H-1B Visa Applied Scientist Jobs
Applied Scientist roles sit squarely within H-1B visa specialty occupation requirements, with most positions requiring a master's or PhD in computer science, statistics, or a related field. Large tech and research employers file H-1B petitions regularly for this title, making it one of the more sponsorship-accessible roles in data and machine learning.
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Get Access To All JobsWhy Join GEICO?
At GEICO, we offer a rewarding career where your ambitions are met with endless possibilities.
Every day we honor our iconic brand by offering quality coverage to millions of customers and being there when they need us most. We thrive on relentless innovation to exceed our customers' expectations while making a real impact on local communities nationwide.
Founded in 1936, GEICO is a member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies and one of the largest auto insurers in the United States. When you join our company, we want you to feel valued, supported, and proud to work here. That's why we offer the GEICO Pledge: Great Company, Great Culture, Great Rewards, and Great Careers.
Job Title: Senior Staff Applied Research Scientist
We are seeking a Senior Staff Applied Research Scientist with profound expertise to drive the direction, vision, and architectural standards for enterprise-scale AI/ML initiatives. As a self-directed technical leader within GEICO’s AI Research team, you will architect and deliver innovative AI/ML solutions that span multiple business domains, define the future of insurance operations, and accelerate transformation across the company. You will set technical strategy, mentor scientists and engineers at all levels, and partner closely with senior leadership to align AI investments with measurable business outcomes.
Key Responsibilities:
- Drive the Direction and Vision of AI/ML Initiatives: Define and own the technical strategy and long-term roadmap for cross-functional AI/ML programs, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and scalable, robust, and compliant delivery.
- Identify High-Impact Opportunities: Surface and shape high-value AI use cases through deep engagement with product, engineering, data, and business leaders; translate ambiguous needs into actionable ML problem statements and investment cases.
- Architecture and Technical Leadership: Architect end-to-end AI/ML systems spanning data acquisition, feature engineering, model development, evaluation, deployment, and monitoring across online and batch environments. Establish standards for scalability, reliability, observability, security, compliance, and cost efficiency.
- Development and Productionization: Lead the full lifecycle of model development from concept to production, including rapid prototyping, A/B testing, causal inference, and continuous improvement with clear delivery plans and milestones.
- ROI Measurement and Experimentation: Establish rigorous KPI frameworks, experimentation strategies, and causal analysis to quantify business impact, prioritize investments, and guide decision-making for portfolio-level initiatives.
- Innovation and Research Integration: Stay current with cutting-edge ML/AI research. Prototype and translate novel techniques into hardened, scalable solutions within GEICO’s insurance ecosystem.
- Define company-level research strategy and investment priorities; cultivate external collaborations (academia/industry) and guide the IP portfolio aligned to high-impact insurance outcomes.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Drive collaboration across Product, Engineering, Data Platform, Governance, Legal, Security, and Operations to ensure responsible, reliable, and effective AI adoption.
- Mentorship and Capability Building: Mentor Applied research scientists and engineers, elevate technical standards, and cultivate a culture of scientific rigor, engineering excellence, and continuous learning.
- Presentations and Executive Engagement: Communicate complex technical concepts clearly to diverse audiences. Present to senior leadership, setting context, explaining trade-offs, and building alignment and enthusiasm for AI/ML initiatives.
- Evangelism and Thought Leadership: Champion the transformative role of AI/ML across GEICO by speaking at internal forums, contributing to leadership discussions, and setting high standards that influence practices beyond your immediate team.
- Strategic and Cultural Leadership: Contribute to the overarching strategy, roadmap, and operating model for AI/ML at GEICO. Foster a culture of craftsmanship, innovation, accountability, and excellence.
Qualifications
- B.S. in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field, PhD is preferred.
- Minimum of 8 years of professional experience delivering applied AI/ML solutions in production, with a proven record of leading end-to-end model development and cross-functional initiatives with enterprise impact.
- Deep theoretical and practical expertise in statistical learning, machine learning, deep learning, and large language models; ability to reason from first principles and select appropriate methods under real-world constraints.
- Demonstrated experience establishing KPI frameworks, experimentation strategies, and causal analysis to quantify model impact and inform prioritization.
- Research experience in computer science, statistics, machine learning, operations research, or related fields; record of patents, publications, or impactful open-source contributions.
