H-1B Visa AI Research Engineer Jobs
AI Research Engineer roles sit firmly within H-1B visa specialty occupation requirements, typically demanding a master's or PhD in computer science, machine learning, or a closely related field. Employers filing H-1B petitions for these positions must certify a prevailing wage through a Labor Condition Application before USCIS can approve your petition.
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Get Access To All JobsMAIN JOB RESPONSIBILITIES / COMPETENCIES
The Director, Enterprise Artificial Intelligence is responsible for leading the Company's enterprise Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategy and driving business transformation through the adoption of AI-enabled capabilities across the organization. This role partners closely with Executive Leadership, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, Commercial Operations, Finance, Human Resources, Cybersecurity, Infrastructure, and Information Technology to identify, prioritize, and implement Artificial Intelligence solutions that improve operational efficiency, decision making, customer experience, innovation, and long-term competitive advantage.
This position provides strategic leadership for enterprise AI governance, Responsible AI, Generative AI, Agentic AI, Machine Learning, Intelligent Automation, and enterprise knowledge management while ensuring AI initiatives deliver measurable business value, align with corporate objectives, and support secure, scalable, and sustainable business transformation.
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Lead and execute the Company's enterprise Artificial Intelligence strategy aligned with corporate objectives, digital transformation initiatives, and measurable business outcomes.
-
Establish and operationalize an Enterprise AI Center of Excellence (AI CoE) responsible for governance, standards, reusable AI capabilities, and enterprise adoption.
-
Drive enterprise business transformation through the application of Artificial Intelligence, Generative AI, Agentic AI, Machine Learning, Predictive Analytics, and Intelligent Automation.
-
Partner with executive leadership and business stakeholders to identify and prioritize AI initiatives that improve operational efficiency, product quality, customer experience, revenue growth, and employee productivity.
-
Develop enterprise AI roadmaps, investment strategies, business cases, and value realization plans.
-
Establish Responsible AI governance, AI policies, model lifecycle management, and AI risk management practices.
-
Lead implementation of RAG, semantic search, vector databases, AI assistants, and enterprise knowledge management.
-
Integrate AI with Oracle Fusion ERP, OCI, OIC, Salesforce, MES, PLM, enterprise data platforms, and cloud-native applications.
-
Establish KPIs and executive dashboards measuring AI adoption and business value.
-
Lead organizational change management and enterprise AI adoption.
-
Recruit and mentor a team of AI/Business Engineers, Data Engineer/architects and AI Product Owner.
-
Evaluate emerging AI technologies and strategic technology partnerships.
-
Foster innovation, continuous improvement, and responsible AI adoption.
-
Other duties as assigned.
REQUIREMENTS
EDUCATION & TRAINING
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Engineering, Information Technology, Business Administration, or related discipline required or equivalent combination of education/experience.
- Advanced degree preferred.
- Professional certifications in AI, Cloud Computing, Enterprise Architecture, Cybersecurity, Project Management, or Data Analytics are highly desirable.
Experience
- 12+ years of progressive leadership experience in enterprise technology, digital transformation, Artificial Intelligence, data analytics, enterprise architecture, software engineering, or related disciplines.
- 3+ years leading enterprise digital AI transformation organizations.
- Demonstrated success developing enterprise AI strategies delivering measurable business transformation.
- Experience with Generative AI, LLMs, Agentic AI, RAG, Machine Learning, Predictive Analytics, and Intelligent Automation.
- Experience in integrating AI with ERP, CRM, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Finance, HR, and enterprise platforms.
- Experience presenting AI strategies and business outcomes to executive leadership and Boards.
- Enterprise AI governance, organizational change management, and global business transformation.
- FDA-regulated medical devices, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, life sciences, or other regulated industries preferred.
SKILLS
- Strong knowledge of enterprise Artificial Intelligence strategy, governance, operating models, enterprise architecture, and business transformation methodologies, including the development of AI roadmaps, investment strategies, Centers of Excellence, and enterprise adoption frameworks.
