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.

See All Software Development Engineer In Test Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs35+
Top Visa TypeF-1 OPT
Work Type80% On-site
Median Salary$157K
Top LocationCupertino, CA
Most JobsApple

Showing 5 of 35+ Software Development Engineer In Test jobs

Republic Finance
Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) Intern
We won't show you this job again
Republic Finance
Added 5d ago
Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) Intern
Republic Finance
Plano, Texas
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
IT Support & Systems Administration
Hybrid
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

Have you applied for this role?

Give feedback about this job
Min 10 characters (0/10)
Manhattan Telecommunications Corporation
Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET)
We won't show you this job again
Manhattan Telecommunications Corporation
Added 1w ago
Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET)
Manhattan Telecommunications Corporation
New York, New York
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Software Engineering
Automation QA
$90,000 - $120,000/yr
On-Site
5+ yrs exp.
Associate's

Have you applied for this role?

Give feedback about this job
Min 10 characters (0/10)
Apple
Software Development Engineer in Test
We won't show you this job again
Apple
Added 1w ago
Software Development Engineer in Test
Apple
Cupertino, California
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Software Engineering
Automation QA
$147,400/yr - $272,100/yr
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Give feedback about this job
Min 10 characters (0/10)
Palo Alto Networks
Principal Software Development Engineer in Test
We won't show you this job again
Palo Alto Networks
Added 2w ago
Principal Software Development Engineer in Test
Palo Alto Networks
Santa Clara, California
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Software Engineering
Cloud & DevOps
Automation QA
$126,000/yr - $204,500/yr
On-Site
4+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Give feedback about this job
Min 10 characters (0/10)
SharkNinja
Software Development Engineer in Test
We won't show you this job again
SharkNinja
Added 2w ago
Software Development Engineer in Test
SharkNinja
Needham, Massachusetts
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Software Engineering
Automation QA
$90,000/yr - $135,000/yr
On-Site
4+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

Have you applied for this role?

Give feedback about this job
Min 10 characters (0/10)

See all 35+ Software Development Engineer In Test jobs

Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Software Development Engineer In Test roles.

Get Access To All Jobs

See all 35+ Software Development Engineer In Test jobs

Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Software Development Engineer In Test roles.

Get Access To All Jobs

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.

Software Development Engineer In Test jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.

Find Software Development Engineer In Test Jobs

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 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.

See which Software Development Engineer In Test employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.

Search Software Development Engineer In Test Jobs