- Proven ability to mentor and lead senior research scientists and engineers; establish and enforce high standards for code quality, testing, documentation, and reproducibility.
- Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills; ability to influence senior executives and drive alignment across product, engineering, and business functions.
- Extensive experience with Python and SQL; deep hands-on expertise with ML frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, and Scikit-learn.
- Ability to solve complex technical challenges and craft long-term strategic visions that scale across teams and business areas.
Preferred Skills:
- Advanced modeling experience in numerical optimization, NLP, LLMs, and reinforcement learning; familiarity with evaluation strategies, guardrails, prompt design, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), red-teaming, and human-in-the-loop workflows.
- Expertise in building domain-specific benchmarks and evaluation suites (including for GenAI/LLMs and safety), and in establishing ethical research practices and data governance suited to regulated environments.
- Experience with responsible AI, model governance, and risk management in regulated environments; familiarity with insurance operations is a plus.
Work Locations: Candidates must be open to the following locations:
- Bethesda, Maryland
- Palo Alto, CA
- New York City, NY
- Seattle, WA
This is a unique opportunity to shape the architectural direction of AI at GEICO, define and deliver transformative AI/ML solutions at enterprise scale, and mentor the next generation of Applied research scientists. If you are passionate about driving innovation, measurable business impact, and a culture of excellence, we encourage you to apply.
Annual Salary
$150,000.00 - $300,000.00
The above annual salary range is a general guideline. Multiple factors are taken into consideration to arrive at the final hourly rate/annual salary to be offered to the selected candidate. Factors include, but are not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the role, the selected candidate’s work experience, education and training, the work location as well as market and business considerations.
GEICO will consider sponsoring a new qualified applicant for employment authorization for this position.
The GEICO Pledge:
Great Company: Protecting customers through life’s twists and turns with innovation and integrity.
Great Careers: Personalized development programs, mentorship, and certification assistance.
Great Culture: Inclusive and collaborative culture rooted in shared success.
Great Rewards: Competitive pay, benefits, and flexibility to support your well-being and future.
The equal employment opportunity policy of the GEICO Companies provides for a fair and equal employment opportunity for all associates and job applicants regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, disability or genetic information, in compliance with applicable federal, state and local law. GEICO hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled.
GEICO reasonably accommodates qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to receive equal employment opportunity and/or perform the essential functions of the job, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship to the Company. This applies to all applicants and associates. GEICO also provides a work environment in which each associate is able to be productive and work to the best of their ability. We do not condone or tolerate an atmosphere of intimidation or harassment. We expect and require the cooperation of all associates in maintaining an atmosphere free from discrimination and harassment with mutual respect by and for all associates and applicants.
Why Join GEICO?
At GEICO, we offer a rewarding career where your ambitions are met with endless possibilities.
Every day we honor our iconic brand by offering quality coverage to millions of customers and being there when they need us most. We thrive on relentless innovation to exceed our customers' expectations while making a real impact on local communities nationwide.
Founded in 1936, GEICO is a member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies and one of the largest auto insurers in the United States. When you join our company, we want you to feel valued, supported, and proud to work here. That's why we offer the GEICO Pledge: Great Company, Great Culture, Great Rewards, and Great Careers.
Job Title: Senior Staff Applied Research Scientist
We are seeking a Senior Staff Applied Research Scientist with profound expertise to drive the direction, vision, and architectural standards for enterprise-scale AI/ML initiatives. As a self-directed technical leader within GEICO’s AI Research team, you will architect and deliver innovative AI/ML solutions that span multiple business domains, define the future of insurance operations, and accelerate transformation across the company. You will set technical strategy, mentor scientists and engineers at all levels, and partner closely with senior leadership to align AI investments with measurable business outcomes.
Key Responsibilities:
- Drive the Direction and Vision of AI/ML Initiatives: Define and own the technical strategy and long-term roadmap for cross-functional AI/ML programs, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and scalable, robust, and compliant delivery.
- Identify High-Impact Opportunities: Surface and shape high-value AI use cases through deep engagement with product, engineering, data, and business leaders; translate ambiguous needs into actionable ML problem statements and investment cases.
- Architecture and Technical Leadership: Architect end-to-end AI/ML systems spanning data acquisition, feature engineering, model development, evaluation, deployment, and monitoring across online and batch environments. Establish standards for scalability, reliability, observability, security, compliance, and cost efficiency.
