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Associate Application Developer - Strategy and Transformation

IBM

IBM

Software Engineering
California, USA · Texas City, TX, USA
Posted on Jan 28, 2026
Introduction

IBM Consulting Client Innovation Centers (CICs) are high-delivery, team-based environments where technologists work onsite to build real solutions for real clients.

At CIC, associates collaborate closely with peers and experienced practitioners to design, build, test, and support enterprise applications at scale. Our delivery centers are built for learning through delivery, combining hands-on project work, structured training, mentorship, and teamwork to help early-career professionals develop strong technical foundations and grow with confidence.

This role is ideal for individuals who enjoy problem-solving, learning quickly, and working in an in-person, collaborative delivery environment.

In this role, you'll work in one of our IBM Consulting Client Innovation Centers (Delivery Centers), where we deliver deep technical and industry expertise to a wide range of public and private sector clients around the world. Our delivery centers offer our clients locally based skills and technical expertise to drive innovation and adoption of new technology.

Your role and responsibilities

The Associate Application Developer at IBM is an entry-level role focused on contributing to the development, testing, and support of application components within larger systems.

This role is not about knowing everything on day one. It is about having strong computer science fundamentals, demonstrated coding ability, and the curiosity and discipline to learn modern technologies in a professional delivery setting. Associates are expected to contribute to established delivery teams and take on greater responsibility as their skills and experience develop.

As an Associate Application Developer, you will:

  • Write, test, and debug application code with guidance from senior developers
  • Contribute to application features, services, or integrations within an established system architecture
  • Participate in Agile delivery activities such as stand-ups, sprint planning, and retrospectives
  • Collaborate with teammates to understand requirements and help implement technical solutions
  • Apply secure coding, quality, and performance best practices
  • Use version control and development tools to deliver code in a team-based environment
  • Continue building technical and professional skills through training, mentorship, and hands-on delivery experience

Practice-Specific Role Focus (Varies by Assignment)

An Associate Application Developer aligned to Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) supports the development and maintenance of EAM applications using IBM Maximo and related technologies as part of a delivery team. In this role, associates contribute to building and modifying application components, supporting integrations, and assisting with reports, interfaces, data conversions, and system enhancements while learning how Maximo supports asset and maintenance processes. The position focuses on developing strong technical foundations, understanding EAM business workflows, and delivering reliable solutions under the guidance of experienced practitioners, with responsibility increasing as skills and experience develop.

Depending on the practice and client engagement, associates may focus on one or more of the following Strategy and Transformation areas:

  • Customer
  • Enterprise Strategy
  • Finance
  • Simpler
  • Supply Chain
  • Talent

Additional tools, technologies, and training are provided by practice teams based on client and project needs.

Work Location & Onsite Expectations

This role is based in an IBM Client Innovation Center (CIC) and requires regular onsite presence at the assigned delivery center. Working onsite enables hands-on learning, real-time collaboration, and mentorship that support faster growth and stronger delivery outcomes.

Travel may be required for up to 60% of the time or 3 days per week (home on weekends), based on project requirements.

Required education
Bachelor's Degree
Preferred education
Master's Degree
Required technical and professional expertise

These qualifications are essential for success in the role.

Technical Fundamentals

  • Strong understanding of computer science fundamentals, including:
    • Object-oriented programming concepts
    • Data structures
    • Algorithms
  • Demonstrated ability to write and debug code in at least one primary programming language, such as Java, C#, Python, or JavaScript/TypeScript

Applied Development Experience

  • Hands-on coding experience through coursework, academic projects, internships, labs, or personal projects
  • Familiarity with core software development concepts such as debugging, testing, and version control

Programming Languages & Tools

  • Additional exposure to other languages, frameworks, or tools (e.g., Scala, SQL, Angular, React, or similar) through coursework or projects
  • Ability to apply core programming concepts across different languages and environments

Candidates are not expected to be proficient in all listed technologies. Evaluation focuses on depth in at least one primary language and the ability to transfer foundational programming skills to new tools and frameworks.

