OPT iOS Developer Jobs
iOS Developer roles are among the most OPT-friendly positions in tech, with strong demand from startups and enterprise employers alike. Most roles require Swift proficiency and qualify as specialty occupations under F-1 OPT. Your 12-month OPT window can extend to 36 months with a STEM OPT extension if your program falls under CIP code 11 or 14.
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INTRODUCTION
We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Mobile iOS Software Developer to join our Mobile Development team. This role is responsible for designing, developing, testing, and maintaining high-quality native iOS applications that support organizational objectives and deliver exceptional user experiences. The ideal candidate combines strong technical expertise with a passion for building accessible, localized, scalable, and maintainable mobile applications. This individual will contribute to technical design discussions, promote development best practices, mentor team members, and help promote engineering excellence across the mobile development team. This position may be eligible for remote work. However, St. Jude requires all remote employees to:
Travel to our Memphis campus for the interview process and/or orientation, if selected.
Travel to Memphis to work on-site for one week per quarter, or as requested based on business needs, if hired.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Design, develop, test, and maintain native iOS applications using Swift and SwiftUI.
Translate business requirements, wireframes, and UX designs into high-quality mobile solutions.
Collaborate with backend developers to integrate RESTful APIs and cloud-based services.
Implement and maintain shared Swift Packages, reusable libraries, and modular application components that support consistency, code reuse, and maintainability.
Implement localization and internationalization solutions that support multiple languages, regions, and culturally appropriate user experiences.
Implement and advocate for accessibility best practices through VoiceOver, Dynamic Type, Voice Control, semantic navigation, accessibility testing, and other Apple accessibility technologies to ensure applications meet WCAG and Apple accessibility guidelines.
Improve application performance, reliability, maintainability, security, accessibility, and user experience while ensuring solutions meet organizational engineering standards.
Investigate and resolve production issues, performance bottlenecks, application defects, and complex technical challenges.
Optimize applications for performance, memory utilization, responsiveness, and battery efficiency.
Utilize analytics, logging, monitoring, and crash reporting tools to identify trends and resolve issues.
Develop and maintain automated unit, integration, and UI tests using Swift Testing, XCTest, and other testing frameworks, while promoting testable application architectures and testing best practices across the development team.
Contribute to CI/CD pipelines, DevOps practices, and quality engineering initiatives that improve application quality, reliability, and release confidence.
Support release planning, deployment, monitoring, production support, and on-call response activities as required.
Collaborate with product owners, designers, QA analysts, business stakeholders, and fellow developers to define and deliver solutions that meet business objectives.
Participate in Agile ceremonies including sprint planning, estimation, backlog refinement, and retrospectives.
Communicate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders, providing clear recommendations and solutions to complex problems.
* Mentor developers through technical guidance, code reviews, knowledge sharing, and collaborative problem-solving.
MINIMUM EDUCATION
Bachelor's degree in computer science, data science, information science, business, or related field required.
Master's degree preferred.
MINIMUM EXPERIENCE
Minimum experience: 4+ years of IT experience in systems programming and development, preferably in comparable industry.
Four (4) or more years of experience developing native iOS applications using Swift highly preferred.
Proven experience delivering mobile applications through the Apple App Store or enterprise distribution channels highly preferred.
Extensive experience with SwiftUI and modern application architecture approaches such as MVVM, Dependency Injection, and component-based design highly preferred.
Experience implementing and extending modular, scalable, and maintainable mobile application architectures using industry-standard design patterns and software engineering principles highly preferred.
Experience contributing to the design, development, publishing, and maintenance of shared Swift Packages using Swift Package Manager highly preferred.
Experience building reusable SwiftUI component libraries, design systems, or shared UI frameworks highly preferred.
Strong understanding of Apple's Human Interface Guidelines and platform design principles highly preferred.
Experience implementing accessibility features including VoiceOver support, Dynamic Type, semantic controls, accessible navigation, and accessibility testing highly preferred.
Experience implementing localization and internationalization solutions for multi-language applications highly preferred.
Experience working with GraphQL, RESTful APIs, Azure, cloud-based services, and mobile backend integrations highly preferred.
Experience with Swift Concurrency (async/await), structured concurrency, and multithreaded application development highly preferred.
Experience with application performance optimization, memory management, and debugging tools highly preferred.
Proficiency with Git, source control workflows, and branching strategies highly preferred.
Experience with Azure DevOps, including work item tracking, pull requests, CI/CD pipelines, and automated build/deployment processes highly preferred.
Experience with Agile software development methodologies highly preferred.
Strong communication skills and experience collaborating directly with business stakeholders preferred.
