Machine Learning Intern Jobs for OPT Students
Machine Learning Intern roles are among the most OPT-friendly positions in tech, with many employers accustomed to sponsoring CPT and OPT students from university pipelines. Most roles require Python and foundational ML frameworks. Your OPT start date and STEM designation directly affect which employers can realistically hire you.
See All Machine Learning Intern JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 278+ Machine Learning Intern jobs
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all 278+ Machine Learning Intern jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Machine Learning Intern roles.
Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
As a Machine Learning Intern, you will work with engineers and scientists on Data Science, Machine Learning and AI projects. Your focus will be on physical sensing systems in the Spotter platform and sensing ecosystem.
Summer 2026: June 29 - August 21st. We ask for a minimum of 10 weeks.
International students: If your work authorization is through CPT, please consult your school before applying. You must be able to work 40 hours per week.
Possible Projects:
- Develop, train and test Edge Intelligence models.
- Modeling and analysis to inform product development and engineering decisions.
- Simulations and modeling for advanced research projects.
And more! There are many impactful projects on the to-do list - we want to hear what you'd love to work on!
Responsibilities
- Implement and iterate prototype models and features under the guidance of senior engineers and scientists.
- Conduct analyses and distill insights into clear digital communications for a wide audience.
- Keep data and metadata meticulously clean and well-organized.
- Gain exposure to an extraordinary range of disciplines spanning hardware engineering, software, field operations, manufacturing, design, physical sciences and data sciences.
Minimum Job Qualifications
- Have completed graduate level coursework in Computer Science, Data Science and/or AI/ML fields.
- Have autonomously lead and completed projects involving development, testing and iteration.
- Have a self-starting mindset.
Bonus Points
- Experience in sensing and robotics.
- Previous professional experience or internships in related fields.
- A passion for or connection to the Oceans!
INTRODUCTION
As a Machine Learning Intern, you will work with engineers and scientists on Data Science, Machine Learning and AI projects. Your focus will be on physical sensing systems in the Spotter platform and sensing ecosystem.
Summer 2026: June 29 - August 21st. We ask for a minimum of 10 weeks.
International students: If your work authorization is through CPT, please consult your school before applying. You must be able to work 40 hours per week.
Possible Projects:
- Develop, train and test Edge Intelligence models.
- Modeling and analysis to inform product development and engineering decisions.
- Simulations and modeling for advanced research projects.
And more! There are many impactful projects on the to-do list - we want to hear what you'd love to work on!
Responsibilities
- Implement and iterate prototype models and features under the guidance of senior engineers and scientists.
- Conduct analyses and distill insights into clear digital communications for a wide audience.
- Keep data and metadata meticulously clean and well-organized.
- Gain exposure to an extraordinary range of disciplines spanning hardware engineering, software, field operations, manufacturing, design, physical sciences and data sciences.
Minimum Job Qualifications
- Have completed graduate level coursework in Computer Science, Data Science and/or AI/ML fields.
- Have autonomously lead and completed projects involving development, testing and iteration.
- Have a self-starting mindset.
Bonus Points
- Experience in sensing and robotics.
- Previous professional experience or internships in related fields.
- A passion for or connection to the Oceans!
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Machine Learning Intern
Lead with your STEM OPT eligibility
STEM OPT extends your work authorization to 36 months if your degree is in computer science, data science, or a related field. Mention this upfront in applications. Many ML hiring managers don't know the difference and assume all OPT ends at 12 months.
Target employers with existing OPT infrastructure
Companies that have hired OPT students before already know the process. Look for internship programs at mid-to-large tech companies, research labs, and AI startups that list university recruiting pipelines. Prior OPT hiring is the strongest signal they'll do it again.
Apply before your OPT start date is imminent
Most internship hiring cycles run three to six months in advance. If your OPT authorization starts in May, applications should go out in November or December. Waiting until authorization is active significantly narrows your options and raises urgency for employers.
Quantify your ML project experience specifically
Vague claims about machine learning experience don't move recruiters. Name the dataset, the model architecture, the accuracy improvement, and the framework you used. Specific technical detail signals you can contribute from day one, which reduces perceived hiring risk.
Clarify your authorization timeline proactively
In your cover letter or first recruiter message, state your OPT end date and whether you qualify for STEM extension. Removing ambiguity early prevents your application from being filtered out by coordinators who default to excluding anyone with time-limited work authorization.
Prepare to explain OPT to non-technical interviewers
HR coordinators and hiring managers frequently confuse OPT with H-1B sponsorship requirements. Have a one-sentence explanation ready: OPT is pre-authorized by USCIS and requires no employer petition. Clarity here can move your application forward when confusion would have stalled it.
Machine Learning Intern jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Machine Learning Intern JobsSee all 278+ Machine Learning Intern jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Machine Learning Intern roles.
Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Machine Learning Intern on OPT without employer sponsorship?
Yes. OPT is pre-authorized work authorization issued by USCIS through your university. Employers don't file petitions or pay immigration fees to hire you on OPT. You do need an offer letter and your employer's information for DSO reporting, but there's no visa sponsorship requirement during your authorized OPT period.
Do Machine Learning Intern roles qualify for STEM OPT extension?
They often do, but it depends on your degree field and the role's SOC code. If your internship employer classifies the role under a STEM SOC code and your degree is in a qualifying field such as computer science, electrical engineering, or statistics, you can apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm the SOC code with your employer before your standard 12-month OPT expires.
How do I find Machine Learning Intern positions that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for F-1 OPT students, so you're not sifting through postings that require citizenship or green card status. Searching there surfaces employers already familiar with OPT work authorization, which meaningfully improves your chances of getting a response compared to general job boards.
What happens if my Machine Learning Internship ends before my OPT authorization expires?
Your OPT authorization remains valid until the end date on your EAD card. However, OPT requires that you maintain employment or actively pursue employment. If your internship ends, you have up to 90 cumulative days of unemployment during standard OPT and 150 days during STEM OPT before your status is at risk. Start your next application search immediately.
Does a Machine Learning Intern role at a startup count for OPT employment reporting?
Yes, startup employment counts as valid OPT work as long as the role is directly related to your major field of study. You'll need to report the employer's name, address, and your start date to your DSO within 10 days of starting. The company doesn't need to be large or well-known, but the position must be a genuine, paid role in a relevant field.
See which Machine Learning Intern employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
Search Machine Learning Intern Jobs