Distributed Systems Engineer Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Distributed systems engineers are among the most consistently sponsored roles in U.S. tech. H-1B visa approval rates for software infrastructure roles run high, and many employers sponsor from day one. This page shows open roles that include visa sponsorship. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsAt NetApp, our High Achievement Principles shape how we work: we innovate to elevate, drive results, and excel as a team. We have a history of helping customers turn challenges into business opportunities. That’s because we bring new thinking to age-old problems, like how to use data most effectively in the most efficient possible way. As an Engineer with NetApp, you’ll have the opportunity to work with modern cloud and container orchestration technologies in a production setting. You’ll play an important role in scaling systems sustainably through automation and evolving them by pushing for changes to improve reliability and velocity.
Success profile
Ready to be an engineer at NetApp? Explore the traits that can help you thrive.
- Analytical
- Adaptable
- Communicator
- Detail-oriented
- Quick-thinking
- Problem solver
Responsibilities
Morrisville, North Carolina, United States
Job category: Software Engineering
Job ID: 136643-en_US
Own Every Moment at NetApp
At NetApp, your ideas power innovation. We lead in intelligent data infrastructure—delivering unified storage, integrated data services, and solutions that help organizations unlock the full potential of their data, from AI to multicloud.
Ready to innovate and contribute to our path to $10B? Here, you'll collaborate with passionate teams, tackle real-world challenges, and see your impact in how customers transform and grow. If you're ready to bring curiosity, creativity, and drive to every moment, NetApp is where your journey begins. Join teams that innovate to elevate, drive results, and excel together across every function.
Job Summary
As an Engineering Manager for the Core Software and Data Management team at NetApp, you will lead a team focused on delivering solutions that meet customers' needs across engineered systems and cloud services. The CSDM team is responsible for a range of functions in ONTAP, NetApp's cross-platform data management and storage software. Areas of responsibility include ONTAP Filesystem, Anti-ransomware and Encryption data management capabilities, Core wafl features and quality. You will direct the activities of a software development team that designs, develops, tests, and owns the software lifecycle. You will impact the planning, execution, and delivery of parallel projects for NetApp customers.
Job Responsibilities
- Lead and manage a team of engineers to deliver complex Data Management capabilities.
- Create and influence strategy and deliver on execution. in-depth knowledge to solve broad issues that are complex in scope and establish medium to long-range plans.
- Work effectively with staff to vice president level employees and employees within and outside of their function and organization.
- Interface with customers and partners to resolve escalations in conjunction with support teams.
- Hire, Mentor and develop engineering talent, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Ensure the team adheres to best practices in software development, quality assurance, and project management.
- Drive the adoption of new technologies and methodologies to improve efficiency and product quality.
- Oversee resource allocation, project prioritization, and timelines to ensure successful project delivery.
- Collaborate with other senior leaders to align engineering efforts with business objectives.
Job Requirements
- Proven experience managing small to medium-sized software development teams.
- Minimum 8 years of experience in C, C++, System Design and Operating Systems.
- Utilize people skills and available people manager tools to critically impact the growth of individuals within the company and their careers.
- Demonstrate favorable results through providing leadership to the function.
- Ability to function independently in a fast-paced dynamic environment with competing priorities.
- Navigate through ambiguity and drive the team towards common goals.
- Influence peers and partners across teams and business units.
- Build strong working relationships across all levels of the organization, including remote areas.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong understanding of software development lifecycle, quality assurance processes, and project management methodologies.
- Experience with cloud technologies, and hybrid cloud solutions.
Education
Requires a minimum of 3 years related to people leadership and project management.
10+ years in technology or other software development industry.
Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science or equivalent experience.
