OPT Data Engineer Intern Jobs
Data Engineer Intern roles are among the most OPT-friendly positions in tech, with employers regularly filing H-1B visa sponsorship for strong interns. Most positions require Python, SQL, and familiarity with cloud platforms. STEM OPT extension eligibility makes this role a strong fit for a 3-year authorization window.
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Get Access To All JobsWho we are
About Stripe
Stripe is a financial infrastructure platform for businesses. Millions of companies—from the world’s largest enterprises to the most ambitious startups—use Stripe to accept payments, grow their revenue, and accelerate new business opportunities. Our mission is to increase the GDP of the internet, and we have a staggering amount of work ahead. That means you have an unprecedented opportunity to put the global economy within everyone’s reach while doing the most important work of your career.
About the team
Our Data Science team partners deeply with teams across Stripe to ensure that our users, our products, and our business have the models, data products, and insights needed to make decisions and grow responsibly. We’re looking for data scientists with a passion for analyzing data, building machine learning and statistical models, and running experiments to drive impact. Our work is broad and varied, influencing how our products work (e.g. understanding user needs, preventing fraud, or optimizing charge flows), how our business works (forecasting key outcomes, managing liquidity, quantifying risk exposure), how our go-to-market motions operate (designing growth experiments, optimizing marketing investments, refining sales processes, and estimating causal effects), and everything in between. We have a variety of Data Science roles and teams across Stripe and will seek to align you to the most relevant team based on your background.
What you’ll do
About the internship experience
Our internship program provides the opportunity to work on meaningful business initiatives that will grow the GDP of the internet. Through the internship, you will work with many systems and technologies, gain experience in working with large datasets and analytical methodologies/tools to help us better understand our users and build better products.
Each intern has a dedicated mentor, and every intern project is part of the team's roadmap that will directly contribute to Stripe's mission. As you collaborate with industry experts on initiatives that expand global commerce, you will develop a strong first-hand understanding of the role analytics plays in steering business strategy and results.
We're not just focused on your immediate contributions; we’re invested in your growth. Stripe sees this internship as an opportunity to grow your technical expertise and facilitate personal development, preparing you for a career in the tech industry.
Responsibilities
You will:
- Partner closely with Data Scientists, Data Analysts, and business partners to drive business impact through rigorous analytical solutions
- Apply machine learning, causal inference, or advanced analytics on large datasets to: i) measure results and outcomes, ii) identify causal impact and attribution, iii) predict the future performance of users or products, to drive business success
- Influence business actions and strategy by developing actionable insights through metrics and dashboards.
- Drive the collection of new data and the refinement of existing data sources.
- Learn quickly by asking great questions, finding how to work with your mentor and teammates effectively, and communicating the status of your work clearly
- Present your work to the Data Science team, partner teams, and fellow interns
Who you are
Minimum requirements
We’re looking for someone who has:
- Enrolled in a quantitative PhD program (e.g. Data Science, Statistics, Economics, Mathematics, etc.) with the expectation of graduating in winter 2026 or spring/summer 2027
- Experience with a scientific computing language (such as Python, R, etc) and SQL. We believe new programming languages can be learned if the fundamentals and general knowledge are present!
- Knowledge and hands-on experience in several of the following areas: machine learning, statistics, optimization, product analytics, causal inference, and/or experimentation
- Experience communicating and collaborating with multidisciplinary stakeholders in a team environment
Preferred qualifications
You also likely have:
- Experience writing and debugging data pipelines
- Demonstrated ability to evaluate and receive feedback from mentors, peers, and stakeholders via experience from previous internships or other multi-person projects
- Ability to learn new systems and form an understanding of those systems, through independent research and working with a mentor and subject matter experts
Who we are
About Stripe
Stripe is a financial infrastructure platform for businesses. Millions of companies—from the world’s largest enterprises to the most ambitious startups—use Stripe to accept payments, grow their revenue, and accelerate new business opportunities. Our mission is to increase the GDP of the internet, and we have a staggering amount of work ahead. That means you have an unprecedented opportunity to put the global economy within everyone’s reach while doing the most important work of your career.
About the team
Our Data Science team partners deeply with teams across Stripe to ensure that our users, our products, and our business have the models, data products, and insights needed to make decisions and grow responsibly. We’re looking for data scientists with a passion for analyzing data, building machine learning and statistical models, and running experiments to drive impact. Our work is broad and varied, influencing how our products work (e.g. understanding user needs, preventing fraud, or optimizing charge flows), how our business works (forecasting key outcomes, managing liquidity, quantifying risk exposure), how our go-to-market motions operate (designing growth experiments, optimizing marketing investments, refining sales processes, and estimating causal effects), and everything in between. We have a variety of Data Science roles and teams across Stripe and will seek to align you to the most relevant team based on your background.
What you’ll do
About the internship experience
Our internship program provides the opportunity to work on meaningful business initiatives that will grow the GDP of the internet. Through the internship, you will work with many systems and technologies, gain experience in working with large datasets and analytical methodologies/tools to help us better understand our users and build better products.
