STEM OPT Systems Programmer Jobs
Systems Programmer roles fall squarely within STEM OPT eligibility, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization to build your career in low-level systems, OS development, or embedded software. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and your degree in computer science, computer engineering, or a related STEM field must align with the role's CIP code.
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Department Overview
Technology Support applies technology to streamline and continuously improve our business processes. This division supports a wide range of functions including computer systems, software applications, databases, corporate web servers, local area networks, wide area networks, information security and audio visual equipment.
Primary Responsibilities
The incumbent works to maintain the integrity of the server operating systems, hardware, storage and/or application software per designated area of responsibility. The incumbent will maintain and monitor usage, performance and resources and troubleshoot day to day issues. The incumbent will develop, configure, customize, document and modify configuration, patching and version maintenance. The incumbent will also schedule testing, document audit and disaster recovery planning and maintain technical documentation for assigned home grown or purchased software and hardware management tools and appliances. This position maintains and participates in audit and disaster recovery practices and functions.
Summary of Qualifications
- Five years of experience in an IT related field Or, in lieu of five years of experience, a Bachelor’s degree and three years of experience in an IT related field
- Possess well-developed logical reasoning, problem solving, and analytical skills
- Experience in a position demonstrating project management skills
- Experience working with all levels of staff both internal and external (For example: Business Users, Technical Staff, Management, Customers)
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Experience in a position translating technical knowledge for end user
- Experience working in an IBM z/OS mainframe environment preferred
- Knowledge of CICS architecture, internal interfaces and resource management is preferred
- CICS systems programming experience preferred
- SMP/E experience preferred
- CICSPlex configuration and management preferred
- Understanding of common mainframe utilities and programming languages like COBOL, JCL, SQL and REXX preferred
- Performance and capacity management using BMC tools is a plus
- CICS application programming experience is a plus
- Familiarity with other core mainframe products such as Db2 and MQ is a plus
- BMC tools support experience including installation, configuration, and maintenance is a plus
- Automation development experience using languages and tools like REXX, Python, YAML, and Ansible is a plus
- Advanced-level certification in mainframe, Db2 database, network, UNIX/Linux, or storage designations in a systems engineering track is a plus
Can fill at higher level based on experience
Work Location
The work schedule for this position will be full-time remote. Business areas reserve the right to require associates to return to the office as needed, based on performance or other business considerations. A remote work schedule is subject to amendment or termination at any time by the Company.
Terms and Agreements
By submitting a job application, I attest that all information to the best of my knowledge is true and accurate. Furthermore, I understand that any information provided by me throughout the job application process is subject to verification including, but not limited to work experience, education, assessment (test) and interviews.
We appreciate your interest in Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama 'The Company'. The Company does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, status as a disabled or protected veteran, or because of citizenship status in the case of a citizen or intending citizen. No question on this application is intended to secure information to be used for such discrimination.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
Overview
Department Overview
Technology Support applies technology to streamline and continuously improve our business processes. This division supports a wide range of functions including computer systems, software applications, databases, corporate web servers, local area networks, wide area networks, information security and audio visual equipment.
Primary Responsibilities
The incumbent works to maintain the integrity of the server operating systems, hardware, storage and/or application software per designated area of responsibility. The incumbent will maintain and monitor usage, performance and resources and troubleshoot day to day issues. The incumbent will develop, configure, customize, document and modify configuration, patching and version maintenance. The incumbent will also schedule testing, document audit and disaster recovery planning and maintain technical documentation for assigned home grown or purchased software and hardware management tools and appliances. This position maintains and participates in audit and disaster recovery practices and functions.
Summary of Qualifications
- Five years of experience in an IT related field Or, in lieu of five years of experience, a Bachelor’s degree and three years of experience in an IT related field
- Possess well-developed logical reasoning, problem solving, and analytical skills
- Experience in a position demonstrating project management skills
- Experience working with all levels of staff both internal and external (For example: Business Users, Technical Staff, Management, Customers)
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Experience in a position translating technical knowledge for end user
- Experience working in an IBM z/OS mainframe environment preferred
- Knowledge of CICS architecture, internal interfaces and resource management is preferred
- CICS systems programming experience preferred
- SMP/E experience preferred
- CICSPlex configuration and management preferred
- Understanding of common mainframe utilities and programming languages like COBOL, JCL, SQL and REXX preferred
- Performance and capacity management using BMC tools is a plus
- CICS application programming experience is a plus
- Familiarity with other core mainframe products such as Db2 and MQ is a plus
- BMC tools support experience including installation, configuration, and maintenance is a plus
- Automation development experience using languages and tools like REXX, Python, YAML, and Ansible is a plus
- Advanced-level certification in mainframe, Db2 database, network, UNIX/Linux, or storage designations in a systems engineering track is a plus
Can fill at higher level based on experience
Work Location
The work schedule for this position will be full-time remote. Business areas reserve the right to require associates to return to the office as needed, based on performance or other business considerations. A remote work schedule is subject to amendment or termination at any time by the Company.
