H-1B Visa App Developer Jobs
App Developer roles qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship as specialty occupations requiring at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field. Employers file your H-1B petition after securing a certified LCA from DOL. The annual cap is 85,000 slots, with the lottery registration window opening each March.
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Job Appointment: Full Time, Regular
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Alternate schedules may be available.
Benefit: Please check our benefits tab for an overview of benefits for this position
Union Representation: This position is represented by Professional Technical Employees, Local 17 (PROTEC17). To view this labor agreement, please click here.
Starting Pay: The City of Portland follows the Oregon Equal Pay Act. Your salary is determined based on the experience listed in your resume that is directly related and equivalent to the position for which you are applying.
Position Summary:
The Bureau of Technology Services (BTS) Enterprise Geospatial and Data Services Team seeks an experienced and skilled Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Enterprise Spatial Applications Developer to support and maintain the organization's GIS technology stack, with primary responsibilities for SQL Server-based spatial geodatabases under the Esri ArcGIS Platform and occasional development of web and desktop geospatial solutions.
The Enterprise Spatial Applications Developer will be responsible for providing support for enterprise geospatial databases in SQL Server and GIS platforms, including spatial geodatabase development, geospatial data management, data architecture, application configuration, migration, automation, integration, and technical troubleshooting to enable and support data-driven decision-making across the organization. This position combines SQL development, integration development, GIS application development, and spatial analysis to deliver scalable, secure, and high-performing geospatial solutions.
The role collaborates with cross-functional IT teams and GIS professionals to analyze business requirements, develop custom geospatial and data-related applications and integrations, develop and administer enterprise geodatabases, optimize processes and applications performance, and ensure data integrity and availability. The incumbent supports and maintains enterprise relational geospatial databases, develops complex SQL queries, stored procedures, and automated data workflows.
The ideal candidate has experience with enterprise GIS platforms, relational databases systems, SQL programming, overall geospatial databases support and maintenance, and application development. This position requires strong analytical and problem-solving skills, the ability to manage multiple priorities, and a commitment to delivering reliable, innovative geospatial solutions that support organizational objectives.
What You’ll Do:
- Maintain, and support enterprise geospatial databases in a RDBMS Server environment (currently SQL Server), including schema development, data integrity, versioning, code development, code optimization, and code troubleshooting.
- Design, implement, and support geospatial data models including data migration, quality assurance, and developing and improving customized legacy scripts related to SQL Server stored procedures, functions, views, Python applications, SSIS packages for data imports and exports, and other ETL processes.
- Maintain overall applications stability in Enterprise RDBMS environments (currently SQL Server).
- Engage with project managers and other developers and analysts on larger efforts and perform project management tasks for smaller internal projects.
- Lead technical support and troubleshooting of spatial data, code development, and application issues.
- Assist SQL developers as needed with query tuning and optimization, other developers and analysts supporting spatial related applications.
- Author, update, and peer review documentation including standards, procedures, diagrams, applications, coding, and management information.
- Develop and support Esri based applications (desktop, ArcGIS SDK’s, and web).
- Collaborate with GIS developers and professionals to plan, implement, and maintain GIS-related infrastructure and data services.
To Qualify
Applicants must demonstrate how their education, training, and experience meet each of the minimum qualifications listed below:
- Thorough Knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), relational database management systems (RDBMS), and Business Intelligence (BI) principles, methods, and best practices.
- Extensive Experience developing, programming, implementing, and supporting geospatial applications and enterprise GIS solutions using ESRI technologies, including ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Enterprise, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS SDK for .NET, ArcGIS API for Python, and ArcMap.
- Extensive Experience developing software solutions using programming languages and tools such as FME, C#, Python, SQL, XML, JSON, Visual Studio, REST APIs, and SQL database integration.
- Extensive Experience designing, developing, optimizing, and maintaining spatial databases and geospatial data management solutions within complex business systems, including advanced SQL development, spatial database design, data integration, performance tuning, and data transformation.
