Entry Level Backend Developer Jobs in Pennsylvania

Introduction

A career in IBM Consulting is rooted in long-term relationships and close collaboration with clients across the globe.

You'll work with visionaries across multiple industries to improve the hybrid cloud and AI journey for the most innovative and valuable companies in the world. Your ability to accelerate impact and make meaningful change for your clients is enabled by our strategic partner ecosystem and our robust technology platforms across the IBM portfolio, including Software and Red Hat.

Curiosity and a constant quest for knowledge serve as the foundation for success in IBM Consulting. In your role, you'll be encouraged to challenge the norm, investigate ideas outside of your role, and come up with creative solutions that result in ground-breaking impact for a wide network of clients. Our culture of evolution and empathy centers on long- term career growth and development opportunities in an environment that embraces your unique skills and experience

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

During your co-op, you can enhance your knowledge and gain professional experience by working on client projects. You will primarily execute tasks, implement required configurations, under supervision. This role provides an exceptional opportunity to build a compelling portfolio, acquire new skills, gain insights into diverse industries, and embrace novel challenges for your future career.

At IBM, we prioritize continuous learning, skill development, and personal growth within a culture of coaching and mentorship. As a co-op, you'll experience this culture and could advance to our full-time Associates program, after graduation, based on results and performance.

• Application Development: Develop and enhance software applications and digital solutions under senior developer guidance.
• Front-End & Back-End: Support development using technologies such as Java, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, Python, or similar.
• Integration & Collaboration: Work with cross-functional teams to integrate applications with internal and external systems through APIs.
• Quality & Testing: Participate in testing, debugging, troubleshooting, and code reviews to ensure application quality.
• Documentation: Contribute to technical documentation, solution designs, and development guidelines.
• Agile Collaboration: Work within an agile team, participating in planning, development activities, and team discussions.
• Continuous Learning: Build knowledge of software engineering, cloud technologies, APIs, and digital product development through hands-on experience and mentorship.
• Co-op Schedule: Year-long co-op at Penn State University Park, starting May 2027; up to 20 hrs/week during classes and 40 hrs/week during academic breaks

Required education

High School Diploma/GED

Preferred education

Bachelor's Degree

Required technical and professional expertise

• Currently pursuing a university degree with a track record of academic success (preferred majors: Computer Science, MIS, Software Engineering, Web Development, or related fields).
• Strong interpersonal skills that enhance collaboration and relationship building, while managing dynamic workloads in an agile environment.
• Experience with at least one programming language or web technology (e.g., Java, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, Python, SQL) through coursework, personal projects, or internships.
• Basic understanding of software development concepts, including application development, testing, debugging, version control, or APIs.
• Readiness to adapt, take ownership of tasks, learn new technologies, and communicate effectively in a collaborative, client-facing consulting environment.
• Ability to work up to 20 hours per week when classes are in session (fall/spring semesters) and up to 40 hours per week during academic breaks (e.g., summer).

Preferred technical and professional experience

• No preferred qualifications specifiedFamiliarity with application development, web development, or digital product engineering concepts through coursework, personal projects, internships, or other hands-on experience.
• Working knowledge of HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, and/or modern front-end frameworks (e.g., React, Vue.js); experience with back-end development is a plus.
• Experience with Git or other version control tools and familiarity with development or CI/CD tools is a plus.
• Understanding of REST APIs, data structures, databases, data modeling, and basic application integration patterns.
• Familiarity with cloud technologies, application platforms, content management systems, or other digital technologies is a plus.
• Exposure to agile development methodologies, software testing practices, or DevOps concepts is a plus.

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

Supplemental 1 employees may be eligible for up to 8 paid holidays, minimum of 56 hours paid sick time and the IBM Employee Stock Purchase Plan. IBM offers paid family medical leave and disability benefits to eligible employees where required by applicable law. This position was posted on the date cited in the key job details section and is anticipated to remain posted for 15 days from this date or less if not needed to fill the role. We consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable law.

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.

Job Title

Co-Op Developer Digital Product - 2027

Date posted

14-Aug-2026

Job ID

129227

City / Township / Village

University Park

State / Province

Pennsylvania

Country

United States

Work arrangement

Onsite

Area of work

Software Engineering

Employment type

Co-Op (Fixed Term)

Contract type

Internship

Projected Minimum Salary per year

39,720.00

Projected Maximum Salary per year

72,820.00

Position type

Internship

Travel required

Up to 100% or 5 days a week (home on weekends - based on project requirements)

Company

(0147) International Business Machines Corporation

Shift

General (daytime)

Is this role a commissionable/sales incentive based position?

No