
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UL Solutions
Added 4d ago
Senior Penetration Tester
UL Solutions
Northbrook, Illinois
Cybersecurity
Technical Product & Program Management
Security Engineering
$110k - $140k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Physicians Mutual
Automation Tester
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Physicians Mutual
Added 2w ago
Automation Tester
Physicians Mutual
Omaha, Nebraska
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Software Engineering
Automation QA
On-Site
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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Johnson Controls
Tester
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Johnson Controls
Added 3w ago
Tester
Johnson Controls
Gilbert, Arizona
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Manufacturing Operations
On-Site
Associate's
10,000+

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Medpace
Software QA Test Engineer/ ETL Tester
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Medpace
Added 1mo ago
Software QA Test Engineer/ ETL Tester
Medpace
Cincinnati, Ohio
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Data Science & Analytics
On-Site
Bachelor's
5,001-10,000

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Amazon.com
Penetration Tester
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Amazon.com
Added 1mo ago
Penetration Tester
Amazon.com
Texas
Cybersecurity
Security Engineering
$136k - $184k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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See all 286+ STEM OPT Quality Assurance Tester Jobs

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Tips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Quality Assurance Tester

Verify your CIP code matches QA roles

Pull your I-20 and confirm your CIP code maps to a STEM-designated field like computer science or information systems. A mismatch between your listed major and a QA Tester role can get your STEM OPT extension denied before it starts.

Filter employers by E-Verify enrollment status

Search the E-Verify employer search tool to confirm any company you're targeting is actively enrolled before you apply. An unenrolled employer cannot legally hire you on STEM OPT, regardless of how willing they are to sponsor you.

Build a training plan tied to QA competencies

Your I-983 must list specific learning objectives your employer will supervise, so draft goals around test automation frameworks, defect lifecycle management, or SDLC participation. Vague objectives like 'gain experience' are the most common reason DSOs send training plans back for revision.

Target companies with active software testing LCAs

Use the OFLC Wage Search to identify employers who have filed Labor Condition Applications under QA or software testing job categories. Consistent LCA filings signal that a company has already built internal processes for hiring international workers in technical roles.

Find STEM OPT-ready QA roles on Migrate Mate

Search Quality Assurance Tester positions on Migrate Mate, which filters for employers verified against E-Verify enrollment and DOL LCA filing history. That saves you from applying to companies that have never navigated STEM OPT paperwork for technical roles.

Time your STEM OPT application around your offer letter

USCIS recommends filing your STEM OPT extension up to 90 days before your initial OPT expires. Get your I-983 signed by your employer before your DSO can issue a new I-20, so delays on the employer side don't compress your filing window.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a Quality Assurance Tester role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?

Yes, if your employer classifies the role under a STEM-eligible occupation and your degree is in a STEM field listed on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. QA Tester positions in software development environments typically fall under computer and information science or engineering categories. Confirm the match with your DSO before filing, since your I-20 CIP code must support the extension.

What E-Verify requirement applies when I accept a QA Tester job on STEM OPT?

Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify before your STEM OPT extension is approved and must remain enrolled throughout your authorization period. E-Verify enrollment is a federal requirement, not a company preference. You can confirm enrollment using the E-Verify employer search tool before you sign an offer letter. If the company is not enrolled, your extension cannot be authorized regardless of the role.

What goes into the I-983 training plan for a QA Tester position?

Your I-983 must describe the practical training goals your employer will supervise, including specific QA competencies like test case design, defect tracking, regression testing, or test automation. Both you and a company supervisor must sign the form. Your DSO will review it before issuing the updated I-20 needed for your STEM OPT extension application to USCIS. Generic objectives are the most common reason plans get rejected.

How does cap-gap protection apply if I'm a QA Tester awaiting an H-1B decision?

If your employer files an H-1B visa petition on your behalf before your STEM OPT expires and USCIS selects it in the lottery, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of the fiscal year the petition targets. You can continue working as a QA Tester in the same role during that period. USCIS guidance confirms this extension is automatic and does not require a separate filing.

Where can I find Quality Assurance Tester jobs that accept STEM OPT students?

Migrate Mate filters QA Tester listings by employers verified against E-Verify enrollment and DOL Labor Condition Application history, so you're not sorting through postings from companies with no track record of hiring international candidates. The O*NET occupation profile for Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers can also help you identify whether a specific role description aligns with your STEM degree and training plan objectives.