J-1 Visa Systems Development Engineer Jobs
Systems Development Engineer roles in the United States are accessible to international professionals through the J-1 visa under the Trainee or Research Scholar program category, depending on your career stage. Securing sponsorship requires a designated sponsor organization to issue your DS-2019, separate from your host employer's hiring decision.
Find J-1 Visa Systems Development Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 37+ Systems Development Engineer jobs
See all 37+ Systems Development Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Systems Development Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsThe Energy and Photon Science Directorate advances basic science that underpins discoveries and breakthroughs for energy systems. The appointment will be for a one-year with an opportunity for a one-year renewal to perform research in the area of electric power grids based on funding and individual performance.
The successful candidate will contribute to the development of next-generation AI foundation models and AI-enabled workflows for electric applications. In particular, the position focuses on advancing GridFM, a grid foundation model for power systems.
The role offers unique opportunities to contribute to cutting-edge research while helping translate AI innovations into real-world utility applications that support grid modernization, resilience, and large-scale electrification.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Extend current GridFM capabilities for distribution networks
- Develop scalable graph-based machine learning or related models
- Expand training data generation capabilities
- Create benchmarks and test developed models
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Ph.D. in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or a related field.
- Strong background in machine learning and deep learning.
- Experience with PyTorch, JAX, TensorFlow, or similar frameworks.
- Some experience developing Graph Neural Networks (GNNs), Graph Transformers, or foundation-model architectures.
- Familiarity with model training, fine-tuning, evaluation, and deployment.
- Understanding of uncertainty quantification, model robustness, and physics-informed AI.
- Experience with GPU computing and large-scale model training.
- Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research.
Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Familiarity with distributed computing, HPC environments, and cloud platforms.
- Experience building production-quality software and ML pipelines.
- Familiarity with Git, CI/CD, containerization (Docker), and reproducible workflows.
- Experience developing APIs and workflow orchestration systems.
- Experience optimizing AI workloads for performance and scalability.
- Basic knowledge of electric power systems, transmission/distribution networks, power flow, optimal power flow, contingency analysis, or grid planning.
- Familiarity with tools such as PowerModels, MATPOWER, PSS/E, GridLAB-D, OpenDSS, or similar.
- Experience with mathematical optimization, mixed-integer programming, stochastic optimization, or decision analytics.
- Familiarity with Gurobi, CPLEX, Pyomo, JuMP, or related tools.
- Experience with LLM-based workflows, tool-calling agents, MCP architectures, retrieval systems, or AI copilots.
- Familiarity with multi-agent systems and decision-support applications.
Other Information:
Candidates must have completed all degree requirements by the commencement of employment. BNL policy requires that after obtaining a PhD, eligible candidates for research associate appointments may not exceed a combined total of 5 years of relevant work experience as a post-doc and/or in an R&D position, excluding time associated with family planning, military service, illness or other life-changing events.
Brookhaven Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable and competitive compensation. The full salary range for this position is $70,200 - $85,000/ year. You will be placed at the level and salary commensurate with your experience. Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification, education and experience and considered with the internal peer group.
Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to employee success and we believe that a comprehensive employee benefits program is an important and meaningful part of the compensation employees receive. Review more information at BNL | Benefits Program
Brookhaven National Laboratory requires all non-badged personnel including visitors to produce a REAL-ID or REAL-ID compliant documentation to access Brookhaven National Laboratory. This is due to nationwide identification requirements for federal site access as required by the federal REAL ID Act. Those not in possession of a REAL ID-compliant document will not be permitted to access the site which includes access to the Laboratory for interviews.
As a U.S. Department of Energy laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory requires employees to obtain and maintain a DOE Uncleared Personal Identity Verification (UPIV) credential in accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) requirements. The credentialing process is completed as part of onboarding and enables access to DOE facilities and information systems. As a condition of employment, the selected candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a UPIV credential. These requirements are established under DOE Order 206.2 Chg. 2, Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM), and DOE Order 473.1A- Physical Protection Program.
About us
Brookhaven National Laboratory delivers discovery science and transformative technology to power and secure the nation’s future. Brookhaven Lab is a multidisciplinary laboratory with seven Nobel Prize-winning discoveries, 37 R&D 100 Awards, and more than 70 years of pioneering research. The Lab is primarily supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science. Brookhaven Science Associates (BSA) operates and manages the Laboratory for DOE. BSA is a partnership between Battelle and The Research Foundation for the State University of New York on behalf of Stony Brook University. BSA salutes our veterans and active military members with careers that leverage the skills and unique experience they gained while serving our country.
Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
Guided by our core values of integrity, responsibility, innovation, respect, and teamwork, Brookhaven Science Associates is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer-Vets/Disabled. We are committed to fostering a respectful and collaborative environment that fuels scientific discovery. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to any characteristic protected by law. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. We ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. VEVRAA Federal Contractor
BSA employees are subject to restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Programs, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation at the time of hire for review by Brookhaven. The full text of the Order may be found at: https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/400-series/0486.1-BOrder-a/@@images/file
The Energy and Photon Science Directorate advances basic science that underpins discoveries and breakthroughs for energy systems. The appointment will be for a one-year with an opportunity for a one-year renewal to perform research in the area of electric power grids based on funding and individual performance.
The successful candidate will contribute to the development of next-generation AI foundation models and AI-enabled workflows for electric applications. In particular, the position focuses on advancing GridFM, a grid foundation model for power systems.
The role offers unique opportunities to contribute to cutting-edge research while helping translate AI innovations into real-world utility applications that support grid modernization, resilience, and large-scale electrification.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Extend current GridFM capabilities for distribution networks
- Develop scalable graph-based machine learning or related models
- Expand training data generation capabilities
- Create benchmarks and test developed models
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Ph.D. in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or a related field.
- Strong background in machine learning and deep learning.
- Experience with PyTorch, JAX, TensorFlow, or similar frameworks.
- Some experience developing Graph Neural Networks (GNNs), Graph Transformers, or foundation-model architectures.
- Familiarity with model training, fine-tuning, evaluation, and deployment.
- Understanding of uncertainty quantification, model robustness, and physics-informed AI.
- Experience with GPU computing and large-scale model training.
- Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research.
Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Familiarity with distributed computing, HPC environments, and cloud platforms.
- Experience building production-quality software and ML pipelines.
- Familiarity with Git, CI/CD, containerization (Docker), and reproducible workflows.
- Experience developing APIs and workflow orchestration systems.
- Experience optimizing AI workloads for performance and scalability.
- Basic knowledge of electric power systems, transmission/distribution networks, power flow, optimal power flow, contingency analysis, or grid planning.
- Familiarity with tools such as PowerModels, MATPOWER, PSS/E, GridLAB-D, OpenDSS, or similar.
- Experience with mathematical optimization, mixed-integer programming, stochastic optimization, or decision analytics.
- Familiarity with Gurobi, CPLEX, Pyomo, JuMP, or related tools.
- Experience with LLM-based workflows, tool-calling agents, MCP architectures, retrieval systems, or AI copilots.
- Familiarity with multi-agent systems and decision-support applications.
Other Information:
Candidates must have completed all degree requirements by the commencement of employment. BNL policy requires that after obtaining a PhD, eligible candidates for research associate appointments may not exceed a combined total of 5 years of relevant work experience as a post-doc and/or in an R&D position, excluding time associated with family planning, military service, illness or other life-changing events.
Brookhaven Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable and competitive compensation. The full salary range for this position is $70,200 - $85,000/ year. You will be placed at the level and salary commensurate with your experience. Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification, education and experience and considered with the internal peer group.
Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to employee success and we believe that a comprehensive employee benefits program is an important and meaningful part of the compensation employees receive. Review more information at BNL | Benefits Program
Brookhaven National Laboratory requires all non-badged personnel including visitors to produce a REAL-ID or REAL-ID compliant documentation to access Brookhaven National Laboratory. This is due to nationwide identification requirements for federal site access as required by the federal REAL ID Act. Those not in possession of a REAL ID-compliant document will not be permitted to access the site which includes access to the Laboratory for interviews.
As a U.S. Department of Energy laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory requires employees to obtain and maintain a DOE Uncleared Personal Identity Verification (UPIV) credential in accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) requirements. The credentialing process is completed as part of onboarding and enables access to DOE facilities and information systems. As a condition of employment, the selected candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a UPIV credential. These requirements are established under DOE Order 206.2 Chg. 2, Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM), and DOE Order 473.1A- Physical Protection Program.
