Software Design Engineer Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Software Design Engineers are among the most frequently sponsored roles in the U.S. Employers routinely file H-1B visa, L-1 visa, and O-1 visa petitions for qualified candidates, and the specialty occupation standard is well-established for this title across hardware, embedded systems, and systems-level software work. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsAbout Ascendion:
Ascendion is a full service digital engineering solutions company. We make and manage software platforms and products that power growth and deliver captivating experiences to consumers and employees. Our engineering, cloud, data, experience design, and talent solution capabilities accelerate transformation and impact for enterprise clients. Headquartered in New Jersey, our workforce of 6,000+ Ascenders delivers solutions from around the globe. Ascendion is built differently to engineer the next.
Ascendion | Engineering to elevate life
We have a culture built on opportunity, inclusion, and a spirit of partnership. Come, change the world with us:
- Build the coolest tech for world’s leading brands
- Solve complex problems - and learn new skills
- Experience the power of transforming digital engineering for Fortune 500 clients
- Master your craft with leading training programs and hands-on experience
- Experience a community of change makers!
Join a culture of high-performing innovators with endless ideas and a passion for tech. Our culture is the fabric of our company, and it is what makes us unique and diverse. The way we share ideas, learning, experiences, successes, and joy allows everyone to be their best at Ascendion.
Title: Software Design Engineer 5
Location: Hybrid
A typical day in this role is largely hands-on and engineering-focused, with approximately 80% of time spent developing and testing security-related hardware and software used in the Azure fleet. The engineer works independently on configuring test systems, writing and modifying test code, executing validation scenarios, troubleshooting issues, and refining automated test pipelines across Windows and Linux server environments. Around 10% of the day is spent in focused technical meetings to review designs, test results, or coordinate with developers, while the remaining 10% is dedicated to documentation and reporting of test outcomes. The role requires flexibility, strong debugging skills, and the ability to switch between projects as priorities evolve.
Job Responsibilities:
- Fine-tune and improve a variety of sophisticated software implementation projects
- Gather and analyze system requirements, document specifications, and develop software solutions to meet client needs and data
- Analyze and review enhancement requests and specifications
- Implement system software and customize to client requirements
- Prepare the detailed software specifications and test plans
- Code new programs to client’s specifications and create test data for testing
- Modify existing programs to new standards and conduct unit testing of developed programs
- Create migration packages for system testing, user testing, and implementation
- Provide quality assurance reviews
- Perform post-implementation validation of software and resolve any bugs found during testing
What is the ideal background of a candidate for this role?
The ideal candidate has 8–10+ years of experience working at the intersection of hardware and software, with a strong background in testing and developing server-class systems across Windows Server and Linux environments. They are proficient in C++ (with Python for automation), experienced in configuring and validating data-center hardware, and comfortable designing automated test frameworks and CI/CD pipelines. Experience with open-source development, Rust, or security-sensitive systems is a strong plus. The candidate should be highly self-directed, adaptable across projects, and effective at producing clear technical reports and test results.
Key Discussion Points
Role Expectations:
- Strong development background required (C, Python, Rust).
- Testing experience still important but secondary to development.
- Work involves low-level firmware and device driver development, CI/CD pipelines in Azure DevOps, and VM configuration.
Technical Environment:
- Hardware: Blades, ARM blade for testing.
- OS: Azure hosts (2022, 2024), Windows Server, and VM guests.
- Cluster and lab environments for validation.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in a technical field such as computer science, computer engineering or related field required
- 10+ years experience required
- A solid foundation in computer science, with strong competencies in data structures, algorithms, and software design
- Large systems software design and development experience
- Experience performing in-depth troubleshooting and unit testing with both new and legacy production systems
- Experience in programming and experience with problem diagnosis and resolution
Ideal Candidate Profile:
Strong in C and Python; Rust is a “nice to have” but willingness to learn is key. Data center experience preferred but not mandatory. Minimum 5–7 years of experience (flexible for exceptional candidates).
Salary Range: $166,400 - $170,400 Annually
Factors that may affect pay within this range may include geography/market, skills, education, experience, and other qualifications of the successful candidate.
Benefits:
The Company offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:
- medical insurance
- dental insurance
- vision insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan
- long-term disability insurance
- short-term disability insurance
- 5 personal days accrued each calendar year. The Paid time off benefits meet the paid sick and safe time laws that pertain to the City/State
- 10-15 days of paid vacation time
- 6 paid holidays and 1 floating holiday per calendar year
Want to change the world? Let us know.
Tell us about your experiences, education, and ambitions. Bring your knowledge, unique viewpoint, and creativity to the table. Let’s talk!
