AI ML Engineer Jobs for OPT Students
AI ML Engineer jobs are among the most OPT-friendly roles in tech, large employers routinely sponsor H-1B and have dedicated international hiring pipelines. Your 12-month OPT window (or 24-month STEM extension if your degree qualifies) gives you meaningful runway to land and transition.
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Get Access To All JobsAbout Brain Co.
Brain Co. is an applied AI startup co-founded by Jared Kushner and Elad Gil, and backed by leading Silicon Valley builders including Patrick Collison and Andrej Karpathy.
We are building AI applications for the world’s most important institutions, delivering impact on real-world problems across governments, healthcare systems, and critical industries.
Our progress so far:
- Automated construction permitting for a sovereign government → 80% faster, unlocking $375M+ in value
- Optimized supply chains for a leading global energy company → 30% lower cost, 99% reliability, preventing $100M+ in losses
- Streamlined hospital patient care across national health systems → 40% better outcomes, 80% less admin work
Company momentum:
- Raised a $55M Series A from leading investors
- Built a team of 70+ AI experts from Tesla, Google DeepMind, NVIDIA, and Databricks
At Brain Co., we focus on applying frontier AI to real institutional challenges, working alongside governments, healthcare systems, and critical industries to modernize how essential services operate.
We are looking for leaders who want to help bring new technology into institutions that impact millions of people.
About The Role
As an AI/ML Engineer at Brain Co., you will play a crucial role in deploying state-of-the-art models to automate various real world problems in sectors such as healthcare, government and energy. Part of the role will involve turning research breakthroughs into practical solutions for various nation states. This role is your opportunity to make a significant impact by making AI technology both accessible and influential.
In This Role, You Will:
- Innovate and Deploy: Design and deploy advanced LLM models to tackle real-world problems, particularly in automating complex, manual processes in a range of real-world verticals.
- Optimize and Scale: Build scalable data pipelines, optimize models for performance and accuracy, and prepare them for production. Monitor and maintain deployed models to ensure they continue delivering value across various governments worldwide.
- Make a Difference: Engage in projects including but not limited to optimizing the world's most advanced energy production systems, modernizing core government workflows, or improving patient outcomes in advanced public healthcare systems. Your work will directly impact how AI benefits individuals, businesses, and society at large.
- Engage with Leaders: interact directly with government officials in various countries and apply the first of its kind AI solutions while working alongside experienced ex. Founders, AI researchers, and software engineers to understand complex business challenges and deliver AI-powered solutions. Join a dynamic team where ideas are exchanged freely and creativity flourishes. You will be able to wear many hats: software building, product management, sales, interpersonal skills.
- Learn and Lead: Keep abreast of the latest developments in machine learning and AI. Participate in code reviews, share knowledge, and set an example with high-quality engineering practices.
You Might Thrive In This Role If You:
- Have 0-2 years of industry experience in applied machine learning or related AI work.
- Hold a BSc/Master’s/PhD degree in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Data Science, or a related field.
- Have hands-on experience building GenAI-focused applications (e.g., agents, reasoning workflows, or RAG) and a solid understanding of how large language models are architected and operated.
- Have personally implemented models in common ML frameworks such as PyTorch, Jax or TensorFlow.
- Possess a strong foundation in data structures, algorithms, and software engineering principles.
- Exhibit excellent problem-solving and analytical skills, with a proactive approach to challenges.
- Can work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
- Thrive in fast-paced environments where priorities or deadlines may compete.
- Are eager to own problems end-to-end and willing to acquire any necessary knowledge to get the job done.
Benefits
- Competitive salary
- Medical, Dental, and Vision (100% Coverage)
- Paid Maternity and Paternity Leave
- 401(k)
- Daily Lunches
- Commuter Benefits
- Unlimited PTO
Why Join Us
- Ship quickly, iterate constantly and see your work deployed at global scale
- Collaborate with industry veterans from Tesla, DeepMind, Databricks, and more
- Accelerate your career with ownership based on impact, not tenure
- Earn competitive compensation + meaningful equity in a high-growth company
- Thrive in a culture built on speed, curiosity, and impact
If you want to see your work deployed at scale with real impact, Brain Co. is the place to build.
About Brain Co.
Brain Co. is an applied AI startup co-founded by Jared Kushner and Elad Gil, and backed by leading Silicon Valley builders including Patrick Collison and Andrej Karpathy.
We are building AI applications for the world’s most important institutions, delivering impact on real-world problems across governments, healthcare systems, and critical industries.
Our progress so far:
- Automated construction permitting for a sovereign government → 80% faster, unlocking $375M+ in value
- Optimized supply chains for a leading global energy company → 30% lower cost, 99% reliability, preventing $100M+ in losses
- Streamlined hospital patient care across national health systems → 40% better outcomes, 80% less admin work
Company momentum:
- Raised a $55M Series A from leading investors
- Built a team of 70+ AI experts from Tesla, Google DeepMind, NVIDIA, and Databricks
At Brain Co., we focus on applying frontier AI to real institutional challenges, working alongside governments, healthcare systems, and critical industries to modernize how essential services operate.
We are looking for leaders who want to help bring new technology into institutions that impact millions of people.
About The Role
As an AI/ML Engineer at Brain Co., you will play a crucial role in deploying state-of-the-art models to automate various real world problems in sectors such as healthcare, government and energy. Part of the role will involve turning research breakthroughs into practical solutions for various nation states. This role is your opportunity to make a significant impact by making AI technology both accessible and influential.
In This Role, You Will:
- Innovate and Deploy: Design and deploy advanced LLM models to tackle real-world problems, particularly in automating complex, manual processes in a range of real-world verticals.
