J-1 Visa AI Engineer Jobs
AI Engineer roles in the United States are accessible to international candidates through J-1 visa sponsorship under the Research Scholar, Trainee, or Intern program categories, depending on your career stage. Designated sponsor organizations issue your DS-2019, while the U.S. tech or research employer serves as your host site.
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Get Access To All JobsCITGO PETROLEUM CORPORATION
CITGO Petroleum Corporation is a recognized leader in the refining industry and operates under the well-known CITGO brand. CITGO owns and operates three refineries located in Lake Charles, LA.; Lemont, IL.; and Corpus Christi, TX, and wholly and/or jointly owns 38 active terminals, six pipelines and three lubricants blending and packaging plants. With approximately 3,300 employees and a combined crude capacity of approximately 807,000 barrels-per-day (bpd), positions CITGO as one of the best-branded supplier companies in the industry.
At CITGO our people are our most important resource. Our core values are Safety, Integrity, Respect, Accountability, and Care.
Job Summary
This Information Technology Internship position is based at the CITGO Corporate office in Houston and will support the Emerging Technologies team with a focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI). The intern will gain hands-on experience working with modern AI tools, Microsoft technologies, and Python-based solutions, including platforms such as ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Azure OpenAI, and AI frameworks.
The role will involve contributing to the development of AI-driven applications, assisting in the communication of AI initiatives and learning events, and researching and evaluating emerging AI technologies for business use. The intern will collaborate with team members on innovative projects that enhance organizational capabilities and promote AI adoption across the company.
As the intern builds knowledge and familiarity with tools, systems, and processes, they will take on increasing responsibility, including supporting AI-related initiatives and assisting with tasks and requests aligned with team priorities.
Minimum Qualifications
Required:
- Must be currently enrolled in a Bachelor's or Graduate degree program in Computer Science, Management Information Systems, Data Analytics, or a related field.
- Bachelor’s degree candidates must have at least a sophomore standing or higher.
- Overall GPA of 3.0 or above (A=4.0) and must provide proof of GPA at time of hire to verify eligibility requirements.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Strong ability to maintain confidentiality and demonstrate a high level of professionalism.
- Effective communication skills with the ability to interact and collaborate with all levels of the organization.
- Basic experience or familiarity with Python and AI tools such as ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, or similar platforms.
Job Duties
- Assist in the development of AI-driven applications.
- General support for emerging technologies projects.
- Support AI Communication and Enablement.
- Research and Evaluate AI Technologies.
- Collaboration and Continuous Learning.
Job duties displayed above are not all-inclusive, site-specific responsibilities may be assigned.
Here are the incentives we offer:
- Remote Work options available for eligible positions
- Options are department and/or location specific
- 9/80 Work Schedule Option (where applicable)
- Annual Vacation Incentive (40-120 hours of additional pay) for Eligible Employees
- Paid Vacation Time
- Company-Paid Holidays
- Caregiver Leave
- Excellent 401(k) Match
- Pension Plan
- Performance Incentive
- Company-Paid Sick Leave and Long-Term Disability
- Medical, Dental, & Vision Plans; FSA and HSA options
- Company-Paid Life Insurance for Active Employees
- Healthy Rewards Program
- Service Awards Program
- Educational Assistance Plan
- Dependent Children Scholarships
- Reimbursement for Gym Membership
- Employee Discount Programs
- On-site Health Clinic (select locations)
- On-site Cafeteria (select locations)
- On-site Credit Union and ATM (Corporate office only)
- On-site Fitness Center (select locations)
PLEASE NOTE ALL JOBS DO NOT QUALIFY FOR ALL PERKS
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability.
Requisition ID - 1861
CITGO PETROLEUM CORPORATION
CITGO Petroleum Corporation is a recognized leader in the refining industry and operates under the well-known CITGO brand. CITGO owns and operates three refineries located in Lake Charles, LA.; Lemont, IL.; and Corpus Christi, TX, and wholly and/or jointly owns 38 active terminals, six pipelines and three lubricants blending and packaging plants. With approximately 3,300 employees and a combined crude capacity of approximately 807,000 barrels-per-day (bpd), positions CITGO as one of the best-branded supplier companies in the industry.
At CITGO our people are our most important resource. Our core values are Safety, Integrity, Respect, Accountability, and Care.
Job Summary
This Information Technology Internship position is based at the CITGO Corporate office in Houston and will support the Emerging Technologies team with a focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI). The intern will gain hands-on experience working with modern AI tools, Microsoft technologies, and Python-based solutions, including platforms such as ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Azure OpenAI, and AI frameworks.
The role will involve contributing to the development of AI-driven applications, assisting in the communication of AI initiatives and learning events, and researching and evaluating emerging AI technologies for business use. The intern will collaborate with team members on innovative projects that enhance organizational capabilities and promote AI adoption across the company.
As the intern builds knowledge and familiarity with tools, systems, and processes, they will take on increasing responsibility, including supporting AI-related initiatives and assisting with tasks and requests aligned with team priorities.
Minimum Qualifications
Required:
- Must be currently enrolled in a Bachelor's or Graduate degree program in Computer Science, Management Information Systems, Data Analytics, or a related field.
- Bachelor’s degree candidates must have at least a sophomore standing or higher.
