OPT Applied Scientist Jobs
Applied Scientist roles on OPT sit squarely within specialty occupation territory, which makes them strong candidates for H-1B visa sponsorship down the line. Most positions require a master's or PhD in computer science, statistics, or a related field. STEM OPT gives you up to three years of authorized work, enough runway to move through the sponsorship process.
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About Sponsored Products and Brands
The Sponsored Products and Brands (SPB) team at Amazon Ads is re-imagining the advertising landscape through generative AI technologies, revolutionizing how millions of customers discover products and engage with brands across Amazon.com and beyond. We are at the forefront of re-inventing advertising experiences, bridging human creativity with artificial intelligence to transform every aspect of the advertising lifecycle from ad creation and optimization to performance analysis and customer insights. We are a passionate group of innovators dedicated to developing responsible and intelligent AI technologies that balance the needs of advertisers, enhance the shopping experience, and strengthen the marketplace. If you're energized by solving complex challenges and pushing the boundaries of what's possible with AI, join us in shaping the future of advertising.
About our team
SPB Ad Response Prediction team is your choice, if you want to join a highly motivated, collaborative, and fun-loving team with a strong entrepreneurial spirit and bias for action. We are seeking an experienced and motivated Applied Scientist with machine learning engineering background who loves to innovate at the intersection of customer experience, deep learning, and high-scale machine learning systems.
We are looking for a talented Applied Scientist with a strong background in machine learning engineering to join our team and help us grow the business. In this role, you will partner with a team of engineers and scientists to build advanced machine learning models and infrastructure, from training to inference, including emerging LLM-based systems, that deliver highly relevant ads to shoppers across all Amazon platforms and surfaces worldwide.
Key job responsibilities
As an Applied Scientist, you will:
- Develop scalable and effective machine learning models and optimization strategies to solve business problems.
- Conduct research on new machine learning modeling to optimize all aspects of Sponsored Products business.
- Enhance the scalability, automation, and efficiency of large-scale training and real-time inference systems.
- Pioneer the development of LLM inference infrastructure to support next-generation GenAI workloads at Amazon Ads scale.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 3+ years of building models for business application experience
- PhD, or Master's degree and 4+ years of CS, CE, ML or related field experience
- Experience programming in Java, C++, Python or related language
- Experience in any of the following areas: algorithms and data structures, parsing, numerical optimization, data mining, parallel and distributed computing, high-performance computing
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience using Unix/Linux
- Experience in professional software development
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
LOCATION
USA, NY, New York - 172,400.00 - 223,400.00 USD annually
USA, VA, Arlington - 142,800.00 - 193,200.00 USD annually
USA, WA, SEATTLE - 142,800.00 - 193,200.00 USD annually
DESCRIPTION
About Sponsored Products and Brands
The Sponsored Products and Brands (SPB) team at Amazon Ads is re-imagining the advertising landscape through generative AI technologies, revolutionizing how millions of customers discover products and engage with brands across Amazon.com and beyond. We are at the forefront of re-inventing advertising experiences, bridging human creativity with artificial intelligence to transform every aspect of the advertising lifecycle from ad creation and optimization to performance analysis and customer insights. We are a passionate group of innovators dedicated to developing responsible and intelligent AI technologies that balance the needs of advertisers, enhance the shopping experience, and strengthen the marketplace. If you're energized by solving complex challenges and pushing the boundaries of what's possible with AI, join us in shaping the future of advertising.
About our team
SPB Ad Response Prediction team is your choice, if you want to join a highly motivated, collaborative, and fun-loving team with a strong entrepreneurial spirit and bias for action. We are seeking an experienced and motivated Applied Scientist with machine learning engineering background who loves to innovate at the intersection of customer experience, deep learning, and high-scale machine learning systems.
We are looking for a talented Applied Scientist with a strong background in machine learning engineering to join our team and help us grow the business. In this role, you will partner with a team of engineers and scientists to build advanced machine learning models and infrastructure, from training to inference, including emerging LLM-based systems, that deliver highly relevant ads to shoppers across all Amazon platforms and surfaces worldwide.
Key job responsibilities
As an Applied Scientist, you will:
- Develop scalable and effective machine learning models and optimization strategies to solve business problems.