- Deep understanding of Generative AI, Large Language Models (LLMs), Agentic AI, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), prompt engineering, AI orchestration frameworks, semantic search, vector databases, AI assistants, autonomous agents, and intelligent automation technologies.
- Strong understanding of Machine Learning, Predictive Analytics, Natural Language Processing (NLP), Computer Vision, AI model lifecycle management, model evaluation, MLOps, LLMOps, and enterprise AI platform operations.
- Strong knowledge of enterprise cloud platforms including Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), cloud-native architectures, APIs, microservices, enterprise integration, event-driven architectures, and hybrid cloud environments.
- Deep understanding of enterprise data architecture, data governance, master data management, metadata management, data quality, knowledge management, vector storage, and enterprise information management principles supporting AI-enabled decision making.
- Strong understanding of Responsible AI principles, AI governance, cybersecurity, privacy, regulatory compliance, intellectual property protection, model transparency, explainability, AI ethics, enterprise risk management, and secure AI deployment practices.
- Demonstrated ability to align Artificial Intelligence investments with corporate strategy by developing business cases, value realization frameworks, key performance indicators (KPIs), executive dashboards, and measurable financial and operational outcomes.
- Ability to partner effectively with Executive Leadership, Information Technology, Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, Finance, Human Resources, Cybersecurity, Legal, and external technology partners to deliver enterprise-wide AI capabilities.
- Excellent analytical, strategic planning, organizational, communication, executive presentation, negotiation, financial management, vendor management, stakeholder engagement, and organizational change management skills.
- Demonstrated leadership building, mentoring, and scaling high-performing multidisciplinary teams consisting of AI Engineers, Data Scientists, Machine Learning Engineers, AI Solution Architects, Enterprise Architects, Product Managers, and business technology professionals.
- Proven ability to lead enterprise modernization initiatives, drive innovation, establish AI governance, manage organizational change, and deliver measurable business transformation while maintaining secure, scalable, and responsible AI practices.
Pay range: $200K - $300K - Final compensation/salary will depend on experience.
STAAR Surgical is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran or disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
LOCATION
Lake Forest, CA, US
Job Code: 2214
of Openings: 1
MAIN JOB RESPONSIBILITIES / COMPETENCIES
The Director, Enterprise Artificial Intelligence is responsible for leading the Company's enterprise Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategy and driving business transformation through the adoption of AI-enabled capabilities across the organization. This role partners closely with Executive Leadership, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, Commercial Operations, Finance, Human Resources, Cybersecurity, Infrastructure, and Information Technology to identify, prioritize, and implement Artificial Intelligence solutions that improve operational efficiency, decision making, customer experience, innovation, and long-term competitive advantage.
This position provides strategic leadership for enterprise AI governance, Responsible AI, Generative AI, Agentic AI, Machine Learning, Intelligent Automation, and enterprise knowledge management while ensuring AI initiatives deliver measurable business value, align with corporate objectives, and support secure, scalable, and sustainable business transformation.
-
Lead and execute the Company's enterprise Artificial Intelligence strategy aligned with corporate objectives, digital transformation initiatives, and measurable business outcomes.
-
Establish and operationalize an Enterprise AI Center of Excellence (AI CoE) responsible for governance, standards, reusable AI capabilities, and enterprise adoption.
-
Drive enterprise business transformation through the application of Artificial Intelligence, Generative AI, Agentic AI, Machine Learning, Predictive Analytics, and Intelligent Automation.
-
Partner with executive leadership and business stakeholders to identify and prioritize AI initiatives that improve operational efficiency, product quality, customer experience, revenue growth, and employee productivity.
-
Develop enterprise AI roadmaps, investment strategies, business cases, and value realization plans.
-
Establish Responsible AI governance, AI policies, model lifecycle management, and AI risk management practices.
