OPT Data Science Lead Jobs
Data Science Lead jobs are among the most OPT-friendly senior roles in tech: most employers file H-1B visa petitions for strong candidates, and the role's direct tie to a quantitative degree makes specialty occupation classification straightforward. STEM OPT extensions give you up to three years to secure sponsorship.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Req Id:
26943939
Location(s):
Schaumburg, Illinois, United States
Job Type:
Hybrid
Posted:
Apr. 17, 2026
Discover your future at Citi
Working at Citi is far more than just a job. A career with us means joining a team of more than 230,000 dedicated people from around the globe. At Citi, you’ll have the opportunity to grow your career, give back to your community and make a real impact.
Job Overview
Citibank, N.A. seeks a Data Science Lead Analyst for its Schaumburg, Illinois location.
Duties:
- Code, test, and execute the requirements for simple-to-complex Retail Services Partner Delivery data processing programs.
- Conduct data usage analysis, identifies insights and implications and make strategic recommendations, develops data displays that clearly communicate complex analysis.
- Mines and analyzes data from various banking platforms to drive optimization and improve data quality.
- Deliver analytics initiatives to address business problems with the ability to determine data required, assess time and effort required and establish a project plan.
- Consults with business clients to identify system functional specifications.
- Applies comprehensive understanding of how multiple areas collectively integrate to contribute towards achieving business goals.
- Consults with users and clients to solve complex system issues/problems through in-depth evaluation of business processes, systems and industry standards; recommends solutions.
- Leads system change process from requirements through implementation; provides user and operational support of application to business users.
- Formulates and defines systems scope and goals for complex projects through research and fact-finding combined with an understanding of applicable business systems and industry standards.
- Impacts the business directly by ensuring the quality of work provided by self and others; impacts own team and closely related work teams.
- Considers the business implications of the application of technology to the current business environment; identifies and communicates risks and impacts.
- Drives communication between business leaders and IT.
- Conduct workflow analysis, business process modeling; develop use cases, test plans, and business rules; assist in user acceptance testing.
- Collaborate on design and implementation of workflow solutions that provide long term scalability, reliability, and performance, and integration with reporting.
- Develop in-depth knowledge and proficiency of supported business areas and engage business partners in evaluating opportunities for process integration and refinement.
- Gather requirements and provide solutions across Business Sectors.
- Partner with cross functional teams to analyze, deconstruct, and map current state process and identify improvement opportunities including creation of target operation models.
- Direct the communication of status, issue, and risk disposition to all stakeholders.
- Direct the identification of risks which impact project delivery and ensure mitigation strategies are developed and executed when necessary.
- Ensure that work flow business case and cost benefit analyses are in line with business objectives.
- Deliver coherent and concise communications detailing the scope, progress and results of initiatives underway.
- Develop strategies to reduce costs, manage risk, and enhance services.
- A telecommuting/hybrid work schedule may be permitted within a commutable distance from the worksite, in accordance with Citi policies and protocols.
Requirements
Requires a Master’s degree or foreign equivalent in Business Analysis, Data Science, Applied Computer Science, Mathematics or related field and 4 years of experience as a Data Analyst, Business Analyst, Systems Analyst, Computer Programmer, Software Engineer, Consultant, or related position developing data analytics for financial regulatory reporting purposes. Alternatively, employer will accept a Bachelor’s degree in the above fields and 6 years of progressively responsible, post-baccalaureate experience in the above positions. Full span of experience must include:
- Statistical Analysis System (SAS);
- Unix, Database (DB2), Teradata and Structured Query Language (SQL);
- Working within the Banking sector, including Risk and Compliance;
- Working within the Credit Card Domain; and
- Various phases of Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) including planning, design, analysis, development, testing and deployment.
Additionally, 3 years of experience must include:
- Bit Bucket, and Autosys; and
- Working with large scale databases and files.
Applicants submit resumes at https://jobs.citi.com/. Please reference Job ID #26943939. EO Employer.
Wage Range:
$163,300 to $163,300
Job Family Group:
Technology
Job Family:
Data Science
Time Type:
Full time
Primary Location:
Schaumburg Illinois United States
Primary Location Full Time Salary Range:
In addition to salary, Citi’s offerings may also include, for eligible employees, discretionary and formulaic incentive and retention awards. Citi offers competitive employee benefits, including: medical, dental & vision coverage; 401(k); life, accident, and disability insurance; and wellness programs. Citi also offers paid time off packages, including planned time off (vacation), unplanned time off (sick leave), and paid holidays. For additional information regarding Citi employee benefits, please visit citibenefits.com. Available offerings may vary by jurisdiction, job level, and date of hire.