Preferred Skills
- Azure
- C++
- CI/CD
- Python Azure
- Python
Job details
Job ID
332109
Job Requirements
Software Design Engineer
Location
Redmond, Washington, US
Recruiter
Tushar
tushar.sahoo@ascendion.com
About Ascendion
Ascendion is a full-service digital engineering solutions company. We make and manage software platforms and products that power growth and deliver captivating experiences to consumers and employees. Our engineering, cloud, data, experience design, and talent solution capabilities accelerate transformation and impact for enterprise clients. Headquartered in New Jersey, our workforce of 6,000+ Ascenders delivers solutions from around the globe. Ascendion is built differently to engineer the next.
About Ascendion:
Ascendion is a full service digital engineering solutions company. We make and manage software platforms and products that power growth and deliver captivating experiences to consumers and employees. Our engineering, cloud, data, experience design, and talent solution capabilities accelerate transformation and impact for enterprise clients. Headquartered in New Jersey, our workforce of 6,000+ Ascenders delivers solutions from around the globe. Ascendion is built differently to engineer the next.
Ascendion | Engineering to elevate life
We have a culture built on opportunity, inclusion, and a spirit of partnership. Come, change the world with us:
- Build the coolest tech for world’s leading brands
- Solve complex problems - and learn new skills
- Experience the power of transforming digital engineering for Fortune 500 clients
- Master your craft with leading training programs and hands-on experience
- Experience a community of change makers!
Join a culture of high-performing innovators with endless ideas and a passion for tech. Our culture is the fabric of our company, and it is what makes us unique and diverse. The way we share ideas, learning, experiences, successes, and joy allows everyone to be their best at Ascendion.
Title: Software Design Engineer 5
Location: Hybrid
A typical day in this role is largely hands-on and engineering-focused, with approximately 80% of time spent developing and testing security-related hardware and software used in the Azure fleet. The engineer works independently on configuring test systems, writing and modifying test code, executing validation scenarios, troubleshooting issues, and refining automated test pipelines across Windows and Linux server environments. Around 10% of the day is spent in focused technical meetings to review designs, test results, or coordinate with developers, while the remaining 10% is dedicated to documentation and reporting of test outcomes. The role requires flexibility, strong debugging skills, and the ability to switch between projects as priorities evolve.
Job Responsibilities:
- Fine-tune and improve a variety of sophisticated software implementation projects
- Gather and analyze system requirements, document specifications, and develop software solutions to meet client needs and data
- Analyze and review enhancement requests and specifications
- Implement system software and customize to client requirements
- Prepare the detailed software specifications and test plans
- Code new programs to client’s specifications and create test data for testing
- Modify existing programs to new standards and conduct unit testing of developed programs
- Create migration packages for system testing, user testing, and implementation
- Provide quality assurance reviews
- Perform post-implementation validation of software and resolve any bugs found during testing
What is the ideal background of a candidate for this role?
The ideal candidate has 8–10+ years of experience working at the intersection of hardware and software, with a strong background in testing and developing server-class systems across Windows Server and Linux environments. They are proficient in C++ (with Python for automation), experienced in configuring and validating data-center hardware, and comfortable designing automated test frameworks and CI/CD pipelines. Experience with open-source development, Rust, or security-sensitive systems is a strong plus. The candidate should be highly self-directed, adaptable across projects, and effective at producing clear technical reports and test results.
Key Discussion Points
Role Expectations:
- Strong development background required (C, Python, Rust).
- Testing experience still important but secondary to development.
- Work involves low-level firmware and device driver development, CI/CD pipelines in Azure DevOps, and VM configuration.
Technical Environment:
- Hardware: Blades, ARM blade for testing.
- OS: Azure hosts (2022, 2024), Windows Server, and VM guests.
- Cluster and lab environments for validation.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in a technical field such as computer science, computer engineering or related field required
- 10+ years experience required
- A solid foundation in computer science, with strong competencies in data structures, algorithms, and software design
- Large systems software design and development experience
- Experience performing in-depth troubleshooting and unit testing with both new and legacy production systems
- Experience in programming and experience with problem diagnosis and resolution
Ideal Candidate Profile:
Strong in C and Python; Rust is a “nice to have” but willingness to learn is key. Data center experience preferred but not mandatory. Minimum 5–7 years of experience (flexible for exceptional candidates).
Salary Range: $166,400 - $170,400 Annually
Factors that may affect pay within this range may include geography/market, skills, education, experience, and other qualifications of the successful candidate.
