J-1 Visa Commercial Specialist Jobs
Commercial Specialist positions in the U.S. are accessible to experienced international professionals through the J-1 visa Specialist program category, which requires a U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor to issue your DS-2019 and provide sponsorship. Host employers act as your workplace but are not the visa sponsor.
Find J-1 Visa Commercial Specialist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 12+ Commercial Specialist jobs
See all Commercial Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Commercial Specialist roles.
Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Our mission is to make biology easier to engineer. Ginkgo is constructing, editing, and redesigning the living world in order to answer the globe’s growing challenges in health, energy, food, materials, and more. Our bioengineers make use of an in-house automated foundry for designing and building new organisms.
JOB DESCRIPTION
The Enterprise Sales team is an integral part of a cross-functional team within Ginkgo to help RAC Automation. As a Commercial Intern, on the Automation - Commercial team, you will play an integral role in accelerating the growth of Ginkgo’s automation sales with pharma and biotech companies.
You will be mentored by members of the Commercial team and gain excellent exposure to various aspects of the BD transaction cycle including ideation of new opportunities, leading customer outreach, customer pitches, customer proposals, and deal closing. In addition, you will have the opportunity to lead and support the launch of new strategic initiatives that enable the Automation - Commercial team to operate more effectively.
Possible projects to include:
- Identifying potential customer segment
The Ginkgo Bioworks Early Talent program is open to students who will return to their degree programs upon completion of their employment at Ginkgo. Candidates must be enrolled in a United States based institution and/or have work authorization in the United States to be eligible to participate.
Responsibilities:
- Conduct industry deep dives including mapping of sub-sectors across various therapeutic modalities (e.g., small molecules, biologics, cell and gene therapy, etc.) and business models (e.g., therapeutic platform companies, CDMOs, CROs, etc.)
- Identify, analyze and recommend new business opportunities for Ginkgo and work closely with Pharma BD team members to develop go-to-market strategies
- Support deal transactions with quantitative assessments including comparable deals analysis, financial modeling (rNPV), and market sizing
- Lead outreach efforts for major partnering conferences, build pitch decks, and generate target lists for new partnership opportunities
- Support internal operations and initiatives to allow Pharma BD team to operate more efficiently and effectively
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
- Current enrollment in a MBA or similar master’s degree program
- Minimum of 1 year prior experience in management consulting, life sciences strategy consulting, or business development, corporate strategy or commercial roles at a Biotech/Pharma Company
- Strong quantitative and analytical skills, with an ability to independently develop fact-based and informed opinions
- Passion for collaboration and significant experience in relationship-building, and leveraging and converting market knowledge and relationships into business opportunities
- Eagerness to learn quickly in a fast-paced environment and enthusiasm to be a part of Ginkgo’s mission
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with confidence in communicating with both commercial and technical stakeholders
PREFERRED CAPABILITIES AND EXPERIENCE:
- Prior master’s degree completed in a science-related field (or dual-degree master’s with current MBA) a plus
- Prior bachelor’s degree in a science or business-related field preferred
- Strong PowerPoint and Excel modeling skills a plus
- Understanding of synthetic biology and drug discovery and development a plus
It is the policy of Ginkgo Bioworks to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees, employment applicants, and EOE disability/vet.
Privacy Notice
I understand that I am applying for employment with Ginkgo Bioworks and am being asked to provide information in connection with my application. I further understand that Ginkgo gathers this information through a third-party service provider and that Ginkgo may also use other service providers to assist in the application process. Ginkgo may share my information with such third-party service providers in connection with my application and for the start of employment. Ginkgo will treat my information in accordance with Ginkgo's Privacy Policy. By submitting this job application, I am acknowledging that I have reviewed and agree to Ginkgo's Privacy Policy as well as the privacy policies of the third-party service providers used by Ginkgo's associated with the application process.
INTRODUCTION
Our mission is to make biology easier to engineer. Ginkgo is constructing, editing, and redesigning the living world in order to answer the globe’s growing challenges in health, energy, food, materials, and more. Our bioengineers make use of an in-house automated foundry for designing and building new organisms.
JOB DESCRIPTION
The Enterprise Sales team is an integral part of a cross-functional team within Ginkgo to help RAC Automation. As a Commercial Intern, on the Automation - Commercial team, you will play an integral role in accelerating the growth of Ginkgo’s automation sales with pharma and biotech companies.
You will be mentored by members of the Commercial team and gain excellent exposure to various aspects of the BD transaction cycle including ideation of new opportunities, leading customer outreach, customer pitches, customer proposals, and deal closing. In addition, you will have the opportunity to lead and support the launch of new strategic initiatives that enable the Automation - Commercial team to operate more effectively.
Possible projects to include:
- Identifying potential customer segment
The Ginkgo Bioworks Early Talent program is open to students who will return to their degree programs upon completion of their employment at Ginkgo. Candidates must be enrolled in a United States based institution and/or have work authorization in the United States to be eligible to participate.
Responsibilities:
- Conduct industry deep dives including mapping of sub-sectors across various therapeutic modalities (e.g., small molecules, biologics, cell and gene therapy, etc.) and business models (e.g., therapeutic platform companies, CDMOs, CROs, etc.)
