H-1B Visa Principal Research Engineer Jobs
Principal Research Engineer jobs sit squarely in H-1B visa specialty occupation territory, requiring at least a bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, or a closely related field. Employers filing an LCA and I-129 petition sponsor these roles regularly across tech, aerospace, and biotech sectors. H-1B status is granted for up to three years, extendable to six.
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INTRODUCTION
Hewlett Packard Enterprise is the global edge-to-cloud company advancing the way people live and work. We help companies connect, protect, analyze, and act on their data and applications wherever they live, from edge to cloud, so they can turn insights into outcomes at the speed required to thrive in today’s complex world. Our culture thrives on finding new and better ways to accelerate what’s next. We know varied backgrounds are valued and succeed here. We have the flexibility to manage our work and personal needs. We make bold moves, together, and are a force for good. If you are looking to stretch and grow your career our culture will embrace you. Open up opportunities with HPE.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The HPE Quantum team at HPE Labs is developing new approaches for quantum computing, including integration with high-performance computing (HPC). As a Principal Software Engineer, you will help advance quantum computing from research toward practical applications. You will apply your software development expertise to quantum circuit compilation, circuit execution, resource estimation, and circuit simulation.
Working with engineers, researchers, and product managers, you will build efficient, usable, and innovative systems that combine quantum computing and HPC. The preferred candidate demonstrates strong technical leadership, advanced programming skills, HPC experience, an interest in quantum computing, and the ability to communicate complex concepts to diverse audiences.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide technical leadership for software projects, including mentoring engineers, leading design discussions, and supporting project planning and prioritization.
- Develop and demonstrate software for quantum computing applications and HPC–quantum computing system management, including job management, scheduling, compilation, and workflow frameworks.
- Create software adapters that integrate quantum computing tools, such as compilers and SDKs, with other systems using open standards where practical.
- Evaluate open-source and commercial technologies for potential use in integrated HPC–quantum computing environments.
- Implement and improve software prototypes, mock-up systems, and test beds to support research efforts and demonstrate HPC–quantum computing capabilities.
- Develop functional and unit tests, contribute to automated testing and continuous integration, participate in code reviews, and support overall software quality.
- Prepare internal and external demonstrations, technical documentation, research paper content, and contributions to open specifications and standards supporting quantum computing interoperability.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- PhD, MS, BS in Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
- Typically, 5+ or more years of professional software development experience with a PhD or equivalent work experience.
- Advanced programming skills in low-level languages such as C, C++, or Rust, as well as advanced Python programming skills.
- Experience contributing to large software projects and creating new software initiatives, including library and API design.
- Significant contributions to open-source software.
- Significant experience with compiler development, particularly LLVM, MLIR, or QIR.
- Experience implementing HPC applications and developing software for GPUs.
- Experience with system modeling tools such as the Structural Simulation Toolkit (SST), along with experience providing technical leadership for software development efforts.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills, with an outcome-focused mindset and bias toward action and delivery.
- Commitment to software quality and customer results, with creative and analytical approaches to solving complex problems.
- Strong consensus-building skills and the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly to technical and non-technical audiences through written and presentation formats.
- Experience using Agile development methodologies.
- A record of sharing technical findings with the broader scientific community through research papers, blogs, or other public materials.
ACCESSIBILITY
HPE is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible workplace and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including those with disabilities. If you believe you require accommodation during any stage of the application or interview process, please submit your request by completing our secure form linked here.
Note: This option is reserved for applicants needing assistance/reasonable accommodation related to a disability.
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU:
Health & Wellbeing
We strive to provide our team members and their loved ones with a comprehensive suite of benefits that supports their physical, financial and emotional wellbeing.
Personal & Professional Development
We also invest in your career because the better you are, the better we all are. We have specific programs catered to helping you reach any career goals you have — whether you want to become a knowledge expert in your field or apply your skills to another division.
Unconditional Inclusion
We are unconditionally inclusive in the way we work and celebrate individual uniqueness. We know varied backgrounds are valued and succeed here. We have the flexibility to manage our work and personal needs. We make bold moves, together, and are a force for good.
LOCATION
This role has been designed as 'Hybrid' with a requirement that you will work on average 2 days per week from an HPE office.
Job:
Engineering
Job Level:
TCP_05
"The expected salary/wage range for this position is provided below. Actual offer may vary from this range based upon geographic location, work experience, education/training, and/or skill level.
– United States of America: Annual Salary USD 158,500 - 321,000 in California
The listed salary range reflects base salary. Variable incentives may also be offered."