Compensation
The target salary range for this position is 170,000 - 253,000 USD. The salary offered will be determined by the candidate's location, qualifications, experience, and education and may be outside of this range. The range is based on 'On Target Earnings’ (OTE) representing the total potential earnings, which is the sum of the base salary and potential commission earned when performance targets are achieved. Final compensation packages are competitive and in line with industry standards, reflecting a variety of factors, and include a comprehensive benefits package. This may cover Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Retirement or Pension Plans, Paid Time Off, various Leave options, employee stock purchase plan, and/or restricted stocks (RSU’s). These offerings are subject to regional variations and governed by local laws, regulations, and company policies. We will provide detailed information about the specific benefits for your region during the recruitment process.
At NetApp, we embrace a hybrid working environment designed to strengthen connection, collaboration, and culture for all employees. This means that most roles will have some level of in-office and/or in-person expectations, which will be shared during the recruitment process.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
NetApp is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and to compliance with all federal, state and local laws that prohibit employment discrimination based on age, race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, disability or genetic information, pregnancy, protected veteran status, and any other protected classification.
Why You'll Thrive at NetApp
At NetApp, you won't wait for the perfect moment—you'll make it. The early planning, the extra thought, the bold idea that turns good into great: That's how our people operate and how we continue to push the boundaries of data infrastructure.
NetApp is the trusted partner for organizations transforming data into opportunity. As the only enterprise-grade storage service natively embedded in Google Cloud, AWS, and Microsoft Azure, we empower customers to run everything from traditional workloads to enterprise AI with unmatched performance, resilience, and security.
Our culture
We celebrate mold breakers, bold thinkers, and problem solvers. We reward initiative, impact, and ownership. We provide flexibility so you can balance professional ambition with your personal life. Here, differences are not just welcomed—they drive everything we do.
If you're ready to innovate, rise to the challenge, and own every moment - make your next move your best one. Apply now.
Submitting an Application
To ensure a streamlined and fair hiring process for all candidates, our team only reviews applications submitted through our company website. This practice allows us to track, assess, and respond to applicants efficiently. Emailing our employees, recruiters, or Human Resources personnel directly will not influence your application.
AI Disclosure
For select roles, some stages of our hiring process may use artificial intelligence tools to help evaluate applications and candidate selection. These tools support—rather than replace—human decision-making.
Our values
Put the customer at the center. Care for each other and our communities. Think and act like owners. Build belonging every day. Embrace a growth mindset.
Benefits
Volunteer time off
40 hours of paid volunteer time each year.
Well-being
Employee Assistance Program, fitness, and mental health resources to help employees be their best.
Time away
Paid time off for vacation and to recharge.
At NetApp, our High Achievement Principles shape how we work: we innovate to elevate, drive results, and excel as a team. We have a history of helping customers turn challenges into business opportunities. That’s because we bring new thinking to age-old problems, like how to use data most effectively in the most efficient possible way. As an Engineer with NetApp, you’ll have the opportunity to work with modern cloud and container orchestration technologies in a production setting. You’ll play an important role in scaling systems sustainably through automation and evolving them by pushing for changes to improve reliability and velocity.
Success profile
Ready to be an engineer at NetApp? Explore the traits that can help you thrive.
- Analytical
- Adaptable
- Communicator
- Detail-oriented
- Quick-thinking
- Problem solver
Responsibilities
Morrisville, North Carolina, United States
Job category: Software Engineering
Job ID: 136643-en_US
Own Every Moment at NetApp
At NetApp, your ideas power innovation. We lead in intelligent data infrastructure—delivering unified storage, integrated data services, and solutions that help organizations unlock the full potential of their data, from AI to multicloud.
Ready to innovate and contribute to our path to $10B? Here, you'll collaborate with passionate teams, tackle real-world challenges, and see your impact in how customers transform and grow. If you're ready to bring curiosity, creativity, and drive to every moment, NetApp is where your journey begins. Join teams that innovate to elevate, drive results, and excel together across every function.
