Staff Software Engineer Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Staff Software Engineers are prime candidates for H-1B visa, O-1 visa, and EB-1 visa sponsorship due to their specialized technical expertise and leadership responsibilities. The role typically qualifies as a specialty occupation under immigration law, with strong approval rates when paired with relevant computer science or engineering degrees. 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!
See all 15,019+ Staff Software Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Staff Software Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Staff Software Engineer
Emphasize architectural decisions and technical leadership
Document your role in system design, mentoring junior engineers, and cross-team technical initiatives. USCIS values leadership responsibilities that distinguish staff-level roles from standard software engineering positions.
Highlight specialized technologies and frameworks
Focus on niche technical skills like distributed systems, machine learning infrastructure, or security architecture. Specialized expertise strengthens your case for both H-1B specialty occupation requirements and O-1 extraordinary ability.
Document performance impact and business outcomes
Quantify system improvements, efficiency gains, and technical innovations you've delivered. Immigration officers look for evidence that your work creates significant value beyond routine programming tasks.
Research employer H-1B filing patterns
Check DOL disclosure data to identify companies with strong track records sponsoring software engineers. Tech companies typically file hundreds of H-1B petitions annually with high approval rates.
Prepare for degree-to-role matching scrutiny
Ensure your computer science, engineering, or related degree aligns with staff-level responsibilities. Non-technical degrees may require additional documentation showing how your education supports complex software engineering work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Staff Software Engineers qualify for H-1B visas?
Yes, Staff Software Engineers typically qualify for H-1B visas as specialty occupations requiring specialized knowledge in computer science, software engineering, or related technical fields. The role's senior-level responsibilities and complex technical requirements strongly support specialty occupation classification under immigration law.
What degree requirements apply to Staff Software Engineer visa sponsorship?
Most sponsors require a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, electrical engineering, or closely related field. Some employers accept equivalent combinations of education and experience, typically using the three-to-one ratio where three years of relevant work experience substitutes for one year of missing education.
Can Staff Software Engineers get O-1 visas instead of H-1B?
Staff Software Engineers with exceptional achievements may qualify for O-1 visas, which have no annual caps or lottery systems. Qualifying typically requires patents, published research, industry awards, or recognition for extraordinary contributions to software engineering or technology innovation.
How do employers prove the Staff Software Engineer role requires specialized knowledge?
Employers document complex technical responsibilities like system architecture, performance optimization, security implementation, and technical leadership. Job descriptions must show the position requires advanced computer science knowledge that a general business degree wouldn't provide, supporting specialty occupation classification.
What's the difference between regular Software Engineer and Staff Software Engineer for visa purposes?
Staff Software Engineers typically handle more complex technical challenges, architectural decisions, and leadership responsibilities, which can strengthen visa applications. However, both roles generally qualify for H-1B sponsorship when properly documented with appropriate degree requirements and specialized technical duties.
How to find Staff Software Engineer jobs with visa sponsorship?
To find Staff Software Engineer jobs with visa sponsorship, use Migrate Mate, which specializes in connecting experienced engineers with sponsoring employers. Focus on tech companies, startups, and Fortune 500 firms that commonly sponsor H-1B, O-1, and TN visas for senior engineering roles. Filter specifically for Staff-level positions, as these roles often justify the sponsorship investment due to their strategic importance and technical leadership requirements.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Staff Software 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.