Software Quality Assurance Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Software Quality Assurance engineers are strong H-1B visa sponsorship candidates because the role consistently qualifies as a specialty occupation requiring a computer science or related degree. Employers across tech, finance, and healthcare regularly sponsor QA engineers for both H-1B and green card petitions. 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 20,292+ Software Quality Assurance Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Software Quality Assurance Jobs
Emphasize your degree field in applications
QA roles qualify as specialty occupations when tied to a specific technical degree. Highlight your computer science, software engineering, or information systems background explicitly, this directly strengthens the H-1B specialty occupation argument your employer's attorney will need to make.
Target employers with active H-1B filing histories
Companies that have sponsored QA engineers before understand the process and are far less likely to withdraw an offer over sponsorship concerns. Look for employers with documented LCA filings for Software Quality Assurance or similar titles in DOL disclosure data.
Distinguish manual from automated testing experience
Roles focused on automation, Selenium, Cypress, Python-based frameworks, are more defensible as specialty occupations than purely manual QA. Emphasizing engineering-level skills makes the degree requirement argument cleaner and reduces RFE risk for your employer.
Address sponsorship early, not after the offer
Bringing up visa needs after an offer is made can create friction. Mentioning your authorization status in your cover letter or early screening call signals professionalism and filters out employers who won't sponsor before you invest time in their process.
Understand the LCA wage tier for your location
Your employer files a Labor Condition Application before your H-1B petition, certifying your offered wage meets prevailing levels. Understanding which wage tier your role falls under helps you evaluate offers and avoid situations where an employer's budget may not support sponsorship.
Consider PERM-friendly employers for green card planning
If long-term U.S. residence is the goal, prioritize employers willing to start PERM labor certification within your first two years on H-1B. QA engineers from high-backlog countries like India benefit most from starting the green card process as early as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Software Quality Assurance role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes, in most cases. USCIS requires that the position normally requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific technical field, computer science, software engineering, or information systems typically satisfy this. Roles that mix QA with software development or test automation engineering are the strongest candidates. Purely manual QA roles with no engineering component carry more RFE risk, so framing the position accurately in the LCA and I-129 petition is important.
What visa types are commonly used to sponsor Software QA engineers?
H-1B visa is the most common pathway for QA engineers from countries without treaty-based visas. Australian citizens can use the E-3 visa, which has no lottery and faster processing. Canadian and Mexican citizens may qualify under TN visa status if the role maps to a covered occupation. L-1B is an option for intracompany transfers with specialized knowledge of proprietary systems or testing frameworks. O-1A is possible for engineers with demonstrated exceptional ability, though rare for QA roles.
How can I find Software Quality Assurance jobs that offer H-1B sponsorship?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international candidates and filters QA roles by employers with active sponsorship histories. Applying through a platform designed for visa-seeking candidates means you're not competing against applicants who don't need sponsorship, and you can identify companies that have filed LCAs for QA titles before, a strong proxy for sponsorship willingness.
Does my degree field matter for QA sponsorship, or just having any bachelor's degree?
The field matters significantly. USCIS looks at whether the degree is in a field directly related to the job duties, not just whether a degree exists. A computer science or software engineering degree maps cleanly to a QA engineering role. A degree in an unrelated field, business administration, for example, could trigger an RFE requiring the employer to demonstrate why the specific degree is necessary for that particular QA position.
What happens to my H-1B status if I'm laid off from a QA role?
You enter a 60-day grace period from the last day of employment, during which you can change employers, change status, or prepare to depart. Your new employer must file an H-1B transfer petition before the grace period ends. If you're in H-1B portability, meaning your I-140 has been approved and your priority date is more than 365 days old, you may have additional flexibility when moving to a new QA position.
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.