Information about employee benefits offered in the US can be found at https://myhperewards.com/main/new-hire-enrollment.html
HPE is an Equal Employment Opportunity/ Veterans/Disabled/LGBT employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, or any other protected category, and all decisions we make are made on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need. Our goal is to be one global team that is representative of our customers, in an inclusive environment where we can continue to innovate and grow together.
Hewlett Packard Enterprise is EEO Protected Veteran/ Individual with Disabilities.
HPE will comply with all applicable laws related to employer use of arrest and conviction records, including laws requiring employers to consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories.
RECRUITMENT FRAUD ALERT
We have become aware of an increase in fraudulent recruitment activities in which individuals impersonate our company or authorized recruitment agencies to offer fake employment opportunities. These scams may occur through false websites, emails, social media, or chat-based applications and often aim to obtain personal information or money. Please note that Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), its direct and indirect subsidiaries and affiliated companies, and its authorized recruitment agencies/vendors will never charge a candidate a registration fee, hiring fee, or any other fee in connection with its recruitment and hiring process. We also never request personal information such as back account details, Social Security numbers, or national IDs via social media or chat applications.
All legitimate job opportunities will come through official company channels, and candidates are responsible for verifying the credentials of any third party claiming to represent the company. Any reliance on fraudulent communication is at the individual’s own risk, and HPE disclaims legal liability for any resulting damages. If you suspect recruitment fraud, do not share personal information or make any payments and report the incident to your local authorities immediately.
See all 328+ H-1B Visa Principal Research Engineer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Principal Research Engineer
Align your credentials to specialty occupation standards
Pull the O*NET profile for your target SOC code and verify your degree field maps directly to the listed knowledge domains. USCIS scrutinizes Principal Research Engineer petitions where the degree field is adjacent rather than directly related, so a credential evaluation letter helps close that gap.
Look up prevailing wages before salary talks
Use the OFLC Wage Search to find the Level II or Level III prevailing wage for your SOC code and work location before your offer conversation. Your employer's LCA must certify a wage at or above that threshold, and knowing the floor prevents surprises late in the process.
Target employers with active research lab infrastructure
Sponsors who maintain dedicated R&D divisions file LCAs tied to specific worksites. Confirm that the lab or campus where you'll work is listed on the certified LCA before accepting an offer, since each worksite requires its own DOL certification.
Find verified H-1B sponsors on Migrate Mate
Search Principal Research Engineer roles on Migrate Mate to browse employers with confirmed LCA filing history for this occupation. Narrowing your search to active sponsors saves time and focuses your applications on companies already familiar with the H-1B process.
Request premium processing if your start date is firm
If your offer has a fixed start date, ask your employer to file with USCIS premium processing when submitting the I-129. Standard adjudication timelines can run several months, and premium processing gives both sides a faster decision window for planning purposes.
Prepare for an RFE on specialty occupation early
Principal Research Engineer roles that blend managerial duties with hands-on research draw Requests for Evidence from USCIS at a higher rate. Gather internal documentation showing the role's technical requirements, degree-level duties, and how comparable positions at peer companies are defined and filled.
H-1B Visa Principal Research Engineer: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Principal Research Engineer role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes. Principal Research Engineer positions typically require at least a bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, materials science, or a directly related technical field, which satisfies the USCIS specialty occupation definition. Employers document this in the I-129 petition by describing the role's degree-level duties and demonstrating that industry practice requires a specific field of study for comparable positions.
How long does H-1B status last for a Principal Research Engineer?
USCIS grants initial H-1B status for up to three years. Your employer can file an extension before that period ends, bringing your total authorized stay to a six-year maximum under standard rules. If your employer has started a PERM labor certification or filed an I-140 immigrant petition, additional extensions beyond six years may be available under AC21 portability rules.
What happens if my Principal Research Engineer role moves to a different office or lab?
Each worksite where you perform H-1B work must be covered by its own certified Labor Condition Application. If your employer relocates you to a facility not listed on the current LCA, they need to file a new LCA with DOL and may need to amend the I-129 petition with USCIS before you begin working at the new location.
How do I find employers who actively sponsor H-1B visas for research engineering roles?
Migrate Mate lists employers with verified H-1B LCA filing history for research and engineering occupations, so you can focus your search on companies already set up to sponsor. DOL's public LCA disclosure data is the underlying source for identifying which organizations file for these roles consistently across industries like semiconductors, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, and enterprise software.
Can a Principal Research Engineer on H-1B pursue a green card while employed?
Yes. H-1B status allows dual intent, meaning you can pursue permanent residence without it jeopardizing your nonimmigrant status. Many research engineers begin the PERM labor certification process with their employer after establishing themselves in the role. The EB-1B extraordinary researcher category is also available for those with a strong publication and citation record, bypassing the PERM requirement entirely.