STEM OPT Back End Developer Jobs
Back End Developer roles in APIs, databases, and server-side architecture qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension when your degree is in computer science, software engineering, or a related STEM field. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and you'll need a signed I-983 training plan before your extension starts.
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INTRODUCTION
The Senior Backend Developer is responsible for developing a robust collection of connected and complementary technical solutions that deliver an enterprise scale framework that serves hundred-thousands of clients and millions of web requests every day. The platform establishes an interconnected experience for both internal and external users by seamlessly integrating existing applications.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As a Senior Backend Developer, you will be a hands-on technical contributor responsible for the design, architecture, and implementation of critical backend services within this integrated digital experience platform. Your expertise will contribute to the development of highly scalable, secure, and resilient solutions.
- Hands-on Development: Design, develop, and maintain high-performance, fault-tolerant backend services and APIs using modern programming languages and frameworks. This includes core components for user authentication, authorization, content routing, and data integration.
- Security: Implement and enforce robust security measures, including single sign-on (SSO), centralized entitlements, and adherence to cyber defense standards across all backend components.
- Performance Engineering: Optimize backend systems for speed and efficiency, incorporating caching strategies, asynchronous processing, and efficient data access patterns.
- Integration Design: Design and implement solutions for integrating diverse Content Provider applications into the unified platform via HTTPS-based interfaces.
- Troubleshooting & Problem Solving: Serve as a subject matter expert for complex production issues, leading root cause analysis and resolution efforts for critical backend services.
- Collaboration: Partner closely with product management, front-end teams, architects, and infrastructure teams to translate business requirements into technical solutions and deliver features end-to-end.
- Compliance: Appropriately assess risk when business decisions are made, demonstrating particular consideration for the firm's reputation and safeguarding Citigroup, its clients and assets, by driving compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, adhering to Policy, applying sound ethical judgment regarding personal behavior, conduct and business practices, and escalating, managing and reporting control issues with transparency.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 3-6 years of extensive experience in backend software development, with significant experience in architecting and contributing to complex, large-scale enterprise platforms.
- Demonstrated experience in a Senior Developer role, with a strong track record of technical contribution.
- Proficiency in modern Java backend programming language and associated frameworks.
- Understanding and practical experience with distributed systems, microservices architectures, and RESTful API design.
- Proven experience with identity and access management (IAM) solutions, including SSO protocols (e.g., OAuth2, OpenID Connect) and fine-grained authorization.
- Experience with cloud-native development principles, containerization (Docker), orchestration (Kubernetes), and Cloud Adoption (GCP and AWS).
- Good knowledge of database technologies.
- Good problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to tackle ambiguous problems and drive solutions.
- Good communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, capable of influencing technical decisions and collaborating effectively across diverse teams.
- Hands-on experience with the other Backend technologies: Unix, Oracle, Any caching solutions and any AI adoption.
- Good knowledge on the Frontend integration is a plus: ReactJS, Content Security Policy, Adopting Corporate Design System, ADA Compliance.
Education
- Bachelor’s degree/University degree or equivalent experience
JOB FAMILY GROUP
Technology
JOB FAMILY
Applications Development
TIME TYPE
Full time
PRIMARY LOCATION
Irving Texas United States
PRIMARY LOCATION FULL TIME SALARY RANGE
$107,120.00 - $160,680.00 In addition to salary, Citi’s offerings may also include, for eligible employees, discretionary and formulaic incentive and retention awards. Citi offers competitive employee benefits, including: medical, dental & vision coverage; 401(k); life, accident, and disability insurance; and wellness programs. Citi also offers paid time off packages, including planned time off (vacation), unplanned time off (sick leave), and paid holidays. For additional information regarding Citi employee benefits, please visit citibenefits.com. Available offerings may vary by jurisdiction, job level, and date of hire.
MOST RELEVANT SKILLS
Please see the requirements listed above.
OTHER RELEVANT SKILLS
For complementary skills, please see above and/or contact the recruiter.
