Staff Software Developer Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Staff Software Developer roles are among the most frequently sponsored positions in the U.S., with employers regularly filing H-1B visa and O-1 visa petitions for senior engineers. Most require a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field, and specialty occupation approval rates at this level are high. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsABOUT GITHUB: GitHub is the world’s leading platform for agentic software development — powered by Copilot to build, scale, and deliver secure software. Over 180 million developers, including more than 90% of the Fortune 100 companies, use GitHub to collaborate, and more than 77,000 organisations have adopted GitHub Copilot.
LOCATIONS: In this role you can work from Remote, United States
Overview:
GitHub is seeking a Staff Software Engineer to join the Git-Contrib Engineering team, which runs the largest code-hosting platform in the world, part of our Platform and Infrastructure organization. Git-Contrib is responsible for the Git binary that underpins everything that “Git”Hub accomplishes. The Git protocol needs to evolve to meet the needs of the next generation of agentic developers. We need your help to accomplish this change. The team is highly distributed and the right candidate will thrive in an environment of asynchronous communication. We expect you to have excellent written communication skills and be able to create working relationships with coworkers in locations around the globe.
This role is focused on wide-reaching, cross-team work to improve our git code-hosting platform. This role will be involved in the design rollout, and support of highly performant code to enable the next generation of AI-driven software development.
Responsibilities:
- Design, develop, test, and ship high-quality code that allows efficient and streamlined Git operations for high velocity AI coding experience.
- Understands resource efficiency (CPU, memory, network, disk, etc.) in complex operations.
- Wants to contribute to open source.
- Having an interest in scaling Git to accommodate ever increasing repository sizes.
- Ability to communicate effectively with partner teams around GitHub. This role will require being able to document your ideas successfully.
- Ability to translate other teams' requirements into detailed action plans.
- Willingness to communicate with the customer on Git related limitations.
- Willingness to contribute to an on-call rotation.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required Qualifications:
9+ years experience in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical discipline with proven experience maintaining and delivering production software coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, Go, Ruby, Rust, or Python,
+ OR Associate’s Degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Math, Physics, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field AND 8+ years experience in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical discipline with proven experience maintaining and delivering production software coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, Go, Ruby, Rust, or Python,
+ OR Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related field AND 7+ years experience in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical discipline with proven experience maintaining and delivering production software coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, Go, Ruby, Rust, or Python,
+ OR Master's Degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Math, Physics, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field AND 5+ years experience in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical discipline with proven experience maintaining and delivering production software coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, Go, Ruby, Rust, or Python,
+ OR Doctorate in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Math, Physics, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field AND 3+ years experience in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical discipline with proven experience maintaining and delivering production software coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, Go, Ruby, Rust, or Python,
+ OR equivalent experience.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Deep understanding of Git internals.
- Ability to code in C or Rust, or the willingness to learn C.
- Experience working with open-source teams or projects.
- Understanding how to maintain a custom fork of an open-source product while continuing to send changes upstream.
- Experience working closely with product management, design, and other engineering teams to drive cross-functional projects and deliver high-quality product.
- Experience with cloud platforms like Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services.
COMPENSATION RANGE: The base salary range for this job is USD $144,600.00 - USD $383,500.00 /Yr.
These pay ranges are intended to cover roles based across the United States. An individual's base pay depends on various factors including geographical location and review of experience, knowledge, skills, abilities of the applicant. At GitHub certain roles are eligible for benefits and additional rewards, including annual bonus and stock. These rewards are allocated based on individual impact in role. In addition, certain roles also have the opportunity to earn sales incentives based on revenue or utilization, depending on the terms of the plan and the employee's role.
This position will be open for a minimum of 3 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.
GITHUB LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES:
GitHub values
- Customer-obsessed
- Ship to learn
- Growth mindset
- Own the outcome
- Better together
- Diverse and inclusive
Manager fundamentals
- Model
- Coach
- Care
Leadership principles
- Create clarity
- Generate energy
- Deliver success
WHO WE ARE: GitHub is the world’s leading AI-powered developer platform with 150 million developers and counting. We’re also home to the biggest open-source community on earth (and 99% of the world’s software has open-source code in its DNA). Many of the apps and programs you use every day are built on GitHub.
Our teams are dreamers, doers, and pioneers, leading the way in AI, driving humanitarian efforts around the globe, and even sending open source to Mars (and beyond!). At GitHub, our goal is to create the space you need to do your best work. We’re remote-first and offer competitive pay, generous learning and growth opportunities, and excellent benefits to support you, wherever you are—because we know that people flourish when they can work on their own terms.
