Machine Learning Engineer Jobs at Microsoft with Visa Sponsorship
Machine Learning Engineer jobs at Microsoft span research, applied science, and production infrastructure, where the company builds some of its most ambitious AI and ML systems. The company has a well-established sponsorship process across multiple visa categories, making it a realistic target for international candidates at all career stages.
Find Machine Learning Engineer Jobs at MicrosoftOverview
Showing 5 of 11+ Machine Learning Engineer Jobs at Microsoft
See all Machine Learning Engineer Jobs at Microsoft
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Machine Learning Engineer Jobs at Microsoft.
Get Access To All JobsOverview
Research Internships at Microsoft provide a dynamic environment for research careers with a network of world-class research labs led by globally-recognized scientists and engineers, who pursue innovation in a range of scientific and technical disciplines to help solve complex challenges in diverse fields, including computing, healthcare, economics, and the environment. Microsoft Research New York City (MSR NYC) is seeking applicants for Research Internship positions in machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI). Specific areas of interest include reinforcement learning for language models, science of deep learning, post-training, reasoning, and test-time scaling. We encourage applicants with a mix of theoretical and empirical background to apply.
Responsibilities
Research Interns put inquiry and theory into practice. Alongside fellow doctoral candidates and some of the world’s best researchers, Research Interns learn, collaborate, and network for life. Research Interns not only advance their own careers, but they also contribute to exciting research and development strides. During the 12-week internship, Research Interns are paired with mentors and expected to collaborate with other Research Interns and researchers, present findings, and contribute to the vibrant life of the community. Research internships are available in all areas of research, and are offered year-round, though they typically begin in the summer.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
* Currently enrolled in a PhD program in Computer Science or a related STEM field.
Other Requirements
Research Interns are expected to be physically located in their manager’s Microsoft worksite location for the duration of their internship.
In addition to the qualifications below, you’ll need to submit a minimum of two reference letters for this position as well as a cover letter and any relevant work or research samples. After you submit your application, a request for letters may be sent to your list of references on your behalf. Note that reference letters cannot be requested until after you have submitted your application, and furthermore, that they might not be automatically requested for all candidates. You may wish to alert your letter writers in advance, so they will be ready to submit your letter.
Preferred Qualifications
* Experience with deep learning and language modeling frameworks including pytorch, huggingface transformers, vLLM.
The base pay range for this internship is USD $6,710 - $13,270 per month. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $8,760 - $14,360 per month. Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation.
Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work. This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.
Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.
Overview
Research Internships at Microsoft provide a dynamic environment for research careers with a network of world-class research labs led by globally-recognized scientists and engineers, who pursue innovation in a range of scientific and technical disciplines to help solve complex challenges in diverse fields, including computing, healthcare, economics, and the environment. Microsoft Research New York City (MSR NYC) is seeking applicants for Research Internship positions in machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI). Specific areas of interest include reinforcement learning for language models, science of deep learning, post-training, reasoning, and test-time scaling. We encourage applicants with a mix of theoretical and empirical background to apply.
Responsibilities
Research Interns put inquiry and theory into practice. Alongside fellow doctoral candidates and some of the world’s best researchers, Research Interns learn, collaborate, and network for life. Research Interns not only advance their own careers, but they also contribute to exciting research and development strides. During the 12-week internship, Research Interns are paired with mentors and expected to collaborate with other Research Interns and researchers, present findings, and contribute to the vibrant life of the community. Research internships are available in all areas of research, and are offered year-round, though they typically begin in the summer.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
* Currently enrolled in a PhD program in Computer Science or a related STEM field.
Other Requirements
Research Interns are expected to be physically located in their manager’s Microsoft worksite location for the duration of their internship.
In addition to the qualifications below, you’ll need to submit a minimum of two reference letters for this position as well as a cover letter and any relevant work or research samples. After you submit your application, a request for letters may be sent to your list of references on your behalf. Note that reference letters cannot be requested until after you have submitted your application, and furthermore, that they might not be automatically requested for all candidates. You may wish to alert your letter writers in advance, so they will be ready to submit your letter.
