OPT Data Science Manager Jobs
Data Science Manager jobs that sponsor OPT are competitive but real. Employers in tech, finance, and healthcare actively hire F-1 students for these roles, which typically require a STEM-designated degree. Your 12-month OPT period (or 24-month STEM extension) gives you a meaningful runway to prove your value before H-1B visa sponsorship conversations begin.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Apple’s Intelligent System Experience (ISE) group builds intelligent software products and experiences on platforms that are used by millions of users around the world every single day. The ISE Data Science team works across products and platforms to translate vast amounts of metrics about software feature usage on iPhone, iPad, and Mac into actionable insights for our leadership in Engineering, Design, and Product Marketing teams. As Apple Intelligence features such as Writing Tools, Smart Reply, and Genmoji evolve, data has become increasingly central to how we understand the user experience, inform product strategy, and evaluate new machine-learning systems in a timely fashion.
DESCRIPTION
As the manager of the ISE Data Science team, you will lead and mentor a talented group of data scientists to understand customer engagement with Apple’s products and features. You will oversee the team’s efforts to collect, analyze, and interpret vast amounts of quantitative (telemetry) and qualitative (customer feedback) data to help improve Apple's products, inform strategic directions, and enhance the overall user experience. You will work closely with the Input Experience Analytics software engineering team to design and implement metrics for our software features, as well as the ISE User Studies team to establish a holistic picture of the user experience.
The ideal candidate for this role is an experienced manager with deep expertise in analytics and experimentation, excels at building strong cross-functional relationships to drive data-informed decisions across the company, and is skilled at leading teams to surface and communicate key data insights that improve performance and customer experience at a global scale.
Responsibilities
As a member of our dynamic team, you will have the unique and rewarding opportunity to influence the direction of upcoming products and features that will delight millions of Apple customers around the world every single day! Some of the work you will do includes:
-
Synthesize quantitative and qualitative data from multiple sources across Apple and guide the data scientists to translate this data into actionable insights and business strategy, driving scalable, high-impact outcomes for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS features, including multi-platform Apple Intelligence features.
-
Deliver accurate and timely data and business analytics to stakeholders in order to meet mission- and business-critical requests.
-
Lead the development and implementation of robust monitoring, alerting, and health checking systems to ensure sustained data and machine learning model performance at scale.
-
Through continuous process improvement, proactively seek ways to improve existing data pipelines, reduce data storage loads, and identify opportunities for feature performance improvements.
-
Present and oversee communications of data analysis and insights to key stakeholders. Model and teach effective data storytelling, communicating compelling data-driven narratives without compromising analytical rigor.
-
Partner with cross-functional leaders to align data and analytics initiatives with strategic objectives.
-
Foster a data-informed culture by sharing data science best practices across Apple. Mentor and coach data scientists on technical best practices and professional development.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
-
2+ years of experience managing or leading diverse teams of data scientists and/or software engineers and researchers
-
Can lead teams in applying statistical analysis and inference, A/B experimentation and modeling (e.g. statistical, machine learning), to drive data-informed decisions, while maintaining hands-on proficiency in Python, SQL and Tableau
-
Able to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights and recommendations for executive leadership and cross-functional stakeholders, ensuring alignment between technical findings and business objectives
-
Organized, highly attentive to detail, and adaptable to rapidly changing requirements and environments
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
-
5+ years of management experience
-
Experience working on consumer-facing products or shipping products
-
Experience using AI tools for text or image creation and editing (e.g. ChatGPT, Gemini, Apple Intelligence), and/or AI models for data analysis, synthesis, or evaluation workflows
-
Advanced degree in data science, engineering, or any related field of study
PAY & BENEFITS
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $198,300 and $342,800, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
INTRODUCTION
Apple’s Intelligent System Experience (ISE) group builds intelligent software products and experiences on platforms that are used by millions of users around the world every single day. The ISE Data Science team works across products and platforms to translate vast amounts of metrics about software feature usage on iPhone, iPad, and Mac into actionable insights for our leadership in Engineering, Design, and Product Marketing teams. As Apple Intelligence features such as Writing Tools, Smart Reply, and Genmoji evolve, data has become increasingly central to how we understand the user experience, inform product strategy, and evaluate new machine-learning systems in a timely fashion.
DESCRIPTION
As the manager of the ISE Data Science team, you will lead and mentor a talented group of data scientists to understand customer engagement with Apple’s products and features. You will oversee the team’s efforts to collect, analyze, and interpret vast amounts of quantitative (telemetry) and qualitative (customer feedback) data to help improve Apple's products, inform strategic directions, and enhance the overall user experience. You will work closely with the Input Experience Analytics software engineering team to design and implement metrics for our software features, as well as the ISE User Studies team to establish a holistic picture of the user experience.
The ideal candidate for this role is an experienced manager with deep expertise in analytics and experimentation, excels at building strong cross-functional relationships to drive data-informed decisions across the company, and is skilled at leading teams to surface and communicate key data insights that improve performance and customer experience at a global scale.