Join us, and let’s change the world, together.
EEO STATEMENT: GitHub is made up of people from a wide variety of backgrounds and lifestyles. We embrace diversity and invite applications from people of all walks of life. We don't discriminate against employees or applicants based on gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, religion, age, national origin, citizenship, disability, pregnancy status, veteran status, or any other differences. Also, if you have a disability, please let us know if there's any way we can make the interview process better for you; we're happy to accommodate!
ABOUT GITHUB: GitHub is the world’s leading platform for agentic software development — powered by Copilot to build, scale, and deliver secure software. Over 180 million developers, including more than 90% of the Fortune 100 companies, use GitHub to collaborate, and more than 77,000 organisations have adopted GitHub Copilot.
LOCATIONS: In this role you can work from Remote, United States
Overview:
GitHub is seeking a Staff Software Engineer to join the Git-Contrib Engineering team, which runs the largest code-hosting platform in the world, part of our Platform and Infrastructure organization. Git-Contrib is responsible for the Git binary that underpins everything that “Git”Hub accomplishes. The Git protocol needs to evolve to meet the needs of the next generation of agentic developers. We need your help to accomplish this change. The team is highly distributed and the right candidate will thrive in an environment of asynchronous communication. We expect you to have excellent written communication skills and be able to create working relationships with coworkers in locations around the globe.
This role is focused on wide-reaching, cross-team work to improve our git code-hosting platform. This role will be involved in the design rollout, and support of highly performant code to enable the next generation of AI-driven software development.
Responsibilities:
- Design, develop, test, and ship high-quality code that allows efficient and streamlined Git operations for high velocity AI coding experience.
- Understands resource efficiency (CPU, memory, network, disk, etc.) in complex operations.
- Wants to contribute to open source.
- Having an interest in scaling Git to accommodate ever increasing repository sizes.
- Ability to communicate effectively with partner teams around GitHub. This role will require being able to document your ideas successfully.
- Ability to translate other teams' requirements into detailed action plans.
- Willingness to communicate with the customer on Git related limitations.
- Willingness to contribute to an on-call rotation.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required Qualifications:
9+ years experience in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical discipline with proven experience maintaining and delivering production software coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, Go, Ruby, Rust, or Python,
+ OR Associate’s Degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Math, Physics, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field AND 8+ years experience in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical discipline with proven experience maintaining and delivering production software coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, Go, Ruby, Rust, or Python,
+ OR Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related field AND 7+ years experience in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical discipline with proven experience maintaining and delivering production software coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, Go, Ruby, Rust, or Python,
+ OR Master's Degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Math, Physics, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field AND 5+ years experience in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical discipline with proven experience maintaining and delivering production software coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, Go, Ruby, Rust, or Python,
+ OR Doctorate in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Math, Physics, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field AND 3+ years experience in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical discipline with proven experience maintaining and delivering production software coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, Go, Ruby, Rust, or Python,
+ OR equivalent experience.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Deep understanding of Git internals.
- Ability to code in C or Rust, or the willingness to learn C.
- Experience working with open-source teams or projects.
- Understanding how to maintain a custom fork of an open-source product while continuing to send changes upstream.
- Experience working closely with product management, design, and other engineering teams to drive cross-functional projects and deliver high-quality product.
- Experience with cloud platforms like Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services.
COMPENSATION RANGE: The base salary range for this job is USD $144,600.00 - USD $383,500.00 /Yr.
These pay ranges are intended to cover roles based across the United States. An individual's base pay depends on various factors including geographical location and review of experience, knowledge, skills, abilities of the applicant. At GitHub certain roles are eligible for benefits and additional rewards, including annual bonus and stock. These rewards are allocated based on individual impact in role. In addition, certain roles also have the opportunity to earn sales incentives based on revenue or utilization, depending on the terms of the plan and the employee's role.
This position will be open for a minimum of 3 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.
GITHUB LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES:
GitHub values
- Customer-obsessed
- Ship to learn
- Growth mindset
- Own the outcome
- Better together
- Diverse and inclusive
Manager fundamentals
- Model
- Coach
- Care
Leadership principles
- Create clarity
- Generate energy
- Deliver success
WHO WE ARE: GitHub is the world’s leading AI-powered developer platform with 150 million developers and counting. We’re also home to the biggest open-source community on earth (and 99% of the world’s software has open-source code in its DNA). Many of the apps and programs you use every day are built on GitHub.
