STEM OPT Software Systems Engineer Jobs
Software Systems Engineer roles qualify for STEM OPT because they fall under computer science and engineering CIP codes, making you eligible for the 24-month extension beyond your initial 12-month OPT. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and sign a Form I-983 training plan before your extension is approved.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The Product Integrity group is looking for a Systems Software Engineer to develop future products. As a member of the OS Diagnostics team you will develop and maintain software used to characterize, calibrate and test new hardware, debug software and hardware both independently and multi-functionally, and work with many other teams at Apple and at various contract manufacturers. Your experience writing and debugging software on different hardware platforms will be meaningful to your success.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
In this role you will be responsible for developing, debugging and maintaining internal software running on many Apple products. You will have the opportunity to work with a wide variety of worldwide cross-functional teams including Hardware Engineering, Software Engineering, Operations, and our Contract Manufacturing partners. You will engage with many products from early development through mass production where your contributions will directly impact hardware quality and end user experiences.
- Solving complex problems that will require multi-functional engagement and support.
- Developing applications, frameworks, and command line utilities.
- Maintaining critical manufacturing software running on millions of Apple devices.
- Completing work with effective prioritization, communication, and multitasking abilities.
- Reviewing and implementing hardware test specifications.
- Supporting hardware production locally and remotely (travel up to 25%).
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- BS in CS/CE/EE and 0-2+ years of software engineer career experience
- Expertise in at least one of C++/Objective-C/Swift
- Experience developing drivers/applications in Unix, Linux, or macOS
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with building embedded system architectures and using interfaces such as I2C, USB, PCIe
- Experience building and debugging distributed applications
- Experience debugging at all levels of an operating system
- Experience with Python/Lua/Bash
- Proven task management
- Effective communication skills
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 $122,700 and $214,300, 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
The Product Integrity group is looking for a Systems Software Engineer to develop future products. As a member of the OS Diagnostics team you will develop and maintain software used to characterize, calibrate and test new hardware, debug software and hardware both independently and multi-functionally, and work with many other teams at Apple and at various contract manufacturers. Your experience writing and debugging software on different hardware platforms will be meaningful to your success.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
In this role you will be responsible for developing, debugging and maintaining internal software running on many Apple products. You will have the opportunity to work with a wide variety of worldwide cross-functional teams including Hardware Engineering, Software Engineering, Operations, and our Contract Manufacturing partners. You will engage with many products from early development through mass production where your contributions will directly impact hardware quality and end user experiences.
- Solving complex problems that will require multi-functional engagement and support.
- Developing applications, frameworks, and command line utilities.
- Maintaining critical manufacturing software running on millions of Apple devices.
- Completing work with effective prioritization, communication, and multitasking abilities.
- Reviewing and implementing hardware test specifications.
- Supporting hardware production locally and remotely (travel up to 25%).
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- BS in CS/CE/EE and 0-2+ years of software engineer career experience
- Expertise in at least one of C++/Objective-C/Swift
- Experience developing drivers/applications in Unix, Linux, or macOS
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with building embedded system architectures and using interfaces such as I2C, USB, PCIe
- Experience building and debugging distributed applications
- Experience debugging at all levels of an operating system
- Experience with Python/Lua/Bash
- Proven task management
- Effective communication skills
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 $122,700 and $214,300, 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.
See all 36+ STEM OPT Software Systems Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Software Systems Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Software Systems Engineer
Verify your degree's CIP code eligibility
Check that your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code appears on the STEM Designated Degree Program List published by USCIS. Computer science, electrical engineering, and computer engineering codes qualify, but interdisciplinary degrees sometimes don't match without a DSO review.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before applying
Before accepting an offer, ask the employer's HR team for their E-Verify Company ID. Employers can also self-verify enrollment through the E-Verify employer search tool. A company that isn't enrolled cannot legally employ you on STEM OPT, regardless of intent to sponsor.
Build a systems portfolio with documented outcomes
Hiring managers for Software Systems Engineer roles expect evidence of end-to-end system design work, not just code contributions. Document architecture decisions, performance benchmarks, and trade-off reasoning from academic or internship projects to strengthen your candidacy at E-Verify enrolled employers.
Target employers with active I-983 experience
Some employers are unfamiliar with the I-983 training plan requirement and delay offers when they discover it late. Ask recruiters directly whether their company has onboarded STEM OPT students before, since experienced employers complete the training plan faster and reduce your authorization gap risk.
Search STEM OPT roles on Migrate Mate
Filter your Software Systems Engineer job search on Migrate Mate to surface employers already enrolled in E-Verify. This cuts hours of manual verification and surfaces roles where the employer understands STEM OPT requirements and has the infrastructure to file your training plan promptly.
Time your application around cap-gap protection
If your employer files an H-1B visa petition before your OPT EAD expires, cap-gap extends your work authorization through September 30 automatically. Submit your STEM OPT extension application to your DSO at least 90 days before your OPT end date to keep this option open.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Software Systems Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, provided your degree falls under a qualifying CIP code on the STEM Designated Degree Program List maintained by USCIS. Computer science, systems engineering, and electrical engineering degrees typically qualify. Your DSO confirms eligibility before filing the extension, and the role itself must provide practical training directly related to your degree field.
What is the I-983 training plan and how does it apply to this role?
The I-983 is a formal training agreement between you and your employer that outlines how the Software Systems Engineer position provides training in your STEM field. Your employer signs it, your DSO countersigns it, and USCIS requires it before approving the 24-month extension. The plan must describe specific learning objectives tied to your degree, not just general job duties.
How do I verify that a Software Systems Engineer employer is enrolled in E-Verify?
Ask the recruiter or HR contact for the company's E-Verify Company ID during the offer stage, before you accept. You can also use the E-Verify employer search tool to confirm enrollment independently. If the employer isn't enrolled, they cannot legally hire you on STEM OPT, and enrollment cannot be completed retroactively after your start date.
How does cap-gap protection work if my OPT expires before an H-1B decision?
If your employer files an H-1B petition on your behalf before your current OPT EAD expires, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year. You can continue working as a Software Systems Engineer during this period without interruption. USCIS provides cap-gap guidance, and your DSO issues an updated I-20 reflecting the extension.
Where can I find Software Systems Engineer jobs where employers already understand STEM OPT?
Migrate Mate filters Software Systems Engineer listings to show employers enrolled in E-Verify, which is the baseline requirement for STEM OPT. This saves you from applying to roles where you'll need to educate the employer about I-983 requirements from scratch. Employers familiar with STEM OPT can move faster on training plan completion and reduce delays in your authorization start date.