Responsibilities
As a member of our dynamic team, you will have the unique and rewarding opportunity to influence the direction of upcoming products and features that will delight millions of Apple customers around the world every single day! Some of the work you will do includes:
-
Synthesize quantitative and qualitative data from multiple sources across Apple and guide the data scientists to translate this data into actionable insights and business strategy, driving scalable, high-impact outcomes for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS features, including multi-platform Apple Intelligence features.
-
Deliver accurate and timely data and business analytics to stakeholders in order to meet mission- and business-critical requests.
-
Lead the development and implementation of robust monitoring, alerting, and health checking systems to ensure sustained data and machine learning model performance at scale.
-
Through continuous process improvement, proactively seek ways to improve existing data pipelines, reduce data storage loads, and identify opportunities for feature performance improvements.
-
Present and oversee communications of data analysis and insights to key stakeholders. Model and teach effective data storytelling, communicating compelling data-driven narratives without compromising analytical rigor.
-
Partner with cross-functional leaders to align data and analytics initiatives with strategic objectives.
-
Foster a data-informed culture by sharing data science best practices across Apple. Mentor and coach data scientists on technical best practices and professional development.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
-
2+ years of experience managing or leading diverse teams of data scientists and/or software engineers and researchers
-
Can lead teams in applying statistical analysis and inference, A/B experimentation and modeling (e.g. statistical, machine learning), to drive data-informed decisions, while maintaining hands-on proficiency in Python, SQL and Tableau
-
Able to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights and recommendations for executive leadership and cross-functional stakeholders, ensuring alignment between technical findings and business objectives
-
Organized, highly attentive to detail, and adaptable to rapidly changing requirements and environments
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
-
5+ years of management experience
-
Experience working on consumer-facing products or shipping products
-
Experience using AI tools for text or image creation and editing (e.g. ChatGPT, Gemini, Apple Intelligence), and/or AI models for data analysis, synthesis, or evaluation workflows
-
Advanced degree in data science, engineering, or any related field of study
PAY & BENEFITS
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $198,300 and $342,800, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
See all 481+ OPT Data Science Manager Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Data Science Manager
Lead with your technical depth, not just your management experience
Hiring managers want Data Science Managers who can still speak the language of their team. Highlight Python, ML pipelines, or experimentation frameworks alongside leadership credentials. This distinction matters more than your title when visa sponsorship is on the table.
Target companies with established data science organizations
Large tech firms, financial institutions, and healthcare companies with dedicated data science teams are far more likely to sponsor OPT than early-stage startups. Look for companies with 500+ employees where data infrastructure already exists and hiring is recurring.
Disclose your OPT status early and confidently in interviews
Framing matters. Say you're authorized to work immediately on OPT with STEM extension eligibility, and that H-1B visa sponsorship would be the next step. Confident clarity reduces employer hesitation more than avoiding the conversation entirely ever could.
Quantify team outcomes to justify senior-level sponsorship investment
Employers weigh sponsorship costs against expected impact. Come prepared with metrics: model accuracy improvements, revenue attributed to data initiatives, or team size you scaled. Numbers make the sponsorship decision easier for hiring managers to defend internally.
Apply before your OPT start date to maximize your authorized window
You can apply for jobs before your OPT begins, but you cannot start working until authorization is active. Starting your job search 60 to 90 days early ensures you have time to negotiate an offer while your OPT clock is still full.
Pursue STEM OPT extension eligibility from day one of employment
If your degree qualifies as STEM-designated, file your STEM extension 90 days before your initial OPT expires. This extends your authorization by 24 months and gives sponsoring employers nearly three years to complete H-1B sponsorship without a gap in your work authorization.
Data Science Manager OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Data Science Manager on OPT?
Yes, provided your job duties are directly related to your degree field. Data Science Manager roles typically qualify when your degree is in computer science, statistics, applied mathematics, or a related STEM field. Your DSO must approve your employment, and the work must be at least 20 hours per week to count toward your OPT period.
Do Data Science Manager roles typically come with H-1B sponsorship?
Many do, particularly at mid-to-large companies where data science is a core business function rather than an experimental team. Companies in fintech, enterprise software, and healthcare analytics sponsor H-1B at relatively high rates for management-level data roles. Browsing verified sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate is one of the most direct ways to focus your search on companies that have sponsored similar roles before.
Does a Data Science Manager role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It can, but qualification depends on your degree, not your job title. If you hold a STEM-designated degree and your Data Science Manager role requires applying STEM knowledge directly, you likely qualify. Your employer must also be enrolled in E-Verify, which is required for all STEM OPT extensions. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO before filing.
What happens to my OPT if I'm laid off while working as a Data Science Manager?
You have a 60-day grace period from the date your employment ends to find a new qualifying position, transfer to a different visa status, or depart the U.S. During this window you cannot work. If you secure a new Data Science Manager role within 60 days, your authorized OPT period simply resumes. The grace period does not reset your remaining OPT time.
Is a Data Science Manager role considered a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Generally yes. Data Science Manager positions typically require at least a bachelor's degree in a specific technical field like computer science, statistics, or data engineering, which meets the H-1B specialty occupation standard. However, if the role has broad generalist responsibilities that don't require a degree in a specific discipline, a sponsoring employer may face additional scrutiny from USCIS during the petition process.