Preferred Qualifications
* Experience with deep learning and language modeling frameworks including pytorch, huggingface transformers, vLLM.
The base pay range for this internship is USD $6,710 - $13,270 per month. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $8,760 - $14,360 per month. Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation.
Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work. This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.
Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.
See all Machine Learning Engineer Jobs at Microsoft
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Machine Learning Engineer Jobs at Microsoft.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Machine Learning Engineer Jobs at Microsoft
Align your portfolio to Microsoft's ML stack
Microsoft's ML engineering roles frequently involve PyTorch, Azure ML, and large-scale distributed training. Documenting hands-on work with these tools in your GitHub or portfolio gives hiring managers immediate evidence your background fits their production environment.
Target teams hiring through multiple visa pathways
Microsoft sponsors H-1B, E-3 visa, and H-1B1 visas, so Australian and Singapore nationals have cap-exempt options that bypass the H-1B lottery. Identifying which pathway applies to your citizenship before applying lets you frame your timeline accurately during offer negotiations.
Use Migrate Mate to surface active ML openings
Microsoft posts Machine Learning Engineer roles across dozens of product teams simultaneously. Use Migrate Mate to filter verified sponsorship-eligible openings so you're applying to positions where your visa type is already anticipated by the hiring team.
Prepare your credentials before the offer stage
Microsoft's immigration team initiates LCA filing with the DOL shortly after an offer is accepted. Having your academic transcripts evaluated for U.S. equivalency in advance, especially if you hold a three-year degree, prevents delays once the process starts.
Understand Microsoft's transfer options if lottery misses
If you're already at Microsoft on an H-1B and miss a lottery cycle, the company can file under cap-exempt provisions for employees continuing in the same role. Confirm your eligibility window with your assigned immigration counsel before your current status expires.
Negotiate your start date around USCIS premium processing
H-1B approvals under standard processing can take several months. Microsoft commonly uses premium processing for time-sensitive hires, but confirming this expectation during offer negotiation lets you set a start date that won't require you to be out of status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Microsoft sponsor H-1B visas for Machine Learning Engineers?
Yes, Microsoft sponsors H-1B visas for Machine Learning Engineer roles. The company participates in the annual H-1B lottery for cap-subject candidates and also supports cap-exempt filings in qualifying situations. Microsoft works with in-house immigration counsel to manage the LCA filing with the DOL and the subsequent I-129 petition with USCIS, so the process is well-structured once you receive an offer.
How do I apply for Machine Learning Engineer jobs at Microsoft?
Applications go through Microsoft's careers portal, where ML roles are listed by product team, seniority level, and location. Most positions require a technical screen followed by a multi-round virtual loop covering ML fundamentals, system design, and coding. You can also browse verified sponsorship-eligible Machine Learning Engineer openings at Microsoft through Migrate Mate, which filters roles where international candidates are actively considered.
Which visa types does Microsoft typically use for Machine Learning Engineers?
Microsoft sponsors H-1B visas for most international Machine Learning Engineer hires. Australian citizens can pursue the E-3 visa, which has a separate annual allocation and avoids the H-1B lottery entirely. Singapore nationals working in specialty occupations may qualify for the H-1B1 visa. For longer-term pathways, Microsoft also supports EB-2 and EB-3 Green Card sponsorship for employees who have established tenure in the role.
What qualifications does Microsoft expect for Machine Learning Engineer roles?
Most Machine Learning Engineer positions at Microsoft expect a bachelor's degree or higher in computer science, electrical engineering, statistics, or a closely related field. In practice, roles on applied AI teams tend to favor candidates with direct experience training and deploying large models, proficiency with distributed computing frameworks, and familiarity with cloud infrastructure, particularly Azure. Research-oriented roles often expect graduate-level credentials or published work.
How long does the sponsorship process typically take after an offer from Microsoft?
After you accept an offer, Microsoft's immigration team files the Labor Condition Application with the DOL, which is typically certified within seven business days. The I-129 petition to USCIS follows, with standard processing taking several months and premium processing resolving in roughly 15 business days. H-1B cap-subject hires must also account for the lottery cycle, meaning an October 1 start date is the earliest possible for new cap-subject approvals.