Software Quality Assurance Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Software Quality Assurance roles qualify as specialty occupations under H-1B visa, E-3 visa, and TN visas, meaning your employer files the paperwork and covers most government fees. QA engineers are among the most consistently sponsored tech roles, with active LCA filings across enterprise software, fintech, and healthcare IT employers. 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 15,203+ Software Quality Assurance Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Software Quality Assurance roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Software Quality Assurance Jobs
Frame your QA credentials around specialty occupation
USCIS requires that your degree field directly relates to the role. A computer science, software engineering, or information systems degree maps cleanly. If your degree is in a different field, document how your coursework or certifications align with QA methodology and test engineering.
Target employers with active QA LCA filings
Use Migrate Mate to find employers with verified LCA filing history for Software Quality Assurance roles. Companies already running sponsored QA teams have established HR processes and are far less likely to stall at the sponsorship question during interviews.
Distinguish manual from automation QA on your resume
Employers filing LCAs for QA roles often specify automation engineering, SDET, or test architect titles. Aligning your resume title and skill set to the exact role the employer intends to sponsor reduces ambiguity during the DOL prevailing-wage determination and USCIS specialty occupation review.
Check prevailing wage tiers before accepting an offer
Run the OFLC Wage Search for your job title, work location, and experience level before negotiating. Your offered salary must meet or exceed the certified wage on the LCA, so knowing your wage level upfront prevents an offer from collapsing at the filing stage.
Clarify H-1B transfer terms with mid-size QA teams
If you're already in H-1B status, you can start with a new employer once they file the transfer petition, with no waiting period required. Confirm the new employer will file before your last day, since gaps in employment can complicate your status even if the petition is later approved.
Prepare for PERM documentation in QA niche areas
If your employer pursues a green card through EB-2 or EB-3, PERM requires proving no qualified U.S. workers applied. For specialized QA roles such as security testing or embedded systems verification, your niche skills strengthen the employer's recruitment documentation and reduce audit risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Software Quality Assurance role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B?
Yes, provided the position genuinely requires at least a bachelor's degree in a directly related field such as computer science, software engineering, or information systems. Generic QA roles that accept any bachelor's degree regardless of field are more vulnerable to USCIS requests for evidence. The employer's job description should explicitly state the degree requirement and explain how the field of study connects to QA responsibilities.
Which visas are realistic for a sponsored Software QA engineer role?
H-1B is the most common path for most nationalities. Australian citizens can use the E-3, which has no lottery and renews every two years. Canadian and Mexican citizens may qualify under TN, since computer systems analyst is on the USMCA profession list and QA engineering can fit that category depending on the role's scope. F-1 students can work in QA on OPT or STEM OPT while pursuing H-1B sponsorship.
How do I find Software QA employers that actively sponsor visas?
Migrate Mate lists employers with verified sponsorship history for Software Quality Assurance and related QA titles, so you can focus your applications on companies that have already run the LCA process for roles like yours. That filing history is a reliable signal that the employer understands the sponsorship workflow and won't pull an offer when HR raises cost concerns.
Does my ISTQB or CSTE certification help with visa sponsorship for QA roles?
Certifications alone don't satisfy the specialty occupation requirement, but they strengthen your profile during USCIS adjudication. If your degree is not in a closely related field, certifications like ISTQB combined with documented work experience in test engineering help build the case that your overall training is equivalent to a directly related bachelor's degree. The employer's attorney typically uses this evidence to respond to requests for evidence.
Can a QA engineer on STEM OPT extend work authorization while waiting for H-1B selection?
Yes. If your QA role relates to your STEM-designated degree, you can apply for a 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to 36 months of total OPT work authorization. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and sign a training plan via Form I-983. This extension window covers multiple H-1B registration cycles if needed, but check with your DSO well before your initial OPT expires.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Software Quality Assurance 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.