J-1 Visa Specialist - Software Engineering Jobs
Specialist - Software Engineering roles in the U.S. are available to qualified professionals through the J-1 Specialist program category, which requires recognized expertise in a specialized field. Securing J-1 sponsorship means working with a State Department-designated sponsor organization that issues your DS-2019 and oversees your exchange program.
See All Specialist - Software Engineering JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 8+ Specialist - Software Engineering jobs
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all 8+ Specialist - Software Engineering jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Specialist - Software Engineering roles.
Get Access To All JobsAbout The Program
The Scale AI Technical Advisor Specialist (Part-Time Internship) role is a summer semester opportunity designed for university students, ideally with experience in competitive coding, mathematics, and STEM disciplines. These Specialists will immerse themselves in real-world projects that push the boundaries of generative AI, gaining firsthand exposure to cutting-edge research and technology. Throughout the program, you’ll have the freedom to work flexibly around your academic schedule, the chance to connect directly with AI experts, and the support of a team that values your contributions and professional growth.
- Contribute to Cutting-Edge AI Projects: Work on initiatives aimed at advancing AI capabilities—such as training models for complex reasoning tasks or identifying model failure modes. You’ll gain exposure to state-of-the-art technologies and research, enhancing your technical expertise.
- Join Focus Groups: Participate in bi-weekly sessions where you’ll exchange insights, discuss evolving AI techniques, and learn from experienced researchers. This forum encourages deep exploration of topics and helps you develop critical thinking and communication skills.
- Engage in Team-Based Projects: Collaborate with small groups of specialists on creative challenges—ranging from drafting blog-style content to conceptualizing innovative AI solutions. By working closely with peers, you’ll refine your teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving abilities.
- Work Independently & Flexibly: Set your own working hours, ensuring you can prioritize your academic life while still making meaningful progress. The environment is structured to accommodate your schedule without compromising the quality of your contributions.
Who Should Apply
- Academic Background: Enrolled students in computer science, mathematics, engineering, or a related STEM field.
- Technical Skills: Demonstrated coding proficiency, strong analytical abilities, or experience with competitive math or programming competitions.
- Mindset: Curious, self-motivated, and eager to learn, contribute, and collaborate with like-minded peers and industry experts.
Why Join Us?
- Real-World Impact: Your work will have tangible influence on the direction of AI capabilities, giving you a sense of purpose and involvement that goes beyond typical internship work.
- Professional Growth & Networking: Connect one-on-one with AI professionals, build relationships with fellow specialists, and expand your industry network.
- Optional In-Person Meetups: Opt to join occasional regional gatherings to meet peers and Scale AI personnel face-to-face. These events provide opportunities for more personal interactions, fostering deeper connections and insights that complement your remote work.
- Pathways to the Future: Exceptional specialists may be invited to continue working with Scale AI. Alumni networks and ongoing support keep doors open for future collaborations and career advancement.
- Compensation & Flexibility: $50/hour; 5-20 hours a week, and fully remote (within the U.S.)
PLEASE NOTE:
Our policy requires a 90-day waiting period before reconsidering candidates for the same role. This allows us to ensure a fair and thorough evaluation of all applicants.
About us:
At Scale, our mission is to develop reliable AI systems for the world's most important decisions. Our products provide the high-quality data and full-stack technologies that power the world's leading models, and help enterprises and governments build, deploy, and oversee AI applications that deliver real impact. We work closely with industry leaders like Meta, Cisco, DLA Piper, Mayo Clinic, Time Inc., the Government of Qatar, and U.S. government agencies including the Army and Air Force. We are expanding our team to accelerate the development of AI applications.
We believe that everyone should be able to bring their whole selves to work, which is why we are proud to be an inclusive and equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability status, gender identity or Veteran status.
We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and mental disabilities. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation in the application or recruiting process due to a disability, please contact us at accommodations@scale.com. Please see the United States Department of Labor's Know Your Rights poster for additional information.