- Ability to gather and analyze complex business requirements, apply the full software development lifecycle, and design innovative technical solutions in collaboration with customers, stakeholders, project managers, developers, and analysts.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and collaborate successfully with diverse teams, technical staff, business partners, and other organizational stakeholders in support of enterprise GIS initiatives.
Preferred Qualifications:
- GIS or IT related degree and/or certification
- GIS Certification Institute GISP certification
- Esri Technical Certification
- 8+ years of professional GIS experience
- 8+ years administering Esri ArcGIS Enterprise and AGOL environment
- 5+ years developing in a Microsoft SQL Server environment
- 5+ years of experience in ArcGIS development
The Recruitment Process
How to Apply:
- Submit your resume and cover letter by the closing date. In your Cover Letter, write specific and unique responses to address each of the minimum qualifications listed in the "To Qualify" section. The information you provide must correctly reflect your work history/resume. A lack of information in your application materials to each of the minimum qualifications may result in elimination from the recruitment. Note: Do not include your age, date of birth, or the dates you attended or graduated from school. Only provide this information if it is specifically requested to meet job requirements or to follow federal, state, or local laws or rules.
- (Optional) Submit Veterans’ Preference documents, if applicable.
If this is your first time applying with the City of Portland, or if you haven’t requested veteran preference before (and would like to now), please attach your DD214-Member 4 and/or VA Benefit Letter to your application. Once we verify your eligibility, we’ll record your veteran preference in our system, so it automatically applies to your future applications.
- Click here for application tips for resume, supplemental question response and/or cover letter.
What to Expect:
- Application Review - Week of August 10, 2026: We'll review your application materials to ensure you meet the minimum qualifications listed above.
- Notice/Feedback - Week of August 17, 2026: You will receive an email when the minimum qualification review is complete. If you disagree with the evaluation results, you may request a review within 14 days of the email notice, per City Administrative Rule 3.01.
- Selection Process - Late August - Early September: The hiring bureau will review qualified applications, conduct interviews, and check references.
- Conditional Job Offer - Final candidates may undergo a background or driving record check, depending on the position.
Additional Information
Learn More About:
- How to Apply Videos and Workshops
- City of Portland Core Values
- HRAR-3.01 - Recruitment Processes
- Veteran Preference Information
- Total Compensation and Benefits
- Language Pay Differential Eligibility
We’re committed to providing a fair, inclusive, and accessible hiring process. If you need assistance with your application or would like to request a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, pregnancy, or religious belief, please contact the recruiter listed below. Questions? We're here to help!
If you have questions about this recruitment or need assistance, contact:
TroyLynn Craft, Senior Recruiter
troylynn.craft@portlandoregon.gov
Bureau of Human Resources
The Position
Job Appointment: Full Time, Regular
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Alternate schedules may be available.
Benefit: Please check our benefits tab for an overview of benefits for this position
Union Representation: This position is represented by Professional Technical Employees, Local 17 (PROTEC17). To view this labor agreement, please click here.
Starting Pay: The City of Portland follows the Oregon Equal Pay Act. Your salary is determined based on the experience listed in your resume that is directly related and equivalent to the position for which you are applying.
Position Summary:
The Bureau of Technology Services (BTS) Enterprise Geospatial and Data Services Team seeks an experienced and skilled Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Enterprise Spatial Applications Developer to support and maintain the organization's GIS technology stack, with primary responsibilities for SQL Server-based spatial geodatabases under the Esri ArcGIS Platform and occasional development of web and desktop geospatial solutions.
The Enterprise Spatial Applications Developer will be responsible for providing support for enterprise geospatial databases in SQL Server and GIS platforms, including spatial geodatabase development, geospatial data management, data architecture, application configuration, migration, automation, integration, and technical troubleshooting to enable and support data-driven decision-making across the organization. This position combines SQL development, integration development, GIS application development, and spatial analysis to deliver scalable, secure, and high-performing geospatial solutions.
The role collaborates with cross-functional IT teams and GIS professionals to analyze business requirements, develop custom geospatial and data-related applications and integrations, develop and administer enterprise geodatabases, optimize processes and applications performance, and ensure data integrity and availability. The incumbent supports and maintains enterprise relational geospatial databases, develops complex SQL queries, stored procedures, and automated data workflows.