Proven ability to troubleshoot complex issues and deliver high-quality solutions preferred.
Experience implementing automated testing strategies using Swift Testing, XCTest, unit, integration, and UI testing frameworks, including modernization of legacy test suites and adoption of TDD or BDD practices preferred.
Experience implementing secure mobile application development practices including authentication, authorization, secure data storage, and API security preferred.
Experience utilizing analytics, crash reporting, logging, and application monitoring tools to identify trends, troubleshoot issues, and improve application reliability preferred.
Experience mentoring developers and driving technical improvements within development teams preferred.
Experience in SDLC methodologies (e.g. Agile, Waterfall, CI/CD).
Experience in software systems design and maintenance.
Experience working with business stakeholders to identify and document Requirements.
Proven performance in earlier role/comparable role.
COMPENSATION
In recognition of certain U.S. state and municipal pay transparency laws, St. Jude is including a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This is an estimate offered in good faith and a specific salary offer takes into account factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the salary range and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current salary range is $86,320 - $154,960 per year for the role of Senior Mobile iOS Software Developer. Explore our exceptional benefits!
St. Jude is an Equal Opportunity Employer
No Search Firms
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. Please do not call or email. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee or other representative at St. Jude via email, the internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place and approved by HR will result in no fee being paid in the event the candidate is hired by St. Jude.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an iOS Developer
Confirm your degree qualifies for STEM OPT extension
Computer science, software engineering, and information technology degrees typically qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Verify your CIP code with your DSO before applying to roles, since the extension nearly triples your authorized work window.
Lead with Swift and relevant frameworks on your resume
Employers screening OPT candidates want to see Swift, SwiftUI, UIKit, and Xcode prominently listed. A portfolio with published App Store projects or GitHub repositories with iOS work signals real-world competency faster than a list of coursework.
Target employers already filing H-1B petitions
Companies with a history of H-1B visa sponsorship are far more likely to sponsor after OPT. Reviewing OFLC disclosure data for iOS or mobile developer job titles shows which employers have sponsored similar roles and understand the process.
Address your OPT timeline proactively in applications
Mention your authorization period and STEM extension eligibility in your cover letter. Employers unfamiliar with OPT often assume shorter timelines, so clarifying upfront that you have up to three years of work authorization removes a common early objection.
Apply early relative to your OPT start date
USCIS recommends applying for OPT up to 90 days before your program end date. Starting your job search three to four months before your authorized start date gives you time to receive your EAD card before your first day.
Use the 60-day grace period strategically if you lose a role
If your iOS Developer position ends before your OPT expires, you have 60 days to find new employment in a role related to your degree. Keep your job search active and your DSO informed to avoid any gap in authorized status.
iOS Developer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does an iOS Developer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, in most cases. iOS Developer positions typically qualify as STEM-designated roles when your underlying degree is in computer science, software engineering, electrical engineering, or a related CIP 11 or CIP 14 field. Your DSO can confirm eligibility based on your specific program. The extension adds 24 months to your standard 12-month OPT authorization, giving you up to 36 months total.
How do I find iOS Developer jobs that sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT and international students, so every iOS Developer listing on the platform is from employers open to sponsoring work authorization. Filtering by job title and authorization type surfaces roles where employers already understand OPT timelines and STEM extension requirements, which saves significant time compared to cold-applying and asking about sponsorship later.
Can I work as an iOS Developer on OPT if my degree is in information systems rather than computer science?
Yes. Information systems degrees often qualify for STEM OPT extension under CIP code 11, which covers computer and information sciences broadly. The key requirement is that the iOS Developer role is directly related to your degree field. Your employer will need to confirm this connection in the STEM OPT reporting process, and your DSO will verify the degree designation before approving the extension.
What happens to my OPT authorization if my iOS Developer employer is acquired or goes through layoffs?
Your OPT authorization is tied to your employment in a role related to your degree, not to a specific employer. If you lose your position, the 60-day unemployment allowance begins immediately. You can use that time to find a new iOS Developer or qualifying tech role. Inform your DSO as soon as employment ends and track your unemployment days carefully, since exceeding 90 total days terminates OPT eligibility.
Do iOS Developer contractor or 1099 roles count as valid OPT employment?
Yes, self-employment and independent contracting are permissible under OPT as long as the work is directly related to your degree. As a contractor, you would be considered self-employed and must demonstrate that you are actively using your degree-related skills. USCIS expects you to maintain documentation of your work, clients, and the connection to your field of study. Consult your DSO before accepting 1099 arrangements to ensure your specific situation is properly reported.