STEM OPT Jobs in California
California leads the U.S. in F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship, with the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego anchoring dense clusters of tech, biotech, and semiconductor employers. STEM OPT's 24-month extension and E-Verify requirement make California's established sponsorship infrastructure especially valuable for international graduates.
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Get Access To All JobsCompany:
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
Job Area:
Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Compiler Toolchain Software
General Summary:
Interested in enabling open source developers to build software for millions of devices? Interested in leading optimization solutions for AI on the Edge? Come join our team! Our team builds open source compiler toolsets for Qualcomm silicon. This includes compilers, assemblers, linkers, libraries, debuggers, profilers, and other developer tools. The toolsets enable internal and external developers to build software ecosystems on Qualcomm hardware. We are looking for engineers who will work actively in open source communities to establish and augment compiler and system software toolsets. In this role, you will add and enhance support for Qualcomm hardware in open source projects. You will collaborate with Qualcomm hardware and software engineers to enable efficient usage of Qualcomm’s silicon for a broad set of applications including machine learning. You will work with the team on the entire compilation stack including optimizing code generation, improving performance, and programmer usability.
Responsibilities:
- Work in the GCC, LLVM, glibc, and related open source communities to add features and improve performance for Qualcomm processors
- Identify areas for improvement in compiler toolsets via benchmarking and code analysis
- Collaborate with hardware teams to plan, identify, and contribute support in open source projects for hardware features in Qualcomm silicon
- Identify areas for improvement in tool usability via interaction with users
- Explore new optimization frameworks for leveraging advance CPU features
- Design, develop and contribute compiler features and optimizations targeting open source ML frameworks
Minimum qualifications:
- Knowledge and/or experience in compiler frameworks such as GCC or LLVM
- Experience in working with open source communities
- Programming in C/C++
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field
Preferred qualifications:
- Master’s degree or PhD in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field
- Established record of contributions to open source compiler project
- Strong background in computer architecture
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field and 2+ years of Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related work experience.
OR
- Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field and 1+ year of Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related work experience.
OR
- PhD in Computer Science, Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
- 1+ year of any combination of academic and/or work experience with compiler or tools.
Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation during the application/hiring process, rest assured that Qualcomm is committed to providing an accessible process. You may e-mail disability-accomodations@qualcomm.com or call Qualcomm's toll-free number found here. Upon request, Qualcomm will provide reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities to be able to participate in the hiring process. Qualcomm is also committed to making our workplace accessible for individuals with disabilities. (Keep in mind that this email address is used to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. We will not respond here to requests for updates on applications or resume inquiries).
To all Staffing and Recruiting Agencies: Our Careers Site is only for individuals seeking a job at Qualcomm. Staffing and recruiting agencies and individuals being represented by an agency are not authorized to use this site or to submit profiles, applications or resumes, and any such submissions will be considered unsolicited. Qualcomm does not accept unsolicited resumes or applications from agencies. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, Qualcomm employees or any other company location. Qualcomm is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes/applications.
EEO Employer: Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or any other protected classification.
Qualcomm expects its employees to abide by all applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to security and other requirements regarding protection of Company confidential information and other confidential and/or proprietary information, to the extent those requirements are permissible under applicable law.
Pay range and Other Compensation & Benefits:
$116,900.00 - $175,300.00
The above pay scale reflects the broad, minimum to maximum, pay scale for this job code for the location for which it has been posted. Even more importantly, please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Qualcomm. We also offer a competitive annual discretionary bonus program and opportunity for annual RSU grants (employees on sales-incentive plans are not eligible for our annual bonus). In addition, our highly competitive benefits package is designed to support your success at work, at home, and at play. Your recruiter will be happy to discuss all that Qualcomm has to offer – and you can review more details about our US benefits at this link.
If you would like more information about this role, please contact Qualcomm Careers.
Company:
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
Job Area:
Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Compiler Toolchain Software
General Summary:
Interested in enabling open source developers to build software for millions of devices? Interested in leading optimization solutions for AI on the Edge? Come join our team! Our team builds open source compiler toolsets for Qualcomm silicon. This includes compilers, assemblers, linkers, libraries, debuggers, profilers, and other developer tools. The toolsets enable internal and external developers to build software ecosystems on Qualcomm hardware. We are looking for engineers who will work actively in open source communities to establish and augment compiler and system software toolsets. In this role, you will add and enhance support for Qualcomm hardware in open source projects. You will collaborate with Qualcomm hardware and software engineers to enable efficient usage of Qualcomm’s silicon for a broad set of applications including machine learning. You will work with the team on the entire compilation stack including optimizing code generation, improving performance, and programmer usability.
Responsibilities:
- Work in the GCC, LLVM, glibc, and related open source communities to add features and improve performance for Qualcomm processors
- Identify areas for improvement in compiler toolsets via benchmarking and code analysis
- Collaborate with hardware teams to plan, identify, and contribute support in open source projects for hardware features in Qualcomm silicon
- Identify areas for improvement in tool usability via interaction with users
- Explore new optimization frameworks for leveraging advance CPU features
- Design, develop and contribute compiler features and optimizations targeting open source ML frameworks
Minimum qualifications:
- Knowledge and/or experience in compiler frameworks such as GCC or LLVM
- Experience in working with open source communities
- Programming in C/C++
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field
Preferred qualifications:
- Master’s degree or PhD in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field
- Established record of contributions to open source compiler project
- Strong background in computer architecture
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field and 2+ years of Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related work experience.
