STEM OPT Senior Backend Developer Jobs
Senior Backend Developer roles in systems architecture, API design, and distributed computing qualify for STEM OPT when your degree is in computer science, software engineering, or a related STEM field. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and your 24-month STEM OPT extension gives you up to 36 months total to build your U.S. career in backend engineering.
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Get Access To All JobsAbout Altruist
Altruist is transforming the multi-trillion dollar wealth management industry by building an AI platform for wealth professionals. We partner with financial advisors nationwide, empowering them to grow, optimize time and resources, and deliver superior outcomes for their clients.
We're looking for exceptional talent to help us achieve our mission of making financial advice better, more affordable, and accessible to all. If you're passionate about challenging the status quo and want to do the most important work of your life, we'd love to meet you!
But first, our values
Kindness - Kindness doesn't just equal niceness. We listen to understand. We embrace, and encourage healthy debate and diverse perspectives. We approach conflict openly, honestly, and respectfully.
Brilliance - Humility is the skill we're most proud of and possessing a growth mindset is always top of mind. We take ownership in everything we touch; regularly using our unique superpowers to reach a common goal as a team. We succeed and fail as one.
Grit - When challenges arise, we stay laser focused on achieving our mission and finding a way forward, even when it's hard. We are nimble and maintain a sense of urgency, swiftly adapting to change and overcoming obstacles.
The opportunity
We're looking for an AI-native Senior Software Engineer who combines creative thinking with business acumen. You'll design and build scalable data pipelines and data serving platforms while proactively identifying opportunities to create intelligent systems that help financial advisors deliver exceptional client service.
Your impact
- Design and build high performance data pipelines to manage the full lifecycle of financial data.
- Create the foundational frameworks and platforms that establish AI as a core capability within the company.
- Advocate for and demonstrate the effective use of AI throughout the software development lifecycle.
- Ensure data integrity and quality across multiple sources.
- Optimize query performance and troubleshoot data issues.
What you bring
- Experience - 4+ years of software engineering experience
- Proficiency in modern programming languages, with a strong focus on Python or Java
- Experience working with database systems, data warehouses, ETL pipelines, and mature data processes at scale
- Experience with offline data processing and batch pipelines (such as Spark, or similar batch processing frameworks)
- Working knowledge of cloud infrastructure, especially AWS and Kubernetes
- Proficiency in using AI-assisted development tools (e.g., Cursor, Claude Code) as part of the software development workflow.
Prior experience with one or more of the following is preferred
- Data Warehouse such as Snowflake
- Data Orchestration tools such as Airflow
- Data transformation and modeling tools such as dbt
Education
- B.A. / B.S. degree in Computer Science or equivalent experience
Ownership - The pride you put into every aspect of your work is unparalleled and undeniable
Superb communication - Intentional dialogue is a superpower. You listen as well as you share your perspective with others.
Resilience - We're inspired by your unwavering determination to achieve success, no matter the adversity you face along the way.
Assurance - Your confidence is brilliant, yet ego-less. You possess a strong knowledge base, the ability to discover the unknown, and are open to differing perspectives.
Creative problem solving - Identifying the problem is simply not enough. You're instinctually creative with your approach in finding solutions to roadblocks.
What we bring
Attracting and retaining top-tier talent is a priority. We are proud of the culture we've built and are cognizant of the ever-changing professional landscape. Our dynamic offering of perks and benefits are tailored for you to feel your best while doing your best.
- Stunning, amenity-filled office spaces in Culver City, CA, San Francisco, CA, and Dallas, TX. Our offices are intentionally designed for comfort, collaboration, and productivity.
- Competitive total compensation.
- Premium healthcare, dental, and vision insurance plans (HMO and PPO).
- 401k savings plan with a 4% match and immediate vesting.
- 16 week paid parental leave after one year of employment.
- Professional growth and development opportunities including an employee mobility program and an annual L&D budget allocation for each employee.
- Company perks program (includes discounts on pet insurance, fitness, cell phone plans, and travel, etc.).
- Financial guidance program (includes counseling on navigating debt, tracking personal spend, saving and planning goals, home-purchasing preparedness, etc.).
- One month work from anywhere policy (with the exception of a few positions and countries).
