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 680 live OPT jobs across these employers as of August 26, 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 192 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 & Analytics412
- AI & Machine Learning299
- Software Engineering174
- Technical Program Management64
- Engineering (Non-Software)23
+75 roles across other teams
Open roles at Amazon.com192 openSee all 192+ Amazon.com OPT jobsApplySenior Applied ScientistSeattle, Washington · On-siteApplyApplied ScientistCulver City, California · On-siteApplyHuman-Robot Interaction, Applied ScientistNew York, New York · On-siteApplyData ScientistBellevue, Washington · On-siteApplySimulation & Modeling Applied ScientistSeattle, Washington · On-site - 02
Quest Diagnostics
LaboratoryDiagnosticsHealthcareQuest Diagnostics has 244 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 Health257
- Science & Research253
- Healthcare Administration205
- Nursing71
- Data Science & Analytics2
+1 roles across other teams
Open roles at Quest Diagnostics244 openSee all 244+ Quest Diagnostics OPT jobsApplyMedical Laboratory Scientist IIRoyal Oak, Michigan · On-siteApplyMedical Laboratory Scientist ITucker, Georgia · On-siteApplyClinical Lab Scientist ISan Juan Capistrano, California · On-siteApplyScientistLewisville, Texas · On-siteApplyMedical Laboratory Scientist Group LeadCleveland, Ohio · On-site - 03
TikTok
TechnologyData ScienceResearchTikTok has 55 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 & Analytics120
- AI & Machine Learning56
- Software Engineering41
- Recruiting & Talent Acquisition30
- Science & Research5
+8 roles across other teams
Open roles at TikTok55 openSee all 55+ TikTok OPT jobsApplyData Scientist GraduateSeattle, Washington · On-siteApplyMultimodal Generative AI Research ScientistSeattle, Washington · On-siteApplyWorld Model Research ScientistSan Jose, California · On-siteApplyResearch Engineer / ScientistSan Jose, California · On-siteApplyApplied Scientist - Trust and SafetySan Jose, California · On-site Unlock every OPT job from these sponsors
Find 3,100+ OPT jobs for scientists- 04
Apple
TechnologyResearchHardwareApple has 22 live OPT openings for scientists. Apple designs consumer electronics, operating systems, and software services including iPhone, Mac, and the App Store.
Open roles by team
- Data Science & Analytics54
- AI & Machine Learning22
- Software Engineering15
- Business Analysis6
- Engineering (Non-Software)4
+10 roles across other teams
Open roles at Apple22 openSee all Apple OPT jobsApplyMachine Learning (ML) Data ScientistCupertino, California · On-siteApplyProduct Data ScientistSunnyvale, California · On-siteApplyImage ScientistCupertino, California · On-siteApplyApplied AI ScientistCupertino, California · On-siteApplyIT Knowledge & Training Data ScientistSunnyvale, California · On-site - 05
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Life SciencesLaboratoryResearchThermo Fisher Scientific has 41 live OPT openings for scientists. Thermo Fisher Scientific manufactures laboratory instruments, reagents, consumables, and analytical software for scientific research.
Open roles by team
- Science & Research88
- Data Science & Analytics16
- Healthcare Administration11
- Customer Service & Support7
- Customer Support6
+26 roles across other teams
Open roles at Thermo Fisher Scientific41 openSee all 41+ Thermo Fisher Scientific OPT jobsApplyVariant Scientist IIIAnn Arbor, Michigan · On-siteApplyData Scientist IIIPleasanton, California · On-siteApplyStaff ScientistOregon · On-siteApplyManufacturing Scientist IIGreenville, North Carolina · On-siteApplyScientist IISaint Paul, Minnesota · 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
Capital One
FinanceData ScienceTechnologyCapital One has 35 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 & Analytics89
- AI & Machine Learning23
- Software Engineering10
- Audit3
- Technical Program Management3
+2 roles across other teams
Open roles at Capital One35 openSee all 35+ Capital One OPT jobsApplyManager, Data Scientist, Data Solutions and ModelingChicago, Illinois · On-siteApplyPrincipal Data ScientistMcLean, Virginia · On-siteApplyPrincipal Associate, Data ScientistMcLean, Virginia · On-siteApplyManager, Data ScientistMcLean, Virginia · On-siteApplySenior Associate, Data ScientistNew York, New York · On-site - 07
Genentech
BiotechResearchLife SciencesGenentech has 19 live OPT openings for scientists. Genentech researches, develops, and manufactures biotechnology medicines for oncology, immunology, and other therapeutic areas.
Open roles by team
- Science & Research57
- Data Science & Analytics9
- AI & Machine Learning7
- Software Engineering4
- Chemical Engineering1
+2 roles across other teams
Open roles at Genentech19 openSee all Genentech OPT jobsApplyPrincipal Associate ScientistSan Francisco, California · On-siteApplySenior ScientistSan Francisco, California · On-siteApplyPrincipal Scientist, Lab Head, Metabolism Drug DiscoverySan Francisco, California · On-siteApplySenior Machine Learning ScientistSan Francisco, California · On-siteApplyScientist 3, Cell TherapySan Francisco, California · On-site See OPT jobs from all 10 sponsors and thousands more
Find 3,100+ OPT jobs for scientists- 08
Pace Analytical Services LLC
EnvironmentalLaboratoryConsultingPace Analytical Services LLC has 30 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 & Research89
- Manufacturing Operations1
Open roles at Pace Analytical Services LLC30 openSee all 30+ Pace Analytical Services LLC OPT jobsApplyScientistOrmond Beach, Florida · On-siteApplyScientist 1Westborough, Massachusetts · On-siteApplyAssociate Scientist ILebanon, New Jersey · On-siteApplyAssociate Scientist I - MicrobiologyOakdale, Minnesota · On-siteApplyFormulation Associate ScientistIndianapolis, Indiana · On-site - 09
Terracon Consultants Inc
ConsultingEnvironmentalEngineeringTerracon Consultants Inc has 28 live OPT openings for scientists. Terracon Consultants provides geotechnical, environmental, construction materials, and facilities engineering services.
Open roles by team
- Science & Research86
- Compliance & Legal10
- Project & Program Management2
- Engineering (Non-Software)1
- Environmental Engineering1
+1 roles across other teams
Open roles at Terracon Consultants Inc28 openSee all Terracon Consultants Inc OPT jobsApplyField ScientistAustin, Texas · On-siteApplyStaff ScientistPortland, Oregon · On-siteApplyEPP Field ScientistWheat Ridge, Colorado · On-siteApplyBES Field ScientistWheat Ridge, Colorado · On-siteApplyEnvironmental Staff ScientistNashville, Tennessee · On-site - 10
SentiLink
TechnologyData ScienceFinanceSentiLink has 14 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 & Analytics24
- AI & Machine Learning15
- Software Engineering14
Open roles at SentiLink14 openSee all SentiLink OPT jobsApplyData ScientistLos Angeles, California · HybridApplyApplied ML ScientistLos Angeles, California · HybridApplyResearch ScientistChicago, Illinois · HybridApplyApplied ScientistChicago, Illinois · HybridApplyQuantitative ScientistChicago, Illinois · Hybrid
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 3,100+ 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 192 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate, followed by Quest Diagnostics (244) and TikTok (55). Across the 10 companies on this list, Migrate Mate is tracking 680 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.