Our teams are dreamers, doers, and pioneers, leading the way in AI, driving humanitarian efforts around the globe, and even sending open source to Mars (and beyond!). At GitHub, our goal is to create the space you need to do your best work. We’re remote-first and offer competitive pay, generous learning and growth opportunities, and excellent benefits to support you, wherever you are—because we know that people flourish when they can work on their own terms.
Join us, and let’s change the world, together.
EEO STATEMENT: GitHub is made up of people from a wide variety of backgrounds and lifestyles. We embrace diversity and invite applications from people of all walks of life. We don't discriminate against employees or applicants based on gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, religion, age, national origin, citizenship, disability, pregnancy status, veteran status, or any other differences. Also, if you have a disability, please let us know if there's any way we can make the interview process better for you; we're happy to accommodate!
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Staff Software Developer
Target companies with established H-1B track records
Large tech employers and mid-size product companies sponsor Staff Software Developer roles consistently year after year. A documented history of approvals signals that their legal and HR teams understand the process, reducing your risk of a procedurally weak petition.
Confirm your degree field aligns with the role
USCIS requires a direct relationship between your degree and the specific job duties. A computer science, software engineering, or information systems degree is ideal. Unrelated degrees require stronger documentation and may invite a Request for Evidence from the adjudicator.
Document your seniority clearly in the offer letter
Staff-level roles carry higher complexity and independent judgment expectations than mid-level positions. Your offer letter and support letter should explicitly describe the technical scope, architecture responsibilities, and cross-functional influence the role involves to support the specialty occupation argument.
Ask whether the employer files premium processing
Premium processing delivers a decision within 15 business days instead of several months. Many employers offer it routinely for senior engineering hires. Confirming this upfront helps you plan your start date and avoid extended gaps between offer acceptance and authorization to work.
Understand how cap-exempt employers change your options
Universities, nonprofit research institutions, and qualifying government entities are exempt from the H-1B annual lottery. A Staff Software Developer role at one of these employers can be filed at any time of year, with no random selection determining whether your petition is even considered.
Start conversations early if you're mid-OPT or in a grace period
Immigration timelines move slowly relative to hiring timelines. If your work authorization is expiring, raise it during early interviews so the employer can engage their immigration counsel promptly. Delays in filing can result in gaps in work authorization even after an offer is signed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Staff Software Developer role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes, in nearly all cases. USCIS consistently recognizes software development as a specialty occupation because the role requires at minimum a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a directly related field. Staff-level roles, which typically involve system architecture, technical leadership, and complex problem-solving, present an even stronger specialty occupation argument than entry-level positions. Denials at this seniority level are uncommon when the petition is well-documented.
What if my degree is not in computer science, can I still get sponsored?
Possibly, but it requires more documentation. USCIS allows degrees in closely related fields such as mathematics, electrical engineering, or information systems. If your degree is in an unrelated field, your employer's attorney will need to argue equivalency using a combination of education, professional training, and work experience. A credential evaluation from a recognized organization and detailed experience letters from former employers strengthen the case significantly.
How does the H-1B lottery affect my chances as a Staff Software Developer?
The lottery applies to most private-sector employers and selects registrations randomly, regardless of your qualifications or seniority. Approximately 85,000 slots are available annually against several hundred thousand registrations, producing selection rates around 20 to 25 percent in recent years. One practical strategy is to target cap-exempt employers, which bypass the lottery entirely, or to explore the E-3 visa if you hold Australian citizenship. Migrate Mate filters jobs by visa type to help you identify sponsoring employers aligned with your situation.
Can a Staff Software Developer role support an O-1A visa instead of H-1B?
Yes, if you can document extraordinary ability in your field. The O-1A requires evidence across criteria such as high salary relative to peers, judging others' work, original contributions of major significance, or published work. For a Staff Software Developer, this might include patents, open-source projects with substantial adoption, peer review participation, or recognition through awards. The O-1A has no annual cap and no lottery, making it a viable alternative for engineers with a strong professional record.
What should I look for in a sponsoring employer at the Staff level?
Beyond technical fit, look for employers with an in-house immigration team or a retained immigration law firm, a history of H-1B visa filings at senior levels, and a clear process for extending and transferring status. At the Staff level, you may be at a company for several years, so long-term sponsorship stability matters. Migrate Mate surfaces Staff Software Developer roles specifically at employers that sponsor visas, so you can focus your applications where sponsorship is already confirmed.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Staff Software Developer 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.