We comply with the United States Department of Labor's Pay Transparency provision.
PLEASE NOTE: We collect, retain and use personal data for our professional business purposes, including notifying you of job opportunities that may be of interest and sharing with our affiliates. We limit the personal data we collect to that which we believe is appropriate and necessary to manage applicants’ needs, provide our services, and comply with applicable laws. Any information we collect in connection with your application will be treated in accordance with our internal policies and programs designed to protect personal data. Please see our privacy policy for additional information.
About The Program
The Scale AI Technical Advisor Specialist (Part-Time Internship) role is a summer semester opportunity designed for university students, ideally with experience in competitive coding, mathematics, and STEM disciplines. These Specialists will immerse themselves in real-world projects that push the boundaries of generative AI, gaining firsthand exposure to cutting-edge research and technology. Throughout the program, you’ll have the freedom to work flexibly around your academic schedule, the chance to connect directly with AI experts, and the support of a team that values your contributions and professional growth.
- Contribute to Cutting-Edge AI Projects: Work on initiatives aimed at advancing AI capabilities—such as training models for complex reasoning tasks or identifying model failure modes. You’ll gain exposure to state-of-the-art technologies and research, enhancing your technical expertise.
- Join Focus Groups: Participate in bi-weekly sessions where you’ll exchange insights, discuss evolving AI techniques, and learn from experienced researchers. This forum encourages deep exploration of topics and helps you develop critical thinking and communication skills.
- Engage in Team-Based Projects: Collaborate with small groups of specialists on creative challenges—ranging from drafting blog-style content to conceptualizing innovative AI solutions. By working closely with peers, you’ll refine your teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving abilities.
- Work Independently & Flexibly: Set your own working hours, ensuring you can prioritize your academic life while still making meaningful progress. The environment is structured to accommodate your schedule without compromising the quality of your contributions.
Who Should Apply
- Academic Background: Enrolled students in computer science, mathematics, engineering, or a related STEM field.
- Technical Skills: Demonstrated coding proficiency, strong analytical abilities, or experience with competitive math or programming competitions.
- Mindset: Curious, self-motivated, and eager to learn, contribute, and collaborate with like-minded peers and industry experts.
Why Join Us?
- Real-World Impact: Your work will have tangible influence on the direction of AI capabilities, giving you a sense of purpose and involvement that goes beyond typical internship work.
- Professional Growth & Networking: Connect one-on-one with AI professionals, build relationships with fellow specialists, and expand your industry network.
- Optional In-Person Meetups: Opt to join occasional regional gatherings to meet peers and Scale AI personnel face-to-face. These events provide opportunities for more personal interactions, fostering deeper connections and insights that complement your remote work.
- Pathways to the Future: Exceptional specialists may be invited to continue working with Scale AI. Alumni networks and ongoing support keep doors open for future collaborations and career advancement.
- Compensation & Flexibility: $50/hour; 5-20 hours a week, and fully remote (within the U.S.)
PLEASE NOTE:
Our policy requires a 90-day waiting period before reconsidering candidates for the same role. This allows us to ensure a fair and thorough evaluation of all applicants.
About us:
At Scale, our mission is to develop reliable AI systems for the world's most important decisions. Our products provide the high-quality data and full-stack technologies that power the world's leading models, and help enterprises and governments build, deploy, and oversee AI applications that deliver real impact. We work closely with industry leaders like Meta, Cisco, DLA Piper, Mayo Clinic, Time Inc., the Government of Qatar, and U.S. government agencies including the Army and Air Force. We are expanding our team to accelerate the development of AI applications.
We believe that everyone should be able to bring their whole selves to work, which is why we are proud to be an inclusive and equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability status, gender identity or Veteran status.
We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and mental disabilities. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation in the application or recruiting process due to a disability, please contact us at accommodations@scale.com. Please see the United States Department of Labor's Know Your Rights poster for additional information.
