OPT Business Development Lead Jobs
Business Development Lead roles on OPT require employers comfortable sponsoring future H-1B visa or O-1 visas, since your work authorization window is 12 months (up to 36 for STEM-eligible degrees). Many BD roles sit at the intersection of strategy and revenue, which maps well to business, marketing, or engineering OPT categories.
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Location: Bay Area/Los Angeles
Job Overview
We are seeking a passionate and execution-driven Supply Chain BD leader to spearhead data collection scenario expansion and crowdsourced operations for embodied robotics. You will participate in building and operating a crowdsourcing supply chain model for embodied robot data collection, expanding data acquisition opportunities in real-world scenarios, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, multimodal data for embodied AI model training. If you are deeply interested in building a "data production network" and are willing to accumulate experience through frontline, hands-on operations to achieve rapid growth, this is an excellent opportunity to join a team in the cutting-edge field of AI infrastructure.
Core Responsibilities
- Scenario Expansion & Supply Chain Ecosystem Building
- Assist in planning and executing the expansion of data collection scenarios for embodied robots, going deep into the frontline to uncover data collection opportunities in real-world environments such as factories, households, retail, healthcare, and logistics.
- Participate in building and operating the data collection "crowdsourcing model," assisting in the management of a diverse supply chain of data collectors (e.g., community residents, freelancers, part-time workers, etc.).
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Assist in establishing systems for collector recruitment, training, task dispatching, incentives, and retention to ensure a continuous and stable data supply chain.
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Crowdsourcing Platform & Data Pipeline Management
- Take charge of the day-to-day operations of the entire data collection workflow, including task creation, collection execution, initial quality screening, and data delivery.
- Collaborate with product and technical teams to provide feedback on the user experience of crowdsourced collection tools, driving iterative optimization of these tools.
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Execute quality control processes to ensure the validity, accuracy, and compliance of the collected data.
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Operational Empowerment & Scaled Growth
- Assist in formulating scaling strategies to cover more regions and scenarios, increasing the density and production capacity of the data network.
- Identify and resolve common issues in daily operations (such as capacity fluctuations, cost control, collection team activity rates, etc.) to continuously optimize operational efficiency.
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Collaborate with the Business Development (BD) team to translate crowdsourced collection capabilities into delivery support for commercialized data products.
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Team & Vendor Management
- Responsible for building, training, and managing a small data operations team on a daily basis (including collection specialists, QA specialists, etc.).
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Manage and coordinate external crowdsourced collectors and third-party data service vendors, tracking key performance indicators (KPIs).
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Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with hardware R&D, algorithm teams, product departments, and the broader BD department to co-define data collection specifications and standards.
- Act as the operational interface between clients and R&D teams, precisely understanding requirements to ensure datasets are delivered on time and with high quality.
- Assist in managing regional operational budgets, ensuring all data collection and processing activities strictly comply with US data privacy, security, and relevant regulations.
Job Requirements
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Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree or above. Majors in Computer Science, Communications, Automation, Data Science, Management, or related fields are preferred.
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Core Experience: 3+ years of experience in supply chain, BD, operations, project management, or data management, including at least 1 year of team management experience. Those with a certain understanding of or practical experience in crowdsourcing models or the sharing economy are preferred; backgrounds in crowdsourced operations within ride-hailing, local on-demand services, or the AI data sector are highly preferred.
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Crowdsourcing & Rollout Expertise: Hands-on experience in crowdsourcing models, the sharing economy, or managing large-scale localized rollouts and promotional campaigns is required. Backgrounds in crowdsourced operations within ride-hailing, local on-demand services, or the AI data sector are highly preferred.
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Scenario Expansion Capability: Possess awareness of supply chain and scenario expansion, and understand the operational characteristics of at least one real-world scenario (e.g., households, factories, retail, etc.).
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Technical Understanding: Ability to understand the basic technical requirements of embodied AI data collection. Familiarity with sensors, data formats, and collection specifications is preferred.
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Execution & Responsibility: Ability to go deep into the frontline to solve practical operational problems, possessing a strong sense of responsibility and determination to achieve goals.
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Communication & Collaboration: Excellent cross-departmental and cross-team communication and coordination skills, with the ability to effectively manage and motivate small teams.
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Language Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English. Proficiency in Spanish is a major plus for engaging with local communities and external teams.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Business Development Lead
Target growth-stage companies with dedicated HR teams
Early-stage startups rarely have immigration counsel on retainer. Companies with 50 or more employees are more likely to have structured sponsorship processes and budget allocated for future H-1B visa or O-1 filings after your OPT period ends.
Connect your degree field to the BD role explicitly
OPT authorization must relate to your field of study. A business or marketing degree maps cleanly to BD Lead roles. If your degree is in engineering or data science, emphasize the technical aspects of the pipeline or product-led growth work you'll own.
Raise visa sponsorship after receiving an offer, not before
Bringing up sponsorship too early in the process can stall your candidacy before a hiring manager sees your value. Once you have a verbal offer, the sponsorship conversation shifts from a risk assessment to a retention decision in your favor.
Quantify your revenue impact in every application
BD Lead hiring managers prioritize candidates who show closed deals, pipeline value built, or partnerships launched. Concrete numbers make your OPT timeline feel like a secondary detail rather than the headline concern during the evaluation process.
Ask specifically about H-1B sponsorship history, not willingness
Instead of asking if a company sponsors visas, ask how many H-1B petitions they filed in the last two years. Past filings are a reliable signal of institutional readiness and reduce the risk of a company agreeing in theory but failing in practice.
Use your OPT period to establish a track record worth sponsoring
Employers sponsor employees they cannot afford to lose. Within your first six months, focus on winning a visible deal or partnership that demonstrates measurable contribution. A clear performance record is your strongest leverage when sponsorship conversations begin.
Business Development Lead OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Business Development Lead on OPT?
Yes, as long as the role is directly related to your field of study. Business Development Lead positions typically qualify under business, management, marketing, or related degree fields. If your degree is in a technical discipline, confirm that your day-to-day responsibilities connect to that field before accepting an offer, since your OPT authorization is tied to your degree category.
How do I find Business Development Lead roles that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for candidates on F-1 OPT and visa sponsorship pathways, which saves time compared to applying broadly and discovering sponsorship limitations late in the process. Business Development Lead roles on Migrate Mate are posted by employers who have demonstrated willingness to hire international candidates, making your search significantly more targeted.
Does working as a Business Development Lead qualify for STEM OPT extension?
Only if your underlying degree is in a STEM-designated field. The role title itself does not determine STEM OPT eligibility. If you hold a degree in a field on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List and your BD Lead role involves applying technical skills from that field, your DSO may approve the 24-month STEM extension, giving you up to 36 months of total OPT work authorization.
What happens to my OPT status if I change employers during a Business Development Lead role?
You can change employers on OPT, but you must report the change to your DSO within 10 days and update your SEVIS record. There is no formal transfer process, but any gap in employment longer than 90 cumulative days during standard OPT can jeopardize your status. STEM OPT holders must also submit a new Form I-983 training plan with the new employer before the start date.
What visa options should I plan for after my OPT period ends as a Business Development Lead?
H-1B is the most common path, but Business Development Lead roles can also support O-1A petitions if you have a documented record of achievement, such as awards, significant revenue contributions, or media coverage. Some candidates in Canadian or Mexican markets explore TN visas in relevant professional categories. Discuss sponsorship timelines with your employer well before your OPT expiration so petitions can be filed without a gap in authorization.