Most Relevant Skills
Please see the requirements listed above.
Other Relevant Skills
For complementary skills, please see above and/or contact the recruiter.
Anticipated Posting Close Date:
Jun 02, 2026
Citi is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.
If you are a person with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to use our search tools and/or apply for a career opportunity review Accessibility at Citi.
View Citi’s EEO Policy Statement and the Know Your Rights poster.
Job Req Id:
26943939
Location(s):
Schaumburg, Illinois, United States
Job Type:
Hybrid
Posted:
Apr. 17, 2026
Discover your future at Citi
Working at Citi is far more than just a job. A career with us means joining a team of more than 230,000 dedicated people from around the globe. At Citi, you’ll have the opportunity to grow your career, give back to your community and make a real impact.
Job Overview
Citibank, N.A. seeks a Data Science Lead Analyst for its Schaumburg, Illinois location.
Duties:
- Code, test, and execute the requirements for simple-to-complex Retail Services Partner Delivery data processing programs.
- Conduct data usage analysis, identifies insights and implications and make strategic recommendations, develops data displays that clearly communicate complex analysis.
- Mines and analyzes data from various banking platforms to drive optimization and improve data quality.
- Deliver analytics initiatives to address business problems with the ability to determine data required, assess time and effort required and establish a project plan.
- Consults with business clients to identify system functional specifications.
- Applies comprehensive understanding of how multiple areas collectively integrate to contribute towards achieving business goals.
- Consults with users and clients to solve complex system issues/problems through in-depth evaluation of business processes, systems and industry standards; recommends solutions.
- Leads system change process from requirements through implementation; provides user and operational support of application to business users.
- Formulates and defines systems scope and goals for complex projects through research and fact-finding combined with an understanding of applicable business systems and industry standards.
- Impacts the business directly by ensuring the quality of work provided by self and others; impacts own team and closely related work teams.
- Considers the business implications of the application of technology to the current business environment; identifies and communicates risks and impacts.
- Drives communication between business leaders and IT.
- Conduct workflow analysis, business process modeling; develop use cases, test plans, and business rules; assist in user acceptance testing.
- Collaborate on design and implementation of workflow solutions that provide long term scalability, reliability, and performance, and integration with reporting.
- Develop in-depth knowledge and proficiency of supported business areas and engage business partners in evaluating opportunities for process integration and refinement.
- Gather requirements and provide solutions across Business Sectors.
- Partner with cross functional teams to analyze, deconstruct, and map current state process and identify improvement opportunities including creation of target operation models.
- Direct the communication of status, issue, and risk disposition to all stakeholders.
- Direct the identification of risks which impact project delivery and ensure mitigation strategies are developed and executed when necessary.
- Ensure that work flow business case and cost benefit analyses are in line with business objectives.
- Deliver coherent and concise communications detailing the scope, progress and results of initiatives underway.
- Develop strategies to reduce costs, manage risk, and enhance services.
- A telecommuting/hybrid work schedule may be permitted within a commutable distance from the worksite, in accordance with Citi policies and protocols.
Requirements
Requires a Master’s degree or foreign equivalent in Business Analysis, Data Science, Applied Computer Science, Mathematics or related field and 4 years of experience as a Data Analyst, Business Analyst, Systems Analyst, Computer Programmer, Software Engineer, Consultant, or related position developing data analytics for financial regulatory reporting purposes. Alternatively, employer will accept a Bachelor’s degree in the above fields and 6 years of progressively responsible, post-baccalaureate experience in the above positions. Full span of experience must include:
- Statistical Analysis System (SAS);
- Unix, Database (DB2), Teradata and Structured Query Language (SQL);
- Working within the Banking sector, including Risk and Compliance;
- Working within the Credit Card Domain; and
- Various phases of Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) including planning, design, analysis, development, testing and deployment.
Additionally, 3 years of experience must include:
- Bit Bucket, and Autosys; and
- Working with large scale databases and files.
Applicants submit resumes at https://jobs.citi.com/. Please reference Job ID #26943939. EO Employer.
