Software QA Engineer Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Software QA Engineer roles attract H-1B visa, O-1 visa, and TN visa sponsorship from mid-size tech companies and enterprises alike. Most positions qualify as specialty occupations under USCIS guidelines, making sponsorship straightforward for candidates with a relevant bachelor's degree. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Location: Carlsbad, United States
You’ll play a critical role at the intersection of quality, innovation, and patient impact—leading laboratory method validation for assays and devices used in clinical and GMP laboratory settings. As a trusted quality leader, you will shape how analytical methods are brought to life in a highly regulated environment, partnering closely with scientific and cross-functional teams to solve complex challenges, strengthen compliance, and enable the delivery of high-quality data that supports breakthrough therapies.
Relocation Support: This role is based in Carlsbad, California. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support: please only apply if accessible.
About the Role
Key Responsibilities
- Lead review and approval of method validation protocols, reports, and supporting data for accuracy and compliance
- Provide quality guidance on analytical method validations/verifications, troubleshooting, and impact assessments
- Serve as Quality representative on in vitro diagnostic design teams
- Evaluate and provide guidance on risk assessments, impact assessment, deviations, and corrective actions
- Ensure adherence to regulatory and company requirements
- Lead and/or support audits and inspections including preparation and follow-up
- Assist with quality management of technology transfer
- Maintain oversight of documentation, procedures, and training compliance
Essential Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, medical technology, biological sciences, or related field and a minimum of 8 years’ experience in clinical and/or GMP laboratory environments. With an advanced degree, fewer years of experience may be required.
- At least 3 years experience supporting in vitro diagnostic development
- Experience, understanding, and familiarity with regulatory requirements and other compliance requirements and guidelines (such as GxP, Part 11, ICH, ISO, CLIA/CAP, IVDR, QSR)
- Basic understanding of molecular biology, immunology, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, fluorescent in situ hybridization
- Familiarity with statistical analysis
- Strong communication, collaboration, and presentation skills
Desirable Requirements
- Experience with ligand binding assays, flow cytometry, and digital pathology
- Proven track record of identifying and executing on continuous improvement
The salary for this position is expected to range between $114,100 – $211,900 year. The final salary offered is determined based on factors like, but not limited to, relevant skills and experience, and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the published salary range based on company and market factors. Your compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on the level of the role, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards. US-based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life and disability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits. In addition, employees are eligible for a generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves.
To learn more about the culture, rewards and benefits we offer our people click here.
#LI-Onsite
Why Novartis: Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Ready to create a brighter future together?
Benefits and Rewards: Learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally.
EEO Statement:
The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.
Accessibility & Reasonable Accommodations
The Novartis Group of Companies are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to [email protected] or call +1(877)395-2339 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.
Division: Operations
Business Unit: Quality
Location: USA
State: California
Site: Carlsbad
Company / Legal Entity: U441 (FCRS = US441) Navigate BioPharma Services, Inc.
Functional Area: Research & Development
Job Type: Full time
Employment Type: Regular
Shift Work: No
Summary
Location: Carlsbad, United States
You’ll play a critical role at the intersection of quality, innovation, and patient impact—leading laboratory method validation for assays and devices used in clinical and GMP laboratory settings. As a trusted quality leader, you will shape how analytical methods are brought to life in a highly regulated environment, partnering closely with scientific and cross-functional teams to solve complex challenges, strengthen compliance, and enable the delivery of high-quality data that supports breakthrough therapies.
Relocation Support: This role is based in Carlsbad, California. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support: please only apply if accessible.
About the Role
Key Responsibilities
- Lead review and approval of method validation protocols, reports, and supporting data for accuracy and compliance
- Provide quality guidance on analytical method validations/verifications, troubleshooting, and impact assessments
- Serve as Quality representative on in vitro diagnostic design teams
- Evaluate and provide guidance on risk assessments, impact assessment, deviations, and corrective actions
- Ensure adherence to regulatory and company requirements
- Lead and/or support audits and inspections including preparation and follow-up
- Assist with quality management of technology transfer
- Maintain oversight of documentation, procedures, and training compliance
Essential Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, medical technology, biological sciences, or related field and a minimum of 8 years’ experience in clinical and/or GMP laboratory environments. With an advanced degree, fewer years of experience may be required.