- Development and Productionization: Lead the full lifecycle of model development from concept to production, including rapid prototyping, A/B testing, causal inference, and continuous improvement with clear delivery plans and milestones.
- ROI Measurement and Experimentation: Establish rigorous KPI frameworks, experimentation strategies, and causal analysis to quantify business impact, prioritize investments, and guide decision-making for portfolio-level initiatives.
- Innovation and Research Integration: Stay current with cutting-edge ML/AI research. Prototype and translate novel techniques into hardened, scalable solutions within GEICO’s insurance ecosystem.
- Define company-level research strategy and investment priorities; cultivate external collaborations (academia/industry) and guide the IP portfolio aligned to high-impact insurance outcomes.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Drive collaboration across Product, Engineering, Data Platform, Governance, Legal, Security, and Operations to ensure responsible, reliable, and effective AI adoption.
- Mentorship and Capability Building: Mentor Applied research scientists and engineers, elevate technical standards, and cultivate a culture of scientific rigor, engineering excellence, and continuous learning.
- Presentations and Executive Engagement: Communicate complex technical concepts clearly to diverse audiences. Present to senior leadership, setting context, explaining trade-offs, and building alignment and enthusiasm for AI/ML initiatives.
- Evangelism and Thought Leadership: Champion the transformative role of AI/ML across GEICO by speaking at internal forums, contributing to leadership discussions, and setting high standards that influence practices beyond your immediate team.
- Strategic and Cultural Leadership: Contribute to the overarching strategy, roadmap, and operating model for AI/ML at GEICO. Foster a culture of craftsmanship, innovation, accountability, and excellence.
Qualifications
- B.S. in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field, PhD is preferred.
- Minimum of 8 years of professional experience delivering applied AI/ML solutions in production, with a proven record of leading end-to-end model development and cross-functional initiatives with enterprise impact.
- Deep theoretical and practical expertise in statistical learning, machine learning, deep learning, and large language models; ability to reason from first principles and select appropriate methods under real-world constraints.
- Demonstrated experience establishing KPI frameworks, experimentation strategies, and causal analysis to quantify model impact and inform prioritization.
- Research experience in computer science, statistics, machine learning, operations research, or related fields; record of patents, publications, or impactful open-source contributions.
- Proven ability to mentor and lead senior research scientists and engineers; establish and enforce high standards for code quality, testing, documentation, and reproducibility.
- Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills; ability to influence senior executives and drive alignment across product, engineering, and business functions.
- Extensive experience with Python and SQL; deep hands-on expertise with ML frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, and Scikit-learn.
- Ability to solve complex technical challenges and craft long-term strategic visions that scale across teams and business areas.
Preferred Skills:
- Advanced modeling experience in numerical optimization, NLP, LLMs, and reinforcement learning; familiarity with evaluation strategies, guardrails, prompt design, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), red-teaming, and human-in-the-loop workflows.
- Expertise in building domain-specific benchmarks and evaluation suites (including for GenAI/LLMs and safety), and in establishing ethical research practices and data governance suited to regulated environments.
- Experience with responsible AI, model governance, and risk management in regulated environments; familiarity with insurance operations is a plus.
Work Locations: Candidates must be open to the following locations:
- Bethesda, Maryland
- Palo Alto, CA
- New York City, NY
- Seattle, WA
This is a unique opportunity to shape the architectural direction of AI at GEICO, define and deliver transformative AI/ML solutions at enterprise scale, and mentor the next generation of Applied research scientists. If you are passionate about driving innovation, measurable business impact, and a culture of excellence, we encourage you to apply.
Annual Salary
$150,000.00 - $300,000.00
The above annual salary range is a general guideline. Multiple factors are taken into consideration to arrive at the final hourly rate/annual salary to be offered to the selected candidate. Factors include, but are not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the role, the selected candidate’s work experience, education and training, the work location as well as market and business considerations.
GEICO will consider sponsoring a new qualified applicant for employment authorization for this position.
The GEICO Pledge:
Great Company: Protecting customers through life’s twists and turns with innovation and integrity.
Great Careers: Personalized development programs, mentorship, and certification assistance.
Great Culture: Inclusive and collaborative culture rooted in shared success.
Great Rewards: Competitive pay, benefits, and flexibility to support your well-being and future.
