STEM OPT Senior Software Development Engineer Jobs
Senior Software Development Engineer roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension when your degree falls under an eligible CIP code in computer science, software engineering, or a related STEM field. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and you'll work under a structured I-983 training plan tied directly to your engineering responsibilities.
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Get Access To All JobsAt Apple, we tackle large-scale engineering challenges to deliver products that are intuitive, reliable, and built to last. Our engineering teams operate at the intersection of CI systems, software architecture, data analytics, build engineering, and developer tooling - owning the systems and workflows that enable complex, large-scale projects to move fast, scale, and ship with confidence.
Description
As a Systems Software Developer, you will work closely with cross-functional teams to understand the project goals and develop systematic solutions, workflows, and approaches to achieve those goals. This would include contributing to projects in low-level software and algorithms, building CI/CD pipelines and workflows, and developing infrastructure and tooling to help deliver innovative Apple technologies and products.
Responsibilities
- Design, build, and maintain CI/CD pipelines and automated workflows with a focus on reliability, traceability, and data analytics.
- Develop instrumentation and reporting systems that surface build health, test failure trends, and developer productivity metrics.
- Debug and resolve failures across build, test, and deployment infrastructure; improve signal-to-noise across CI reporting.
- Identify and drive adoption of AI-assisted and agentic workflows to accelerate development and validation cycles.
- Collaborate with engineering teams to inform project structure, dependency architecture, and build/test capabilities.
- Build and maintain internal tools and APIs that integrate with Apple's engineering stack, including Xcode and Swift-based workflows.
- Partner with cross-functional teams to translate system requirements into robust, maintainable infrastructure, processes, and workflows.
Minimum Qualifications
- BS and a minimum of 3 years relevant industry experience.
- 3+ years of experience designing, building, and maintaining production software systems and applications.
- Experience building or maintaining CI/CD pipelines and automated build or test workflows.
- Experience working with relational databases such as PostgreSQL in production environments.
- Demonstrated use of AI engineering tools and AI-assisted strategies in day-to-day development.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience developing large-scale internal APIs or developer-facing tooling.
- Proficiency in Python and shell scripting to build automation and workflow tooling.
- Experience with technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes.
- Experience with CI platforms such as Jenkins, Buildkite, or equivalent systems.
- Experience developing with Swift, Xcode, or other Apple platform technologies.
- Familiarity with software observability, metrics systems, or developer productivity analytics.
- Experience working across multiple concurrent projects in a fast-paced, cross-functional engineering environment.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate technical concepts and project plans clearly across engineering and non-engineering stakeholders.
- Experience leveraging and integrating AI thoughtfully in large-scale production workflows to improve engineering throughput.
- Experience with Xcode and CMake are a bonus.
- Experience with computer vision, video processing, and/or machine learning data infrastructure is a bonus.
Pay & Benefits
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $150,400 and $277,600, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
At Apple, we tackle large-scale engineering challenges to deliver products that are intuitive, reliable, and built to last. Our engineering teams operate at the intersection of CI systems, software architecture, data analytics, build engineering, and developer tooling - owning the systems and workflows that enable complex, large-scale projects to move fast, scale, and ship with confidence.
Description
As a Systems Software Developer, you will work closely with cross-functional teams to understand the project goals and develop systematic solutions, workflows, and approaches to achieve those goals. This would include contributing to projects in low-level software and algorithms, building CI/CD pipelines and workflows, and developing infrastructure and tooling to help deliver innovative Apple technologies and products.
Responsibilities
- Design, build, and maintain CI/CD pipelines and automated workflows with a focus on reliability, traceability, and data analytics.
- Develop instrumentation and reporting systems that surface build health, test failure trends, and developer productivity metrics.
- Debug and resolve failures across build, test, and deployment infrastructure; improve signal-to-noise across CI reporting.
- Identify and drive adoption of AI-assisted and agentic workflows to accelerate development and validation cycles.
- Collaborate with engineering teams to inform project structure, dependency architecture, and build/test capabilities.
- Build and maintain internal tools and APIs that integrate with Apple's engineering stack, including Xcode and Swift-based workflows.
- Partner with cross-functional teams to translate system requirements into robust, maintainable infrastructure, processes, and workflows.
Minimum Qualifications
- BS and a minimum of 3 years relevant industry experience.
- 3+ years of experience designing, building, and maintaining production software systems and applications.
