OPT Machine Learning Engineer Jobs

Machine Learning Engineer roles are among the most OPT-friendly positions in tech, with high demand from employers already familiar with F-1 work authorization. Most roles qualify as STEM OPT, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization, and many employers actively file H-1B visa petitions for strong ML candidates.

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Overview

Open Jobs1,395+
Top Visa TypeF-1 OPT
Work Type79% On-site
Median Salary$182K
Top LocationSan Jose, CA
Most JobsApple

Showing 5 of 1,395+ Machine Learning Engineer jobs

Bloomberg
Senior Quant/ML Engineer
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Bloomberg
New 5h ago
Senior Quant/ML Engineer
Bloomberg
New York, New York
Data Science & Analytics
Software Engineering
Data Science
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
$165,000/yr - $260,000/yr
On-Site
3+ yrs exp.
Doctorate
10,000+

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Qualcomm
Machine Learning Engineer
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Qualcomm
New 8h ago
Machine Learning Engineer
Qualcomm
San Diego, California
Software Engineering
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
ML (Machine Learning)
$128,000/yr - $192,000/yr
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Micron Technology
Senior AI/ML Engineer
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Micron Technology
New 11h ago
Senior AI/ML Engineer
Micron Technology
Boise, Idaho
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
ML (Machine Learning)
Data Science
Data Analytics
On-Site
5+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Apple
Machine Learning Engineer
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Apple
New 13h ago
Machine Learning Engineer
Apple
Austin, Texas
Data Science & Analytics
Software Engineering
Data Science
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
On-Site
Master's
10,000+

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Hinge
Machine Learning Engineer
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Hinge
Added 1d ago
Machine Learning Engineer
Hinge
New York, New York
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
Data Engineering
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Data Science
$150,000/yr - $198,000/yr
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
1-50

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See all 1,395+ Machine Learning Engineer Jobs

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See all 1,395+ OPT Machine Learning Engineer Jobs

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Tips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Machine Learning Engineer

Target companies with active H-1B filing histories

Large tech firms and well-funded AI startups file H-1B visa petitions regularly for ML roles. Filtering by employers with consistent sponsorship track records is the most reliable way to avoid wasting applications on companies that won't convert your OPT.

Lead with your research output and production deployments

Employers sponsoring ML engineers want evidence of real impact. Published papers, Kaggle rankings, open-source contributions, and deployed models in production all signal the kind of technical depth that makes sponsorship worth the investment for a hiring manager.

Apply before your OPT start date, not after

Most ML hiring pipelines take six to twelve weeks from application to offer. Starting your search three to four months before your OPT authorization date gives employers enough runway to complete interviews and onboarding before your work authorization begins.

Clarify your STEM OPT extension eligibility upfront

ML Engineering consistently qualifies under STEM OPT CIP codes tied to computer science and data science programs. Confirming your degree program qualifies before interviews prevents late-stage confusion and reassures employers that 36 months of authorization is on the table.

Specialize in a high-demand ML subfield

Employers sponsoring visas need strong justification for the cost. Specializing in LLM fine-tuning, computer vision, or MLOps makes you a clearer candidate for roles that are genuinely hard to fill, which strengthens the business case for sponsorship.

Negotiate H-1B filing into your offer conversation early

Bringing up sponsorship after receiving an offer creates friction. Raising it naturally during late-stage interviews, once the employer is clearly interested, lets you confirm their willingness to file before you invest further time in the process.

Machine Learning Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions

Do Machine Learning Engineer jobs typically qualify for STEM OPT extension?

Yes. Machine Learning Engineering falls under CIP codes tied to computer science, data science, and electrical engineering programs, all of which are on the STEM Designated Degree Program list. If your degree is in one of those fields, you're eligible to apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to 36 months of total work authorization.

How do I find Machine Learning Engineer jobs where the employer is willing to sponsor OPT and H-1B?

Migrate Mate filters jobs specifically for F-1 OPT students, so the roles listed are from employers familiar with or actively open to sponsorship. Browsing ML Engineer listings on Migrate Mate saves significant time compared to filtering through general job boards where most postings don't address visa sponsorship at all.

Can I work as a Machine Learning Engineer on OPT before my STEM extension is approved?

Yes, as long as your initial 12-month OPT authorization is active and you've submitted your STEM OPT extension application before it expires. USCIS automatically extends your work authorization by up to 180 days while the extension is pending, so there's no gap in your ability to work, provided you filed on time.

What employment relationship counts as valid for STEM OPT in an ML role?

STEM OPT requires a formal employer-employee relationship, meaning your employer must provide supervision, control your work schedule, and report training outcomes through the SEVP portal. Fully independent contracting arrangements do not satisfy this requirement. Most full-time ML Engineering positions at tech companies meet the standard, but contract-to-hire roles should be reviewed with your DSO before accepting.

Do employers need to pay OPT students market rate for Machine Learning Engineer roles?

STEM OPT regulations require that employers pay OPT students the same wages and working conditions offered to similarly situated U.S. workers in the same role and location. For ML Engineering, which commands strong compensation across the industry, this protection matters. If an employer offers terms noticeably below what comparable full-time employees receive, that arrangement likely doesn't comply with STEM OPT requirements.