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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Work hard. Have fun. Make history.
Our overall mission is simple: we want Amazon to be the place where our customers can find, discover, and buy anything online. Whatever our customers want, we will find the means to deliver it.
As a result of continued growth, our Technology Deployment - Systems Integration team is now searching for an innovative and solutions-oriented Systems Development Engineer to be a part of our USA initiative of developing and delivering the next generation of world-class fulfillment systems through the use of advanced technology.
Successful candidates are natural self-starters who have prior engineering experience in the integrated automation project life cycle, including design, development, implementation, enhancement, and support.
System Development Engineers (SysDE’s) will be part of a new product/technology deployment cycle and responsible for successful delivery of equipment for further testing and evaluation. You will serve as a liaison between Fulfillment Center Operations (our customer) and product development engineers.
This role will require the ability to build relationships across a cross-functional team and capture and synthesize the voice of the customer. Your primary goal is to own the improvement of the deployment process, validating and testing processes through lab and field activities. You will integrate, deploy, and troubleshoot solutions for new advanced technology systems, iterating and providing feedback to internal and external partners with each opportunity.
As an Amazonian you are able to guide the development, implementation and delivery of complex system designs and advanced technology in ambiguous and complex problem spaces. You integrate systems for safety, security, stability, and efficiency. You participate in the full system development life cycle, working within broadly defined parameters, including test plan execution and solution quality needs.
You must be responsive, flexible, and able to succeed within an open collaborative environment. Amazon’s culture encourages innovation and expects engineers to take a high-level of ownership in solving complex problems.
Come help us make history!
Key job responsibilities
- Work with internal and external engineering teams to successfully deliver cross-functional deployments that are high-quality — on time, on budget, maintainable, and low-defect across multiple programs.
- Contribute to project priorities, establish milestones, and drive deployment schedules to meet deadlines; capture and present KPI metrics to evaluate project success and identify areas for improvement.
- Deep dive technical solutions encompassing sorter system configuration, material handling integration, controller commissioning, and connectivity validation between warehouse control systems and facility equipment.
- Develop and maintain scripts, automation tools, and deployment utilities that improve engineering efficiency, reduce manual effort, and enable consistent execution at scale.
- Author and contribute to internal tooling and configuration code, applying software development best practices to support deployment workflows and system integrations.
- Participate in design reviews and support execution efforts between internal teams and outside vendors, including equipment specifications, material flow, process design, and site layout validation.
- Communicate project status effectively, answer project questions in detail, and regularly produce clear and concise summaries for the projects you own to your program management team.
- Capture and synthesize the Voice of Customer (VoC) for all new product introductions and leverage this information to prioritize system defects and influence triage efforts with Product Development teams, applying lessons learned to enable acceleration and deployment scale.
- Build strong working relationships with Fulfillment Center and Sort Center management and their operations teams across multiple sites, as well as Facilities, Finance, Safety, Process Engineering, and other business stakeholders.
- Develop and maintain deployment standards, SOPs, and runbooks that enable consistent execution across distributed engineering teams at scale.
- Identify process improvement initiatives in support of operations, deployment, or engineering teams within a geographic node.
- Develop cross-functional knowledge of Operations and Engineering team systems, processes, procedures, and tools.
- Collaborate with internal teams and external vendors to generate high-quality, cost-effective solutions with quick turnaround.
- Travel up to 75% throughout North America, which can vary based on peak seasons.
A day in the life
Amazon offers a full range of benefits that support you and eligible family members, including domestic partners and their children. Benefits can vary by location, the number of regularly scheduled hours you work, length of employment, and job status such as seasonal or temporary employment. The benefits that generally apply to regular, full-time employees include:
-
Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
-
Maternity and Parental Leave Options
-
Paid Time Off (PTO)
-
401(k) Plan
If you are not sure that every qualification on the list above describes you exactly, we'd still love to hear from you! At Amazon, we value people with unique backgrounds, experiences, and skillsets. If you’re passionate about this role and want to make an impact on a global scale, please apply!
