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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Job ID: 2017941
Career Area: Engineering
Position Type: Salaried
Location: Headquarters & Technology Center – Auburn Hills 48326, US
Date Posted: June 23, 2026
Brand: FCA Group
Job responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- SW Design and Release Engineer (DRE) is leading a embedded system software development project with a supplier for a Propulsion System Control Module.
- Control Modules supported may include Engine, BEV and HEV Supervisory controllers, High Voltage Battery controllers, DCDC Convertors, On Board Charging Modules, Motor Control Processors and other modules controlling propulsion system components.
- The Design Release Software Engineer are responsible for working with Tier one suppliers and Internal development teams (Base SW and Application SW developers as well as requirements team) for developing and integrating Embedded Software for advanced propulsion system components from initial design concept through full volume production.
- Lead the planning and integration program software requirements that satisfy vehicle and component level functional objectives.
- Work cross functionally with SW development (supplier or internal), SW validation, Calibration Diagnostics, FUSA and Architecture teams to manage SW release timing to meet Vehicle build and program timing needs.
- Lead interface for SW issue resolution for Software on a component and vehicle level.
- Lead technical input for SW coordination and requirements alignment meetings.
- Coordinate change management for the component SW.
- Support Validation, SW development and troubleshooting as needed.
EOE/Disability/Veteran
At Stellantis, we assess candidates based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We welcome applications from all people without regard to sex, age, ethnicity, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or any characteristic protected by law. We believe that diverse teams reflect our identity as a global company, enabling us to better address the evolving needs of our customers and care for our future.
Our benefits reflects the STELLANTIS commitment to helping you reach your personal and professional goals. In addition to an environment that promotes career development, we offer benefits for a healthy lifestyle and a rewarding future, designed to take care of you and your family, in various stages of life.
As a global company, our employee packages will vary by country, customary norms and the legal entity into which you are hired.
We care about your privacy. For more information on how your personal data is processed, please read the specific Privacy Statement provided by the respective entities whose job offer you have selected.
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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.