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.
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Imagine what you could do here. At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming outstanding products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish.
The Creativity Applications team is looking for a Software Development Engineer in Test who has experience testing iOS/macOS applications, cloud based frameworks and APIs, validating new and innovative on-device ML and AI features in the creative space. You will have the unique and rewarding opportunity to help shape upcoming products that will delight and inspire millions of Apple’s customers every day. Ideally we are looking for someone with a passion and/or background in video editing to contribute to the production of innovative tools for creative professionals, video makers and visual storytellers.
DESCRIPTION
In this role, you will be responsible for planning, designing, writing, maintaining and executing test cases manually and through automation using Swift and Python. You will drive all aspects of quality and process improvements to help the team ensure that our features are rock-solid and ready to be released to our customers. Reporting bugs with outstanding isolation and regression techniques will be the key to your success. This role requires balancing a wide variety of deliverables that will rely on your talent for managing priorities and communicating progress and risks effectively and systematically. Your ongoing curiosity and dedication to self-education in AI/ML technologies, video/photo/music/productivity application editing software as well as new testing techniques is what will set you apart. You will be working closely with other team members to help coordinate multi-functional test efforts.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Minimum of 3 years industry experience in quality assurance with a prior focus in testing AI/ML technologies.
- Minimum of 3 years experience as a Software Engineer in Test, programming in Swift and/or Python to prototype features, create and test with internal tools.
- Proficiency in testing iOS/macOS apps, cloud based frameworks, and framework APIs.
- Excellent understanding of an ML-based product lifecycle and GenAI. Strong knowledge of software development lifecycle, testing methodologies, QA terminology and processes.
- Strong communication, collaboration, and project management skills with the ability to articulate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or equivalent experience.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience developing/validating GenAI tools or working on AI-adjacent projects.
- Experience with writing automation for Apple platforms including iOS and macOS.
- Experience with photo, video, film and cloud editing workflows using creative applications is a plus.
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 $139,500 and $258,100, 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.
INTRODUCTION
Imagine what you could do here. At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming outstanding products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish.
The Creativity Applications team is looking for a Software Development Engineer in Test who has experience testing iOS/macOS applications, cloud based frameworks and APIs, validating new and innovative on-device ML and AI features in the creative space. You will have the unique and rewarding opportunity to help shape upcoming products that will delight and inspire millions of Apple’s customers every day. Ideally we are looking for someone with a passion and/or background in video editing to contribute to the production of innovative tools for creative professionals, video makers and visual storytellers.
DESCRIPTION
In this role, you will be responsible for planning, designing, writing, maintaining and executing test cases manually and through automation using Swift and Python. You will drive all aspects of quality and process improvements to help the team ensure that our features are rock-solid and ready to be released to our customers. Reporting bugs with outstanding isolation and regression techniques will be the key to your success. This role requires balancing a wide variety of deliverables that will rely on your talent for managing priorities and communicating progress and risks effectively and systematically. Your ongoing curiosity and dedication to self-education in AI/ML technologies, video/photo/music/productivity application editing software as well as new testing techniques is what will set you apart. You will be working closely with other team members to help coordinate multi-functional test efforts.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Minimum of 3 years industry experience in quality assurance with a prior focus in testing AI/ML technologies.
- Minimum of 3 years experience as a Software Engineer in Test, programming in Swift and/or Python to prototype features, create and test with internal tools.
- Proficiency in testing iOS/macOS apps, cloud based frameworks, and framework APIs.
- Excellent understanding of an ML-based product lifecycle and GenAI. Strong knowledge of software development lifecycle, testing methodologies, QA terminology and processes.
- Strong communication, collaboration, and project management skills with the ability to articulate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or equivalent experience.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience developing/validating GenAI tools or working on AI-adjacent projects.
- Experience with writing automation for Apple platforms including iOS and macOS.
- Experience with photo, video, film and cloud editing workflows using creative applications is a plus.
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 $139,500 and $258,100, 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.
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Get Access To All JobsTips 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.