Software Engineer AI Jobs at Microsoft with Visa Sponsorship

Software Engineer AI jobs at Microsoft span research, applied AI, and product teams, working on systems like Azure OpenAI, Copilot, and foundational model infrastructure. The company has a strong track record of sponsoring work visas for this function, covering multiple nonimmigrant and immigrant visa pathways.

Find Software Engineer AI Jobs at Microsoft

Overview

Open Jobs14+
Top Visa TypeGreen Card
Work Type100% On-site
Top LocationRedmond, WA

Showing 5 of 14+ Software Engineer AI Jobs at Microsoft

Microsoft
Senior + Principal Software Engineers- Front End Applied AI
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Microsoft
Added 2mo ago
Senior + Principal Software Engineers- Front End Applied AI
Microsoft
Redmond, Washington
Software Engineering
Frontend Engineering
Full-stack Engineering
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Backend Engineering
$120k - $304k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Microsoft
Principal AI Software Architect
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Microsoft
Added 2mo ago
Principal AI Software Architect
Microsoft
Redmond, Washington
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
Technical Product & Program Management
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Data Science
Technical Program Management
$140k - $304k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Microsoft
Member of Technical Staff, Software Co-Design AI HPC Systems
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Microsoft
Added 4mo ago
Member of Technical Staff, Software Co-Design AI HPC Systems
Microsoft
Mountain View, California
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
Cloud & DevOps
Technical Product & Program Management
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Data Science
Technical Program Management
$140k - $331k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Microsoft
Research Intern - Machine Learning
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Microsoft
Added 4mo ago
Research Intern - Machine Learning
Microsoft
New York
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
ML (Machine Learning)
Data Science
$6,710 - $13k/mo
On-Site
Doctorate

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Microsoft
Senior Researcher - Machine Learning
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Microsoft
Added 4mo ago
Senior Researcher - Machine Learning
Microsoft
Redmond, Washington
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
Research & Academia
Data Science
$120k - $258k/yr
On-Site
Doctorate

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Tips for Finding Software Engineer AI Jobs at Microsoft

Align your portfolio to Microsoft's AI stack

Microsoft prioritizes engineers with hands-on experience in large language models, Azure ML, and distributed training infrastructure. Publishing work or open-source contributions tied to these systems signals direct fit before your resume reaches a recruiter.

Target teams using internal transfer data

Microsoft's AI hiring is concentrated in specific orgs like Azure AI, M365 Copilot, and Research. DOL LCA disclosure data shows which teams file most frequently for Software Engineer roles, helping you prioritize outreach to the right hiring managers.

Understand how Microsoft structures H-1B transfers

If you're already on an H-1B with another employer, Microsoft can file a cap-exempt transfer petition. You're authorized to start working once USCIS receives the petition, without waiting for approval, as long as you maintain valid status.

Get your credentials evaluated before applying

Microsoft's specialty occupation requirement for Software Engineer AI roles means your degree field matters, not just your level. If you hold a three-year degree or a degree outside computer science or a related field, get a credential evaluation done before interviews start.

Use Migrate Mate to filter open roles by visa type

Microsoft posts Software Engineer AI roles across multiple teams simultaneously. Migrate Mate lets you filter specifically for positions at Microsoft that align with your visa category, so you're not manually combing through listings that won't lead to sponsorship.

Request the PERM timeline early in offer negotiations

Microsoft initiates PERM-based Green Card processes for eligible employees, but the DOL audit queue means timelines can stretch beyond a year. Asking your recruiter about the standard timeline for your level during offer stage helps you plan your long-term status continuity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Microsoft sponsor H-1B visas for Software Engineer AIs?

Yes, Microsoft sponsors H-1B visas for Software Engineer AI roles. The company participates in the annual H-1B cap lottery for new applicants and also files cap-exempt H-1B transfer petitions for candidates already holding H-1B status with another employer. Because the role qualifies as a specialty occupation under USCIS criteria, the petition process is well-established for this job category at Microsoft.

How do I apply for Software Engineer AI jobs at Microsoft?

Applications go through Microsoft's careers portal at careers.microsoft.com. Software Engineer AI roles are listed under the Engineering job family and often specify the team, such as Azure AI, Microsoft Research, or Copilot. Tailoring your resume to reflect experience with large language models, model fine-tuning, or ML infrastructure improves your chances of clearing the initial screening. Migrate Mate also aggregates Microsoft's open Software Engineer AI roles filtered by visa sponsorship eligibility.

Which visa types does Microsoft commonly use for Software Engineer AI roles?

Microsoft sponsors H-1B, E-3 visa, and H-1B1 visas for nonimmigrant work authorization in this role. For permanent residence, the company files EB-2 and EB-3 immigrant petitions through the PERM labor certification process. E-3 visa is available exclusively to Australian citizens and H-1B1 to citizens of Chile and Singapore, both offering cap-exempt processing outside the annual lottery.

What qualifications does Microsoft expect for Software Engineer AI roles?

Microsoft typically expects a bachelor's degree or higher in computer science, machine learning, or a closely related field for Software Engineer AI positions. Practical experience with model training pipelines, transformer architectures, and large-scale distributed systems is weighted heavily. Research publications or engineering contributions to production AI systems, particularly in the Azure or OpenAI ecosystem, can differentiate your application at senior levels.

How long does the visa sponsorship process take when joining Microsoft?

For H-1B transfers from another employer, you can begin work as soon as USCIS receives the petition, typically within days of filing. For new H-1B cap registrations, the lottery runs in March for an October 1 start date, meaning the cycle from registration to authorization spans roughly six months. Premium processing, available for an additional USCIS fee, can reduce adjudication to 15 business days once the petition is filed.