STEM OPT Applications Developer Jobs
Applications Developer roles qualify for STEM OPT when your degree maps to an approved CIP code in computer science, software engineering, or a related STEM field. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and the 24-month extension adds up to 36 months of total OPT work authorization, giving you a longer runway to build your career and pursue H-1B visa sponsorship.
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INTRODUCTION
The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) appreciates your interest in employment at our growing institution. We want your application process to go smoothly and quickly. Final applications must be submitted prior to the close of the recruitment.
If you need assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please contact our recruitment helpline at (775) 784-1495 or jobs@unr.edu.
JOB DESCRIPTION
The University of Nevada, Reno seeks a Senior Systems and Applications Developer to lead the development, integration, and support of enterprise applications, databases, reporting solutions, workflow automation, and AI-enabled technologies supporting the Research & Innovation (R&I) division, with a primary focus on Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S). This position will report to the Director of Software Development and Research Analytics. This position is on-campus and remote work will not be considered.
This position will design, develop, test, deploy, and maintain applications and system integrations that support research administration, compliance, safety, and operational business processes. Responsibilities include application development, database and data warehouse management, reporting and analytics, workflow automation, system security, and troubleshooting complex technical issues. The position also develops dashboards and data-driven solutions that improve operational efficiency and support informed decision-making.
In addition, the role supports emerging technology initiatives, including artificial intelligence, intelligent document processing, and AI agent development using enterprise platforms such as Microsoft Azure and Microsoft Foundry. The successful candidate will provide technical leadership, recommend architecture and integration strategies, and collaborate across functional areas to advance the University's research and innovation mission through modern, data-driven technology solutions.
DUTIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
- Design, develop, test, deploy and maintain enterprise web applications and database solutions.
- Manage and maintain application servers and websites to support reliable and secure operations.
- Develop and support integrations between institutional and third-party systems.
- Administer and optimize SQL Server databases and automated data-processing solutions.
- Troubleshoot and resolve application, database, and integration issues.
- Implement system enhancements, upgrades, and modernization initiatives.
- Implement emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, intelligent document processing and AI agent development, while providing technical leadership on architecture and integration strategies.
- Collaborate with stakeholders to translate business requirements into technical solutions.
- Support the security, reliability, and performance of mission-critical systems.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s Degree and five (5) years of related professional work experience; OR Master’s degree and three (3) years of related professional work experience.
RELATED EXPERIENCE: Information technology experience involving enterprise or web application development, database or server administration, systems integration, application support, reporting systems, or closely related systems and application development activities.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience designing, developing, testing, deploying and supporting enterprise web applications using C#, .NET, (including ASP.NET Core), Entity Framework or comparable technologies.
- Experience troubleshooting complex applications, planning system upgrades and transitions, providing technical leadership and evaluating architecture, security and modernization strategies.
- Experience with Microsoft SQL Server, including relational database design, stored procedures, views, schemas, security, backup and restoration, performance troubleshooting and database administration.
- Experience developing enterprise system integrations, scheduled data imports, data synchronization and automated data-processing pipelines using SSIS or comparable technologies.
- Experience with artificial intelligence, intelligent document processing, generative AI, workflow automation and AI agent development using enterprise technologies.
COMPENSATION GRADE
Administrative Faculty – C
To view the salary schedule for this position, please visit: Salary Schedules and select Administrative Faculty by Grade. Salary is competitive and commensurate with related education and experience.
REMARKABLE RETIREMENT
Our retirement plan is beyond compare. Your 19.25% contribution is generously matched by the University. With the faculty retirement plan, you are 100% vested your first day. Sit back and watch your retirement dollars grow! All permanent employees on an annual "A" or "B" contract who are employed at least 50% full-time are eligible to participate in the NSHE retirement program unless they are members of PERS of Nevada.
PERKS OF WORKING AT UNR
- Health insurance options including dental and vision - Health Insurance
- Generous annual, sick leave, long term disability and life insurance – Faculty Benefits
- E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center offers annual or semester memberships and spouse/domestic partner membership options. E.L. Wiegand Fitness Center
- Reno is proud to be a University town! Many local businesses offer discounts to WolfCard holders.
- Mountain EAP supports employees (and eligible dependents) through life's difficult moments. Mountain EAP is located in Reno and specializes in counseling and advising services for personal or interpersonal issues.
- Faculty Senate is the principal representing body for faculty. Its membership includes representatives from each academic and administrative major unit of the University. Faculty Senate
- No state income tax!
