STEM OPT Software Development Engineer In Test Jobs

Software Development Engineer in Test roles sit squarely within STEM-designated fields, making them strong candidates for the 24-month STEM OPT extension beyond your initial 12 months. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and your degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related STEM field must align with the role.

Find STEM OPT Software Development Engineer In Test Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs14+
Work Type93% On-site
Top LocationFridley, MN
Most JobsApple

Showing 5 of 14+ Software Development Engineer In Test jobs

Rotto
Backend Engineer
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Rotto
Added 2d ago
Backend Engineer
Rotto
New York
Backend Engineering
Software Engineering
Data Engineering
$130k - $160k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Rotto
Full Stack Engineer
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Rotto
Added 2d ago
Full Stack Engineer
Rotto
New York
Full-stack Engineering
Software Engineering
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
$130k - $160k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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InfiCare Staffing
Software Development in Test
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InfiCare Staffing
Added 2d ago
Software Development in Test
InfiCare Staffing
Fremont, California
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Software Engineering
Automation QA
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Medtronic
Software Development Engineer II in Test
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Medtronic
Added 6d ago
Software Development Engineer II in Test
Medtronic
Fridley, Minnesota
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Software Engineering
Automation QA
$100k - $150k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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HP
Software Developer in Test
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HP
Added 1w ago
Software Developer in Test
HP
Fort Collins, Colorado
Software Engineering
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
$83k - $128k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Tips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization in Software Development Engineer In Test

Verify your CIP code before applying

Check that the CIP code on your I-20 maps to a STEM-designated program under the DHS STEM list. Computer science (11.0701) and software engineering (14.0903) both qualify, but information systems degrees sometimes don't without a CIP code review from your DSO.

Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers

Ask your recruiter for the employer's E-Verify company ID or look up their enrollment status through E-Verify's employer search tool. An employer not enrolled in E-Verify cannot legally employ you on STEM OPT, regardless of how far along you are in the hiring process.

Tailor your resume to SDET-specific testing frameworks

Hiring managers for SDET roles screen for hands-on experience with tools like Selenium, Pytest, or JUnit. Listing specific frameworks and the type of test coverage you built, unit, integration, or end-to-end, signals technical depth that generalist QA resumes lack.

Search for SDET roles on Migrate Mate to target E-Verify employers

Migrate Mate filters job listings to show employers already enrolled in E-Verify, which cuts out the back-and-forth of confirming eligibility after you apply. Use it to focus your search on SDET openings at companies set up to hire on STEM OPT.

Negotiate your I-983 training plan before your start date

The I-983 must document how your SDET work, writing automated test suites, building CI/CD pipelines, or owning regression coverage, relates to your STEM degree. Draft it with your manager before day one so USCIS reporting obligations don't catch you both off guard.

Time your STEM OPT extension application using the 90-day window

File your STEM OPT extension with USCIS no later than 90 days before your initial OPT EAD expires. USCIS processing can take several months, and filing early protects your continuous work authorization while the application is pending.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a Software Development Engineer in Test role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?

Yes. SDET roles fall under computer and information science or software engineering occupations, both of which are covered by DHS-designated STEM CIP codes. Your degree must align with one of those designated codes, and your DSO will confirm eligibility when you request the STEM OPT I-20 update. The role itself must also involve work directly related to your degree field.

How do I verify that a company hiring for SDET roles is enrolled in E-Verify?

Ask the recruiter or HR contact for the company's E-Verify employer ID, or check enrollment through E-Verify's public employer search. Enrollment is a federal requirement for STEM OPT employers, not just a preference. If a company can't confirm enrollment before your offer stage, you can't legally begin work on STEM OPT, so clarify this early in the process.

What should my I-983 training plan include for an SDET position?

Your I-983 must describe the specific learning objectives tied to your SDET work, such as building automated test frameworks, implementing test-driven development, or developing performance benchmarking systems. It should connect those activities to your STEM degree coursework. Both you and your employer sign it, and USCIS requires updates if your role or employer changes during the extension period.

What happens to my STEM OPT authorization if my H-1B is selected in the lottery but not yet effective?

If your H-1B visa petition is filed before your STEM OPT EAD expires and USCIS receives it by June 1, cap-gap protection extends your work authorization through September 30 of that year. Your SDET employment can continue without interruption during that window. Once October 1 arrives and your H-1B status becomes effective, your OPT authorization ends automatically.

Where can I find SDET jobs at companies already set up to hire STEM OPT students?

Migrate Mate is built specifically for STEM OPT job seekers and filters listings to show employers enrolled in E-Verify. That means you can browse SDET openings without having to separately verify whether each employer meets the STEM OPT employment requirement, which saves significant time during a job search where work authorization timelines are tight.