We comply with the United States Department of Labor's Pay Transparency provision.
PLEASE NOTE: We collect, retain and use personal data for our professional business purposes, including notifying you of job opportunities that may be of interest and sharing with our affiliates. We limit the personal data we collect to that which we believe is appropriate and necessary to manage applicants’ needs, provide our services, and comply with applicable laws. Any information we collect in connection with your application will be treated in accordance with our internal policies and programs designed to protect personal data. Please see our privacy policy for additional information.
See all 8+ Specialist - Software Engineering jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Specialist - Software Engineering roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship in Specialist - Software Engineering
Align your credentials to Specialist criteria
The J-1 Specialist category requires recognized expertise, not just a degree. Document peer recognition, publications, conference presentations, or open-source contributions that demonstrate your software engineering specialization beyond standard industry experience.
Verify your role qualifies as specialized
Not all software engineering positions satisfy the Specialist category's field-of-expertise requirement. Cross-reference your target job title against O*NET occupation profiles to confirm the role's specialized knowledge demands before approaching host employers.
Search for J-1 compatible host employers on Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to identify U.S. employers and software engineering roles aligned with exchange visitor programs. Filtering by J-1 compatibility saves time compared to manually vetting individual job postings for program eligibility.
Confirm the host employer's onboarding requirements early
Many U.S. tech employers require E-Verify enrollment before onboarding exchange visitors. Ask prospective host organizations about their E-Verify status and internal J-1 hosting protocols before accepting an offer to avoid last-minute delays.
Negotiate your program dates around DS-2019 processing timelines
Your designated sponsor organization issues the DS-2019 after reviewing your training plan and host employer documentation. Build at least four to six weeks into your start-date negotiations to allow for sponsor review and consular appointment scheduling.
Clarify two-year home residency requirement exposure upfront
The J-1 Specialist category can trigger the two-year home-country physical presence requirement depending on your government or exchange funding source. Confirm your exposure with your designated sponsor before finalizing the program, since it affects future visa eligibility.
Specialist - Software Engineering jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Specialist - Software Engineering JobsSpecialist - Software Engineering J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category applies to software engineering professionals?
Qualified software engineers typically enter the U.S. under the J-1 Specialist category, which is reserved for recognized experts in a specialized field. Candidates still completing degrees may qualify under the Intern or Trainee categories instead. The correct category depends on your career stage, degree status, and the specific program your designated sponsor administers.
Who actually sponsors my J-1 visa if the employer is just the host?
A State Department-designated sponsor organization, such as IIE, CIEE, or Cultural Vistas, issues your DS-2019 form and holds legal responsibility for your exchange program. Your hiring employer is the host organization. The designated sponsor monitors your compliance, signs your training plan, and maintains your SEVIS record throughout the program period.
How do I find software engineering host employers open to J-1 exchange visitors?
Migrate Mate lets you search U.S. software engineering roles filtered by J-1 program compatibility, which narrows results to employers familiar with hosting exchange visitors. This is more efficient than sorting through general job postings, since most listings don't specify J-1 hosting willingness. Identify target employers first, then engage a designated sponsor to initiate the DS-2019 process.
Does the J-1 Specialist category have an annual cap or lottery?
No. Unlike the H-1B visa, the J-1 exchange visitor program has no annual numerical cap and no lottery. Positions can be filled at any point in the calendar year. Availability depends on your designated sponsor's program capacity and your host employer's readiness to complete the required training plan documentation, not on a fixed quota.
Can the two-year home residency requirement affect my ability to switch to an H-1B later?
Yes. If the two-year home-country physical presence requirement applies to your J-1 program, you cannot change status to H-1B or most immigrant visa categories until you fulfill it or obtain a waiver. Software engineers funded by their home government or participating in skills-shortage programs are most commonly subject to this requirement. Confirm your exposure before accepting a J-1 program offer.
See which Specialist - Software Engineering employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
Search Specialist - Software Engineering Jobs