ML Engineer Jobs at Microsoft with Visa Sponsorship
ML Engineer jobs at Microsoft involve building some of its most ambitious AI and machine learning systems through teams that span research, applied ML, and product engineering. For ML Engineers, Microsoft has an established visa sponsorship process covering multiple work visa categories, making it one of the more accessible paths for international candidates in this field.
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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.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding ML Engineer Jobs at Microsoft
Align your portfolio with Microsoft's ML stack
Microsoft's ML teams prioritize hands-on experience with PyTorch, Azure ML, and large-scale distributed training. Build public projects or contributions that demonstrate these specifically, because hiring managers screen for stack fit before sponsorship conversations begin.
Target teams hiring through internal transfer pathways
Microsoft's ML Engineer openings often distinguish between product-embedded roles and research-adjacent ones. Roles sitting closer to Azure AI or Copilot product teams tend to move faster through headcount approval, which directly affects how quickly sponsorship paperwork gets initiated.
Clarify your visa category before the offer stage
Microsoft sponsors H-1B, E-3, and Green Card pathways for ML Engineers. If you hold Australian citizenship, confirm E-3 eligibility early so the recruiter routes your offer correctly. Misclassification at offer stage causes delays that push your start date back by weeks.
Understand H-1B cap timing relative to your start date
If you need a new H-1B, USCIS opens registration in March for an October 1 start. Accepting a Microsoft offer in July for an H-1B-dependent role means waiting nearly a year. Knowing this before negotiating your start date prevents a surprise gap in authorization.
Use Migrate Mate to filter verified ML Engineer openings
Not every ML Engineer listing at large tech companies explicitly states sponsorship availability. Use Migrate Mate to browse Microsoft roles confirmed to offer sponsorship, so you spend time applying to positions where your visa situation won't disqualify you after three rounds of interviews.
Prepare your degree equivalency documentation in advance
USCIS requires that your degree directly relates to machine learning, computer science, or a closely aligned field for H-1B specialty occupation approval. If your degree title is non-standard or international, gather official transcripts and a credential evaluation before Microsoft's legal team requests them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Microsoft sponsor H-1B visas for ML Engineers?
Yes, Microsoft sponsors H-1B visas for ML Engineers. The company's immigration team works with external counsel to file petitions, and ML Engineer roles qualify as specialty occupations under USCIS guidelines given the degree requirements in computer science or a related field. If you need H-1B cap sponsorship, timing your offer around the March registration window is critical.
How do I apply for ML Engineer jobs at Microsoft?
Apply directly through Microsoft's careers portal, where ML Engineer roles are listed by team and product area. Tailoring your resume to the specific team, whether Azure AI, Microsoft Research, or a product group like Copilot, improves your screening odds. You can also browse verified sponsorship-eligible openings on Migrate Mate before applying to confirm visa support is available for the role.
Which visa types does Microsoft commonly use for ML Engineers?
Microsoft sponsors H-1B visas for most international ML Engineers. Australian citizens are typically offered the E-3 visa, which bypasses the lottery and has a faster processing timeline. For longer-term immigration, Microsoft supports employer-sponsored Green Card pathways through EB-2 and EB-3 classifications, often initiated after you've been with the company for a qualifying period.
What qualifications does Microsoft expect for ML Engineer roles?
Most ML Engineer roles at Microsoft require a bachelor's degree at minimum in computer science, mathematics, or a directly related field, with graduate degrees common for senior levels. Practically, interviewers emphasize coding proficiency, experience training and deploying models at scale, and familiarity with cloud infrastructure. Research-adjacent roles often expect publications or open-source contributions alongside engineering depth.
How long does the sponsorship process take after receiving an offer from Microsoft?
For E-3 visa applicants, the timeline from offer to start date can be as short as four to six weeks if your consulate appointment is available promptly. H-1B transfers from another employer can move faster since they're cap-exempt. New H-1B cap cases must align with USCIS's October 1 start date, meaning gaps of several months are possible depending on when you receive your offer.