Web, Cloud, and Platform Exposure

  • Exposure through coursework or projects to web development concepts, APIs, or application frameworks (e.g., RESTful services, Spring Boot, .NET Core, Flask/Django, Node.js, or similar)
  • Exposure to cloud computing concepts—such as deploying, hosting, or integrating applications—on platforms such as AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, or IBM Cloud, through coursework, labs, or self-study

Business & Delivery Skills

  • Ability to translate business or functional requirements into technical solutions, with guidance from senior team members
  • Comfortable working onsite in a collaborative, team-based environment
  • Strong willingness to learn, accept feedback, and continuously improve
Preferred technical and professional experience

  • Experience working across both frontend and backend components in academic or project-based environments
  • Familiarity with Agile or Scrum team practices
  • Exposure to databases such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, Oracle, DB2, or MongoDB
  • Exposure to analytics or data tools such as SPSS, SAS, Tableau, Hadoop, or Spark, depending on practice needs
  • Experience collaborating with others on team-based software projects

Emerging Technology Awareness

  • Familiarity with generative AI concepts, including basic modeling approaches, responsible use, and ethical considerations, gained through coursework, projects, or self-study

Education

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field
    (Candidates with other degrees will be considered if they demonstrate equivalent technical skills.)

ABOUT BUSINESS UNIT

IBM Consulting is IBM’s consulting and global professional services business, with market leading capabilities in business and technology transformation. With deep expertise in many industries, we offer strategy, experience, technology, and operations services to many of the most innovative and valuable companies in the world. Our people are focused on accelerating our clients’ businesses through the power of collaboration. We believe in the power of technology responsibly used to help people, partners and the planet.

YOUR LIFE @ IBM

In a world where technology never stands still, we understand that, dedication to our clients success, innovation that matters, and trust and personal responsibility in all our relationships, lives in what we do as IBMers as we strive to be the catalyst that makes the world work better.

Being an IBMer means you’ll be able to learn and develop yourself and your career, you’ll be encouraged to be courageous and experiment everyday, all whilst having continuous trust and support in an environment where everyone can thrive whatever their personal or professional background.

Our IBMers are growth minded, always staying curious, open to feedback and learning new information and skills to constantly transform themselves and our company. They are trusted to provide on-going feedback to help other IBMers grow, as well as collaborate with colleagues keeping in mind a team focused approach to include different perspectives to drive exceptional outcomes for our customers. The courage our IBMers have to make critical decisions everyday is essential to IBM becoming the catalyst for progress, always embracing challenges with resources they have to hand, a can-do attitude and always striving for an outcome focused approach within everything that they do.

Are you ready to be an IBMer?

ABOUT IBM

IBM’s greatest invention is the IBMer. We believe that through the application of intelligence, reason and science, we can improve business, society and the human condition, bringing the power of an open hybrid cloud and AI strategy to life for our clients and partners around the world.

Restlessly reinventing since 1911, we are not only one of the largest corporate organizations in the world, we’re also one of the biggest technology and consulting employers, with many of the Fortune 500 companies relying on the IBM Cloud to run their business.

At IBM, we pride ourselves on being an early adopter of artificial intelligence, quantum computing and blockchain. Now it’s time for you to join us on our journey to being a responsible technology innovator and a force for good in the world.

IBM is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, pregnancy, disability, neurodivergence, age, or other characteristics protected by the applicable law. IBM is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.

OTHER RELEVANT JOB DETAILS

IBM offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program. Eligible employees may have access to:

- Healthcare benefits including medical & prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, and mental health & well being

- Financial programs such as 401(k), cash balance pension plan, the IBM Employee Stock Purchase Plan, financial counseling, life insurance, short & long- term disability coverage, and opportunities for performance based salary incentive programs

- Generous paid time off including 12 holidays, minimum 56 hours sick time, 120 hours vacation, 12 weeks parental bonding leave in accordance with IBM Policy, and other Paid Care Leave programs. IBM also offers paid family leave benefits to eligible employees where required by applicable law

- Training and educational resources on our personalized, AI-driven learning platform where IBMers can grow skills and obtain industry-recognized certifications to achieve their career goals

- Diverse and inclusive employee resource groups, giving & volunteer opportunities, and discounts on retail products, services & experiences

We consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable law.

This position was posted on the date cited in the key job details section and is anticipated to remain posted for 21 days from this date or less if not needed to fill the role.

IBM will not be providing visa sponsorship for this position now or in the future. Therefore, in order to be considered for this position, you must have the ability to work without a need for current or future visa sponsorship.

The compensation range and benefits for this position are based on a full-time schedule for a full calendar year. The salary will vary depending on your job-related skills, experience and location. Pay increment and frequency of pay will be in accordance with employment classification and applicable laws. For part time roles, your compensation and benefits will be adjusted to reflect your hours. Benefits may be pro-rated for those who start working during the calendar year.