Associate Application Developer 2027 - DPE

Introduction

Come forge the future like an IBMer

Ready to think boldly, work with some of the world's most recognized brands, and kick-start your career? Welcome to the IBM's Associate Program for university hires.

From day one, you'll collaborate with global clients and contribute to projects that help organizations solve their toughest challenges across digital transformation, cloud strategy, AI adoption, and process redesign - working alongside a global cohort of diverse, ambitious peers. As an Associate, you'll have access to industry-recognized certifications, digital badges, and a minimum of 40 hours of structured learning per year on IBM's AI-driven learning platform - supported by coaches, mentors, and thriving professional communities across practices.

IBM's culture of internal mobility means you'll have the freedom to explore new technologies, industries, and career paths as your interests evolve.

Bring your curiosity. Grow your skills. Build what's next - like an IBMer.

To give yourself the best opportunity for success, we advise applying only to roles that align with your skills and experience, rather than applying broadly across all entry-level positions. You'll receive a status update email for each application, so be sure to check your IBM Careers account regularly - it's the best way to get a centralized view of which roles you have active applications against.

Your role and responsibilities

As an Associate Application Developer at IBM, you'll work with clients to co-create solutions to major real-world challenges by using best practice technologies, tools, techniques, and products to translate system requirements into the design and development of customized systems.

In your role, you may be responsible for:

• Working across the entire system architecture to design, develop, and support high quality, scalable products and interfaces for our clients.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand requirements and define technical specifications for generative AI projects.
• Employing IBM's Design Thinking to create products that provide a great user experience along with high performance, security, quality, and stability.
• Working with a variety of relational databases (SQL, Postgres, DB2, MongoDB), operating systems (Linux, Windows, iOS, Android), and modern UI frameworks (Backbone.js, AngularJS, React, Ember.js, Bootstrap, and JQuery).
• Creating everything from mockups and UI components to algorithms and data structures as you deliver a viable product.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to work with a variety of technologies and strategic partners, including AWS, Microsoft, Databricks, Service Now, Oracle, and Adobe, depending on business needs and project requirements.

These positions are anticipated to start in 2027. We have positions open in these locations:

Chicago

Required education

High School Diploma/GED

Preferred education

Bachelor's Degree

Required technical and professional expertise

• Demonstrated programming proficiency and experience with 1 of the following (Java, C++, Python, Scala, R, SAS, SQL, Hadoop, HTML, SPSS, VBA, Tableau, Spark, Angular, ReactJS), as well as systems design/development, and information technology course work.
• Exposure to web services, API and Java application frameworks such as Springboot.
• Ability to translate business requirements into technical solution.
• Exposure to web application development concepts and frameworks, including front-end and/or back-end development.
• Familiarity with generative AI modeling, ethics, and methodologies.
• Familiarity with Microservices architecture, infrastructure concepts and cloud platforms AWS, Azure, IBM Cloud, and Google Cloud.
• Foundational programming exposure in at least one of: .NET/ASP.NET, C#, Java, Python, or JavaScript/Type Script.
• Exposure to technical understanding of modern software development patterns.
• Willingness to travel up to 100%.

Preferred technical and professional experience

• Preferred Majors: MIS, CS, Finance, Accounting, Business Analytics, Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, Human Resources, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Economics, User experience design, Web development).
• Have flexibility to work across architecture - building both front-end and backend.
• Exposure to cloud and AI concepts such as Azure services, data platforms, security, and AI models through coursework, labs, internships, or personal projects, with a willingness to keep learning.
• Experience using tools like Copilot, ChatGPT, or similar AI assistants to research, write, analyze, and improve productivity, while applying critical thinking and validation.

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…