STEM OPT Systems Development Engineer Jobs
Systems Development Engineer roles in infrastructure, automation, and distributed systems align directly with the STEM degrees that qualify for the 24-month OPT extension. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify to sponsor your training plan. Degrees in computer science, electrical engineering, and related CIP-coded fields make you eligible to apply.
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MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or a related field and 3 years of experience in the job offered or in a Systems Development Engineer-related occupation.
- Alternatively, will accept a Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or a related field, and 1 year of experience in the job offered or in a Systems Development Engineer-related occupation.
- Position requires 1 year of experience in the following: Systems design; Systems implementation; Technical infrastructure deployment; Technical infrastructure maintenance; and Systems automation using coding or scripting.
ABOUT THE JOB
Google Cloud accelerates every organization’s ability to digitally transform its business and industry. We deliver enterprise-grade solutions that leverage Google’s cutting-edge technology, and tools that help developers build more sustainably. Customers in more than 200 countries and territories turn to Google Cloud as their trusted partner to enable growth and solve their most critical business problems.
The US base salary range for this full-time position is $193,200 to $198,000 + 15% bonus target + equity + benefits determined by role, level, and location. Individual pay is determined by additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Learn more about benefits at Google.
Position reports to the Google (Sunnyvale, CA) office & may allow for a hybrid schedule per Google policy.
Responsibilities
- Participate in on-call activities and work with primary responders to fix system issues.
- Manage the systems operating within the assigned domain.
- Troubleshoot technical issues and evaluate technical data. Develop recommendations for systems and services within the domain.
- Respond to tickets and bugs within team-defined service-level objectives (SLOs). Work with customers to define distributed systems requirements, testing procedures, and solutions.
- Regional and international travel more than 10% of the time required.
Google is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. See also Google's EEO Policy and EEO is the Law. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know by completing our Accommodations for Applicants form.
See all STEM OPT Systems Development Engineer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Systems Development Engineer
Verify your CIP code matches STEM eligibility
Pull your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code from your DSO before applying. Systems Development Engineer roles typically require computer science or engineering degrees, and your CIP code must appear on the official STEM Designated Degree Program list to qualify for the 24-month extension.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Ask your recruiter for the company's E-Verify Company ID or check employer status through the E-Verify portal directly. A company that isn't enrolled can't legally serve as your STEM OPT employer, regardless of how far along you are in the hiring process.
Target teams running infrastructure or platform engineering
Systems Development Engineer openings concentrate in platform, reliability, and developer tooling teams at companies filing LCAs under SOC codes like 15-1252. Filter by these technical org types early so you're not chasing postings where the role scope won't satisfy your I-983 training plan objectives.
Use Migrate Mate to find employers with active STEM OPT history
Search Migrate Mate to surface employers who have previously hired STEM OPT students into engineering roles. Targeting companies with that track record shortens the compliance conversation and reduces the risk of late-stage offer rescissions tied to unfamiliarity with the E-Verify requirement.
Draft your I-983 training plan before your start date
Work with your DSO and hiring manager to complete the I-983 before your STEM OPT extension is approved. Systems Development Engineer roles require specific learning objectives tied to your degree field. Vague training plans draw scrutiny from your DSO and can delay the I-20 update you need to begin work.
Negotiate your offer timeline around cap-gap protection
If your OPT expires while an H-1B visa petition is pending, cap-gap extends your work authorization through September 30 of the fiscal year. Align your Systems Development Engineer offer letter start date with this window so you don't face an unauthorized gap between your OPT end date and H-1B approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Systems Development Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your degree is in a STEM field with a qualifying CIP code and the role directly applies that field of study. Systems Development Engineer positions in infrastructure, automation, and distributed systems commonly satisfy this requirement when paired with degrees in computer science, electrical engineering, or software engineering. Your DSO confirms eligibility based on your specific degree and CIP code before issuing the updated I-20.
What E-Verify requirement applies to my Systems Development Engineer employer?
Your employer must be actively enrolled in E-Verify for the specific site where you'll work before your STEM OPT extension begins. This isn't optional. If the employer acquired your hiring entity through a merger or restructuring, verify that the employing legal entity, not just the parent company, holds E-Verify enrollment. You can confirm status directly through the E-Verify employer search tool before signing an offer.
How does the I-983 training plan work for a Systems Development Engineer?
The I-983 requires you and your employer to document specific learning goals tied to your STEM degree, your supervisor's qualifications, and a 12-month self-evaluation schedule. For Systems Development Engineer roles, training objectives should connect engineering tasks like system design, performance optimization, or reliability work to your degree field. USCIS can request this document during an audit, so vague or generic plans create real compliance risk.
What happens to my STEM OPT if I switch employers mid-extension?
You can change employers during your STEM OPT period, but you must stop working immediately if the new employer isn't E-Verify enrolled. Your DSO must update your I-20 with the new employer information, and you're required to report the change to SEVIS within 10 days. The new employer also takes on the I-983 training plan obligation, so you'll need to draft a revised plan before or shortly after your start date.
Where can I find Systems Development Engineer jobs from E-Verify enrolled employers?
Migrate Mate lists Systems Development Engineer openings filtered for employers with STEM OPT hiring history and E-Verify compliance. Searching there reduces the time you spend vetting companies that can't legally employ STEM OPT students. You can also cross-reference any employer against the E-Verify employer search tool before engaging with a recruiter to confirm enrollment status independently.