STEM OPT Software Design Engineer Jobs
Software Design Engineer roles qualify for STEM OPT when your degree falls under an eligible CIP code in computer science, engineering, or a related STEM field. The 24-month extension gives you up to 36 months total to build U.S. work experience, provided your employer is enrolled in E-Verify.
Find STEM OPT Software Design Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 1,176+ Software Design Engineer jobs
See all 1,176+ Software Design Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Software Design Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsYour Job
We are seeking a world class, self-directed Software Design Engineer to build software solutions from the ground up to support the development, manufacturing, and testing of cutting edge high-speed electrical interconnects. We're looking for engineers who bring fresh ideas from all areas including scientific programming, information/databases, test & verification. As a software engineer you will employ Python and innovative development techniques, working collaboratively with other team members and our global manufacturing centers to build software solutions to solve challenges in any area of the business. To succeed in this role, a candidate must utilize entrepreneurial thinking and a strong passion for software engineering.
Our Team
Join the Software Solution Group (SSG), the central nervous system of the Copper Solutions Business Unit (CSBU) within the Datacom & Specialty Solutions (DSS) division. As the core software team, we collaborate across the organization to deliver production setup applications for product families and stand-alone tools that address challenges in every area of the business.
We value creative thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork, offering opportunities to make a real impact while working with innovative applications.
What You Will Do
- Apply software expertise and entrepreneurial thinking to solve business challenges across design, manufacturing, testing, and verification.
- Design, develop, modify, and maintain Python software modules for product testing and qualification throughout product development and manufacturing.
- Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, and signal integrity engineers to create software solutions for testing high-speed and low-speed electrical performance.
- Build and enhance desktop software (Python) to optimize and expand capabilities in global manufacturing centers.
- Partner with engineering teams to develop tools that improve the design process and engineering efficiency, focusing on feature implementation, configuration, and application development.
- Continuously learn and adopt new technologies to keep software skills current.
- Conduct code reviews, design reviews, and unit testing to improve software reliability and performance.
- Analyze test results, prepare reports, and implement necessary software modifications.
- Document software solutions and share knowledge internally with other engineers.
- Demonstrate proficiency in Python development and standard software verification and validation techniques.
- Explore and contribute to new concepts and innovative solutions.
Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)
- Bachelor's or master's degree in Electrical or Electronics/ Computer Science/Systems Engineering.
- 3-5 years of experience designing Python-based desktop and/or web applications.
- Minimum 2 years of practical software development experience in Python with demonstrated ability to design and build tools and applications that support testing and validation workflows.
- Knowledge of software architecture and design principles, emphasizing usability, extensibility, and performance for tools.
- Extensive experience with source control tools such as Git or SVN.
- Understanding of bug tracking software (i.e. JIRA).
- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of standard techniques for software verification and validation.
What Will Put You Ahead
- Exposure to hardware systems, electrical interconnects, or manufacturing processes, especially related to testing and quality assurance.
- Exposure on writing strong test cases.
- Demonstrated experience mentoring and developing team members, including creating educational materials (e.g., blog posts or videos).
- Experience with scientific Python libraries and tools like NumPy, Pandas, and Anaconda.
- Proven ability to develop reusable software libraries, APIs, and frameworks designed for use by other engineers and testers.
At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ways to create value and get rewarded for our individual contributions. Any compensation range provided for a role is an estimate determined by available market data. The actual amount may be higher or lower than the range provided considering each candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, and geographic location. If you have questions, please speak to your recruiter about the flexibility and detail of our compensation philosophy.
Hiring Philosophy
All Koch companies value diversity of thought, perspectives, aptitudes, experiences, and backgrounds. We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophy here.
Who We Are
At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.
Our Benefits
Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength - focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most. Our benefits plan includes - medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance. Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region. If you have questions on what benefits apply to you, please speak to your recruiter.
Additionally, everyone has individual work and personal needs. We seek to enable the best work environment that helps you and the business work together to produce superior results.
Equal Opportunities
Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, some offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify. Please click here for additional information. (For Illinois E-Verify information click here, aquí, or tu).
Your Job
We are seeking a world class, self-directed Software Design Engineer to build software solutions from the ground up to support the development, manufacturing, and testing of cutting edge high-speed electrical interconnects. We're looking for engineers who bring fresh ideas from all areas including scientific programming, information/databases, test & verification. As a software engineer you will employ Python and innovative development techniques, working collaboratively with other team members and our global manufacturing centers to build software solutions to solve challenges in any area of the business. To succeed in this role, a candidate must utilize entrepreneurial thinking and a strong passion for software engineering.
Our Team
Join the Software Solution Group (SSG), the central nervous system of the Copper Solutions Business Unit (CSBU) within the Datacom & Specialty Solutions (DSS) division. As the core software team, we collaborate across the organization to deliver production setup applications for product families and stand-alone tools that address challenges in every area of the business.
We value creative thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork, offering opportunities to make a real impact while working with innovative applications.
What You Will Do
- Apply software expertise and entrepreneurial thinking to solve business challenges across design, manufacturing, testing, and verification.
- Design, develop, modify, and maintain Python software modules for product testing and qualification throughout product development and manufacturing.
- Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, and signal integrity engineers to create software solutions for testing high-speed and low-speed electrical performance.
- Build and enhance desktop software (Python) to optimize and expand capabilities in global manufacturing centers.
- Partner with engineering teams to develop tools that improve the design process and engineering efficiency, focusing on feature implementation, configuration, and application development.