The ideal candidate has experience with enterprise GIS platforms, relational databases systems, SQL programming, overall geospatial databases support and maintenance, and application development. This position requires strong analytical and problem-solving skills, the ability to manage multiple priorities, and a commitment to delivering reliable, innovative geospatial solutions that support organizational objectives.
What You’ll Do:
- Maintain, and support enterprise geospatial databases in a RDBMS Server environment (currently SQL Server), including schema development, data integrity, versioning, code development, code optimization, and code troubleshooting.
- Design, implement, and support geospatial data models including data migration, quality assurance, and developing and improving customized legacy scripts related to SQL Server stored procedures, functions, views, Python applications, SSIS packages for data imports and exports, and other ETL processes.
- Maintain overall applications stability in Enterprise RDBMS environments (currently SQL Server).
- Engage with project managers and other developers and analysts on larger efforts and perform project management tasks for smaller internal projects.
- Lead technical support and troubleshooting of spatial data, code development, and application issues.
- Assist SQL developers as needed with query tuning and optimization, other developers and analysts supporting spatial related applications.
- Author, update, and peer review documentation including standards, procedures, diagrams, applications, coding, and management information.
- Develop and support Esri based applications (desktop, ArcGIS SDK’s, and web).
- Collaborate with GIS developers and professionals to plan, implement, and maintain GIS-related infrastructure and data services.
To Qualify
Applicants must demonstrate how their education, training, and experience meet each of the minimum qualifications listed below:
- Thorough Knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), relational database management systems (RDBMS), and Business Intelligence (BI) principles, methods, and best practices.
- Extensive Experience developing, programming, implementing, and supporting geospatial applications and enterprise GIS solutions using ESRI technologies, including ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Enterprise, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS SDK for .NET, ArcGIS API for Python, and ArcMap.
- Extensive Experience developing software solutions using programming languages and tools such as FME, C#, Python, SQL, XML, JSON, Visual Studio, REST APIs, and SQL database integration.
- Extensive Experience designing, developing, optimizing, and maintaining spatial databases and geospatial data management solutions within complex business systems, including advanced SQL development, spatial database design, data integration, performance tuning, and data transformation.
- Ability to gather and analyze complex business requirements, apply the full software development lifecycle, and design innovative technical solutions in collaboration with customers, stakeholders, project managers, developers, and analysts.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and collaborate successfully with diverse teams, technical staff, business partners, and other organizational stakeholders in support of enterprise GIS initiatives.
Preferred Qualifications:
- GIS or IT related degree and/or certification
- GIS Certification Institute GISP certification
- Esri Technical Certification
- 8+ years of professional GIS experience
- 8+ years administering Esri ArcGIS Enterprise and AGOL environment
- 5+ years developing in a Microsoft SQL Server environment
- 5+ years of experience in ArcGIS development
The Recruitment Process
How to Apply:
- Submit your resume and cover letter by the closing date. In your Cover Letter, write specific and unique responses to address each of the minimum qualifications listed in the "To Qualify" section. The information you provide must correctly reflect your work history/resume. A lack of information in your application materials to each of the minimum qualifications may result in elimination from the recruitment. Note: Do not include your age, date of birth, or the dates you attended or graduated from school. Only provide this information if it is specifically requested to meet job requirements or to follow federal, state, or local laws or rules.
- (Optional) Submit Veterans’ Preference documents, if applicable.
If this is your first time applying with the City of Portland, or if you haven’t requested veteran preference before (and would like to now), please attach your DD214-Member 4 and/or VA Benefit Letter to your application. Once we verify your eligibility, we’ll record your veteran preference in our system, so it automatically applies to your future applications.
- Click here for application tips for resume, supplemental question response and/or cover letter.
What to Expect:
- Application Review - Week of August 10, 2026: We'll review your application materials to ensure you meet the minimum qualifications listed above.