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience in automating, deploying, and supporting large-scale infrastructure
- Experience programming with at least one modern language such as Python, Ruby, Golang, Java, C++, C#, Rust
- Experience with CI/CD pipelines build processes
- Experience with Linux/Unix
- Bachelor's degree
- 3+ years control system experience including PLC/IPC based controls design, development, implementation and support. E.g. Allen Bradley, Siemens and CODESYS systems
- Experience with the designs of complex, automated material handling equipment, packaging technologies, or systems including robotics (FANUC, ABB, UR) and high-speed manufacturing.
- Experience working technical documentation such as flow diagrams, conveyor and equipment layouts, and installation details
- Demonstrated understanding of life-cycle embedded systems development including hardware (circuit and logic designs, PLCs), software (embedded operating systems and programming), testing and implementation.
- Experience in testing and implementing software (embedded operating systems and programming).
- Experience in industrial networking and communications including topology design and familiarity with TCP/IP and Fieldbus applications.
- Experience with 3-phase electrical systems
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with distributed systems at scale
- Demonstrated ability to go beyond specialization and combine controls- and software-systems engineering skills to implement new solutions at the organizational or architectural level
- Master’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Business Administration, or a related STEM field.
- Operations Management/Distribution Center experience.
- Exposure to Six Sigma, Lean manufacturing efforts, transportation/logistics and/or fulfillment/distribution centers.
- Direct management or responsibility for material handling, automation, or technical projects.
- Proven technical leadership for engineering projects or programs.
- Demonstrated design and/or implementation experience with integrated automation solutions, such as material handling systems, high-speed packaging lines, or manufacturing lines.
- Experience working in an Agile environment using the Scrum methodology
- Knowledge of professional software engineering & best practices for full software development life cycle, including coding standards, software architectures, code reviews, source control management, continuous deployments, testing, and operational excellence
- Experience developing web-based applications using AWS services (e.g., Kinesis, DynamoDB, Lambda, AppSync, Step Functions)
LOCATION
USA, MA, N.Reading - 129,200.00 - 174,800.00 USD annually
USA, TN, Nashville - 122,800.00 - 166,100.00 USD annually
USA, TX, Austin - 129,200.00 - 174,800.00 USD annually
USA, WA, Seattle - 129,200.00 - 174,800.00 USD annually
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
DESCRIPTION
Work hard. Have fun. Make history.
Our overall mission is simple: we want Amazon to be the place where our customers can find, discover, and buy anything online. Whatever our customers want, we will find the means to deliver it.
As a result of continued growth, our Technology Deployment - Systems Integration team is now searching for an innovative and solutions-oriented Systems Development Engineer to be a part of our USA initiative of developing and delivering the next generation of world-class fulfillment systems through the use of advanced technology.
Successful candidates are natural self-starters who have prior engineering experience in the integrated automation project life cycle, including design, development, implementation, enhancement, and support.
System Development Engineers (SysDE’s) will be part of a new product/technology deployment cycle and responsible for successful delivery of equipment for further testing and evaluation. You will serve as a liaison between Fulfillment Center Operations (our customer) and product development engineers.
This role will require the ability to build relationships across a cross-functional team and capture and synthesize the voice of the customer. Your primary goal is to own the improvement of the deployment process, validating and testing processes through lab and field activities. You will integrate, deploy, and troubleshoot solutions for new advanced technology systems, iterating and providing feedback to internal and external partners with each opportunity.
As an Amazonian you are able to guide the development, implementation and delivery of complex system designs and advanced technology in ambiguous and complex problem spaces. You integrate systems for safety, security, stability, and efficiency. You participate in the full system development life cycle, working within broadly defined parameters, including test plan execution and solution quality needs.
You must be responsive, flexible, and able to succeed within an open collaborative environment. Amazon’s culture encourages innovation and expects engineers to take a high-level of ownership in solving complex problems.
Come help us make history!
Key job responsibilities
- Work with internal and external engineering teams to successfully deliver cross-functional deployments that are high-quality — on time, on budget, maintainable, and low-defect across multiple programs.
- Contribute to project priorities, establish milestones, and drive deployment schedules to meet deadlines; capture and present KPI metrics to evaluate project success and identify areas for improvement.
- Deep dive technical solutions encompassing sorter system configuration, material handling integration, controller commissioning, and connectivity validation between warehouse control systems and facility equipment.
- Develop and maintain scripts, automation tools, and deployment utilities that improve engineering efficiency, reduce manual effort, and enable consistent execution at scale.