- Experience building or maintaining CI/CD pipelines and automated build or test workflows.
- Experience working with relational databases such as PostgreSQL in production environments.
- Demonstrated use of AI engineering tools and AI-assisted strategies in day-to-day development.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience developing large-scale internal APIs or developer-facing tooling.
- Proficiency in Python and shell scripting to build automation and workflow tooling.
- Experience with technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes.
- Experience with CI platforms such as Jenkins, Buildkite, or equivalent systems.
- Experience developing with Swift, Xcode, or other Apple platform technologies.
- Familiarity with software observability, metrics systems, or developer productivity analytics.
- Experience working across multiple concurrent projects in a fast-paced, cross-functional engineering environment.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate technical concepts and project plans clearly across engineering and non-engineering stakeholders.
- Experience leveraging and integrating AI thoughtfully in large-scale production workflows to improve engineering throughput.
- Experience with Xcode and CMake are a bonus.
- Experience with computer vision, video processing, and/or machine learning data infrastructure is a bonus.
Pay & Benefits
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $150,400 and $277,600, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
See all 1,923+ STEM OPT Senior Software Development Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Senior Software Development Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Senior Software Development Engineer
Verify your CIP code before applying
Check that your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code appears on the STEM OPT eligible fields list. Software engineering, computer science, and information systems degrees typically qualify, but interdisciplinary degrees need a DSO confirmation before you file.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Before signing an offer letter, check the employer's E-Verify enrollment status directly through the E-Verify employer search. Companies not enrolled cannot legally employ you on a STEM OPT extension, regardless of role seniority or team size.
Build your I-983 training plan around engineering deliverables
Your I-983 must list specific learning objectives tied to the Senior Software Development Engineer role, not generic job duties. Frame it around technical competencies your degree prepared you for, such as system design, distributed architecture, or performance engineering.
Target employers with active H-1B filing histories
Use Migrate Mate to filter Senior Software Development Engineer roles by employers with verified DOL Labor Condition Application data, so you're applying to companies that already understand and support long-term work authorization beyond your OPT period.
Benchmark your offer against prevailing wage tiers
Run your expected title and location through the OFLC Wage Search to confirm your offer meets at least the Level II prevailing wage for software development engineers. Underpaid offers can complicate your employer's future H-1B visa or PERM filings on your behalf.
File your STEM OPT extension 90 days before OPT expires
USCIS allows you to apply up to 90 days before your initial OPT end date. Filing early protects your work authorization if processing delays occur and keeps your employment continuous without a gap that affects your senior-level project commitments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Senior Software Development Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your underlying degree is in an eligible STEM field such as computer science, software engineering, electrical engineering, or a related discipline with an approved CIP code. The role itself must also provide practical training directly related to your degree field. Your DSO verifies CIP code eligibility on your updated I-20 before you file the extension with USCIS.
What does the I-983 training plan need to include for this role?
Your I-983 must identify specific learning objectives aligned with your STEM degree and the Senior Software Development Engineer position. For this role, that typically means documenting goals around system architecture, software design principles, or engineering methodologies. Both you and your employer's authorized representative sign it, and USCIS or ICE can request it during compliance reviews. Generic job descriptions are not sufficient.
How do I confirm my employer is enrolled in E-Verify?
You can search the employer's E-Verify enrollment status through the official E-Verify employer search tool maintained by the Department of Homeland Security. Enrollment must be active at the time your STEM OPT extension begins, not just at the point of hiring. If an employer is not enrolled, they cannot legally authorize your STEM OPT extension, even if the role fully qualifies.
What happens to my work authorization if my employer files an H-1B petition before my STEM OPT expires?
If your employer files a cap-subject H-1B petition before your STEM OPT end date and it's selected in the lottery, cap-gap protection extends your OPT authorization automatically through September 30 of that fiscal year, or until USCIS adjudicates the petition. You can continue working in your Senior Software Development Engineer role during this period without interruption, as long as your I-20 reflects the cap-gap extension.
Where can I find Senior Software Development Engineer jobs where employers are prepared to support STEM OPT?
Migrate Mate lists Senior Software Development Engineer roles filtered for employers with documented visa sponsorship histories, so you're not spending time on companies that have never navigated OPT or work authorization paperwork. Searching by role and authorization type helps you reach hiring managers who already understand the E-Verify requirement and the I-983 process.