- Notice/Feedback - Week of August 17, 2026: You will receive an email when the minimum qualification review is complete. If you disagree with the evaluation results, you may request a review within 14 days of the email notice, per City Administrative Rule 3.01.
- Selection Process - Late August - Early September: The hiring bureau will review qualified applications, conduct interviews, and check references.
- Conditional Job Offer - Final candidates may undergo a background or driving record check, depending on the position.
Additional Information
Learn More About:
- How to Apply Videos and Workshops
- City of Portland Core Values
- HRAR-3.01 - Recruitment Processes
- Veteran Preference Information
- Total Compensation and Benefits
- Language Pay Differential Eligibility
We’re committed to providing a fair, inclusive, and accessible hiring process. If you need assistance with your application or would like to request a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, pregnancy, or religious belief, please contact the recruiter listed below. Questions? We're here to help!
If you have questions about this recruitment or need assistance, contact:
TroyLynn Craft, Senior Recruiter
troylynn.craft@portlandoregon.gov
Bureau of Human Resources
See all 158+ H-1B Visa App Developer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa App Developer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as an App Developer
Align your degree to your stack
USCIS scrutinizes whether your degree field directly relates to the app development role. A computer science or software engineering degree maps cleanly. If your degree is in a different field, document how your coursework covers the core technical requirements of the position.
Verify employer LCA filing history
Before applying, confirm the employer has filed Labor Condition Applications for app developer roles. Search the OFLC Wage Search by SOC code 15-1252 to see which companies have certified LCAs for software developers, signaling an active H-1B sponsorship track record.
Find sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate
Filter app developer jobs by verified H-1B sponsorship history on Migrate Mate. Targeting employers with documented LCA filings for your role type cuts time spent on companies that haven't sponsored the position before.
Negotiate your start date around the cap
H-1B cap-subject petitions have an October 1 start date. If you receive an offer after the lottery closes in April, your employer can't file until the next registration window. Build this gap into your offer timeline and confirm your OPT or other status covers the wait.
Request the job description matches your O*NET profile
The O*NET profile for software developers (SOC 15-1252) lists the duties and degree requirements USCIS uses to evaluate specialty occupation status. Ask your employer to mirror that language in your offer letter and the I-129 petition to reduce RFE risk.
Confirm cap-exempt status for certain employers
Universities, nonprofit research institutions, and government research organizations are exempt from the H-1B cap, meaning no lottery and year-round filing. If you're open to app developer roles at these organizations, you can file and start work without waiting for October 1.
H-1B Visa App Developer: Frequently Asked Questions
Does an app developer role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B?
Yes, app developer roles qualify when the position requires at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a closely related field. USCIS evaluates the job description against the degree requirement, so the offer letter and I-129 petition must specify the degree field. Roles listed as requiring any bachelor's degree regardless of field are more likely to receive an RFE.
How do I find app developer employers who actually sponsor H-1B visas?
Search for app developer roles on Migrate Mate, which filters listings by verified H-1B sponsorship history using DOL Labor Condition Application data. This lets you target employers who have filed LCAs for software developer roles specifically, rather than applying broadly and asking about sponsorship late in the process.
What happens to my H-1B if I switch from one app developer role to a different one at the same company?
A material change in job duties, location, or level requires your employer to file an amended H-1B petition before the change takes effect. Moving from a mobile front-end role to a full-stack or back-end position with significantly different responsibilities typically qualifies as a material change. Your employer's immigration attorney should evaluate the scope of the shift before you transition.
Can I do freelance app development work on an H-1B?
No. H-1B authorization is employer-specific and tied to the petitioning company. Performing paid development work for any other client, including freelance contracts or side projects, is unauthorized employment and can jeopardize your status. If you want to develop your own apps outside work hours without compensation, consult an immigration attorney to confirm your specific terms.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for app developer H-1B petitions?
Your employer must pay at least the DOL prevailing wage for your specific SOC code, job level, and work location. For app developers, that wage is determined under SOC code 15-1252 and varies significantly by metro area. You can verify the applicable wage tier using the OFLC Wage Search before accepting an offer to confirm the compensation meets the DOL threshold.