- Overall GPA of 3.0 or above (A=4.0) and must provide proof of GPA at time of hire to verify eligibility requirements.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Strong ability to maintain confidentiality and demonstrate a high level of professionalism.
- Effective communication skills with the ability to interact and collaborate with all levels of the organization.
- Basic experience or familiarity with Python and AI tools such as ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, or similar platforms.
Job Duties
- Assist in the development of AI-driven applications.
- General support for emerging technologies projects.
- Support AI Communication and Enablement.
- Research and Evaluate AI Technologies.
- Collaboration and Continuous Learning.
Job duties displayed above are not all-inclusive, site-specific responsibilities may be assigned.
Here are the incentives we offer:
- Remote Work options available for eligible positions
- Options are department and/or location specific
- 9/80 Work Schedule Option (where applicable)
- Annual Vacation Incentive (40-120 hours of additional pay) for Eligible Employees
- Paid Vacation Time
- Company-Paid Holidays
- Caregiver Leave
- Excellent 401(k) Match
- Pension Plan
- Performance Incentive
- Company-Paid Sick Leave and Long-Term Disability
- Medical, Dental, & Vision Plans; FSA and HSA options
- Company-Paid Life Insurance for Active Employees
- Healthy Rewards Program
- Service Awards Program
- Educational Assistance Plan
- Dependent Children Scholarships
- Reimbursement for Gym Membership
- Employee Discount Programs
- On-site Health Clinic (select locations)
- On-site Cafeteria (select locations)
- On-site Credit Union and ATM (Corporate office only)
- On-site Fitness Center (select locations)
PLEASE NOTE ALL JOBS DO NOT QUALIFY FOR ALL PERKS
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability.
Requisition ID - 1861
See all 373+ AI Engineer jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new AI Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship as an AI Engineer
Match your J-1 category before applying
Current students pursuing an AI engineering internship fall under the Intern category, while post-degree professionals with at least one year of experience qualify as Trainees. Applying under the wrong category delays your DS-2019 and can disqualify an otherwise strong offer.
Document your AI specialization for the training plan
Your designated sponsor requires a detailed Training Plan (Form DS-7002) outlining the skills you will develop. Specify AI subfields - machine learning pipelines, model deployment, or MLOps - so the plan reflects genuine educational objectives, not routine production work.
Verify host employers can support J-1 compliance
Ask prospective employers whether they have hosted J-1 exchange visitors before and whether they can designate a supervisor to sign the DS-7002. Early-stage startups often lack the HR infrastructure that designated sponsors like CIEE or Cultural Vistas require from host sites.
Search Migrate Mate to find J-1-aligned AI roles
Use Migrate Mate to identify U.S. employers actively hiring AI Engineers with visa sponsorship. Filtering by sponsorship type helps you avoid wasting applications on companies that only file H-1B petitions and have no experience hosting J-1 exchange visitors.
Confirm the two-year home residency requirement early
Research Scholar and Trainee categories may carry a two-year home residency requirement if your home country funded your education or if you come from a skills-shortage field. USCIS and the State Department both require this to be resolved before you can change to most other visa types.
Align your program end date with your project timeline
J-1 Trainee status lasts up to 18 months for most fields; Research Scholar status can extend to five years. Negotiate your DS-2019 program dates with your designated sponsor before accepting an offer, so your authorization covers the full AI project scope.
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Find AI Engineer JobsAI Engineer J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category fits an AI Engineer role?
It depends on your career stage. Current students doing an AI engineering placement typically use the Intern category. Post-degree professionals with at least one year of relevant experience qualify under the Trainee category. Researchers conducting AI or machine learning research at a university or nonprofit institution may qualify as Research Scholars. Each category has different maximum program lengths and training plan requirements.
Who actually sponsors the J-1 visa for an AI Engineer - the employer or a third party?
The J-1 visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization - such as IIE, Cultural Vistas, CIEE, or a university international office - not the hiring employer. The employer is the host site. The designated sponsor issues your DS-2019, monitors your program compliance, and signs your training plan. You must secure both a willing host employer and a designated sponsor to proceed.
Can an AI Engineer on a J-1 visa work on proprietary commercial products?
J-1 exchange programs must have an educational or training objective, not purely commercial output. Your Training Plan needs to show skills transfer and learning goals. AI engineering roles that are entirely focused on revenue-generating product features may not satisfy the program's exchange purpose. Positions at research labs, university-affiliated institutes, or R&D divisions of companies tend to align more clearly with J-1 program requirements.
Does the two-year home residency requirement apply to AI Engineers?
It may. The two-year home residency requirement applies if your J-1 program was financed by your home government, if your home country appears on the Exchange Visitor Skills List maintained by the State Department, or if your category is subject to the requirement by statute. AI engineering is classified in STEM fields, and several countries list related occupations on the Skills List. Check your DS-2019 and confirm with your designated sponsor before planning any status change.
How do I find U.S. employers willing to host a J-1 AI Engineer?
Use Migrate Mate to search for AI Engineer roles at employers with J-1 sponsorship history. Many tech companies sponsor H-1B visas but have never hosted a J-1 exchange visitor, which means their HR teams may not know how to coordinate with a designated sponsor. Targeting employers already familiar with J-1 hosting requirements saves significant time during the offer and DS-2019 issuance process.
See which AI Engineer employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
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