Job Summary
As an Engineering Manager for the Core Software and Data Management team at NetApp, you will lead a team focused on delivering solutions that meet customers' needs across engineered systems and cloud services. The CSDM team is responsible for a range of functions in ONTAP, NetApp's cross-platform data management and storage software. Areas of responsibility include ONTAP Filesystem, Anti-ransomware and Encryption data management capabilities, Core wafl features and quality. You will direct the activities of a software development team that designs, develops, tests, and owns the software lifecycle. You will impact the planning, execution, and delivery of parallel projects for NetApp customers.
Job Responsibilities
- Lead and manage a team of engineers to deliver complex Data Management capabilities.
- Create and influence strategy and deliver on execution. in-depth knowledge to solve broad issues that are complex in scope and establish medium to long-range plans.
- Work effectively with staff to vice president level employees and employees within and outside of their function and organization.
- Interface with customers and partners to resolve escalations in conjunction with support teams.
- Hire, Mentor and develop engineering talent, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Ensure the team adheres to best practices in software development, quality assurance, and project management.
- Drive the adoption of new technologies and methodologies to improve efficiency and product quality.
- Oversee resource allocation, project prioritization, and timelines to ensure successful project delivery.
- Collaborate with other senior leaders to align engineering efforts with business objectives.
Job Requirements
- Proven experience managing small to medium-sized software development teams.
- Minimum 8 years of experience in C, C++, System Design and Operating Systems.
- Utilize people skills and available people manager tools to critically impact the growth of individuals within the company and their careers.
- Demonstrate favorable results through providing leadership to the function.
- Ability to function independently in a fast-paced dynamic environment with competing priorities.
- Navigate through ambiguity and drive the team towards common goals.
- Influence peers and partners across teams and business units.
- Build strong working relationships across all levels of the organization, including remote areas.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong understanding of software development lifecycle, quality assurance processes, and project management methodologies.
- Experience with cloud technologies, and hybrid cloud solutions.
Education
Requires a minimum of 3 years related to people leadership and project management.
10+ years in technology or other software development industry.
Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science or equivalent experience.
Compensation
The target salary range for this position is 170,000 - 253,000 USD. The salary offered will be determined by the candidate's location, qualifications, experience, and education and may be outside of this range. The range is based on 'On Target Earnings’ (OTE) representing the total potential earnings, which is the sum of the base salary and potential commission earned when performance targets are achieved. Final compensation packages are competitive and in line with industry standards, reflecting a variety of factors, and include a comprehensive benefits package. This may cover Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Retirement or Pension Plans, Paid Time Off, various Leave options, employee stock purchase plan, and/or restricted stocks (RSU’s). These offerings are subject to regional variations and governed by local laws, regulations, and company policies. We will provide detailed information about the specific benefits for your region during the recruitment process.
At NetApp, we embrace a hybrid working environment designed to strengthen connection, collaboration, and culture for all employees. This means that most roles will have some level of in-office and/or in-person expectations, which will be shared during the recruitment process.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
NetApp is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and to compliance with all federal, state and local laws that prohibit employment discrimination based on age, race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, disability or genetic information, pregnancy, protected veteran status, and any other protected classification.
Why You'll Thrive at NetApp
At NetApp, you won't wait for the perfect moment—you'll make it. The early planning, the extra thought, the bold idea that turns good into great: That's how our people operate and how we continue to push the boundaries of data infrastructure.
NetApp is the trusted partner for organizations transforming data into opportunity. As the only enterprise-grade storage service natively embedded in Google Cloud, AWS, and Microsoft Azure, we empower customers to run everything from traditional workloads to enterprise AI with unmatched performance, resilience, and security.
Our culture
We celebrate mold breakers, bold thinkers, and problem solvers. We reward initiative, impact, and ownership. We provide flexibility so you can balance professional ambition with your personal life. Here, differences are not just welcomed—they drive everything we do.
If you're ready to innovate, rise to the challenge, and own every moment - make your next move your best one. Apply now.
Submitting an Application
To ensure a streamlined and fair hiring process for all candidates, our team only reviews applications submitted through our company website. This practice allows us to track, assess, and respond to applicants efficiently. Emailing our employees, recruiters, or Human Resources personnel directly will not influence your application.