- Identify, analyze and recommend new business opportunities for Ginkgo and work closely with Pharma BD team members to develop go-to-market strategies
- Support deal transactions with quantitative assessments including comparable deals analysis, financial modeling (rNPV), and market sizing
- Lead outreach efforts for major partnering conferences, build pitch decks, and generate target lists for new partnership opportunities
- Support internal operations and initiatives to allow Pharma BD team to operate more efficiently and effectively
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
- Current enrollment in a MBA or similar master’s degree program
- Minimum of 1 year prior experience in management consulting, life sciences strategy consulting, or business development, corporate strategy or commercial roles at a Biotech/Pharma Company
- Strong quantitative and analytical skills, with an ability to independently develop fact-based and informed opinions
- Passion for collaboration and significant experience in relationship-building, and leveraging and converting market knowledge and relationships into business opportunities
- Eagerness to learn quickly in a fast-paced environment and enthusiasm to be a part of Ginkgo’s mission
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with confidence in communicating with both commercial and technical stakeholders
PREFERRED CAPABILITIES AND EXPERIENCE:
- Prior master’s degree completed in a science-related field (or dual-degree master’s with current MBA) a plus
- Prior bachelor’s degree in a science or business-related field preferred
- Strong PowerPoint and Excel modeling skills a plus
- Understanding of synthetic biology and drug discovery and development a plus
It is the policy of Ginkgo Bioworks to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees, employment applicants, and EOE disability/vet.
Privacy Notice
I understand that I am applying for employment with Ginkgo Bioworks and am being asked to provide information in connection with my application. I further understand that Ginkgo gathers this information through a third-party service provider and that Ginkgo may also use other service providers to assist in the application process. Ginkgo may share my information with such third-party service providers in connection with my application and for the start of employment. Ginkgo will treat my information in accordance with Ginkgo's Privacy Policy. By submitting this job application, I am acknowledging that I have reviewed and agree to Ginkgo's Privacy Policy as well as the privacy policies of the third-party service providers used by Ginkgo's associated with the application process.
See all J-1 Visa Commercial Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new J-1 Visa Commercial Specialist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship as a Commercial Specialist
Document your specialized commercial expertise clearly
The J-1 Specialist category requires demonstrating skills not widely available in the U.S. Gather letters from former employers, professional certifications, and project portfolios that show your commercial expertise is both specialized and internationally distinct before approaching any host employer.
Confirm the 2-year home residency requirement applies
Many Commercial Specialist placements trigger the 2-year home country physical presence requirement if your program is funded by your home government or if your country appears on the Exchange Visitor Skills List. Verify your status with your designated sponsor before accepting any offer.
Target host employers with established J-1 hosting records
Search Migrate Mate to identify U.S. employers in commercial, trade, and business development sectors that have hosted J-1 exchange visitors before. Prior hosting experience shortens onboarding time and reduces the risk that an employer declines after an offer is extended.
Align your training plan with your commercial role scope
Your designated sponsor requires a formal training plan that maps specific commercial competencies to your daily activities. Work with your host employer to write objectives that match your actual role, since vague plans draw requests for clarification and delay DS-2019 issuance.
Ask host employers about their sponsor organization relationship
Not every employer can host a J-1 Specialist independently. Some use established sponsor organizations like Cultural Vistas or CIEE to administer compliance. Asking this question early tells you whether a sponsor relationship already exists or whether you'll need to facilitate that connection.
Start the DS-2019 process before your intended start date
Designated sponsors typically need four to six weeks to review and issue a DS-2019 after receiving a complete training plan and host employer agreement. Factor that window into your job search timeline so an offer doesn't expire while paperwork is in review.
Commercial Specialist J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category covers Commercial Specialist roles?
Commercial Specialist positions fall under the J-1 Specialist category, which is designed for professionals with specialized skills in fields not broadly available in the U.S. Applicants typically need at least five years of experience in a commercial, trade, or business development discipline. The Trainee category may apply if you're within the first five years of your career and your role is structured around skills development rather than regular employment.
Who actually sponsors the J-1 visa for a Commercial Specialist?
The visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor organization, not your host employer. Organizations like Cultural Vistas or CIEE issue the DS-2019 form that authorizes your exchange visitor status and monitor your program compliance. Your host employer is the company where you work, but it is not the legal sponsor. These are two distinct relationships, and conflating them during applications causes delays.
How do I find U.S. employers that will host a J-1 Commercial Specialist?
Use Migrate Mate to search for U.S. employers in commercial and business development sectors that have experience hosting international exchange visitors. Look for companies with international trade, export compliance, or global sales operations, since those functions align with J-1 Specialist objectives. Targeting employers who have hosted J-1 visitors before reduces friction because they already understand the DS-2019 process and the host employer responsibilities.
Does the 2-year home residency requirement affect Commercial Specialist placements?
It can. The 2-year home country physical presence requirement applies if your J-1 program is funded by your home government, a U.S. government agency, or if your home country appears on the Exchange Visitor Skills List published by the State Department. If it applies, you must return home for two years before changing to most other U.S. visa categories. Your designated sponsor can confirm whether your specific situation triggers this requirement before you commit to a placement.
What does the training plan requirement mean for a Commercial Specialist?
The J-1 Specialist category requires a formal training plan, submitted through your designated sponsor, that outlines the specific commercial skills you'll develop, the methods used to develop them, and measurable objectives for each phase of your exchange. Your host employer must sign this plan, and the objectives should reflect actual work you'll be doing, not a generic description. Reviewers flag training plans that read as standard job descriptions rather than structured learning programs.