- Conduct research on new machine learning modeling to optimize all aspects of Sponsored Products business.
- Enhance the scalability, automation, and efficiency of large-scale training and real-time inference systems.
- Pioneer the development of LLM inference infrastructure to support next-generation GenAI workloads at Amazon Ads scale.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 3+ years of building models for business application experience
- PhD, or Master's degree and 4+ years of CS, CE, ML or related field experience
- Experience programming in Java, C++, Python or related language
- Experience in any of the following areas: algorithms and data structures, parsing, numerical optimization, data mining, parallel and distributed computing, high-performance computing
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience using Unix/Linux
- Experience in professional software development
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
LOCATION
USA, NY, New York - 172,400.00 - 223,400.00 USD annually
USA, VA, Arlington - 142,800.00 - 193,200.00 USD annually
USA, WA, SEATTLE - 142,800.00 - 193,200.00 USD annually
See all 400+ OPT Applied Scientist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Applied Scientist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an Applied Scientist
Target companies with active H-1B filing histories
Employers who regularly sponsor Applied Scientists will have a track record of H-1B visa filings. Prioritize companies with dedicated research divisions, such as large tech firms and AI labs, where sponsorship is standard practice rather than an exception.
Lead with your research output, not just your degree
Published papers, patents, and conference presentations signal the kind of specialized expertise that justifies sponsorship. Employers evaluating OPT candidates for Applied Scientist roles weigh research credentials heavily when making the case to their legal team.
Confirm your STEM OPT eligibility before applying
Applied Scientist roles almost always qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, but your degree field must appear on the STEM Designated Degree Program list. Verify this with your DSO before your initial 12-month OPT period ends.
Bring up OPT early in the interview process
Waiting until an offer to mention your work authorization status creates friction. Raise it in the recruiter screen so only genuinely sponsor-willing employers move forward. It saves both sides time and builds trust from the start.
Frame your OPT timeline as a planning asset
Three years of STEM OPT authorization covers two H-1B lottery cycles. Presenting this clearly to hiring managers shows you understand the process and gives cautious employers confidence that there is enough time to get sponsorship right.
Connect with Applied Scientists at the company before applying
Reach out to researchers already in the role you want. They can tell you whether sponsorship is handled internally or through outside counsel, how long the process typically takes at that company, and what the team actually values in candidates.
Applied Scientist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as an Applied Scientist on OPT without employer sponsorship?
Yes. During your OPT authorization period, you can work as an Applied Scientist without any employer petition or sponsorship filing. Your employer does need to report the job to your DSO for STEM OPT compliance, but there is no separate visa petition required. Sponsorship only becomes necessary when your OPT period ends and you need a different work visa to stay authorized.
Do Applied Scientist roles qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Applied Scientist positions almost universally qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension because the role draws directly on STEM degree fields such as computer science, statistics, applied mathematics, and electrical engineering. Your degree must appear on the STEM Designated Degree Program list and the job must be directly related to that field of study. Your DSO can confirm eligibility before you apply for the extension.
How do I find Applied Scientist jobs where employers are open to OPT sponsorship?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for this. The platform surfaces Applied Scientist roles from employers who have a demonstrated history of sponsoring international workers, so you are not wasting applications on companies that will decline once they learn your status. Browsing by role and authorization type there is the most efficient way to identify genuinely sponsor-willing employers in research and tech.
Does a master's degree qualify me for Applied Scientist roles on OPT, or do most employers require a PhD?
Requirements vary by company and team. Large tech companies and AI labs regularly hire Applied Scientists with strong master's degrees, particularly when candidates have published research, internship experience, or a compelling project portfolio. Roles focused on applied product work tend to be more accessible with a master's, while positions in core research or fundamental modeling often prefer a PhD. Read job descriptions carefully and prioritize applying to roles that list a master's as sufficient.
What should I know about the 60-day grace period if my Applied Scientist job ends while I am on OPT?
When employment ends during your OPT period, you enter a 60-day grace period during which you are not authorized to work but remain in valid F-1 status. You can use this window to find a new Applied Scientist role and start work once authorized. If you cannot secure a new position within 60 days, you would need to change status, transfer to a new school, or depart the United States.