OR
- Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field and 1+ year of Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related work experience.
OR
- PhD in Computer Science, Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
- 1+ year of any combination of academic and/or work experience with compiler or tools.
Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation during the application/hiring process, rest assured that Qualcomm is committed to providing an accessible process. You may e-mail disability-accomodations@qualcomm.com or call Qualcomm's toll-free number found here. Upon request, Qualcomm will provide reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities to be able to participate in the hiring process. Qualcomm is also committed to making our workplace accessible for individuals with disabilities. (Keep in mind that this email address is used to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. We will not respond here to requests for updates on applications or resume inquiries).
To all Staffing and Recruiting Agencies: Our Careers Site is only for individuals seeking a job at Qualcomm. Staffing and recruiting agencies and individuals being represented by an agency are not authorized to use this site or to submit profiles, applications or resumes, and any such submissions will be considered unsolicited. Qualcomm does not accept unsolicited resumes or applications from agencies. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, Qualcomm employees or any other company location. Qualcomm is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes/applications.
EEO Employer: Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or any other protected classification.
Qualcomm expects its employees to abide by all applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to security and other requirements regarding protection of Company confidential information and other confidential and/or proprietary information, to the extent those requirements are permissible under applicable law.
Pay range and Other Compensation & Benefits:
$116,900.00 - $175,300.00
The above pay scale reflects the broad, minimum to maximum, pay scale for this job code for the location for which it has been posted. Even more importantly, please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Qualcomm. We also offer a competitive annual discretionary bonus program and opportunity for annual RSU grants (employees on sales-incentive plans are not eligible for our annual bonus). In addition, our highly competitive benefits package is designed to support your success at work, at home, and at play. Your recruiter will be happy to discuss all that Qualcomm has to offer – and you can review more details about our US benefits at this link.
If you would like more information about this role, please contact Qualcomm Careers.
Search F-1 STEM OPT Jobs by Industry in California
Tips for Finding STEM OPT Jobs in California
Verify your role qualifies under STEM OPT
Cross-reference your job title against the official DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List and confirm your degree's CIP code matches. Many California roles in data analytics or product management get flagged because the degree field, not job duties, determines eligibility.
Target E-Verify enrolled employers in California
STEM OPT employers must be enrolled in E-Verify before you start. Prioritize companies in the Bay Area, San Diego biotech corridor, and Los Angeles tech hubs that already have active E-Verify enrollment, cutting weeks off your onboarding timeline.
Use Migrate Mate to find verified California sponsors
Search Migrate Mate to filter California employers by DOL Labor Condition Application filing history, so you're targeting companies with proven STEM OPT sponsorship records rather than guessing from job postings that omit sponsorship details.
File your I-983 training plan before day one
Your employer must sign the I-983 Training Plan before your STEM OPT extension start date. Coordinate with your DSO and the hiring manager at least six weeks out, especially at large Bay Area firms where HR approval chains can delay signatures.
Align your OPT end date with your employer's H-1B timeline
The STEM OPT extension gives you up to 36 months of total OPT. Map your extension end date against the H-1B visa cap registration window so your California employer can file in April with no gap in your work authorization.
See all 5,175+ F-1 STEM OPT jobs in California
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new F-1 STEM OPT jobs in California.
Get Access To All JobsF-1 STEM OPT Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
Which industries in California sponsor the most F-1 STEM OPT visas?
Technology, semiconductor manufacturing, biotechnology, and aerospace dominate F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in California. The Bay Area concentrates software and AI employers, San Diego and South San Francisco anchor biotech and pharmaceutical companies, and the Los Angeles basin includes aerospace and advanced manufacturing firms. Clean energy and electric vehicle companies in the Central Valley and Southern California are also increasingly active STEM OPT sponsors.
Which cities in California have the most F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
San Jose, San Francisco, and the broader Bay Area have the highest concentration of F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in California, driven by the density of technology and semiconductor employers. San Diego ranks second for biotech and defense roles. Los Angeles has grown significantly in fintech, media technology, and aerospace. Irvine and San Diego's North County corridor are strong markets for life sciences and hardware engineering roles.
What types of roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in California?
Qualifying roles must involve direct application of STEM knowledge and require a degree whose CIP code appears on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. In California, this commonly includes software engineering, machine learning, electrical engineering, biochemistry research, and quantitative analysis positions. Roles in management, sales, or business operations generally don't qualify unless the position requires hands-on STEM application as the primary function.
How do I find F-1 STEM OPT jobs in California?
Migrate Mate lets you filter California employers by DOL Labor Condition Application filing history, identifying companies that have already sponsored STEM OPT workers rather than relying on job postings that rarely specify sponsorship willingness. You can also confirm that a prospective employer is E-Verify enrolled, which is a hard requirement for STEM OPT authorization. Combining Migrate Mate's employer data with your university's career center connections in markets like the Bay Area or San Diego gives you a structured outreach list.
Are there any California-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship?
California's state labor laws add compliance layers that affect STEM OPT arrangements. California prohibits most non-compete agreements, which matters for employers accustomed to restricting F-1 employees. Prevailing wage thresholds in Bay Area and Los Angeles metro areas are materially higher than national figures, so use OFLC Wage Search to confirm your offer meets the local level. Additionally, California's large STEM workforce means E-Verify enrollment is widespread, reducing friction in finding compliant sponsors compared to states with fewer STEM employers.