Each intern has a dedicated mentor, and every intern project is part of the team's roadmap that will directly contribute to Stripe's mission. As you collaborate with industry experts on initiatives that expand global commerce, you will develop a strong first-hand understanding of the role analytics plays in steering business strategy and results.
We're not just focused on your immediate contributions; we’re invested in your growth. Stripe sees this internship as an opportunity to grow your technical expertise and facilitate personal development, preparing you for a career in the tech industry.
Responsibilities
You will:
- Partner closely with Data Scientists, Data Analysts, and business partners to drive business impact through rigorous analytical solutions
- Apply machine learning, causal inference, or advanced analytics on large datasets to: i) measure results and outcomes, ii) identify causal impact and attribution, iii) predict the future performance of users or products, to drive business success
- Influence business actions and strategy by developing actionable insights through metrics and dashboards.
- Drive the collection of new data and the refinement of existing data sources.
- Learn quickly by asking great questions, finding how to work with your mentor and teammates effectively, and communicating the status of your work clearly
- Present your work to the Data Science team, partner teams, and fellow interns
Who you are
Minimum requirements
We’re looking for someone who has:
- Enrolled in a quantitative PhD program (e.g. Data Science, Statistics, Economics, Mathematics, etc.) with the expectation of graduating in winter 2026 or spring/summer 2027
- Experience with a scientific computing language (such as Python, R, etc) and SQL. We believe new programming languages can be learned if the fundamentals and general knowledge are present!
- Knowledge and hands-on experience in several of the following areas: machine learning, statistics, optimization, product analytics, causal inference, and/or experimentation
- Experience communicating and collaborating with multidisciplinary stakeholders in a team environment
Preferred qualifications
You also likely have:
- Experience writing and debugging data pipelines
- Demonstrated ability to evaluate and receive feedback from mentors, peers, and stakeholders via experience from previous internships or other multi-person projects
- Ability to learn new systems and form an understanding of those systems, through independent research and working with a mentor and subject matter experts
See all OPT Data Engineer Intern Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Data Engineer Intern
Target companies with active H-1B filing histories
Employers who regularly sponsor H-1B visas are far more likely to support OPT students through the full authorization period. Look for mid-size to large tech companies and consulting firms with established immigration infrastructure and dedicated HR teams.
Confirm STEM OPT eligibility before applying
Data Engineering typically qualifies for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to three years of work authorization. Verify your degree CIP code is on the STEM designated degree program list before starting your job search.
Lead with your technical stack in applications
Employers screening OPT candidates want to see immediate technical contribution. Highlight proficiency in Python, SQL, Spark, and cloud platforms like AWS or GCP upfront. Concrete project experience with data pipelines reduces friction around work authorization conversations.
Start your OPT application at least 90 days early
USCIS allows you to apply up to 90 days before your program end date. Processing takes three to five months, so early filing protects your start date. Delays can push back internship offers, especially for structured summer programs with fixed timelines.
Ask about sponsorship intent during the offer stage
For internships with conversion potential, confirm whether the company sponsors H-1B visas before accepting. Asking late in the process wastes time for both sides. Frame it professionally: ask about their immigration support process for full-time conversion candidates.
Prioritize internships with full-time conversion pipelines
Internships that convert to full-time roles give you the best path through OPT and into H-1B sponsorship. Structured intern programs at established companies are more likely to have the legal and HR processes in place to support long-term work authorization.
Data Engineer Intern OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Data Engineer Intern on OPT?
Yes. If your degree is in computer science, information systems, data science, or a related STEM field, Data Engineer Intern roles qualify for OPT work authorization. The position must be directly related to your major area of study. Most data engineering internships at tech and analytics companies meet this requirement, but confirm with your DSO before accepting an offer.
Does a Data Engineer Intern role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It can, provided two conditions are met: your degree program is on the STEM designated degree program list, and the employer is enrolled in E-Verify. Data engineering internships at most mid-size and large companies qualify. If approved, the extension adds 24 months to your initial 12-month OPT authorization, giving you up to three years total.
What happens if my Data Engineer Internship ends before my OPT period does?
OPT allows up to 90 days of unemployment during the standard 12-month period, and up to 150 days during the STEM extension. If your internship ends early, you have that window to find a new qualifying position. Use Migrate Mate to browse OPT-friendly data engineering roles and avoid burning through your unemployment days without an active search strategy.
Do Data Engineer Intern roles typically lead to H-1B sponsorship?
Many do, but it depends entirely on the employer. Large tech companies, consulting firms, and financial institutions with established immigration programs regularly convert strong interns to full-time sponsored employees. Smaller startups are less predictable. If long-term sponsorship is a priority, target employers with a track record of H-1B filings and ask about conversion pathways before accepting an offer.
How many hours per week can I work as a Data Engineer Intern on OPT?
During post-completion OPT, you must work at least 20 hours per week for the position to count as qualifying employment. Most full-time internships run 40 hours per week, which comfortably satisfies this requirement. Part-time arrangements are permitted, but hours below 20 per week do not count toward your OPT employment record and accumulate as unemployment days.