- At least 3 years experience supporting in vitro diagnostic development
- Experience, understanding, and familiarity with regulatory requirements and other compliance requirements and guidelines (such as GxP, Part 11, ICH, ISO, CLIA/CAP, IVDR, QSR)
- Basic understanding of molecular biology, immunology, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, fluorescent in situ hybridization
- Familiarity with statistical analysis
- Strong communication, collaboration, and presentation skills
Desirable Requirements
- Experience with ligand binding assays, flow cytometry, and digital pathology
- Proven track record of identifying and executing on continuous improvement
The salary for this position is expected to range between $114,100 – $211,900 year. The final salary offered is determined based on factors like, but not limited to, relevant skills and experience, and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the published salary range based on company and market factors. Your compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on the level of the role, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards. US-based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life and disability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits. In addition, employees are eligible for a generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves.
To learn more about the culture, rewards and benefits we offer our people click here.
#LI-Onsite
Why Novartis: Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Ready to create a brighter future together?
Benefits and Rewards: Learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally.
EEO Statement:
The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.
Accessibility & Reasonable Accommodations
The Novartis Group of Companies are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to [email protected] or call +1(877)395-2339 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.
Division: Operations
Business Unit: Quality
Location: USA
State: California
Site: Carlsbad
Company / Legal Entity: U441 (FCRS = US441) Navigate BioPharma Services, Inc.
Functional Area: Research & Development
Job Type: Full time
Employment Type: Regular
Shift Work: No
See all 20,308+ Software QA Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Software QA Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Software QA Engineer
Target companies with active H-1B filing histories
Employers who have sponsored QA Engineers before are far more likely to do it again. Focus your search on companies with consistent USCIS filing records rather than those with no prior sponsorship track record in engineering roles.
Clarify your automation skills upfront
Employers sponsoring QA roles overwhelmingly prefer candidates with automation experience in tools like Selenium, Cypress, or Playwright. Listing these prominently signals a specialty occupation, which strengthens the H-1B petition and reduces employer hesitation around sponsorship costs.
Confirm your degree field matches the role
USCIS requires a direct connection between your degree and the QA position. Computer science, software engineering, or information systems degrees align cleanly. A general business degree without technical coursework can complicate specialty occupation approval with some employers.
Ask about sponsorship timeline before your final interview
H-1B cap-subject petitions are filed once a year in April. If you're on OPT, confirm whether the employer can file in time. Companies experienced with visa sponsorship will know exactly where you fit in their annual hiring and filing cycle.
Mid-size tech companies often move faster than large enterprises
Smaller employers with dedicated engineering teams frequently make sponsorship decisions in weeks, not months. Their internal legal processes are leaner, and a strong QA candidate with automation skills can tip the sponsorship conversation quickly in your favor.
Use Migrate Mate to filter for verified sponsoring employers
Migrate Mate's job board surfaces Software QA Engineer roles specifically from employers open to visa sponsorship, saving you from applying to positions where sponsorship was never on the table. Browse by role and filter by visa type to match your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Software QA Engineer qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes, in most cases. USCIS evaluates whether the role normally requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific technical field. QA Engineer positions that involve software development lifecycle knowledge, test automation, or systems architecture analysis consistently meet this standard. Roles framed as general manual testers with no degree requirement can face more scrutiny, so the job description language matters.
Which visa types can Software QA Engineers use to work in the U.S.?
The H-1B visa is the most common path and requires employer sponsorship plus lottery selection. Canadian and Mexican citizens can use the TN visa under the USMCA if the role qualifies under computer systems analyst or engineer categories. Australian citizens may qualify for the E-3 visa. Candidates with exceptional achievement in QA, such as conference speaking or published research, may explore the O-1A.
What degree do I need for an employer to sponsor my H-1B as a QA Engineer?
Most employers require a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, information technology, or a closely related field. Some accept equivalent combinations of education and experience under USCIS's three-for-one rule, where three years of relevant work experience substitutes for one year of a bachelor's degree. The degree field must logically connect to quality assurance or software development, not just be a general technical degree.
How do I find Software QA Engineer jobs where the employer is actually open to sponsoring?
Many job postings mention visa sponsorship inconsistently or leave it out entirely. Migrate Mate filters Software QA Engineer roles by employers with documented sponsorship history, so you're not spending time applying to companies that won't sponsor. Searching there narrows your list to realistic opportunities based on your visa situation before you invest time in applications.
Are approval rates for QA Engineer H-1B petitions affected by the job level or company size?
Approval rates are generally strong for QA Engineer roles at companies that document the specialty occupation clearly. Entry-level postings that don't emphasize degree requirements or technical complexity face higher RFE rates. Large employers with established immigration counsel tend to have cleaner petition records, but mid-size companies with experienced HR teams often achieve the same results. Premium processing can reduce decision wait time to 15 business days.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Software QA 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.