J-1 Visa Principal Software Engineer Jobs
Principal Software Engineer roles in the U.S. are accessible to international professionals through the J-1 visa under the Trainee or Research Scholar program category, depending on your background. Designated sponsors issue your DS-2019 and coordinate sponsorship with your host employer, giving you a structured path into senior engineering positions without a lottery.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
A Mobile Developer at Navy Federal supports the development, maintenance, and enhancement of mobile banking applications across iOS and Android platforms. Mobile Developers work within cross-functional Agile teams and help deliver secure, reliable, and user-friendly digital experiences that align with business goals and member needs.
Mobile Developers collaborate with product owners, designers, quality engineers, backend engineers, and other technical partners throughout the software development lifecycle. Their work includes translating requirements into mobile features, integrating applications with services and APIs, testing code, resolving defects, improving platform stability, and following platform-specific development standards.
At the Associate level, the emphasis is on learning, foundational contribution, and professional growth. Associate Mobile Developers complete clearly scoped development work under guidance, participate in team delivery activities, apply feedback, and build the technical and collaboration skills needed to become increasingly independent contributors.
The Summer Associate Program is a 12-week internship program beginning in May 2027 and ending in August 2027. Students will work on impactful projects and meaningful work during their internship. To qualify for this position, applicants must be currently pursuing a degree from an accredited college or university and have an anticipated graduation date of December 2027 or later.
Responsibilities
- Assist with designing, developing, and maintaining mobile banking features for iOS and/or Android applications.
- Build small, clearly scoped features, user interface components, and defect fixes under the guidance of experienced developers.
- Participate in Agile ceremonies, including daily standups, sprint planning, backlog refinement, demonstrations, and retrospectives.
- Collaborate with developers, product owners, designers, quality engineers, and backend engineers to understand requirements and deliver high-quality solutions.
- Write and maintain unit and user interface tests that support application quality and reliability.
- Troubleshoot, debug, and help resolve issues identified during development and testing.
- Participate in learning about peer code reviews, ask questions, and apply feedback to improve code quality and maintainability.
- Learn and apply mobile development standards, secure coding practices, accessibility expectations, and platform-specific best practices.
- Support application integration with RESTful APIs, backend services, and approved third-party libraries.
- Use version control and team development practices to manage code changes effectively.
- Contribute to team knowledge sharing, technical documentation, and continuous improvement activities.
- Stay current with mobile operating system updates, development tools, and emerging technologies relevant to assigned work.
- Communicate progress, risks, questions, and outcomes clearly and professionally.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Currently pursuing a degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field.
- Curiosity, adaptability, accountability, and a willingness to learn from feedback and mentorship.
- Foundational knowledge of object-oriented programming and software development concepts.
- Familiarity with some form of programming language.
- Effective research, analytical, debugging, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to maintain accuracy, demonstrate attention to detail, and meet deadlines.
- Effective organizational, planning, time-management, verbal, and written communication skills.
- Ability to work independently on assigned tasks and collaboratively within a cross-functional team.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Have "pet projects" such as already building features or working on apps.
- Experience with Debugging or Automation.
- Experience in Authentication or Security.
- Previous experience with other companies.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Hours:
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Location:
- 820 Follin Lane, Vienna, VA 22180
- 5550 Heritage Oaks Drive, Pensacola, FL 32526
- 141 Security Dr. Winchester, VA 22602
- 9999 Willow Creek Road, San Diego, CA 92131
About us
Navy Federal provides much more than a job. We provide a meaningful career experience, including a culture that is energized, engaged and committed; and fierce appreciation for our teams, who are rewarded with highly competitive pay and generous benefits and perks.
Our approach to careers is simple yet powerful: Make our mission your passion.
- FORTUNE100 Best Companies to Work For® 2025
- Yello and WayUp Top 100 Internship Programs
- Computerworld® Best Places to Work in IT
- Newsweek Most Loved Workplaces
- 2025 PEOPLE® Companies That Care
- Newsweek Most Trustworthy Companies in America
- Military Times 2025 Best for Vets Employers
- Best Companies for Latinos to Work for 2025
- Forbes® 2025 America’s Best Large Employers
- Forbes® 2025 America's Best Employers for New Grads
- Forbes® 2025 America's Best Employers for Tech Workers
- 2025 RippleMatch Campus Forward Award Winner for Overall Excellence
- Military.com Top Military Spouse Employers 2025
- 2025 Handshake Early Talent Award
From Fortune. ©2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All rights reserved. Used under license. Fortune and Fortune Media IP Limited are not affiliated with, and do not endorse products or services of, Navy Federal Credit Union.
Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, sex, color, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity or any other basis protected by applicable law.
Accommodations: If you need accommodation or assistance for a qualifying condition to complete the online application (or during any stage of the hiring process), you can contact Navy Federal's Medical Accommodations team at medicalaccommodations@navyfederal.org or by calling 1-888-503-6013. This team cannot provide any information on job postings or application status.
