Senior Application Developer Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Senior Application Developer roles are among the most consistently sponsored positions in U.S. tech. Employers regularly file H-1B visa and E-3 visa petitions for candidates with a computer science or software engineering degree, and the specialty occupation standard is well-established for this title. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsUniversity Overview
The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer, Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.
Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.
The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.
Posted Job Title
Senior Application Developer
Job Profile Title
Application Developer Senior
Job Description Summary
Information Systems & Computing (ISC) is the University of Pennsylvania’s central IT organization, providing the core network, data, voice, video, and enterprise application infrastructure and services upon which Penn’s numerous Schools and Centers build their unique tools and capabilities.
ISC’s 300-plus employees work closely with the University’s IT organizations in order to create, deliver and support products and services that help Schools and Centers operate efficiently and effectively. We strive to be easy to work with, and to serve as a trusted advisor to Penn’s IT community, faculty, staff and students in support of an environment of discovery and progress.
ISC’s focus on customer service and the high-quality, cost-effective, reliable implementation of modern IT solutions advances the mission of the University, as well as that of each individual School and Center. At Penn, technological freedom and departmental autonomy represent dearly held core values. ISC supports those ideas by providing foundational services and cogent counsel, empowering individuals and departments to employ their distinct strengths in support of their goals.
The Senior Application Developer will develop, enhance, and support key enterprise applications while adhering to standardized software development practices. This role involves active participation in the design, architecture, and development of new solutions and refining and optimizing existing code. The developer will interpret functional requirements to create software designs for mission-critical, highly available applications. Additionally, they will propose solutions, address daily technical challenges for clients, oversee project objectives and timelines, and review colleagues' work, providing feedback on efficiency, security, and adherence to best practices.
Job Responsibilities:
- Design, develop, test, implement, maintain and monitor application software and associated middleware; interfaces and databases in highly complex environments.
- Analyze user needs and software requirements to determine feasibility of design, create technical specifications to assure that projects are completed on time and within budget.
- Create and maintain comprehensive technical documentation after implementation.
- Cross-train other developers to support applications and systems.
- Collaborate with business systems analysts, architects, cloud engineers, and other stakeholders to design systems, gather information on project constraints and capabilities, and address performance, interface standards, and security requirements.
- Consult with business systems analysts, project managers, and teams within ISC, as well as other schools and centers, to discuss project status, proposals, and technical matters such as software system design or maintenance.
- Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Qualifications
- Bachelor in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field and 3 to 5 years of application development experience or equivalent combination of education and experience preferably in enterprise environments is required.
- Experience supporting mission-critical systems in higher education or similar complex organizations is a plus.
- Strong experience with Ellucian Banner (Student, Financial Aid, and/or Student Accounts modules).
- Proficiency in Oracle SQL and PL/SQL for database development and maintenance.
- Experience working with Ellucian Banner APIs and extensibility tools (e.g., Page Builder).
- Solid programming skills in languages such as Java & JavaScript.
- Experience with web technologies including HTML, CSS, and REST/SOAP web services.
- Familiarity with Unix/Linux environments and shell scripting.
- Experience with Python and Oracle Pro*C is a plus.
- Ability to analyze business requirements and translate them into technical specifications and scalable solutions.
- Strong understanding of software development lifecycle (SDLC), including design, development, testing, and deployment. Experience with Agile development is a plus.
- Experience developing and supporting highly available, enterprise-level applications.
- Ability to troubleshoot complex technical issues and optimize system performance.
- Experience with system integration, middleware, and database-driven applications.
- Proven ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams including business analysts, architects, and project managers.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to document technical solutions clearly.
- Ability to provide technical guidance, mentor peers, and conduct code reviews.
Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Department / School
Information Systems and Computing
Pay Range
$83,500.00 - $135,000.00 Annual Rate
Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.
Equal Opportunity Statement
The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.
Special Requirements
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.
University Benefits
- Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
- Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
- Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
- Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.
- Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
- Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
- Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
- University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.
- Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.
- Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.
- Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
- Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.
University Overview
The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer, Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.
Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.
The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.
Posted Job Title
Senior Application Developer
Job Profile Title
Application Developer Senior
Job Description Summary
Information Systems & Computing (ISC) is the University of Pennsylvania’s central IT organization, providing the core network, data, voice, video, and enterprise application infrastructure and services upon which Penn’s numerous Schools and Centers build their unique tools and capabilities.
ISC’s 300-plus employees work closely with the University’s IT organizations in order to create, deliver and support products and services that help Schools and Centers operate efficiently and effectively. We strive to be easy to work with, and to serve as a trusted advisor to Penn’s IT community, faculty, staff and students in support of an environment of discovery and progress.
ISC’s focus on customer service and the high-quality, cost-effective, reliable implementation of modern IT solutions advances the mission of the University, as well as that of each individual School and Center. At Penn, technological freedom and departmental autonomy represent dearly held core values. ISC supports those ideas by providing foundational services and cogent counsel, empowering individuals and departments to employ their distinct strengths in support of their goals.
The Senior Application Developer will develop, enhance, and support key enterprise applications while adhering to standardized software development practices. This role involves active participation in the design, architecture, and development of new solutions and refining and optimizing existing code. The developer will interpret functional requirements to create software designs for mission-critical, highly available applications. Additionally, they will propose solutions, address daily technical challenges for clients, oversee project objectives and timelines, and review colleagues' work, providing feedback on efficiency, security, and adherence to best practices.