-
Lead implementation of RAG, semantic search, vector databases, AI assistants, and enterprise knowledge management.
-
Integrate AI with Oracle Fusion ERP, OCI, OIC, Salesforce, MES, PLM, enterprise data platforms, and cloud-native applications.
-
Establish KPIs and executive dashboards measuring AI adoption and business value.
-
Lead organizational change management and enterprise AI adoption.
-
Recruit and mentor a team of AI/Business Engineers, Data Engineer/architects and AI Product Owner.
-
Evaluate emerging AI technologies and strategic technology partnerships.
-
Foster innovation, continuous improvement, and responsible AI adoption.
-
Other duties as assigned.
REQUIREMENTS
EDUCATION & TRAINING
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Engineering, Information Technology, Business Administration, or related discipline required or equivalent combination of education/experience.
- Advanced degree preferred.
- Professional certifications in AI, Cloud Computing, Enterprise Architecture, Cybersecurity, Project Management, or Data Analytics are highly desirable.
Experience
- 12+ years of progressive leadership experience in enterprise technology, digital transformation, Artificial Intelligence, data analytics, enterprise architecture, software engineering, or related disciplines.
- 3+ years leading enterprise digital AI transformation organizations.
- Demonstrated success developing enterprise AI strategies delivering measurable business transformation.
- Experience with Generative AI, LLMs, Agentic AI, RAG, Machine Learning, Predictive Analytics, and Intelligent Automation.
- Experience in integrating AI with ERP, CRM, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Finance, HR, and enterprise platforms.
- Experience presenting AI strategies and business outcomes to executive leadership and Boards.
- Enterprise AI governance, organizational change management, and global business transformation.
- FDA-regulated medical devices, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, life sciences, or other regulated industries preferred.
SKILLS
- Strong knowledge of enterprise Artificial Intelligence strategy, governance, operating models, enterprise architecture, and business transformation methodologies, including the development of AI roadmaps, investment strategies, Centers of Excellence, and enterprise adoption frameworks.
- Deep understanding of Generative AI, Large Language Models (LLMs), Agentic AI, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), prompt engineering, AI orchestration frameworks, semantic search, vector databases, AI assistants, autonomous agents, and intelligent automation technologies.
- Strong understanding of Machine Learning, Predictive Analytics, Natural Language Processing (NLP), Computer Vision, AI model lifecycle management, model evaluation, MLOps, LLMOps, and enterprise AI platform operations.
- Strong knowledge of enterprise cloud platforms including Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), cloud-native architectures, APIs, microservices, enterprise integration, event-driven architectures, and hybrid cloud environments.
- Deep understanding of enterprise data architecture, data governance, master data management, metadata management, data quality, knowledge management, vector storage, and enterprise information management principles supporting AI-enabled decision making.
- Strong understanding of Responsible AI principles, AI governance, cybersecurity, privacy, regulatory compliance, intellectual property protection, model transparency, explainability, AI ethics, enterprise risk management, and secure AI deployment practices.
- Demonstrated ability to align Artificial Intelligence investments with corporate strategy by developing business cases, value realization frameworks, key performance indicators (KPIs), executive dashboards, and measurable financial and operational outcomes.
- Ability to partner effectively with Executive Leadership, Information Technology, Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, Finance, Human Resources, Cybersecurity, Legal, and external technology partners to deliver enterprise-wide AI capabilities.
- Excellent analytical, strategic planning, organizational, communication, executive presentation, negotiation, financial management, vendor management, stakeholder engagement, and organizational change management skills.
- Demonstrated leadership building, mentoring, and scaling high-performing multidisciplinary teams consisting of AI Engineers, Data Scientists, Machine Learning Engineers, AI Solution Architects, Enterprise Architects, Product Managers, and business technology professionals.
- Proven ability to lead enterprise modernization initiatives, drive innovation, establish AI governance, manage organizational change, and deliver measurable business transformation while maintaining secure, scalable, and responsible AI practices.