Total compensation includes a competitive benefits package, along with a bonus program for eligible roles. For salaried positions, a salary offer will be determined by a number of factors including experience, skill level, internal pay equity, geographic location, and other relevant business considerations. We review all employee pay and compensation programs regularly to ensure fair, equitable, and competitive pay. At Altruist, we are committed to providing fair, equitable, and competitive compensation by leveraging market data to inform our pay bands. Base salaries will be reviewed at regular intervals throughout the year, typically in conjunction with performance review cycles. By evaluating compensation on a regular basis, we are able to reward high performance and ensure all employees have opportunities for growth.
Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Altruist we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role, but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
About Altruist
Altruist is transforming the multi-trillion dollar wealth management industry by building an AI platform for wealth professionals. We partner with financial advisors nationwide, empowering them to grow, optimize time and resources, and deliver superior outcomes for their clients.
We're looking for exceptional talent to help us achieve our mission of making financial advice better, more affordable, and accessible to all. If you're passionate about challenging the status quo and want to do the most important work of your life, we'd love to meet you!
But first, our values
Kindness - Kindness doesn't just equal niceness. We listen to understand. We embrace, and encourage healthy debate and diverse perspectives. We approach conflict openly, honestly, and respectfully.
Brilliance - Humility is the skill we're most proud of and possessing a growth mindset is always top of mind. We take ownership in everything we touch; regularly using our unique superpowers to reach a common goal as a team. We succeed and fail as one.
Grit - When challenges arise, we stay laser focused on achieving our mission and finding a way forward, even when it's hard. We are nimble and maintain a sense of urgency, swiftly adapting to change and overcoming obstacles.
The opportunity
We're looking for an AI-native Senior Software Engineer who combines creative thinking with business acumen. You'll design and build scalable data pipelines and data serving platforms while proactively identifying opportunities to create intelligent systems that help financial advisors deliver exceptional client service.
Your impact
- Design and build high performance data pipelines to manage the full lifecycle of financial data.
- Create the foundational frameworks and platforms that establish AI as a core capability within the company.
- Advocate for and demonstrate the effective use of AI throughout the software development lifecycle.
- Ensure data integrity and quality across multiple sources.
- Optimize query performance and troubleshoot data issues.
What you bring
- Experience - 4+ years of software engineering experience
- Proficiency in modern programming languages, with a strong focus on Python or Java
- Experience working with database systems, data warehouses, ETL pipelines, and mature data processes at scale
- Experience with offline data processing and batch pipelines (such as Spark, or similar batch processing frameworks)
- Working knowledge of cloud infrastructure, especially AWS and Kubernetes
- Proficiency in using AI-assisted development tools (e.g., Cursor, Claude Code) as part of the software development workflow.
Prior experience with one or more of the following is preferred
- Data Warehouse such as Snowflake
- Data Orchestration tools such as Airflow
- Data transformation and modeling tools such as dbt
Education
- B.A. / B.S. degree in Computer Science or equivalent experience
Ownership - The pride you put into every aspect of your work is unparalleled and undeniable
Superb communication - Intentional dialogue is a superpower. You listen as well as you share your perspective with others.
Resilience - We're inspired by your unwavering determination to achieve success, no matter the adversity you face along the way.
Assurance - Your confidence is brilliant, yet ego-less. You possess a strong knowledge base, the ability to discover the unknown, and are open to differing perspectives.
Creative problem solving - Identifying the problem is simply not enough. You're instinctually creative with your approach in finding solutions to roadblocks.
What we bring
Attracting and retaining top-tier talent is a priority. We are proud of the culture we've built and are cognizant of the ever-changing professional landscape. Our dynamic offering of perks and benefits are tailored for you to feel your best while doing your best.
- Stunning, amenity-filled office spaces in Culver City, CA, San Francisco, CA, and Dallas, TX. Our offices are intentionally designed for comfort, collaboration, and productivity.
- Competitive total compensation.
- Premium healthcare, dental, and vision insurance plans (HMO and PPO).
- 401k savings plan with a 4% match and immediate vesting.
- 16 week paid parental leave after one year of employment.
- Professional growth and development opportunities including an employee mobility program and an annual L&D budget allocation for each employee.
- Company perks program (includes discounts on pet insurance, fitness, cell phone plans, and travel, etc.).
