OPT App Developer Jobs
App Developer roles are among the most OPT-friendly positions in tech, most qualify as specialty occupations under the H-1B visa standard, which matters when your employer later sponsors your visa. STEM OPT students get up to 36 months of work authorization, giving you time to build a strong portfolio and secure long-term sponsorship.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Description
The Core Application Developer II is a mid entry level systems application developer role that will be responsible for writing code mainly in RPGLE, SQL RPG and CLLE. This position is responsible for designing, coding, unit testing, and creating, maintaining support documentation, and assisting other Developers. The candidate will also provide tier 1 and 2 technical support for business applications.
Essential Functions
- Develop applications and solutions using RPG, SQL RPG, CL or other equivalent programming languages
- Develop and maintain solutions utilizing Fiserv Signature
- Integrate applications to Fiserv Signature using Fiserv Communicator
- Create and maintain architecture diagrams, design diagrams and data flow diagrams using Microsoft Visio or other equivalent tools
- Follow PMO governance processes to execute a project on behalf of a customer/sponsor
- Work with internal customers to assess business needs and work with a team to design solutions
- Participate in all phases of the software development life cycle (SDLC)
- Participate in developing user and technical documentation
- Lead requirements analysis and application design for smaller projects
- Learn to consider information security and regulatory requirements in SDLC
- Troubleshoot and resolve daily issues with the perspective of minimizing incidents and developing supporting documentation that may be used by Tier 1 support teams
- Accept mentorship from senior developers and may mentor Core Application Developer I
- Install new software and custom changes following Change Management disciplines
Additional Essential Functions
- Ensure compliance with Northwest’s policies and procedures, and Federal/State regulations
- Navigate Microsoft Office Software, computer applications, and software specific to the department in order to maximize technology tools and gain efficiency
- Work as part of a team
- Work with on-site equipment
Additional Responsibilities
- Participates in other special projects
Safety and Health for those without supervisory duties
- Abide by the rules of the safety and loss prevention program
- Perform work tasks in a safe manner
- Report any and all injuries to supervisor
- Know what to do in case of an emergency
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education
Bachelor's Degree Computer Science, Information Technology (Software development track) or Engineering with a programming concentration AND at least 3 years' experience
Or Associate's Degree With at least 6 years' work experience
Or High School Diploma With at least 8 years' work experience
Work Experience
3 - 5 years Banking experience
3 - 5 years In I-series AS400 Development
3 - 5 years With Fiserv Signature core banking software
General Employee Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
- Ability to establish effective working relationships among team members and participate in solving problems and making decisions
- Ability to present and express ideas and information clearly and concisely in a manner appropriate to the audience, whether oral or written
- Ability to actively listen to what others are saying to achieve understanding, sharing information with others and facilitating the open exchange of ideas and information
- Ability to establish courses of action for self to accomplish specific goals, develop and use tracking systems for monitoring own work progress, and effectively use resources such as time and information
- Ability to make right decisions based on perceptive and analytical processes, practicing good judgment in gray areas
Additional Knowledge, Skills And Abilities
- Knowledge of I-series AS400 development
- Knowledge of Fiserv Signature core banking software
- Knowledge of Automation, Unit Testing and Powershell and an ability to continue to learn
- Knowledge of software development and ability to analyze solutions and design
- Knowledge of relational data model. Experience in writing SQL statements for relational database management systems like SQL and Query SQL
- Ability to take a disciplined approach to development including quality, testing and documentation
- Ability to design information security into applications
- Ability to learn quickly; eager to use new technologies in a team with varied strengths environment
Northwest is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Job Description
The Core Application Developer II is a mid entry level systems application developer role that will be responsible for writing code mainly in RPGLE, SQL RPG and CLLE. This position is responsible for designing, coding, unit testing, and creating, maintaining support documentation, and assisting other Developers. The candidate will also provide tier 1 and 2 technical support for business applications.