- Continuously learn and adopt new technologies to keep software skills current.
- Conduct code reviews, design reviews, and unit testing to improve software reliability and performance.
- Analyze test results, prepare reports, and implement necessary software modifications.
- Document software solutions and share knowledge internally with other engineers.
- Demonstrate proficiency in Python development and standard software verification and validation techniques.
- Explore and contribute to new concepts and innovative solutions.
Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)
- Bachelor's or master's degree in Electrical or Electronics/ Computer Science/Systems Engineering.
- 3-5 years of experience designing Python-based desktop and/or web applications.
- Minimum 2 years of practical software development experience in Python with demonstrated ability to design and build tools and applications that support testing and validation workflows.
- Knowledge of software architecture and design principles, emphasizing usability, extensibility, and performance for tools.
- Extensive experience with source control tools such as Git or SVN.
- Understanding of bug tracking software (i.e. JIRA).
- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of standard techniques for software verification and validation.
What Will Put You Ahead
- Exposure to hardware systems, electrical interconnects, or manufacturing processes, especially related to testing and quality assurance.
- Exposure on writing strong test cases.
- Demonstrated experience mentoring and developing team members, including creating educational materials (e.g., blog posts or videos).
- Experience with scientific Python libraries and tools like NumPy, Pandas, and Anaconda.
- Proven ability to develop reusable software libraries, APIs, and frameworks designed for use by other engineers and testers.
At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ways to create value and get rewarded for our individual contributions. Any compensation range provided for a role is an estimate determined by available market data. The actual amount may be higher or lower than the range provided considering each candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, and geographic location. If you have questions, please speak to your recruiter about the flexibility and detail of our compensation philosophy.
Hiring Philosophy
All Koch companies value diversity of thought, perspectives, aptitudes, experiences, and backgrounds. We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophy here.
Who We Are
At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.
Our Benefits
Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength - focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most. Our benefits plan includes - medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance. Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region. If you have questions on what benefits apply to you, please speak to your recruiter.
Additionally, everyone has individual work and personal needs. We seek to enable the best work environment that helps you and the business work together to produce superior results.
Equal Opportunities
Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, some offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify. Please click here for additional information. (For Illinois E-Verify information click here, aquí, or tu).
See all 1,176+ STEM OPT Software Design Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Software Design Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Software Design Engineer
Verify your CIP code before applying
Check your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code against the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Computer science, electrical engineering, and software engineering degrees almost always qualify, but interdisciplinary programs sometimes carry codes that don't.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting
Before signing an offer, search the E-Verify employer database to confirm active enrollment. A company that isn't enrolled cannot legally employ you on STEM OPT, regardless of how willing they are to sponsor.
File your I-983 training plan early
Work with your DSO and hiring manager to complete the I-983 before your STEM OPT start date. Software Design Engineer roles should document specific technical training goals tied to your degree field, not just generic job duties.
Target companies with active H-1B filing history
Use Migrate Mate to filter Software Design Engineer roles by employers with documented H-1B visa Labor Condition Application filings. These employers already understand work authorization timelines and are structured to support the transition beyond OPT.
Request an updated I-20 with your STEM OPT dates
Your DSO must issue a new I-20 recommending the 24-month STEM extension before you file I-765 with USCIS. Submit your application no later than 90 days before your initial OPT EAD expires to avoid a gap in authorization.
Benchmark your offer against prevailing wage data
Look up the Software Design Engineer wage level for your work location using the OFLC Wage Search before negotiating. STEM OPT doesn't require a prevailing wage filing, but knowing the DOL benchmark protects you from offers that could create problems if you later pursue H-1B sponsorship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my degree qualify me for the STEM OPT extension as a Software Design Engineer?
Your degree qualifies if it appears on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List, which is tied to your CIP code rather than your job title. Degrees in computer science, software engineering, electrical engineering, and information systems commonly qualify. Check your I-20 for your CIP code and cross-reference the DHS list to confirm eligibility before your DSO files the STEM OPT recommendation.
What is the E-Verify requirement for STEM OPT Software Design Engineer jobs?
Every employer who hires you on STEM OPT must be actively enrolled in E-Verify, the federal employment eligibility verification system. You can search the public E-Verify employer search tool to check enrollment status before accepting an offer. If your employer isn't enrolled, they must complete enrollment before your STEM OPT period begins. Failure to work for an enrolled employer jeopardizes your authorization and your future status.
How does the I-983 training plan work for a Software Design Engineer role?
The I-983 form documents how your day-to-day work as a Software Design Engineer relates directly to your STEM degree. You and your employer complete it together before your extension starts, and you must update it every six months or whenever your role changes significantly. USCIS requires that the training objectives be specific and degree-connected, so generic job descriptions without technical detail risk a compliance issue.
What happens to my work authorization during the H-1B cap-gap period?
If your employer files an H-1B petition on your behalf before your STEM OPT EAD expires and you're selected in the lottery, the cap-gap provision automatically extends your OPT authorization through September 30. This keeps you legally employed during the gap between your EAD expiration and the October 1 H-1B start date. USCIS confirms cap-gap eligibility through your I-797 receipt notice, which your employer should provide to you promptly.
Where can I find Software Design Engineer jobs with E-Verify enrolled employers?
Migrate Mate filters Software Design Engineer listings specifically for STEM OPT students, surfacing roles at employers with verified E-Verify enrollment and documented work authorization sponsorship history. This removes the guesswork of vetting employers manually and helps you target companies already familiar with the I-983 training plan and STEM OPT compliance requirements.