- Author and contribute to internal tooling and configuration code, applying software development best practices to support deployment workflows and system integrations.
- Participate in design reviews and support execution efforts between internal teams and outside vendors, including equipment specifications, material flow, process design, and site layout validation.
- Communicate project status effectively, answer project questions in detail, and regularly produce clear and concise summaries for the projects you own to your program management team.
- Capture and synthesize the Voice of Customer (VoC) for all new product introductions and leverage this information to prioritize system defects and influence triage efforts with Product Development teams, applying lessons learned to enable acceleration and deployment scale.
- Build strong working relationships with Fulfillment Center and Sort Center management and their operations teams across multiple sites, as well as Facilities, Finance, Safety, Process Engineering, and other business stakeholders.
- Develop and maintain deployment standards, SOPs, and runbooks that enable consistent execution across distributed engineering teams at scale.
- Identify process improvement initiatives in support of operations, deployment, or engineering teams within a geographic node.
- Develop cross-functional knowledge of Operations and Engineering team systems, processes, procedures, and tools.
- Collaborate with internal teams and external vendors to generate high-quality, cost-effective solutions with quick turnaround.
- Travel up to 75% throughout North America, which can vary based on peak seasons.
A day in the life
Amazon offers a full range of benefits that support you and eligible family members, including domestic partners and their children. Benefits can vary by location, the number of regularly scheduled hours you work, length of employment, and job status such as seasonal or temporary employment. The benefits that generally apply to regular, full-time employees include:
-
Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
-
Maternity and Parental Leave Options
-
Paid Time Off (PTO)
-
401(k) Plan
If you are not sure that every qualification on the list above describes you exactly, we'd still love to hear from you! At Amazon, we value people with unique backgrounds, experiences, and skillsets. If you’re passionate about this role and want to make an impact on a global scale, please apply!
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience in automating, deploying, and supporting large-scale infrastructure
- Experience programming with at least one modern language such as Python, Ruby, Golang, Java, C++, C#, Rust
- Experience with CI/CD pipelines build processes
- Experience with Linux/Unix
- Bachelor's degree
- 3+ years control system experience including PLC/IPC based controls design, development, implementation and support. E.g. Allen Bradley, Siemens and CODESYS systems
- Experience with the designs of complex, automated material handling equipment, packaging technologies, or systems including robotics (FANUC, ABB, UR) and high-speed manufacturing.
- Experience working technical documentation such as flow diagrams, conveyor and equipment layouts, and installation details
- Demonstrated understanding of life-cycle embedded systems development including hardware (circuit and logic designs, PLCs), software (embedded operating systems and programming), testing and implementation.
- Experience in testing and implementing software (embedded operating systems and programming).
- Experience in industrial networking and communications including topology design and familiarity with TCP/IP and Fieldbus applications.
- Experience with 3-phase electrical systems
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with distributed systems at scale
- Demonstrated ability to go beyond specialization and combine controls- and software-systems engineering skills to implement new solutions at the organizational or architectural level
- Master’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Business Administration, or a related STEM field.
- Operations Management/Distribution Center experience.
- Exposure to Six Sigma, Lean manufacturing efforts, transportation/logistics and/or fulfillment/distribution centers.
- Direct management or responsibility for material handling, automation, or technical projects.
- Proven technical leadership for engineering projects or programs.
- Demonstrated design and/or implementation experience with integrated automation solutions, such as material handling systems, high-speed packaging lines, or manufacturing lines.
- Experience working in an Agile environment using the Scrum methodology
- Knowledge of professional software engineering & best practices for full software development life cycle, including coding standards, software architectures, code reviews, source control management, continuous deployments, testing, and operational excellence
- Experience developing web-based applications using AWS services (e.g., Kinesis, DynamoDB, Lambda, AppSync, Step Functions)
LOCATION
USA, MA, N.Reading - 129,200.00 - 174,800.00 USD annually
USA, TN, Nashville - 122,800.00 - 166,100.00 USD annually
USA, TX, Austin - 129,200.00 - 174,800.00 USD annually
USA, WA, Seattle - 129,200.00 - 174,800.00 USD annually
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
See all STEM OPT Systems Development Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Systems Development Engineer Jobs.
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.