Essential Functions
- Develop applications and solutions using RPG, SQL RPG, CL or other equivalent programming languages
- Develop and maintain solutions utilizing Fiserv Signature
- Integrate applications to Fiserv Signature using Fiserv Communicator
- Create and maintain architecture diagrams, design diagrams and data flow diagrams using Microsoft Visio or other equivalent tools
- Follow PMO governance processes to execute a project on behalf of a customer/sponsor
- Work with internal customers to assess business needs and work with a team to design solutions
- Participate in all phases of the software development life cycle (SDLC)
- Participate in developing user and technical documentation
- Lead requirements analysis and application design for smaller projects
- Learn to consider information security and regulatory requirements in SDLC
- Troubleshoot and resolve daily issues with the perspective of minimizing incidents and developing supporting documentation that may be used by Tier 1 support teams
- Accept mentorship from senior developers and may mentor Core Application Developer I
- Install new software and custom changes following Change Management disciplines
Additional Essential Functions
- Ensure compliance with Northwest’s policies and procedures, and Federal/State regulations
- Navigate Microsoft Office Software, computer applications, and software specific to the department in order to maximize technology tools and gain efficiency
- Work as part of a team
- Work with on-site equipment
Additional Responsibilities
- Participates in other special projects
Safety and Health for those without supervisory duties
- Abide by the rules of the safety and loss prevention program
- Perform work tasks in a safe manner
- Report any and all injuries to supervisor
- Know what to do in case of an emergency
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education
Bachelor's Degree Computer Science, Information Technology (Software development track) or Engineering with a programming concentration AND at least 3 years' experience
Or Associate's Degree With at least 6 years' work experience
Or High School Diploma With at least 8 years' work experience
Work Experience
3 - 5 years Banking experience
3 - 5 years In I-series AS400 Development
3 - 5 years With Fiserv Signature core banking software
General Employee Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
- Ability to establish effective working relationships among team members and participate in solving problems and making decisions
- Ability to present and express ideas and information clearly and concisely in a manner appropriate to the audience, whether oral or written
- Ability to actively listen to what others are saying to achieve understanding, sharing information with others and facilitating the open exchange of ideas and information
- Ability to establish courses of action for self to accomplish specific goals, develop and use tracking systems for monitoring own work progress, and effectively use resources such as time and information
- Ability to make right decisions based on perceptive and analytical processes, practicing good judgment in gray areas
Additional Knowledge, Skills And Abilities
- Knowledge of I-series AS400 development
- Knowledge of Fiserv Signature core banking software
- Knowledge of Automation, Unit Testing and Powershell and an ability to continue to learn
- Knowledge of software development and ability to analyze solutions and design
- Knowledge of relational data model. Experience in writing SQL statements for relational database management systems like SQL and Query SQL
- Ability to take a disciplined approach to development including quality, testing and documentation
- Ability to design information security into applications
- Ability to learn quickly; eager to use new technologies in a team with varied strengths environment
Northwest is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
See all OPT App Developer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an App Developer
Target companies with active H-1B filing histories
Employers who have sponsored H-1B visas before understand the process and are far more likely to do it again. Search OPT roles at companies with consistent sponsorship track records rather than startups with no immigration history.
Clarify your STEM OPT extension eligibility early
Computer science, software engineering, and information systems degrees typically qualify for the 24-month STEM extension. Confirm your degree CIP code with your DSO before applications so you can accurately communicate your full 36-month authorization window.
Frame your role as a specialty occupation from the start
App Developer roles require a degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field to qualify for H-1B sponsorship. Make sure your job title and duties on offer letters reflect this clearly, vague job descriptions complicate later sponsorship filings.
Ask about sponsorship timelines during the offer stage
H-1B cap filings open in March for an October start date. If your OPT expires before October, ask whether the employer will file a cap-exempt petition or bridge your status with another visa category in the interim.
Build a portfolio that demonstrates specialized technical depth
Employers sponsoring H-1B visas need to justify that the role requires a specific degree. A portfolio showing complex, field-specific work strengthens both your candidacy and the employer's ability to document specialty occupation requirements for USCIS.
Get your employer reporting obligations right from day one
Under STEM OPT rules, your employer must be E-Verify enrolled, and you must complete a training plan with your DSO. Missing these requirements can jeopardize your work authorization status, so confirm compliance before your start date.
App Developer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do App Developer jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most App Developer roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree is in computer science, software engineering, information technology, or a related STEM field. Confirm your specific degree CIP code with your Designated School Official before assuming eligibility. The extension gives you up to 36 months of total work authorization from your program end date.
How do I find App Developer employers who sponsor OPT and H-1B visas?
Migrate Mate is the most direct way to find App Developer roles from employers who sponsor F-1 OPT students. Browsing there filters out positions that won't work for your situation. When evaluating any employer, past H-1B filings are the strongest indicator of sponsorship willingness, since companies that have done it before have established internal processes.
Can I work as a freelance or contract App Developer on OPT?
Yes, self-employment is permitted on standard OPT, but not on STEM OPT extension. On STEM OPT, you must work for a single qualifying employer enrolled in E-Verify. If you want to do contract work, structure it through a company arrangement rather than as a sole proprietor, and confirm the setup with your DSO to stay compliant.
What happens to my OPT status if I change jobs as an App Developer?
On standard OPT, you can change employers without USCIS approval, but you must report the change to your DSO within 10 days. On STEM OPT, changing employers requires updating your training plan and getting DSO approval before starting the new role. You also have a 150-day cumulative unemployment limit across your entire OPT period, so minimize gaps between positions.
Does my App Developer role need to be full-time during OPT?
Standard OPT allows part-time work of at least 20 hours per week during the academic year, but STEM OPT requires a minimum of 20 hours per week and the employer must provide bona fide training. Most employers sponsoring H-1B visas will expect full-time employment regardless, since USCIS scrutinizes part-time specialty occupation claims more heavily during visa petition review.