- Financial guidance program (includes counseling on navigating debt, tracking personal spend, saving and planning goals, home-purchasing preparedness, etc.).
- One month work from anywhere policy (with the exception of a few positions and countries).
Total compensation includes a competitive benefits package, along with a bonus program for eligible roles. For salaried positions, a salary offer will be determined by a number of factors including experience, skill level, internal pay equity, geographic location, and other relevant business considerations. We review all employee pay and compensation programs regularly to ensure fair, equitable, and competitive pay. At Altruist, we are committed to providing fair, equitable, and competitive compensation by leveraging market data to inform our pay bands. Base salaries will be reviewed at regular intervals throughout the year, typically in conjunction with performance review cycles. By evaluating compensation on a regular basis, we are able to reward high performance and ensure all employees have opportunities for growth.
Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Altruist we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role, but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
See all 32+ STEM OPT Senior Backend Developer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Senior Backend Developer
Verify your CIP code before applying
Pull your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code from your university's registrar and cross-reference it against STEM-designated fields. Computer science, software engineering, and information systems all qualify, but some interdisciplinary programs use codes that don't appear on the STEM OPT list.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Ask your recruiter for the company's E-Verify employer ID number before signing anything. Many startups and mid-size engineering shops haven't enrolled, which disqualifies them from hiring you on STEM OPT regardless of how strong the role is.
Target backend roles with direct degree alignment
USCIS requires your job to be directly related to your STEM degree. A senior backend role focused on distributed systems or database architecture maps cleanly to a computer science degree. Roles leaning heavily into product management or UX may trigger I-983 scrutiny from your DSO.
File your I-983 training plan before your OPT end date
Your employer and DSO must co-sign the I-983 before your initial OPT expires. Senior backend positions typically require documenting specific learning goals around system design, scalability, or API infrastructure. Vague plans get sent back, so draft concrete, measurable objectives tied to your actual job duties.
Search for backend roles through Migrate Mate
Filter for Senior Backend Developer positions on Migrate Mate, which surfaces employers already verified to hire STEM OPT students. You can identify which companies have active E-Verify enrollment without having to ask recruiters cold, which saves time early in your job search.
Check prevailing wage before negotiating your offer
Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the Level III or Level IV wage for your SOC code and work location. Your STEM OPT training plan salary must meet or exceed the DOL prevailing wage, and senior backend roles in major tech markets often carry higher wage floors than candidates expect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my degree qualify me for STEM OPT as a Senior Backend Developer?
Your degree qualifies if its CIP code appears on the STEM Designated Degree Program list published by the Department of Homeland Security. Degrees in computer science, software engineering, electrical engineering, and information systems typically qualify. The job itself must also be directly related to your degree field, which USCIS and your DSO evaluate when approving your I-983 training plan.
What E-Verify requirements apply to my employer for STEM OPT?
Your employer must be actively enrolled in E-Verify at the specific worksite where you'll be working, not just at the company's headquarters. This is a federal requirement for all STEM OPT extensions, enforced by USCIS. Employers who hire you through a staffing agency or third-party placement must also meet E-Verify requirements at the end client's location.
What goes into an I-983 training plan for a Senior Backend Developer?
Your I-983 must document specific, measurable learning objectives tied to your STEM degree. For a Senior Backend Developer, that typically means goals around distributed systems design, API development methodologies, database optimization, or cloud infrastructure. Generic descriptions like 'gain work experience' are rejected. Your employer's engineering manager and your DSO both sign off before submission.
How does cap-gap protection apply if my H-1B petition is filed during STEM OPT?
If your employer files an H-1B visa petition on your behalf before your STEM OPT EAD expires, cap-gap protection extends your work authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year. You can continue working as a Senior Backend Developer during this period without a gap in status. USCIS provides guidance on cap-gap eligibility requirements and documentation on its website.
Where can I find Senior Backend Developer jobs that accept STEM OPT students?
Migrate Mate filters Senior Backend Developer listings by employers who meet STEM OPT requirements, including E-Verify enrollment. Searching by role and location on Migrate Mate helps you avoid wasting time on companies that haven't enrolled in E-Verify or haven't hired STEM OPT students before, so you can focus your applications on employers already set up to hire you.