- Optimize and Scale: Build scalable data pipelines, optimize models for performance and accuracy, and prepare them for production. Monitor and maintain deployed models to ensure they continue delivering value across various governments worldwide.
- Make a Difference: Engage in projects including but not limited to optimizing the world's most advanced energy production systems, modernizing core government workflows, or improving patient outcomes in advanced public healthcare systems. Your work will directly impact how AI benefits individuals, businesses, and society at large.
- Engage with Leaders: interact directly with government officials in various countries and apply the first of its kind AI solutions while working alongside experienced ex. Founders, AI researchers, and software engineers to understand complex business challenges and deliver AI-powered solutions. Join a dynamic team where ideas are exchanged freely and creativity flourishes. You will be able to wear many hats: software building, product management, sales, interpersonal skills.
- Learn and Lead: Keep abreast of the latest developments in machine learning and AI. Participate in code reviews, share knowledge, and set an example with high-quality engineering practices.
You Might Thrive In This Role If You:
- Have 0-2 years of industry experience in applied machine learning or related AI work.
- Hold a BSc/Master’s/PhD degree in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Data Science, or a related field.
- Have hands-on experience building GenAI-focused applications (e.g., agents, reasoning workflows, or RAG) and a solid understanding of how large language models are architected and operated.
- Have personally implemented models in common ML frameworks such as PyTorch, Jax or TensorFlow.
- Possess a strong foundation in data structures, algorithms, and software engineering principles.
- Exhibit excellent problem-solving and analytical skills, with a proactive approach to challenges.
- Can work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
- Thrive in fast-paced environments where priorities or deadlines may compete.
- Are eager to own problems end-to-end and willing to acquire any necessary knowledge to get the job done.
Benefits
- Competitive salary
- Medical, Dental, and Vision (100% Coverage)
- Paid Maternity and Paternity Leave
- 401(k)
- Daily Lunches
- Commuter Benefits
- Unlimited PTO
Why Join Us
- Ship quickly, iterate constantly and see your work deployed at global scale
- Collaborate with industry veterans from Tesla, DeepMind, Databricks, and more
- Accelerate your career with ownership based on impact, not tenure
- Earn competitive compensation + meaningful equity in a high-growth company
- Thrive in a culture built on speed, curiosity, and impact
If you want to see your work deployed at scale with real impact, Brain Co. is the place to build.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as an AI ML Engineer
Target companies with STEM OPT track records
Search USCIS H-1B disclosure data for employers with high AI and ML approval volumes. Companies that sponsor frequently have established processes, reducing the friction of being an OPT candidate. Consistent sponsorship history is a stronger signal than company size alone.
Apply early in your OPT window
AI ML hiring cycles often run 8 to 12 weeks from application to offer. Starting your search at least three months before your current authorization expires gives employers enough runway to complete the process without feeling pressured by your timeline.
Confirm your degree qualifies for the STEM extension
Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Statistics, and Data Science degrees typically qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirming eligibility early gives you a stronger negotiating position and makes you significantly more attractive to employers planning for H-1B sponsorship.
Lead with technical depth, not visa status
Hiring managers for AI and ML roles prioritize model experience, research output, and system design skills. Frame your application around specific projects, architectures, and measurable results first. Address your OPT status clearly but briefly in the cover letter or recruiter screen.
Build a portfolio with deployable work
Employers evaluating AI ML candidates want to see real systems, not just notebooks. Public GitHub repositories, published papers, Kaggle placements, or documented production deployments give international candidates a concrete edge that offsets any perceived sponsorship friction.
Get your I-983 training plan right from day one
STEM OPT requires a signed training plan outlining your learning objectives and how the role relates to your degree field. Confirm the employer is an E-Verify participant before accepting an offer, since that is a mandatory requirement for the STEM extension.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can I work as an AI ML Engineer on OPT without an H-1B?
Yes. Your F-1 OPT work authorization lets you work as an AI ML Engineer for any employer authorized to hire OPT students, with no H-1B required. If your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as Computer Science or Statistics, you can extend OPT for an additional 24 months, giving you up to three years of authorized work experience before needing a different visa status.
Does an AI ML Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
In most cases, yes. The role must be directly related to your degree field, and your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify. Degrees in Computer Science, Data Science, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, and Statistics are commonly approved for STEM OPT. The connection between your specific degree and the AI or ML work you perform needs to be documented in your I-983 training plan, which both you and your employer sign.
What types of employers hire AI ML Engineers on OPT?
Large technology firms, financial institutions, healthcare companies, and AI-focused startups are the most active employers. Companies that file H-1B petitions in volume are generally the most experienced with OPT students and have internal processes to support the transition. You can browse AI ML Engineer roles filtered for OPT-friendly employers directly on Migrate Mate, which focuses specifically on positions open to international candidates.
How far in advance should I apply for AI ML Engineer jobs before my OPT expires?
Start applying at least three to four months before your OPT authorization expires. Technical hiring for AI and ML roles is multi-stage, often involving recruiter screens, take-home assessments, and several rounds of technical interviews. If you qualify for the STEM extension, filing the extension application at least 90 days before your current OPT expires protects your authorization during the processing window, even if your EAD has not yet arrived.
Will employers reject me for AI ML roles because of my OPT status?
Some employers do not sponsor work visas, but many large and mid-size technology employers actively recruit international candidates for AI and ML roles because qualified talent is competitive. Being transparent about your timeline, confirming STEM OPT eligibility, and targeting companies with established sponsorship histories significantly improves your odds. Focusing your applications on employers already verified to hire OPT candidates saves time and avoids dead ends.
See which AI ML Engineer employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
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