H-1B Visa Senior ML Engineer Jobs

Senior ML Engineer roles qualify as H-1B visa specialty occupations under the computer occupations SOC category, requiring at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, statistics, or a related field. Most employers filing LCAs for these roles fall under Level III or IV prevailing wages, reflecting the seniority of the position.

Find H-1B Visa Senior ML Engineer Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs1,250+
Work Type72% On-site
Top LocationNew York, NY
Most JobsApple

Showing 5 of 1,250+ Senior ML Engineer jobs

NYU Langone Health
Senior ML Engineer
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NYU Langone Health
New 14h ago
Senior ML Engineer
NYU Langone Health
New York, New York
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
ML (Machine Learning)
Data Science
$101k - $147k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Chef Robotics
Senior ML Engineer, Foundation Models
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Chef Robotics
Added 3d ago
Senior ML Engineer, Foundation Models
Chef Robotics
San Francisco, California
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
ML (Machine Learning)
Data Science
$200k - $300k/yr
On-Site
Master's

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Apple
Senior ML Engineer
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Apple
Added 5d ago
Senior ML Engineer
Apple
Cupertino, California
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Data Science
Data Analytics
$181k - $318k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Ellipsis Health
Senior ML Engineer
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Ellipsis Health
Added 1w ago
Senior ML Engineer
Ellipsis Health
San Francisco, California
Software Engineering
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
ML (Machine Learning)
$160k - $210k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Torc Robotics
Senior ML Engineer
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Torc Robotics
Added 2w ago
Senior ML Engineer
Torc Robotics
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
Data Engineering
Cloud & DevOps
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
ML (Machine Learning)
Data Science
$199k - $299k
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Tips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Senior ML Engineer

Verify your degree supports specialty occupation

USCIS scrutinizes whether your degree field directly relates to ML engineering. A computer science or statistics degree is cleanest. If yours is adjacent, gather transcripts showing coursework in machine learning, linear algebra, and algorithms before applications go out.

Look up prevailing wages before negotiating

Use the OFLC Wage Search to find the Level III or IV wage for your target SOC code and metro area. Your offered salary must meet or exceed the LCA-certified wage, so knowing the floor before negotiating protects your sponsorship eligibility.

Filter employers by active LCA filing history

Search Migrate Mate to identify companies with recent LCA filings for ML engineering roles. Employers who've filed within the past 12 months have active sponsorship infrastructure, making them far more likely to move quickly through the H-1B process.

Target cap-exempt employers to skip the lottery

Universities, nonprofit research labs, and government-affiliated institutions are cap-exempt, meaning they can file H-1B petitions year-round without lottery selection. Senior ML roles exist at places like national labs and academic medical centers, and a cap-exempt offer eliminates lottery risk entirely.

Request premium processing before your OPT expires

USCIS premium processing guarantees a 15-business-day adjudication decision. If your OPT end date is close to October 1, confirm your employer will file with premium processing so any RFE response window doesn't push adjudication past your authorized period.

Prepare an ML portfolio that addresses specialty occupation RFEs

USCIS sometimes issues RFEs questioning whether senior ML roles qualify as specialty occupations. Compile peer-reviewed publications, model architecture documentation, and O*NET job zone data before filing so your employer's attorney can respond without delay.

H-1B Visa Senior ML Engineer: Frequently Asked Questions

Does a Senior ML Engineer role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?

Yes. Senior ML Engineer positions fall under computer occupations SOC codes that USCIS consistently recognizes as specialty occupations, requiring at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, mathematics, statistics, or a directly related field. The seniority level actually strengthens the case because it reinforces that the role demands specialized theoretical knowledge, not just general programming skills.

How do I find employers who actively sponsor H-1B visas for ML engineers?

Search Migrate Mate, which surfaces employers with verified LCA filing history filtered by occupation. Prioritize companies that have filed LCAs specifically for machine learning or data science roles in the past year. Active filings signal that a company has established relationships with immigration counsel and understands the H-1B timeline, reducing friction on your end.

Can I switch to a new ML engineer employer while on H-1B status?

Yes, through H-1B portability under AC21. If your current H-1B has been approved for at least 180 days and you move to a same-or-similar occupation, you can start working for the new employer as soon as they file the transfer petition, before it's approved. ML engineering roles within the same SOC code group generally qualify as same-or-similar.

What happens if my H-1B lottery registration isn't selected?

You have several fallback paths. Cap-exempt employers, including universities and qualifying nonprofit research organizations, can sponsor you without lottery selection. An O-1A visa is another route if you have published research, patents, or other evidence of extraordinary ability in machine learning. Some candidates also pursue L-1 visa transfers through multinational employers if they've worked abroad for the same company.

Does my employer's H-1B petition need to specify machine learning as my primary duty?

Yes. The LCA and I-129 petition must accurately describe your actual job duties, including the specific ML frameworks, model types, and research or production systems you'll work on. Vague duty descriptions like 'software development' invite RFEs. Your employer's attorney should document why the role requires a specialized degree, not just technical experience, to satisfy the specialty occupation standard.