About us
Brookhaven National Laboratory delivers discovery science and transformative technology to power and secure the nation’s future. Brookhaven Lab is a multidisciplinary laboratory with seven Nobel Prize-winning discoveries, 37 R&D 100 Awards, and more than 70 years of pioneering research. The Lab is primarily supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science. Brookhaven Science Associates (BSA) operates and manages the Laboratory for DOE. BSA is a partnership between Battelle and The Research Foundation for the State University of New York on behalf of Stony Brook University. BSA salutes our veterans and active military members with careers that leverage the skills and unique experience they gained while serving our country.
Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
Guided by our core values of integrity, responsibility, innovation, respect, and teamwork, Brookhaven Science Associates is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer-Vets/Disabled. We are committed to fostering a respectful and collaborative environment that fuels scientific discovery. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to any characteristic protected by law. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. We ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. VEVRAA Federal Contractor
BSA employees are subject to restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Programs, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation at the time of hire for review by Brookhaven. The full text of the Order may be found at: https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/400-series/0486.1-BOrder-a/@@images/file
See all 37+ J-1 Visa Systems Development Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new J-1 Visa Systems Development Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship as a Systems Development Engineer
Verify your program category early
Trainee status fits professionals within five years of graduation or their last substantive employment. Research Scholar applies if your role centers on research at a university or research institute. Confirm which category your Systems Development Engineer position satisfies before any employer conversations.
Build a training plan before interviewing
Designated sponsors require a detailed training plan, Form DS-7002, outlining your skill objectives and supervision structure. Draft this document before interviews so you can show host employers you understand the J-1 visa process, which reduces the friction that often kills offers late in hiring.
Target host employers with J-1 experience
Use Migrate Mate to filter Systems Development Engineer openings at organizations that have previously hosted J-1 exchange visitors, cutting through roles where hiring managers will need extensive education about the sponsor-host structure before they'll commit.
Check whether the role triggers the home residency requirement
Some J-1 participants, particularly those funded by their home government or holding certain nationalities, face a two-year home-country residency requirement before changing to most other U.S. visa categories. Confirm your eligibility for a waiver with your designated sponsor before accepting an offer.
Confirm the host employer's willingness to sign compliance documents
Your host employer must countersign the training plan and agree to supervision and reporting obligations set by the designated sponsor. Raise this explicitly before the offer stage, since many U.S. engineering teams are unfamiliar with this host-sponsor split and can delay or withdraw offers when requirements surface later.
Align your technical background with O*NET standards
Designated sponsors assess whether your proposed role genuinely constitutes training or scholarly exchange. Cross-reference your Systems Development Engineer duties against the O*NET occupation profile to frame your application in terms sponsors recognize and that satisfy their educational-benefit review.
Systems Development Engineer J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category applies to Systems Development Engineer roles?
The Trainee category applies if you're a recent graduate or have fewer than five years of relevant professional experience, and the role provides structured skills development. The Research Scholar category fits positions at universities or research institutions focused on advancing technical knowledge. Intern category covers current degree students completing practical training tied directly to their field of study.
Who actually sponsors the J-1 visa for a Systems Development Engineer position?
The visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor organization, not your hiring employer. Organizations like IIE, CIEE, Cultural Vistas, and AIPT issue the DS-2019 form that authorizes your J-1 status. Your hiring company is the host employer, responsible for the training environment and supervision, but it does not act as your visa sponsor.
How do I find Systems Development Engineer positions where the host employer already understands J-1 requirements?
Migrate Mate surfaces U.S. engineering roles at organizations with demonstrated experience hosting international exchange visitors, so you avoid spending interview cycles educating hiring managers about the sponsor-host distinction. Filtering by J-1 familiarity early in your search saves time and improves offer conversion rates for technically strong candidates unfamiliar with U.S. hiring norms.
Does a Systems Development Engineer on J-1 status face the two-year home residency requirement?
It depends on your funding source and nationality. If your exchange program is financed by your home government or by the U.S. government, or if your home country's skills list includes systems engineering, a two-year home residency requirement likely applies before you can change to H-1B visa, L-1 visa, or immigrant status. Your designated sponsor can confirm your specific obligation before you accept an offer.
What does the training plan requirement mean for a Systems Development Engineer applicant?
Designated sponsors require Form DS-7002, a structured training plan documenting the skills you'll develop, your supervision arrangement, and how the position advances your professional growth beyond what you could achieve at home. For engineering roles, this means mapping specific technical competencies, project phases, and evaluation checkpoints. Your host employer must countersign the plan, so confirm their willingness to do this before the offer stage.