Wage Range:
$163,300 to $163,300
Job Family Group:
Technology
Job Family:
Data Science
Time Type:
Full time
Primary Location:
Schaumburg Illinois United States
Primary Location Full Time Salary Range:
In addition to salary, Citi’s offerings may also include, for eligible employees, discretionary and formulaic incentive and retention awards. Citi offers competitive employee benefits, including: medical, dental & vision coverage; 401(k); life, accident, and disability insurance; and wellness programs. Citi also offers paid time off packages, including planned time off (vacation), unplanned time off (sick leave), and paid holidays. For additional information regarding Citi employee benefits, please visit citibenefits.com. Available offerings may vary by jurisdiction, job level, and date of hire.
Most Relevant Skills
Please see the requirements listed above.
Other Relevant Skills
For complementary skills, please see above and/or contact the recruiter.
Anticipated Posting Close Date:
Jun 02, 2026
Citi is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.
If you are a person with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to use our search tools and/or apply for a career opportunity review Accessibility at Citi.
View Citi’s EEO Policy Statement and the Know Your Rights poster.
See all 145+ OPT Data Science Lead Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Data Science Lead Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Data Science Lead
Lead with your technical stack, not just your title
Hiring managers equate sponsorship risk with replaceability. Demonstrating mastery of specific tools like PyTorch, Spark, or dbt signals scarcity. The more specialized your stack, the stronger the specialty occupation case for H-1B visa sponsorship.
Target employers with active H-1B filing history
Companies that have sponsored data science roles before are far more likely to do it again. Search OFLC disclosure data to confirm an employer has filed Labor Condition Applications for data science positions before applying.
Frame your leadership experience in business impact terms
Senior roles require justifying sponsorship cost to non-technical decision-makers. Quantify your team's output: models shipped, revenue influenced, or latency improvements. Business impact language accelerates internal approval for sponsorship requests.
Clarify your OPT end date and STEM extension eligibility upfront
Recruiters often misunderstand OPT timelines. Confirming you qualify for a 24-month STEM extension from a STEM-designated program removes uncertainty and signals you've done the immigration homework most candidates skip.
Pursue roles at companies with dedicated immigration counsel
Mid-size and enterprise tech employers typically retain immigration attorneys who handle H-1B filings routinely. Startups without legal infrastructure often want to sponsor but lack the process. Company size is a reliable proxy for sponsorship readiness.
Apply before your final six months of OPT authorization
H-1B cap-subject petitions must be filed by April 1 for an October 1 start. Mapping your OPT expiration against the H-1B lottery calendar determines whether you need cap-exempt employers or a cap-subject filing strategy now.
Data Science Lead OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Data Science Lead on OPT without employer sponsorship?
Yes, OPT itself is work authorization tied to your F-1 status, not employer sponsorship. You can work as a Data Science Lead on OPT without any H-1B filing. Sponsorship only becomes necessary when your OPT period ends. STEM OPT gives you up to 36 months of total authorized employment before you need a different visa status.
Does a Data Science Lead role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It typically does, provided your underlying degree is STEM-designated. Data science leadership roles generally satisfy the STEM OPT requirement that the job be directly related to your degree program. Your DSO must approve the extension, and your employer must enroll in E-Verify and sign the Form I-983 training plan, which documents how the role connects to your field of study.
How do I find Data Science Lead jobs where employers are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT and international students, so every role on the platform is filtered for visa sponsorship openness. Browsing Migrate Mate saves significant time compared to screening hundreds of postings that exclude international candidates, and it surfaces employers with documented H-1B sponsorship history in data science.
Will a Data Science Lead role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Data Science Lead roles almost always qualify. USCIS looks for positions requiring at least a bachelor's degree in a specific technical field. Data science leadership roles typically require a degree in statistics, computer science, mathematics, or a related quantitative discipline. The seniority of the role actually strengthens the specialty occupation argument because it demands deeper specialized expertise than an entry-level position.
What happens to my OPT authorization if I'm between Data Science Lead roles?
F-1 OPT allows a maximum of 90 days of unemployment during the initial 12-month period, extended to 150 days total if you've been approved for a STEM extension. Gaps between senior roles can consume this buffer quickly. Notifying your DSO about employment changes is required, and maintaining documentation of your job search helps demonstrate good faith compliance with OPT terms.