Top 10 Companies Hiring Scientists on OPT
The top 10 companies hiring Scientists on OPT include Amazon.com, Quest Diagnostics, and TikTok, spanning Healthcare & Medical Services, Technology & Software, Consulting & Professional Services, and Science & Research. Migrate Mate is tracking 557 live OPT jobs across these employers as of October 22, 2026, updated daily. For F-1 students whose field of study aligns with a scientific role, these employers hire directly without any employer filing requirement.
Which companies hire the most Scientists on OPT?
Ranked by live OPT openings on Migrate Mate, updated daily
- 01
Amazon.com
TechnologyCloudResearchAmazon.com has 170 live OPT openings for scientists, the most of any company on this list. Amazon operates e-commerce, cloud computing, logistics, and consumer electronics businesses worldwide.
Open roles by team
- Data Science & Analytics368
- AI & Machine Learning239
- Software Engineering144
- Technical Program Management54
- Engineering (Non-Software)22
+67 roles across other teams
Open roles at Amazon.com170 openSee all 170+ Amazon.com OPT jobsApplyApplied & Research ScientistPasadena, California · On-siteApplyApplied Scientist IISeattle, Washington · On-siteApplyApplied ScientistNew York, New York · On-siteApplySr. Simulation ScientistBellevue, Washington · On-siteApplyData ScientistSeattle, Washington · On-site - 02
Quest Diagnostics
LaboratoryDiagnosticsHealthcareQuest Diagnostics has 227 live OPT openings for scientists. Quest Diagnostics provides clinical laboratory testing, diagnostics, and health data services across the United States.
Open roles by team
- Allied Health234
- Science & Research232
- Healthcare Administration186
- Nursing65
- Data Science & Analytics4
+4 roles across other teams
Open roles at Quest Diagnostics227 openSee all 227+ Quest Diagnostics OPT jobsApplyMedical Laboratory Scientist ILewisville, Texas · On-siteApplyClinical Lab Scientist ISan Juan Capistrano, California · On-siteApplyMedical Laboratory Scientist IIPerth Amboy, New Jersey · On-siteApplyMedical Laboratory Scientist Group LeadHouston, Texas · On-siteApplySr. Medical Laboratory ScientistHackensack, New Jersey · On-site - 03
TikTok
TechnologyData ScienceResearchTikTok has 54 live OPT openings for scientists. TikTok develops a short-form video platform and builds machine learning and content recommendation systems.
Open roles by team
- Data Science & Analytics118
- AI & Machine Learning53
- Software Engineering42
- Recruiting & Talent Acquisition29
- Science & Research5
+9 roles across other teams
Open roles at TikTok54 openSee all 54+ TikTok OPT jobsApplyResearch Engineer / ScientistSan Jose, California · On-siteApplyApplied Scientist - Trust and SafetySeattle, Washington · On-siteApplyResearch Scientist / Software EngineerSan Jose, California · On-siteApplyData Scientist GraduateSeattle, Washington · On-siteApplyMultimodal Generative AI Research ScientistSeattle, Washington · On-site Unlock every OPT job from these sponsors
Find 2,600+ OPT jobs for scientists- 04
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Life SciencesLaboratoryResearchThermo Fisher Scientific has 28 live OPT openings for scientists. Thermo Fisher Scientific manufactures laboratory instruments, reagents, consumables, and analytical software for scientific research.
Open roles by team
- Science & Research79
- Manufacturing Operations18
- Data Science & Analytics3
- Healthcare Administration2
Open roles at Thermo Fisher Scientific28 openSee all Thermo Fisher Scientific OPT jobsApplyLab Application ScientistBannockburn, Illinois · On-siteApplySenior ScientistCollegeville, Pennsylvania · On-siteApplyScientist IIIPlainville, Massachusetts · On-siteApplyScientistRichmond, Virginia · On-siteApplyScientist IFlorence, South Carolina · On-site - 05
Capital One
FinanceData ScienceTechnologyCapital One has 4 live OPT openings for scientists. Capital One is a bank holding company offering consumer and commercial financial products and data-driven services.
Open roles by team
- Data Science & Analytics87
- AI & Machine Learning26
- Software Engineering14
- Technical Program Management3
- Audit1
Open roles at Capital One4 openSee all Capital One OPT jobsApplyPrincipal Associate, Data ScientistMcLean, Virginia · HybridApplyPrincipal Data ScientistNew York, New York · On-siteApplySenior Associate, Data ScientistPlano, Texas · On-siteApplyManager, Data ScientistMcLean, Virginia · On-site - Editor’s note
How this list is ranked
These employers are ranked by how many roles open to OPT candidates they have live on Migrate Mate right now. OPT is your own work authorization rather than something the employer files, so the practical question is whether the role fits your field of study and whether the team has hired people on OPT before.
- 06
Genentech
BiotechResearchLife SciencesGenentech has 23 live OPT openings for scientists. Genentech researches, develops, and manufactures biotechnology medicines for oncology, immunology, and other therapeutic areas.