Benefits:
The Company offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:
- medical insurance
- dental insurance
- vision insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan
- long-term disability insurance
- short-term disability insurance
- 5 personal days accrued each calendar year. The Paid time off benefits meet the paid sick and safe time laws that pertain to the City/State
- 10-15 days of paid vacation time
- 6 paid holidays and 1 floating holiday per calendar year
Want to change the world? Let us know.
Tell us about your experiences, education, and ambitions. Bring your knowledge, unique viewpoint, and creativity to the table. Let’s talk!
Preferred Skills
- Azure
- C++
- CI/CD
- Python Azure
- Python
Job details
Job ID
332109
Job Requirements
Software Design Engineer
Location
Redmond, Washington, US
Recruiter
Tushar
tushar.sahoo@ascendion.com
About Ascendion
Ascendion is a full-service digital engineering solutions company. We make and manage software platforms and products that power growth and deliver captivating experiences to consumers and employees. Our engineering, cloud, data, experience design, and talent solution capabilities accelerate transformation and impact for enterprise clients. Headquartered in New Jersey, our workforce of 6,000+ Ascenders delivers solutions from around the globe. Ascendion is built differently to engineer the next.
See all 3,979+ Software Design Engineer jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Software Design Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Software Design Engineer
Align your degree to the role
USCIS expects a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science for Software Design Engineer roles. A degree in an unrelated field will require strong documentation showing the direct connection between your coursework and the position.
Target companies with H-1B filing history
Companies that have previously sponsored Software Design Engineers are far more likely to do it again. Check DOL LCA disclosure data to identify employers with approved filings for this specific title before applying, so you're not guessing at their willingness to sponsor.
Understand the H-1B lottery timeline
H-1B registration opens in March for an October 1 start date. If you're on OPT, your employer needs to file by April to preserve your work authorization through the gap period. Build your job search timeline around these dates, not the other way around.
Hardware-adjacent roles strengthen specialty occupation cases
Software Design Engineer positions involving firmware, FPGA, embedded systems, or ASIC design carry stronger specialty occupation arguments than general software roles. Employers should document the technical specificity of the position thoroughly in the H-1B support letter.
L-1B is a viable alternative if you're already employed
If you're working at a multinational company abroad in a Software Design Engineer role, the L-1B intracompany transfer lets you move to a U.S. office without entering the H-1B lottery. It requires one year of employment at the foreign entity within the past three years.
OPT STEM extension buys critical extra time
Software Design Engineer roles at E-Verify employers qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to three years of post-graduation work authorization. That's two additional H-1B lottery attempts and significantly more runway to secure a long-term visa pathway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Software Design Engineer classified as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes, Software Design Engineer is well-established as a specialty occupation under H-1B visa standards. USCIS and DOL consistently recognize it as requiring at minimum a bachelor's degree in a specific technical field such as computer engineering, electrical engineering, or computer science. Roles involving embedded systems, firmware, or hardware-software integration tend to have the strongest cases because the degree-to-job-duty connection is direct and well-documented across LCA filings.
Do I need a four-year degree to get sponsored as a Software Design Engineer?
A U.S.-equivalent four-year bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering or computer science field is the standard requirement. Australian three-year bachelor's degrees are generally accepted as equivalent. If you don't hold a relevant degree, USCIS allows three years of specialized work experience to substitute for one year of education, meaning 12 years of directly relevant experience could satisfy the requirement without a degree. An immigration attorney should evaluate your specific background before you apply.
Which visa types do employers typically use to sponsor Software Design Engineers?
H-1B is the most common path and applies to most nationalities. Australians can use the E-3 visa, which has no lottery and a much faster timeline. Canadians and Mexicans may qualify under TN visa status in the engineer category. For senior engineers with published research, patents, or industry recognition, O-1A is another option. L-1B applies if you're already employed at a multinational and transferring to a U.S. office.
How do I find Software Design Engineer jobs where the employer will actually sponsor a visa?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for this. It filters Software Design Engineer roles by employers with active H-1B, E-3 visa, and other visa sponsorship histories, so you're not cold-applying to companies that have never filed a petition. Browsing Migrate Mate saves significant time compared to manually cross-referencing job postings against DOL disclosure data, and it's designed for international candidates in exactly your situation.
What happens to my H-1B status if my employer does layoffs or I want to change companies?
If your employment ends, you have a 60-day grace period to find a new employer and have them file an H-1B transfer petition. The new employer must file the transfer petition during this window for you to maintain valid status. H-1B portability rules allow you to start working for the new employer as soon as the petition is filed, without waiting for USCIS approval, as long as the petition is non-frivolous and you've maintained lawful status.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Software Design 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.
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