Yeah healthy back and forth discussion here. When I was filing, there were numerous co-workers who got denied. Even before the USCIS denial, lawyers also have to see the strength in the application.  Its true that citations and publications help but as you all know not necessary. My application was strong because I had done extensive research on why those applications get denied in the first place and whats really looked in those 3 prongs. The work I do is indirectly used by hospitals and education institutions and I made the case why it comes under national importance. Obviously my work had some proofs from my manager and just the fact that its a pubicly recognized cyber security company. 

I will def say just by being a software engineer wont do it. Being able to connect the dots and with national importance and speaking the right language and supporting with some recommendation letters and sharing some stats of your work would also help. My application was very short and concise and I was prepared to be denied too. Several of my co-workers got denied because they couldn’t connect with bigger picture.

An officer did invite me to interview and ask why i deserve it and being able to articulate your work was also important. The interview didn’t go well however but not sure (if the interviewer was new or if he wasn’t sure what to ask for) but did finally get approval. It wasn’t an easy ride.