AI Disclosure
For select roles, some stages of our hiring process may use artificial intelligence tools to help evaluate applications and candidate selection. These tools support—rather than replace—human decision-making.
Our values
Put the customer at the center. Care for each other and our communities. Think and act like owners. Build belonging every day. Embrace a growth mindset.
Benefits
Volunteer time off
40 hours of paid volunteer time each year.
Well-being
Employee Assistance Program, fitness, and mental health resources to help employees be their best.
Time away
Paid time off for vacation and to recharge.
See all 50+ Distributed Systems Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Distributed Systems Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Distributed Systems Engineer
Target infrastructure-heavy engineering teams
Companies running large-scale distributed systems, think cloud platforms, fintech, and streaming services, sponsor the most consistently. These teams have ongoing headcount needs and established immigration pipelines, making sponsorship a standard part of hiring.
Lead with systems design depth in your resume
USCIS approves H-1B petitions for distributed systems roles based on specialty occupation criteria. Resumes that demonstrate theoretical depth, such as consensus algorithms, fault tolerance, or distributed transactions, strengthen the case that a bachelor's degree in CS is required.
Clarify your work authorization timeline early
If you're on OPT or STEM OPT, be upfront with recruiters about your end date. Employers who sponsor regularly already know the H-1B cap cycle. Being clear early filters out employers who won't engage and saves weeks of back-and-forth.
Factor cap-exempt employers into your search
Universities, nonprofit research labs, and certain government-affiliated organizations are exempt from the H-1B lottery. Distributed systems roles exist at these institutions, and cap-exempt sponsorship means you can start immediately without waiting for the annual lottery cycle.
Understand that O-1A is a real alternative
If you've published research, spoken at systems conferences like OSDI or SOSP, or led widely adopted open-source infrastructure projects, you may qualify for an O-1A. This visa bypasses the lottery entirely and is increasingly viable for senior engineers.
Check LCA filings to verify sponsorship history
Employers file Labor Condition Applications publicly for every H-1B hire. Searching the Department of Labor's OFLC disclosure database by company name shows whether a prospective employer has actually sponsored engineers recently, not just claimed they do.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is distributed systems engineer a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes. Distributed systems engineering consistently qualifies as a specialty occupation under H-1B visa rules because the role normally requires at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, or a closely related field. USCIS has approved thousands of H-1B petitions for this job title. Roles focused on consensus protocols, distributed storage, or large-scale reliability are particularly well-supported by the specialty occupation standard.
Do I need a computer science degree specifically, or will a related field work?
A degree in computer science, electrical engineering, mathematics, or software engineering all support an H-1B petition for this role. The key is that your degree field connects logically to distributed systems work. If your degree is in an unrelated field, three years of directly relevant professional experience can substitute for each year of missing education under USCIS equivalency rules.
Which types of employers sponsor distributed systems engineers most reliably?
Cloud infrastructure companies, large-scale fintech firms, streaming platforms, and database companies sponsor the most distributed systems engineers. These organizations run complex internal systems that require specialized expertise and have legal teams experienced with H-1B petitions. You can browse verified sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate, where all listed roles include visa sponsorship.
How does the H-1B lottery affect my chances if I have a master's degree in CS?
A U.S. master's degree in a qualifying STEM field enters you into the advanced degree exemption pool, which is drawn first. In recent fiscal years, the master's cap selection rate has been meaningfully higher than the regular cap rate. If you earned your master's outside the U.S., you compete in the general pool only, though the practical difference in selection odds has narrowed as overall registrations have grown.
Can I switch employers mid-H-1B if I find a better distributed systems role?
Yes. Under H-1B portability rules, you can start working for a new employer as soon as they file an H-1B transfer petition, without waiting for approval, provided your current H-1B was properly approved and you've maintained valid status. Your new employer files a fresh Form I-129 with an updated Labor Condition Application reflecting the new role and location.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Distributed Systems Engineer jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.