Disclaimers: Navy Federal reserves the right to fill this role at a higher/lower grade level based on business need. An assessment may be required to compete for this position. Job postings are subject to close early or extend out longer than the anticipated closing date at the hiring team’s discretion based on qualified applicant volume. Navy Federal Credit Union assesses market data to establish salary ranges that enable us to remain competitive. You are paid within the salary range, based on your experience, location and market position. For additional details regarding compensation and benefits, review the Benefits page of the Navy Federal Career Site.
Protect Yourself from Job Scams: Navy Federal Credit Union jobs are posted on our career site, jobs.navyfederal.org and reputable job boards (e.g., LinkedIn, Indeed). We do not post jobs on social media marketplaces, messaging apps or unverified websites. We will never ask candidates for payment, bank details or personal financial information during the hiring process.
Bank Secrecy Act: Remains cognizant of and adheres to Navy Federal policies and procedures, and regulations pertaining to the Bank Secrecy Act.
INTRODUCTION
A Mobile Developer at Navy Federal supports the development, maintenance, and enhancement of mobile banking applications across iOS and Android platforms. Mobile Developers work within cross-functional Agile teams and help deliver secure, reliable, and user-friendly digital experiences that align with business goals and member needs.
Mobile Developers collaborate with product owners, designers, quality engineers, backend engineers, and other technical partners throughout the software development lifecycle. Their work includes translating requirements into mobile features, integrating applications with services and APIs, testing code, resolving defects, improving platform stability, and following platform-specific development standards.
At the Associate level, the emphasis is on learning, foundational contribution, and professional growth. Associate Mobile Developers complete clearly scoped development work under guidance, participate in team delivery activities, apply feedback, and build the technical and collaboration skills needed to become increasingly independent contributors.
The Summer Associate Program is a 12-week internship program beginning in May 2027 and ending in August 2027. Students will work on impactful projects and meaningful work during their internship. To qualify for this position, applicants must be currently pursuing a degree from an accredited college or university and have an anticipated graduation date of December 2027 or later.
Responsibilities
- Assist with designing, developing, and maintaining mobile banking features for iOS and/or Android applications.
- Build small, clearly scoped features, user interface components, and defect fixes under the guidance of experienced developers.
- Participate in Agile ceremonies, including daily standups, sprint planning, backlog refinement, demonstrations, and retrospectives.
- Collaborate with developers, product owners, designers, quality engineers, and backend engineers to understand requirements and deliver high-quality solutions.
- Write and maintain unit and user interface tests that support application quality and reliability.
- Troubleshoot, debug, and help resolve issues identified during development and testing.
- Participate in learning about peer code reviews, ask questions, and apply feedback to improve code quality and maintainability.
- Learn and apply mobile development standards, secure coding practices, accessibility expectations, and platform-specific best practices.
- Support application integration with RESTful APIs, backend services, and approved third-party libraries.
- Use version control and team development practices to manage code changes effectively.
- Contribute to team knowledge sharing, technical documentation, and continuous improvement activities.
- Stay current with mobile operating system updates, development tools, and emerging technologies relevant to assigned work.
- Communicate progress, risks, questions, and outcomes clearly and professionally.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Currently pursuing a degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field.
- Curiosity, adaptability, accountability, and a willingness to learn from feedback and mentorship.
- Foundational knowledge of object-oriented programming and software development concepts.
- Familiarity with some form of programming language.
- Effective research, analytical, debugging, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to maintain accuracy, demonstrate attention to detail, and meet deadlines.
- Effective organizational, planning, time-management, verbal, and written communication skills.
- Ability to work independently on assigned tasks and collaboratively within a cross-functional team.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Have "pet projects" such as already building features or working on apps.
- Experience with Debugging or Automation.
- Experience in Authentication or Security.
- Previous experience with other companies.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Hours:
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Location:
- 820 Follin Lane, Vienna, VA 22180
- 5550 Heritage Oaks Drive, Pensacola, FL 32526
- 141 Security Dr. Winchester, VA 22602
- 9999 Willow Creek Road, San Diego, CA 92131
About us
Navy Federal provides much more than a job. We provide a meaningful career experience, including a culture that is energized, engaged and committed; and fierce appreciation for our teams, who are rewarded with highly competitive pay and generous benefits and perks.
Our approach to careers is simple yet powerful: Make our mission your passion.
- FORTUNE100 Best Companies to Work For® 2025
- Yello and WayUp Top 100 Internship Programs
- Computerworld® Best Places to Work in IT
- Newsweek Most Loved Workplaces
- 2025 PEOPLE® Companies That Care
- Newsweek Most Trustworthy Companies in America
- Military Times 2025 Best for Vets Employers
- Best Companies for Latinos to Work for 2025
- Forbes® 2025 America’s Best Large Employers
- Forbes® 2025 America's Best Employers for New Grads
- Forbes® 2025 America's Best Employers for Tech Workers
- 2025 RippleMatch Campus Forward Award Winner for Overall Excellence
- Military.com Top Military Spouse Employers 2025
- 2025 Handshake Early Talent Award
From Fortune. ©2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All rights reserved. Used under license. Fortune and Fortune Media IP Limited are not affiliated with, and do not endorse products or services of, Navy Federal Credit Union.
Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, sex, color, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity or any other basis protected by applicable law.
Accommodations: If you need accommodation or assistance for a qualifying condition to complete the online application (or during any stage of the hiring process), you can contact Navy Federal's Medical Accommodations team at medicalaccommodations@navyfederal.org or by calling 1-888-503-6013. This team cannot provide any information on job postings or application status.
Disclaimers: Navy Federal reserves the right to fill this role at a higher/lower grade level based on business need. An assessment may be required to compete for this position. Job postings are subject to close early or extend out longer than the anticipated closing date at the hiring team’s discretion based on qualified applicant volume. Navy Federal Credit Union assesses market data to establish salary ranges that enable us to remain competitive. You are paid within the salary range, based on your experience, location and market position. For additional details regarding compensation and benefits, review the Benefits page of the Navy Federal Career Site.
Protect Yourself from Job Scams: Navy Federal Credit Union jobs are posted on our career site, jobs.navyfederal.org and reputable job boards (e.g., LinkedIn, Indeed). We do not post jobs on social media marketplaces, messaging apps or unverified websites. We will never ask candidates for payment, bank details or personal financial information during the hiring process.
Bank Secrecy Act: Remains cognizant of and adheres to Navy Federal policies and procedures, and regulations pertaining to the Bank Secrecy Act.
See all 48+ J-1 Visa Principal Software Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new J-1 Visa Principal Software Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship as a Principal Software Engineer
Align your credentials to the Trainee category
The J-1 visa Trainee category requires a degree or professional certificate plus at least one year of related experience outside the U.S. Gather transcripts, employment letters, and a portfolio of systems-level work before approaching any host employer.
Map your engineering background to a training plan
Designated sponsors require a formal Training/Internship Placement Plan before issuing the DS-2019. Outline specific technical objectives, mentorship structure, and measurable milestones tied to your Principal-level responsibilities so the plan satisfies compliance review.
Search for host employers on Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to filter Principal Software Engineer roles at U.S. companies whose hiring patterns align with J-1 exchange visitor programs. Targeting employers already familiar with host-organization obligations shortens the sponsorship conversation significantly.
Clarify the two-year home residency requirement early
Certain J-1 participants funded by their home government or in skills-shortage fields must return home for two years before changing status to H-1B visa or a green card. Confirm your eligibility status before accepting a host employer offer to avoid blocking future immigration options.
Request a named Research Scholar sponsor for PhD-level roles
If your Principal Engineer role involves original research at a university lab or R-and-D institute, the Research Scholar category may fit better than Trainee. Sponsors like IIE or Cultural Vistas administer both, but the DS-2019 category you receive affects duration and program rules.
Verify your host employer's compliance obligations upfront
The host employer must sign the training plan, provide adequate supervision, and carry workers' compensation coverage. Ask HR to confirm these before your designated sponsor submits the DS-2019 to avoid delays caused by a non-compliant host site.
Principal Software Engineer J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category fits a Principal Software Engineer?
Most Principal Software Engineers use the J-1 Trainee category, which applies to professionals with a relevant degree and at least one year of post-degree work experience gained outside the U.S. If the role is research-focused at a university or corporate R-and-D lab, the Research Scholar category may apply instead. The designated sponsor, not the hiring employer, makes the final category determination based on your background and the training plan.
Who actually sponsors my J-1 visa as a Principal Software Engineer?
A U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor organization issues your DS-2019 form and holds legal responsibility for your exchange program. The tech company or research institution hiring you is the host employer, not the visa sponsor. Organizations like Cultural Vistas, IIE, and AIPT administer Trainee and Research Scholar programs and handle compliance monitoring throughout your stay.
How do I find Principal Software Engineer host employers open to J-1 exchange visitors?
Search Migrate Mate for Principal Software Engineer roles and filter for companies whose hiring patterns align with exchange visitor programs. Because the J-1 does not go through USCIS petition processing the way H-1B does, many engineering employers are unfamiliar with it. Targeting teams that have hosted J-1 participants before, or those with international research partnerships, significantly reduces the education burden during your job search.
Can the two-year home residency requirement affect my career plans after a J-1 placement?
Yes. If your exchange program is funded by your home government, or if your home country designated your occupation as a skills-shortage field, you may be subject to INA Section 212(e), which requires two years of home-country residence before you can change to H-1B status or apply for a green card. A J-1 waiver through a federal agency or state health department can remove this requirement in certain cases, but the process adds time and is not guaranteed.
Does the J-1 visa have an annual cap or lottery for software engineering roles?
No. The J-1 exchange visitor program has no annual numerical cap and no lottery. Designated sponsors issue DS-2019 forms year-round as long as program slots are available and the training plan meets Department of State requirements. This makes the J-1 a more predictable timeline than the H-1B for Principal Software Engineers entering the U.S. for structured training or research purposes.