Open roles by team
- Science & Research79
- Data Science & Analytics9
- AI & Machine Learning5
- Software Engineering4
- Chemical Engineering1
+2 roles across other teams
Open roles at Genentech23 openSee all Genentech OPT jobsApplyRWD ScientistBoston, Massachusetts · On-siteApplyScientist 3San Francisco, California · On-siteApplyPrincipal Toxicologist-ScientistSan Francisco, California · On-siteApplyScientist 3, In Vivo Translational ImagingSan Francisco, California · On-siteApplyPrincipal Scientist, Structural BiologySan Francisco, California · On-site - 07
Pace Analytical Services LLC
EnvironmentalLaboratoryConsultingPace Analytical Services LLC has 28 live OPT openings for scientists. Pace Analytical Services provides environmental testing, laboratory analysis, and data management solutions for regulated industries.
Open roles by team
- Science & Research94
Open roles at Pace Analytical Services LLC28 openSee all Pace Analytical Services LLC OPT jobsApplyR&D Associate ScientistFort Dodge, Iowa · On-siteApplyR&D Senior ScientistFort Dodge, Iowa · On-siteApplyScientist 1Lexington, Virginia · On-siteApplyAnalytical ScientistIndianapolis, Indiana · On-siteApplyEntry Level ScientistWestborough, Massachusetts · On-site See OPT jobs from all 10 sponsors and thousands more
Find 2,600+ OPT jobs for scientists- 08
SentiLink
TechnologyData ScienceFinanceSentiLink has 3 live OPT openings for scientists. SentiLink builds identity verification and fraud detection technology products for financial institutions and lenders.
Open roles by team
- Data Science & Analytics14
- Software Engineering10
- AI & Machine Learning9
Open roles at SentiLink3 openSee all SentiLink OPT jobsApplySenior Data ScientistChicago, Illinois · HybridApplySenior Applied ML ScientistChicago, Illinois · HybridApplySenior Data Scientist - Full StackNew York, New York · Hybrid - 09
JPMorganChase
FinanceData ScienceTechnologyJPMorganChase has 16 live OPT openings for scientists. JPMorgan Chase is a global financial services firm offering banking, investment, asset management, and payments solutions.
Open roles by team
- Data Science & Analytics40
- AI & Machine Learning15
- Business Analysis9
- Software Engineering8
- Technical Program Management4
+5 roles across other teams
Open roles at JPMorganChase16 openSee all JPMorganChase OPT jobsApplyData Scientist Senior AssociateColumbus, Ohio · On-siteApplyData Scientist AssociateJersey City, New Jersey · On-siteApplyData ScientistPlano, Texas · On-siteApplyMarketing Data Scientist Senior AssociateColumbus, Ohio · On-siteApplyBusiness Intelligence Data ScientistNew York, New York · On-site - 10
NVIDIA
TechnologyResearchHardwareNVIDIA has 4 live OPT openings for scientists. NVIDIA designs graphics processing units, data center hardware, and software for artificial intelligence applications.
Open roles by team
- Data Science & Analytics25
- Software Engineering14
- Engineering (Non-Software)12
- Science & Research9
- AI & Machine Learning5
+9 roles across other teams
Open roles at NVIDIA4 openSee all NVIDIA OPT jobsApplyResearch ScientistSanta Clara, California · On-siteApplySenior Research ScientistWestford, Massachusetts · On-siteApplySenior Robotics Research ScientistSeattle, Washington · On-siteApplySenior Research Scientist, Security and PrivacySanta Clara, California · On-site
How OPT works
OPT is work authorization for F-1 students, not an employer-sponsored visa. The student applies through their school's international office (the DSO) and USCIS with Form I-765; the employer files nothing. The role must relate to the student's field of study. OPT gives up to 12 months of work authorization, with a 24-month STEM extension for eligible degrees.
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Find 2,600+ OPT jobs for scientistsOPT Employers for Scientists: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor the most OPT visas for Scientists?
Amazon.com has the most, with 170 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate, followed by Quest Diagnostics (227) and TikTok (54). Across the 10 companies on this list, Migrate Mate is tracking 557 live OPT jobs, updated daily.
Who is eligible for OPT?
F-1 students who have been enrolled full-time for at least one academic year at an accredited U.S. college or university are eligible for OPT. The student applies independently through their Designated School Official and USCIS Form I-765. OPT is authorized for 12 months, and the work must be directly related to the student's field of study. No employer filing or approval is required for a student to be eligible.
Do scientists qualify for F-1 OPT as a specialty occupation?
Yes. Scientists typically hold a bachelor's degree in a specific field, which is exactly the specialty-occupation standard F-1 OPT is built around. What matters is that the employer classifies the role under a matching occupation code and that your degree lines up with it.
How do I get OPT through a top employer?
Start by contacting your Designated School Official to request an OPT recommendation in SEVIS. Your DSO updates your I-20 with an OPT recommendation, then you file Form I-765 with USCIS and pay the associated government filing fee. Once USCIS approves the application, you receive an Employment Authorization Document. Only after receiving that document can you begin working. The employer does not file anything on your behalf; they simply verify your authorization and hire you into a role that relates to your field of study.