Pay range: $200K - $300K - Final compensation/salary will depend on experience.
STAAR Surgical is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran or disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
LOCATION
Lake Forest, CA, US
Job Code: 2214
of Openings: 1
See all 2,381+ H-1B Visa AI Research Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa AI Research Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as an AI Research Engineer
Verify your SOC code before applying
AI Research Engineer roles often get classified under multiple SOC codes, which affects prevailing wage levels. Check O*NET to confirm which code matches your specific duties before your employer files the LCA, so there are no mismatches at adjudication.
Target cap-exempt employers strategically
Universities, nonprofit research organizations, and government-affiliated labs are cap-exempt, letting you skip the H-1B lottery entirely. If you're open to academic or applied research settings, these employers can file your petition at any point in the year.
Search verified H-1B sponsors on Migrate Mate
Filter by AI Research Engineer roles on Migrate Mate to find employers with confirmed H-1B filing history in your specialty. This saves time you'd otherwise spend cold-applying to companies that redirect research hires to contractors or don't sponsor directly.
Align your degree transcript to specialty occupation
USCIS scrutinizes AI Research Engineer petitions when degree fields are adjacent but not directly related. Have your employer's immigration counsel frame how your specific coursework, such as neural networks, probabilistic modeling, or systems design, maps to the role's duties in the I-129 petition.
Request premium processing before your start date
Standard H-1B processing can run four to six months. If your offer letter has a firm start date, ask your employer to file with premium processing so USCIS adjudicates within 15 business days and you're not waiting past your agreed onboarding timeline.
Confirm your employer's E-Verify enrollment
If you're on STEM OPT and transitioning to H-1B, your employer must already be enrolled in E-Verify for your OPT extension to remain valid. Confirm enrollment before accepting an offer, not after, to avoid a gap in work authorization.
H-1B Visa AI Research Engineer: Frequently Asked Questions
Does an AI Research Engineer role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes. USCIS classifies AI Research Engineer positions as specialty occupations because they normally require at least a bachelor's degree in a directly related field such as computer science, electrical engineering, or applied mathematics. Roles focused on model development, algorithm design, or systems research generally clear this threshold without additional justification, though USCIS may issue an RFE if the position description is broad or the degree field is tangentially related.
How do I find employers who actively sponsor H-1B visas for AI research roles?
Use Migrate Mate to browse AI Research Engineer positions filtered by employers with verified H-1B filing history. DOL Labor Condition Application data is publicly available and shows which companies have filed for comparable roles, giving you a concrete signal of sponsorship intent before you apply rather than discovering a company's policy after an offer.
What happens to my H-1B status if my AI research project is defunded mid-petition?
If your employer withdraws the H-1B petition before USCIS approves it, the petition is terminated and you'll need a new employer to file on your behalf. If you're already in valid H-1B status and your position is eliminated, you have a 60-day grace period to find a new employer, transfer your H-1B, or depart the U.S. USCIS does not extend this window for project-based cancellations.
Can an AI Research Engineer role at a startup qualify for H-1B sponsorship?
Yes, but startups face additional scrutiny. USCIS may issue an RFE requesting evidence that the employer has sufficient work and financial capacity to maintain the position for the full petition period. Your employer should document the research scope, funding sources, and organizational structure alongside the I-129. Early-stage companies with substantial venture backing or government research contracts typically satisfy this requirement.
Does holding a PhD in machine learning improve my H-1B approval odds for an AI Research Engineer position?
A PhD strengthens the specialty occupation argument because it directly demonstrates the theoretical depth the role requires. USCIS evaluates whether the position itself requires advanced study, not just whether you hold a higher degree. For senior or principal research engineer roles, a PhD can also support a higher Level III or IV prevailing wage classification under the OFLC Wage Search, which your employer must certify in the Labor Condition Application.