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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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Are you ready to accelerate your potential and make a real difference within life sciences, diagnostics and biotechnology?
At Molecular Devices, one of Danaher’s 15+ operating companies, our work saves lives and we’re all united by a shared commitment to innovate for tangible impact.
You’ll thrive in a culture of belonging where you and your unique viewpoint matter. And by harnessing Danaher’s system of continuous improvement, you help turn ideas into impact, innovating at the speed of life.
Join Molecular Devices and help drive scientific discovery for life science customers in academia, biotech, pharma, and government. Our automated and AI-enabled technology empowers researchers to tackle complex questions and gain deep insights, accelerating the development of safer, more effective therapeutics. As part of our team, rooted in collaboration, authenticity, and innovation, you’ll ultimately contribute to groundbreaking science that enhances lives globally and shapes a healthier future for all.
Learn about the Danaher Business System which makes everything possible.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Senior Software QA Engineer is responsible for driving software quality strategy and comprehensive manual testing for key Molecular Devices software products, from sprint-level execution through full release cycles. This role defines test approaches, coverage models, quality standards, and data-driven quality metrics to reduce release risk and improve product readiness across complex imaging, acquisition, and analysis software workflows.
This position reports to the Software Engineering Manager and is part of the R&D – Software Engineering team located at Molecular Devices in San Jose, CA and will be an on-site role.
In this role, you will have the opportunity to:
- Own and drive QA strategy for key software products, including test architecture, coverage models, and quality standards across Agile sprint execution and product release cycles.
- Establish and enforce testing standards and best practices for manual test planning, test case design, exploratory testing, regression testing, test documentation, and defect lifecycle management using Jira or equivalent tools.
- Champion quality early in the development lifecycle by participating in requirements reviews, architecture discussions, and sprint grooming for imaging, acquisition, and analysis software workflows.
- Drive continuous improvement of QA processes using Danaher Business System principles to reduce waste, rework, and systemic quality gaps, while collaborating cross-functionally with software engineers, product owners, application scientists, and hardware teams.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
The essential requirements of the job include:
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field.
- 5+ years experience in software quality assurance, including ownership of manual test strategy, test planning, test case design, execution, and defect management for complex software products.
- Strong hands-on experience with manual functional, integration, system, exploratory, and regression testing; familiarity or experience with creating and troubleshooting automated tests is a plus.
- Experience validating software builds, documenting test results, investigating failures, and supporting release-readiness decisions; experience with CI/CD tools is a plus.
- Experience using Jira or equivalent defect tracking and lifecycle management tools for defect management, test planning, sprint reporting, and cross-team quality visibility.
TRAVEL, MOTOR VEHICLE RECORD & PHYSICAL/ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to work in an office and laboratory/instrument environment as needed to support software verification and instrument-software integration testing.
- Occasional travel may be required for cross-site collaboration, product validation, or team/customer engagement; specific travel requirements to be confirmed by the hiring manager.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
It would be a plus if you also possess previous experience in:
- Imaging, acquisition, and analysis software platforms in a life science or laboratory instrument environment.
- Hardware-software integration testing for lab instrument systems such as imaging platforms, automated liquid handlers, or robotic workflows.
COMPENSATION
- The annual salary range for this role is $135,000 - $150,000. This is the range that we in good faith believe is the range of possible compensation for this role at the time of this posting. This range may be modified in the future.
- This job is also eligible for bonus/incentive pay.
- We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.
Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with the law.
Join our winning team today. Together, we’ll accelerate the real-life impact of tomorrow’s science and technology. We partner with customers across the globe to help them solve their most complex challenges, architecting solutions that bring the power of science to life.
INTRODUCTION
Are you ready to accelerate your potential and make a real difference within life sciences, diagnostics and biotechnology?
At Molecular Devices, one of Danaher’s 15+ operating companies, our work saves lives and we’re all united by a shared commitment to innovate for tangible impact.
You’ll thrive in a culture of belonging where you and your unique viewpoint matter. And by harnessing Danaher’s system of continuous improvement, you help turn ideas into impact, innovating at the speed of life.
Join Molecular Devices and help drive scientific discovery for life science customers in academia, biotech, pharma, and government. Our automated and AI-enabled technology empowers researchers to tackle complex questions and gain deep insights, accelerating the development of safer, more effective therapeutics. As part of our team, rooted in collaboration, authenticity, and innovation, you’ll ultimately contribute to groundbreaking science that enhances lives globally and shapes a healthier future for all.
Learn about the Danaher Business System which makes everything possible.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Senior Software QA Engineer is responsible for driving software quality strategy and comprehensive manual testing for key Molecular Devices software products, from sprint-level execution through full release cycles. This role defines test approaches, coverage models, quality standards, and data-driven quality metrics to reduce release risk and improve product readiness across complex imaging, acquisition, and analysis software workflows.
This position reports to the Software Engineering Manager and is part of the R&D – Software Engineering team located at Molecular Devices in San Jose, CA and will be an on-site role.
In this role, you will have the opportunity to:
- Own and drive QA strategy for key software products, including test architecture, coverage models, and quality standards across Agile sprint execution and product release cycles.
- Establish and enforce testing standards and best practices for manual test planning, test case design, exploratory testing, regression testing, test documentation, and defect lifecycle management using Jira or equivalent tools.
- Champion quality early in the development lifecycle by participating in requirements reviews, architecture discussions, and sprint grooming for imaging, acquisition, and analysis software workflows.
- Drive continuous improvement of QA processes using Danaher Business System principles to reduce waste, rework, and systemic quality gaps, while collaborating cross-functionally with software engineers, product owners, application scientists, and hardware teams.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
The essential requirements of the job include:
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field.
- 5+ years experience in software quality assurance, including ownership of manual test strategy, test planning, test case design, execution, and defect management for complex software products.
- Strong hands-on experience with manual functional, integration, system, exploratory, and regression testing; familiarity or experience with creating and troubleshooting automated tests is a plus.
- Experience validating software builds, documenting test results, investigating failures, and supporting release-readiness decisions; experience with CI/CD tools is a plus.
- Experience using Jira or equivalent defect tracking and lifecycle management tools for defect management, test planning, sprint reporting, and cross-team quality visibility.
TRAVEL, MOTOR VEHICLE RECORD & PHYSICAL/ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to work in an office and laboratory/instrument environment as needed to support software verification and instrument-software integration testing.
- Occasional travel may be required for cross-site collaboration, product validation, or team/customer engagement; specific travel requirements to be confirmed by the hiring manager.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
It would be a plus if you also possess previous experience in:
- Imaging, acquisition, and analysis software platforms in a life science or laboratory instrument environment.
- Hardware-software integration testing for lab instrument systems such as imaging platforms, automated liquid handlers, or robotic workflows.
COMPENSATION
- The annual salary range for this role is $135,000 - $150,000. This is the range that we in good faith believe is the range of possible compensation for this role at the time of this posting. This range may be modified in the future.
- This job is also eligible for bonus/incentive pay.
- We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.
Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with the law.
Join our winning team today. Together, we’ll accelerate the real-life impact of tomorrow’s science and technology. We partner with customers across the globe to help them solve their most complex challenges, architecting solutions that bring the power of science to life.
See all 15,198+ 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.