GRANTS-IN-AID FOR FACULTY EMPLOYEES
The University is proud to provide a reduced-rate tuition benefit to faculty and qualified dependents. Faculty can take up to six credits per semester at a reduced rate. Dependents of faculty have unlimited credits, but in order to be eligible children must be unmarried and under the age of 24 and must receive at least 50% of their financial support from the employee and/or employee’s spouse or domestic partner.
FACULTY DUAL CAREER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The University of Nevada, Reno recognizes the importance of addressing dual-career couples’ professional needs. We offer a dual career assistance program to newly hired faculty spouses/partners that provides resources and assists them to identify career opportunities in Northern Nevada.
DEPARTMENT INFORMATION
Research & Innovation (R&I) supports the University’s research compliance, and innovation enterprise. As a Carnegie R1 institution, University’s R&I division provides administrative, personnel, and operational support for research centers, programs, and industry partnerships that drive discovery and economic impact.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Staci Sipaila, Search Coordinator – Ssipaila@unr.edu
EXEMPT
Yes
FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT
100.0%
REQUIRED ATTACHMENT(S)
Please note, once you submit your application the only attachment/s viewable to you will be the attachment/s to the resume/CV section of the application. Any additional required attachment/s to the cover letter, references, additional documents sections of the application, will not be viewable to you after you submit your application. All uploaded attachment/s will be on the application for the committee to review. To request updates to attachments, prior to the committee review of applications, please contact the candidate helpdesk at jobs@unr.edu.
PLEASE ATTACH THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS TO YOUR APPLICATION
1) Resume/CV
2) Cover Letter
3) Contact Information for three professional references
THIS POSTING IS OPEN UNTIL FILLED
Qualified individuals are encouraged to apply immediately. This search will close without notice when a sufficient number of applications are received or a hiring decision has been made.
POSTING CLOSE DATE
Note to Applicant
A background check will be conducted on the candidate(s) selected for hire.
HR will attempt to verify academic credentials upon receipt of hiring documents. If the academic credentials cannot be verified, HR will notify the faculty member that an official transcript of their highest degree must be submitted within thirty days of the faculty member’s first day of employment.
References will be contacted at the appropriate phase of the recruitment process.
Applicants hired on a federal contract may be subject to E-Verify.
As part of the hiring process, applicants for positions in the Nevada System of Higher Education may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform job-related tasks.
For positions that require driving, evidence of a valid driver's license will be required at the time of employment and as a condition of continued employment.
Schedules are subject to change based on organizational needs.
The University of Nevada, Reno is committed to providing a place of work and learning free of discrimination on the basis of a person’s age (40 or older), disability, whether actual or perceived by others (including service-connected disabilities), gender (including pregnancy related conditions), military status or military obligations, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, race (including hair texture and protected hairstyles such as natural hairstyles, afros, bantu knots, curls, braids, locks and twists), color, or religion (protected classes).
About us
The University of Nevada, Reno is a leading public research university committed to the promise of a future powered by knowledge. Founded in 1874 as Nevada’s original land-grant university, the University serves more than 23,000 undergraduate and graduate students from all 50 states and 63 countries.
Classified by the Carnegie® Classification of Institutions of Higher Education as an R1 (“Very High Research”) university, it is also recognized in the Carnegie® Community Engagement classification. The University is also ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the “Best National Universities” and “Best National Public Universities.” It also ranks in the top tier of the WSJ/Times Higher Education World University Rankings and the New York Times’ “Top Colleges for Economic Diversity.”
Since 2009, nearly $1 billion has been invested in advanced labs, facilities, and residence halls on the main campus. The University is home to Nevada’s first medical school – the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine and the Wayne L. Prim Campus at Lake Tahoe, where education, research, and creative work thrive in a stunning mountain setting. The University delivers on its original land-grant mission with outreach across the state through the University of Nevada, Reno Extension, Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station, Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, Nevada Small Business Development Center, the Nevada Seismological Laboratory, and Wolf Pack Athletics.
The main campus is in Reno, Nevada, a burgeoning global technology hub with a vibrant midtown and downtown. Found where the high desert of the Great Basin meets the High Sierra and Lake Tahoe, the beautiful, 290-acre main campus is also a Nevada State Arboretum. The University’s physical infrastructure is expanding with ongoing construction of the newly named John Tullock Business Building, set to open in fall 2025. Groundbreaking is also planned for a new State Public Health Laboratory Building on campus, alongside the recent acquisition of 16 parcels near campus, known as “University Village,” to provide affordable housing for graduate students and early career faculty.
