STEM OPT Software Quality Engineer Jobs

Software Quality Engineer roles fall squarely within STEM OPT eligibility, letting you work for up to 36 months total on your F-1 authorization. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and your STEM degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field must align with the SOC code for quality assurance work.

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Overview

Open Jobs1,660+
Top Visa TypeF-1 OPT
Work Type89% On-site
Median Salary$96K
Top LocationSan Diego, CA
Most JobsApple

Showing 5 of 1,660+ Software Quality Engineer jobs

Apple
Software Quality Engineer
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Apple
Added 2d ago
Software Quality Engineer
Apple
Sunnyvale, California
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Software Engineering
$141,800/yr - $213,700/yr
On-Site
3+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Covidien
Software Quality Engineer I
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Covidien
Added 1w ago
Software Quality Engineer I
Covidien
Lafayette, Colorado
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Software Engineering
Not listed
On-Site
Associate's

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Samsung Sds America, Inc.
Engineer, Software Quality Engineering
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Samsung Sds America, Inc.
Added 2w ago
Engineer, Software Quality Engineering
Samsung Sds America, Inc.
Mountain View, California
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Software Engineering
Automation QA
Not listed
On-Site
Associate's

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Hewlett Packard Enterprise | HPE
Software Quality Engineer
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Hewlett Packard Enterprise | HPE
Added 3w ago
Software Quality Engineer
Hewlett Packard Enterprise | HPE
San Juan, PR
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Software Engineering
Automation QA
Hybrid
4+ yrs exp.
Master's
10,000+

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Abbott
Software Quality Engineer I
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Abbott
Added 1mo ago
Software Quality Engineer I
Abbott
Sylmar, California
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Software Engineering
Automation QA
$73,900/yr - $116,000/yr
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Tips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Software Quality Engineer

Verify your CIP code before applying

Cross-reference your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code against the STEM Designated Degree Program List that USCIS publishes. Computer science, information systems, and electrical engineering CIP codes all support Software Quality Engineer roles, but adjacent majors like management information systems sometimes fall outside the approved list.

Confirm E-Verify status before accepting offers

Ask your recruiter for the employer's E-Verify company ID during the offer stage, not after signing. Any company hiring you for STEM OPT must be actively enrolled in E-Verify, and you can validate enrollment through the E-Verify employer search tool before committing.

Target companies with active QA engineering teams

Use Migrate Mate to filter for employers who have hired STEM OPT students into software quality roles, so your applications go to companies already familiar with the I-983 training plan requirement and E-Verify obligations, not those encountering it for the first time.

Build a learning objectives narrative for your I-983

The I-983 training plan requires you to articulate how your day-to-day QA work, automated testing, defect tracking, CI/CD pipeline review, connects to your STEM degree. Draft this narrative before your start date so your DSO and employer can sign off without delays.

Check prevailing wage before negotiating your offer

Run your job title and work location through the OFLC Wage Search to confirm the prevailing wage tier for Software Quality Engineers in that metro area. STEM OPT itself has no wage floor, but knowing the DOL benchmark strengthens your negotiating position and prepares you if the employer later files an H-1B.

File your STEM OPT extension at least 90 days early

USCIS requires you to submit your I-765 extension application at least 90 days before your initial OPT EAD expires. Missing this window forces a gap in work authorization, so calendar your DSO recommendation request well before that cutoff to account for processing time.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does a Software Quality Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?

Yes, provided your degree is on the STEM Designated Degree Program List that USCIS maintains. Software quality engineering maps to computer and information systems occupations under DOL's Standard Occupational Classification system. Degrees in computer science, software engineering, electrical engineering, and closely related STEM fields generally qualify. Confirm your specific CIP code with your DSO before applying for the extension.

What E-Verify requirement applies to my STEM OPT employer?

Any employer hiring you under the STEM OPT extension must be actively enrolled in E-Verify, not simply registered. This applies to the specific legal entity signing your offer letter, including subsidiaries and staffing agencies if they are your actual employer of record. Verify enrollment through the E-Verify employer search before accepting an offer. Working for a non-enrolled employer violates your STEM OPT terms and jeopardizes your status.

What goes into the I-983 training plan for a Software Quality Engineer?

The I-983 must detail how your QA engineering work, automated testing, defect lifecycle management, test architecture, and quality metrics analysis, directly applies knowledge from your STEM degree. It requires specific learning objectives, a supervision structure, and a 12-month evaluation schedule. Both you and your employer sign the form, and your DSO countersigns. You must update it if your role or employer changes materially during the 24-month extension period.

How does cap-gap protect me if my H-1B is selected while I'm on STEM OPT?

If your employer files an H-1B petition on your behalf before your STEM OPT EAD expires and USCIS selects it in the lottery, cap-gap automatically extends your OPT work authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year. You can continue working as a Software Quality Engineer during this period without interruption. Your DSO issues a new I-20 endorsing the cap-gap extension once your employer receives the H-1B receipt notice from USCIS.

Where can I find Software Quality Engineer jobs at E-Verify enrolled employers?

Migrate Mate filters Software Quality Engineer listings by employers already familiar with STEM OPT requirements, so you're not spending time on companies that have never navigated the E-Verify enrollment or I-983 process. You can also cross-reference any employer you find elsewhere by running their name through the E-Verify employer search to confirm active enrollment before applying.

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