Terms and Agreements
By submitting a job application, I attest that all information to the best of my knowledge is true and accurate. Furthermore, I understand that any information provided by me throughout the job application process is subject to verification including, but not limited to work experience, education, assessment (test) and interviews.
We appreciate your interest in Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama 'The Company'. The Company does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, status as a disabled or protected veteran, or because of citizenship status in the case of a citizen or intending citizen. No question on this application is intended to secure information to be used for such discrimination.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization in Systems Programmer
Verify your degree's CIP code match
Cross-reference your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code against the Systems Programmer role on O*NET before applying. A mismatch between your field of study and the job's STEM classification is the most common reason STEM OPT extensions get rejected.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Ask recruiters directly whether the company is enrolled in E-Verify before you advance to offer negotiation. Many smaller software shops and government contractors assume enrollment but haven't completed registration, which disqualifies them as STEM OPT employers under USCIS rules.
Target employers with active systems-level LCA filings
Use Migrate Mate to filter for companies that have filed Labor Condition Applications for systems programming or software infrastructure roles. Employers with a history of LCA filings for these job titles already understand the technical degree requirements and E-Verify obligations.
Build your I-983 training plan around systems work
Draft your I-983 training plan to map specific systems programming tasks, such as kernel development, memory management, or firmware debugging, to the learning objectives your DSO will approve. Vague descriptions like 'software development' increase the risk of a rejection from your DSO.
Time your application around cap-gap protections
If your OPT expires while an H-1B visa petition is pending, cap-gap rules extend your work authorization automatically through September 30. File your STEM OPT extension at least 90 days before your OPT end date to avoid a gap that would interrupt active systems projects.
Use OFLC Wage Search to benchmark prevailing wages by region
Look up the prevailing wage for Systems Programmer roles in your target metro using OFLC Wage Search before negotiating offers. An offer below the DOL wage level for your region can block LCA certification and stall the entire authorization process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a computer science or computer engineering degree qualify me for STEM OPT as a Systems Programmer?
Yes, computer science and computer engineering degrees are among the most directly aligned fields for Systems Programmer roles under STEM OPT. The key requirement is that your degree's CIP code maps to the STEM designation list maintained by the Department of Homeland Security. Degrees in electrical engineering, mathematics, or information systems can also qualify depending on how the employer defines the role in the I-983 training plan. Confirm the match with your DSO before applying.
What E-Verify requirement applies to employers hiring me on STEM OPT?
Every employer that hires you on a STEM OPT extension must be actively enrolled in E-Verify at the time you start work. Enrollment by a parent company does not automatically cover subsidiaries or separate legal entities, so confirm that the specific hiring entity, not just a parent organization, is enrolled. USCIS treats unenrolled employers as ineligible regardless of company size or intent, and working for an unenrolled employer can jeopardize your status.
What should my I-983 training plan include for a Systems Programmer position?
Your I-983 should describe concrete technical learning objectives tied to the Systems Programmer role, such as proficiency in low-level memory management, operating system internals, or real-time embedded systems. Generic descriptions like 'improve software skills' are insufficient. The plan must show how the work experience directly relates to your STEM degree and must include a supervision structure with a named manager. Your DSO reviews and signs the I-983 before your extension is filed with USCIS.
How does cap-gap protection work if my OPT expires while I'm working as a Systems Programmer?
If your employer files an H-1B petition on your behalf before your OPT end date and USCIS selects it in the lottery, cap-gap rules automatically extend your work authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year. You can continue working in your Systems Programmer role without interruption during this period. If the petition is not selected or not timely filed, no cap-gap extension applies and your employment authorization ends with your OPT.
Where can I find Systems Programmer jobs where employers are already set up to hire STEM OPT students?
Migrate Mate filters Systems Programmer listings by employers with verified E-Verify enrollment and a history of STEM OPT or H-1B filings for technical roles. This lets you focus your applications on companies that already understand the I-983 process, the prevailing wage requirements, and the timeline involved, rather than spending time educating employers who have never sponsored work authorization before.