The equal employment opportunity policy of the GEICO Companies provides for a fair and equal employment opportunity for all associates and job applicants regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, disability or genetic information, in compliance with applicable federal, state and local law. GEICO hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled.
GEICO reasonably accommodates qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to receive equal employment opportunity and/or perform the essential functions of the job, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship to the Company. This applies to all applicants and associates. GEICO also provides a work environment in which each associate is able to be productive and work to the best of their ability. We do not condone or tolerate an atmosphere of intimidation or harassment. We expect and require the cooperation of all associates in maintaining an atmosphere free from discrimination and harassment with mutual respect by and for all associates and applicants.
See all 1,115+ H-1B Visa Applied Scientist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Applied Scientist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as an Applied Scientist
Align your degree to the SOC code
USCIS evaluates specialty occupation by matching your degree field to the role's SOC code. Applied Scientist roles often file under 15-2051 (Data Scientists) or 15-1221 (Computer and Information Research Scientists), so confirm your transcript language maps directly to whichever code your offer letter uses.
Check LCA filings before applying
Use Migrate Mate to filter Applied Scientist roles by employers with active H-1B LCA filing history. This surfaces companies that have already cleared DOL prevailing-wage certification for this title, cutting out employers who've never navigated the process.
Verify prevailing wage before negotiating
Run your target job's SOC code and work location through the OFLC Wage Search before your offer negotiation. Your employer's LCA must certify a wage at or above the DOL prevailing wage, so knowing the Level I through Level IV thresholds gives you a concrete floor to reference.
Request a cap-exempt employer when possible
Universities, nonprofit research organizations, and government research entities can file H-1B petitions outside the annual cap and lottery. Applied Scientist roles at national labs or research hospitals are often cap-exempt, which means you can start work on approval rather than waiting for an October 1 start date.
Prepare a strong body-of-work portfolio early
USCIS officers occasionally issue RFEs on Applied Scientist petitions questioning whether the role genuinely requires a specific degree. Published papers, patents, or documented model deployments tied to your academic specialty strengthen the specialty occupation argument before an RFE ever arrives.
Clarify filing responsibility before signing
Confirm in writing whether your employer uses in-house legal counsel or an outside immigration firm for H-1B filings, and ask who bears the I-129 filing fee. Employers are prohibited from passing certain USCIS fees to H-1B workers, so get the fee structure documented before your start date.
H-1B Visa Applied Scientist: Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Applied Scientist role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes. Applied Scientist positions typically require at least a bachelor's degree, and most employers require a master's or PhD in computer science, statistics, mathematics, or a closely related field. USCIS evaluates the specific degree requirement stated in the job description, so the offer letter and job duties need to clearly tie the role to a particular academic discipline rather than accepting any bachelor's degree.
Which employers sponsor H-1B visas for Applied Scientist roles?
Technology companies, cloud platform providers, financial services firms, and research-focused healthcare organizations are among the most active H-1B sponsors for Applied Scientist titles. You can search Migrate Mate to filter Applied Scientist openings by employers with verified H-1B LCA filing history, so you're targeting companies that have already demonstrated they sponsor this specific role type.
How does the H-1B lottery affect my timeline as an Applied Scientist?
If your target employer is cap-subject, USCIS opens H-1B registration in March and selects registrations by lottery. Selected petitions can begin October 1 of that fiscal year. Cap-exempt employers, including universities and qualifying nonprofit research organizations, can file at any time, which is worth factoring in when you're evaluating Applied Scientist opportunities.
What SOC code is typically used for Applied Scientist H-1B filings?
Most Applied Scientist petitions file under 15-2051 (Data Scientists) or 15-1221 (Computer and Information Research Scientists), depending on whether the role is primarily modeling and analysis or foundational research. The SOC code determines the DOL prevailing wage level your employer must certify on the LCA, so it directly affects your minimum compensation floor. You can cross-reference the O*NET profile for each code to see which best matches your actual duties.
Can I transfer my H-1B to a new Applied Scientist role at a different employer?
Yes. H-1B portability under AC21 lets you change employers once your petition has been pending for at least 180 days and you're moving to a same or similar occupational classification. Your new employer files an H-1B transfer petition, and you can start work as soon as USCIS receives it, without waiting for approval. Confirm with your new employer that the transfer petition will be filed before you leave your current role.