STEM OPT Senior Mainframe Developer Jobs

Senior Mainframe Developer roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension when your degree falls under an eligible CIP code in computer science, information technology, 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 begins.

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Overview

Open Jobs4,108+
Top Visa TypeF-1 OPT
Work Type76% On-site
Median Salary$148K
Top LocationNew York, NY
Most JobsDeloitte

Showing 5 of 4,108+ Senior Mainframe Developer jobs

United Airlines
Senior Developer
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United Airlines
Added 1mo ago
Senior Developer
United Airlines
Houston, Texas
Software Engineering
Cloud & DevOps
Technical Product & Program Management
DevOps
Technical Program Management
$112,480/yr - $146,540/yr
On-Site
4+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's

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Oakridge Staffing
Senior Developer
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Oakridge Staffing
Added 2mo ago
Senior Developer
Oakridge Staffing
New York, New York
Software Engineering
Backend Engineering
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's

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Intercontinental Exchange
Senior Developer
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Intercontinental Exchange
Added 3mo ago
Senior Developer
Intercontinental Exchange
Chicago, Illinois
Software Engineering
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Backend Engineering
$133,900/yr - $159,700/yr
Hybrid
2+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
5,001-10,000

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Vergent LMS
Senior Developer
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Vergent LMS
Added 5mo ago
Senior Developer
Vergent LMS
Ridgeland, Mississippi
Software Engineering
Data Engineering
Backend Engineering
Database Administration (DBA)
On-Site
4+ yrs exp.
Associate's

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Capgemini
Senior Developer Verint AI & Social Engineering
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Capgemini
Added 7mo ago
Senior Developer Verint AI & Social Engineering
Capgemini
Chicago, Illinois
Software Engineering
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Backend Engineering
Hybrid
Bachelor's
10,001+

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Tips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Senior Mainframe Developer

Verify your CIP code before applying

Not every computer science or IT degree maps to a STEM-eligible CIP code automatically. Check your degree's CIP code against the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List before targeting STEM OPT roles, so you don't apply to positions you can't authorize.

Confirm E-Verify enrollment before interviews

STEM OPT employers must be enrolled in E-Verify at the specific worksite where you'll work, not just at headquarters. Ask your recruiter to confirm their E-Verify company ID during the screening call, before you invest time in technical rounds.

Target mainframe teams at regulated industries

Banking, insurance, and federal contractors run the largest active mainframe environments and have compliance teams already familiar with I-9 and E-Verify obligations. These employers are structurally more likely to have STEM OPT infrastructure in place than startups or mid-market tech firms.

Build your I-983 training plan around mainframe skills

USCIS requires your I-983 to describe specific learning objectives tied to your STEM degree. For mainframe roles, map planned skill development in COBOL, z/OS, JCL, or VSAM to your computer science or engineering coursework to make the connection explicit and defensible.

Search for verified STEM OPT employers on Migrate Mate

Filter your job search by employers with confirmed E-Verify enrollment and mainframe-relevant roles. Migrate Mate surfaces DOL Labor Condition Application data so you can see which companies have active filing history for the roles that match your degree and authorization window.

Time your extension filing to protect cap-gap eligibility

If you're pursuing an H-1B while on STEM OPT, your DSO must receive your STEM OPT extension application at least 90 days before your initial OPT EAD expires. A late filing breaks your cap-gap protection and can create an authorization gap between your OPT and H-1B start date.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does a Senior Mainframe Developer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?

It depends on your degree, not the job title. Senior Mainframe Developer roles typically require a bachelor's degree or higher in computer science, information technology, or a related field. If your degree maps to an eligible CIP code on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List, you qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before accepting an offer.

How do I know if a mainframe employer is enrolled in E-Verify?

E-Verify enrollment is a hard requirement for STEM OPT, and enrollment must be active at your specific work location. You can search the E-Verify employer search tool by company name or FEIN to confirm status before accepting an offer. Large financial institutions and federal contractors are often enrolled by policy, but always verify independently rather than relying on a recruiter's confirmation alone.

What goes into an I-983 training plan for a Senior Mainframe Developer role?

Your I-983 must describe how your day-to-day work connects to your STEM degree. For a Senior Mainframe Developer, that means documenting learning objectives around specific technologies like COBOL, z/OS, DB2, or systems architecture and linking each to coursework from your degree program. Your employer signs the I-983, and your DSO must recommend the extension in SEVIS before USCIS processes your new EAD.

Can I switch mainframe employers mid-STEM OPT extension?

Yes, but the new employer must also be enrolled in E-Verify, and you must report the employer change to your DSO within 10 days. A new I-983 is required for the new employer, and your DSO updates SEVIS accordingly. You can work for the new employer while the update is processed, but unauthorized gaps in employment can jeopardize your status.

Where can I find Senior Mainframe Developer jobs open to STEM OPT students?

Migrate Mate filters job listings by employers with DOL Labor Condition Application filing history, making it easier to identify companies that have actively sponsored work authorization for STEM-eligible roles. Because mainframe positions are concentrated in banking, insurance, and government contracting, searching by industry alongside your STEM OPT authorization status helps narrow to employers already familiar with the E-Verify and I-983 requirements.

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