Collaborating with world-renowned organizations, the University fosters innovation through initiatives such as the Digital Wolf Pack partnership with Apple, which ensures equitable access to technology for students, providing new incoming freshman or transfer students with an iPad Air and accessories. Google’s TechWise initiative is an 18-month program that fully supports undergraduate students in becoming entry-level software engineers by graduation.
In 2023, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced that Nevada – led by the University of Nevada, Reno – was named one of the inaugural 31 Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs (TechHubs). Nevada was selected from a competitive pool of 489 applicants from across the United States and its territories. Nevada’s Tech Hub will strengthen America’s lithium batteries, critical elements and other electric vehicle materials industry sectors within the state.
Through its commitment to high-impact education, world-improving research and creative activity, and outreach that’s transforming Nevada’s communities and businesses, the University continues its 150-year tradition of benefitting our state, nation and world.
The University recognizes that diversity promotes excellence in education and research. The inclusive and engaged community on campus recognizes the added value that students, faculty, and staff from different backgrounds bring to the educational experience.
Today, the University delivers on its original land-grant mission of access to education and knowledge by investing in the academics, facilities, support, engagement and vibrant campus life that promote our diverse students’ cognitive growth and academic achievement – all while remaining one of the best values in American higher education.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as an Applications Developer
Verify your CIP code before applying
Check that your degree's CIP code appears on the STEM OPT designated degree list maintained by USCIS. A computer science or software engineering degree typically qualifies, but interdisciplinary degrees sometimes don't, so confirm with your DSO before your initial OPT expires.
Filter job postings by E-Verify status
Employers must be enrolled in E-Verify to hire you on STEM OPT. Use Migrate Mate to filter Applications Developer listings to verified E-Verify employers, so you don't waste application cycles on companies that can't legally extend your authorization.
Target employers with active software LCA filings
Companies that have filed Labor Condition Applications for software roles through the OFLC Wage Search tool already understand the technical complexity of sponsoring developers. Prioritize those employers when targeting Applications Developer openings.
Draft your I-983 training plan around real deliverables
Your I-983 must connect your daily development tasks to your STEM degree coursework. Listing specific project milestones, languages, and frameworks you'll use makes the plan defensible if your DSO or employer audits it mid-extension.
Negotiate your start date around OPT filing windows
You can file for STEM OPT extension up to 90 days before your initial OPT expires, but USCIS processing can run several weeks. Build at least a 60-day buffer into any offer negotiation so your EAD arrives before your current one lapses.
Check O*NET to validate your role as STEM-qualifying
Applications Developer maps to SOC codes in the O*NET database that fall within approved STEM occupational categories. Cross-reference your job description against the O*NET occupation profile before accepting an offer to confirm the role aligns with your degree field.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Applications Developer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, Applications Developer roles typically qualify because they fall under computer science and software development SOC codes that align with approved STEM CIP codes. Your specific degree field must appear on the STEM designated degree program list maintained by USCIS. Cross-reference your degree's CIP code with your DSO before filing to confirm eligibility for the 24-month extension.
How do I confirm an Applications Developer employer is enrolled in E-Verify?
E-Verify enrollment is a hard legal requirement for STEM OPT employers. You can ask the recruiter or HR contact directly and request their E-Verify Company ID as confirmation. Many employers list their enrollment status in offer letters or onboarding documents. Migrate Mate filters Applications Developer listings to show only E-Verify enrolled employers, so you can skip the manual verification step.
What goes into the I-983 training plan for an Applications Developer position?
Your I-983 must describe how your daily work as an Applications Developer connects to your STEM degree. Include the specific programming languages, development frameworks, and project types you'll work on, along with learning goals tied to your coursework. Both you and your employer sign the form, and your DSO must approve it before your STEM OPT extension begins. USCIS may audit the plan, so keep it specific and job-accurate.
Does cap-gap coverage apply to Applications Developer roles under STEM OPT?
Yes. If your employer files an H-1B petition on your behalf before your STEM OPT EAD expires and you're selected in the lottery, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of the fiscal year the H-1B takes effect. You can continue working as an Applications Developer during this period without interruption, provided your employer maintains E-Verify enrollment and your I-983 remains on file.
How far in advance should I file the STEM OPT extension for an Applications Developer job?
USCIS allows you to file the STEM OPT extension application up to 90 days before your initial 12-month OPT expires. Filing early matters because processing can take several weeks even under normal conditions. If your EAD arrives late, a 180-day automatic extension kicks in while your application is pending, but that buffer only applies if you filed before the expiration date. Don't wait until the last 30 days.