ANTICIPATED POSTING CLOSE DATE
Jul 18, 2026
AUTOMATED PROCESSING AND AI
We use automated processing, including artificial intelligence, for our legitimate business interests (or our reasonable and appropriate business purposes) to identify and align the candidate's skills and abilities with a specific job opening. Additionally, if you so choose, or consent, we can match your skills and abilities to other suitable roles at Citi. Importantly, all our hiring processes and decisions, including determining your suitability for a role, are conducted, checked, and decided by individuals. Our automated processing and AI do not involve relying on automatic or autonomous decision-making. Please refer to any Jurisdictional Considerations, with specific provisions for your country (where relevant) for further details. Illinois residents – AI Notice and Right
Citi is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you are a person with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to use our search tools and/or apply for a career opportunity review Accessibility at Citi. View Citi’s EEO Policy Statement and the Know Your Rights poster.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Back End Developer
Verify your CIP code matches back-end engineering
Check your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code against the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List before applying. Computer science, information systems, and software engineering CIP codes all qualify, but general business technology programs often don't.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Ask your recruiter for the employer's E-Verify company ID before you reach the offer stage. An employer that isn't enrolled can't legally hire you on STEM OPT, and re-starting your search after an offer wastes your work authorization window.
Build your I-983 training plan around specific back-end skills
List concrete learning objectives tied to the role, such as distributed systems design, RESTful API architecture, or cloud infrastructure. Generic plans get flagged by DSOs. Tie each goal to a measurable outcome your employer can evaluate at the six-month review.
Target companies with active H-1B filing history
Back-end engineering roles at companies that have filed H-1B visa petitions are far more likely to have established immigration processes. Use Migrate Mate to filter employers by visa filing history so you're prioritizing companies already set up to extend your status long-term.
Benchmark your offer against the DOL prevailing wage
Your employer's LCA must certify a wage that meets DOL standards for your role and location. Run your job title and metro area through the OFLC Wage Search before negotiating so you know the floor, not just the market range.
File your STEM OPT extension 90 days before OPT expires
USCIS recommends submitting your I-765 extension application at least 90 days before your current EAD expires. If you file on time and USCIS hasn't decided by your expiration date, your work authorization automatically continues for up to 180 days under the cap-gap provision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my computer science or software engineering degree qualify me for the STEM OPT extension as a Back End Developer?
Yes, if your degree's CIP code appears on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Computer science, software engineering, computer and information systems security, and related fields all qualify. Your DSO can confirm the CIP code on your transcript. The role itself also needs to align with your degree field, which back-end development typically does for engineering and CS graduates.
Does every Back End Developer employer need to be enrolled in E-Verify?
Yes, without exception. E-Verify enrollment is a legal requirement for any employer hiring a STEM OPT student. Before accepting a Back End Developer offer, ask the recruiter or HR contact for the company's E-Verify ID number or confirm enrollment status directly through the E-Verify employer search tool. Employers who aren't enrolled cannot legally employ you on a STEM OPT EAD.
What should my I-983 training plan include for a Back End Developer role?
Your I-983 must describe specific, measurable learning objectives tied to your back-end engineering work. List skills like RESTful API design, database optimization, microservices architecture, or CI/CD pipeline management, and connect each to your degree field. Vague plans are commonly rejected by DSOs. Your employer must conduct formal performance evaluations at the six-month and annual marks and report any material changes to your training plan.
How does cap-gap protection work if my H-1B is selected but my STEM OPT expires before October 1?
If your H-1B petition is filed before your STEM OPT EAD expires and is selected in the lottery, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year. You can continue working in your Back End Developer role without interruption. Your employer doesn't need to take any additional steps, but confirm with your DSO that your I-20 reflects the cap-gap extension period.
Where can I find Back End Developer jobs where employers are already set up for STEM OPT hiring?
Migrate Mate filters Back End Developer roles by employers with verified E-Verify enrollment and LCA filing history, so you're not guessing whether a company can actually hire you on STEM OPT. Searching there focuses your applications on employers who have already gone through the process, which shortens your timeline from offer to authorization.