Job Responsibilities:
- Design, develop, test, implement, maintain and monitor application software and associated middleware; interfaces and databases in highly complex environments.
- Analyze user needs and software requirements to determine feasibility of design, create technical specifications to assure that projects are completed on time and within budget.
- Create and maintain comprehensive technical documentation after implementation.
- Cross-train other developers to support applications and systems.
- Collaborate with business systems analysts, architects, cloud engineers, and other stakeholders to design systems, gather information on project constraints and capabilities, and address performance, interface standards, and security requirements.
- Consult with business systems analysts, project managers, and teams within ISC, as well as other schools and centers, to discuss project status, proposals, and technical matters such as software system design or maintenance.
- Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Qualifications
- Bachelor in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field and 3 to 5 years of application development experience or equivalent combination of education and experience preferably in enterprise environments is required.
- Experience supporting mission-critical systems in higher education or similar complex organizations is a plus.
- Strong experience with Ellucian Banner (Student, Financial Aid, and/or Student Accounts modules).
- Proficiency in Oracle SQL and PL/SQL for database development and maintenance.
- Experience working with Ellucian Banner APIs and extensibility tools (e.g., Page Builder).
- Solid programming skills in languages such as Java & JavaScript.
- Experience with web technologies including HTML, CSS, and REST/SOAP web services.
- Familiarity with Unix/Linux environments and shell scripting.
- Experience with Python and Oracle Pro*C is a plus.
- Ability to analyze business requirements and translate them into technical specifications and scalable solutions.
- Strong understanding of software development lifecycle (SDLC), including design, development, testing, and deployment. Experience with Agile development is a plus.
- Experience developing and supporting highly available, enterprise-level applications.
- Ability to troubleshoot complex technical issues and optimize system performance.
- Experience with system integration, middleware, and database-driven applications.
- Proven ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams including business analysts, architects, and project managers.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to document technical solutions clearly.
- Ability to provide technical guidance, mentor peers, and conduct code reviews.
Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Department / School
Information Systems and Computing
Pay Range
$83,500.00 - $135,000.00 Annual Rate
Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.
Equal Opportunity Statement
The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.
Special Requirements
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.
University Benefits
- Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
- Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
- Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
- Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.
- Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
- Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
- Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
- University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.
- Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.
- Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.
- Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
- Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.
See all 52+ Senior Application Developer jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Senior Application Developer roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Senior Application Developer
Lead with your tech stack in applications
Visa sponsorship decisions happen at the hiring manager level, not HR. Engineers who list specific frameworks, languages, and platforms get past resume screens faster and give sponsors a concrete technical case to build their petition around.
Degree field matters more than most candidates expect
USCIS requires that your degree field directly relates to the role. A computer science, software engineering, or information systems degree is straightforward. A business degree with no technical coursework can complicate approval, even for experienced developers.
Target companies with a documented sponsorship history
Companies that have sponsored this exact job title before are far more likely to do it again. DOL disclosure data shows which employers have filed LCAs for Senior Application Developer roles, giving you a verifiable shortlist of willing sponsors.
Use Migrate Mate to filter for roles open to sponsorship
Most job postings don't flag sponsorship eligibility clearly. Migrate Mate surfaces roles where employers have an active sponsorship history, so you spend time applying to positions that are actually accessible to visa-dependent candidates.
Senior Application Developer jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Senior Application Developer JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does a Senior Application Developer role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes, in the vast majority of cases. USCIS considers software development roles specialty occupations because they typically require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a closely related field. The key risk is if the job description is written broadly enough that a non-technical degree could theoretically satisfy it, which can invite a Request for Evidence. Ensuring the job posting and LCA reflect specific technical requirements strengthens the petition significantly.
Can I get sponsored as a Senior Application Developer if my degree is in a field other than computer science?
It depends on the degree and how closely it relates to the role. Degrees in information systems, computer engineering, or mathematics with a programming focus have generally been accepted. A degree in business, communications, or an unrelated field is harder to defend, even with years of experience. In those cases, employers sometimes use a credential evaluation to argue equivalency, or document that the role falls within the narrow field the degree does cover.
Which visa types do employers typically use to sponsor Senior Application Developers?
H-1B is the most common path and applies to applicants of any nationality, though it requires winning the annual lottery. Australian citizens can pursue the E-3 visa instead, which has no lottery, no annual cap issues in practice, and is processed consularly in Australia. L-1B is an option if you're transferring from an overseas office of a U.S. employer. O-1A is available for candidates with documented exceptional ability, though the evidence bar is high.
How do I find Senior Application Developer jobs where the employer is actually willing to sponsor?
The practical challenge is that many postings say 'sponsorship not available' or simply don't say. Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for visa-friendly employers, including companies with a verified history of H-1B and E-3 filings for technical roles. Browsing by job title on Migrate Mate lets you concentrate your applications on employers who have already demonstrated willingness to sponsor, rather than guessing from generic postings.
What happens to my sponsorship if I want to change employers after my H-1B is approved?
Your H-1B is employer-specific, so changing jobs requires the new employer to file a transfer petition before you start. Under H-1B portability rules, you can begin working for the new employer once the transfer petition is filed and receipted, as long as your prior H-1B was approved and you've maintained valid status. There's no need to wait for the transfer petition to be fully approved, but the new role still needs to qualify as a specialty occupation.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Senior Application Developer jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.
See which Senior Application Developer employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
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