OPT Machine Learning Research Jobs

Machine Learning Research jobs on OPT require STEM designation, which qualifies F-1 students for a 24-month OPT extension beyond the standard 12 months. Most roles sit inside research labs or AI teams at universities, national laboratories, and technology companies, all of which routinely sponsor H-1B visa and O-1 visas for strong candidates.

Find OPT Machine Learning Research Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs822+
Work Type73% On-site
Top LocationNew York, NY
Most JobsApple

Showing 5 of 822+ Machine Learning Research jobs

Droisys
AI & ML Engineer
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Droisys
Added 2d ago
AI & ML Engineer
Droisys
Las Vegas, Nevada
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
ML (Machine Learning)
Data Science
$60k - $80k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Databricks
Senior Applied ML Engineer
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Databricks
Added 5d ago
Senior Applied ML Engineer
Databricks
San Francisco, California
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
Cloud & DevOps
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
ML (Machine Learning)
Data Science
$16k - $21k/yr
On-Site
Master's
5,001-10,000

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Apple
Senior ML Engineer
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Apple
Added 5d ago
Senior ML Engineer
Apple
Cupertino, California
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
ML (Machine Learning)
Data Science
Data Analytics
$185k - $325k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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TikTok
ML Infra Engineer
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TikTok
Added 5d ago
ML Infra Engineer
TikTok
San Jose, California
Data Science & Analytics
Software Engineering
Cloud & DevOps
Data Science
$256k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Ursus, Inc.
ML Research Engineer
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Ursus, Inc.
Added 1w ago
ML Research Engineer
Ursus, Inc.
Menlo Park, California
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
Data Engineering
Data Science
$86.00 - $96.77/hr
Remote (US)
Bachelor's

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Tips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Machine Learning Research

Target STEM-designated programs

Verify your degree program carries an approved STEM CIP code before applying. Machine Learning Research roles qualify for the 24-month OPT extension only when your degree field matches the STEM designation list maintained by ICE.

Apply to research-heavy employers first

Universities, national laboratories, and corporate AI research divisions hire ML researchers regularly and have established immigration counsel on staff. These employers understand OPT timelines and are far more likely to sponsor H-1B visa or O-1 petitions after your authorization period.

File your OPT STEM extension early

USCIS recommends filing your 24-month STEM extension application 90 days before your initial OPT EAD expires. A timely filing gives you a 180-day automatic extension cap that keeps you authorized while USCIS processes your application.

Emphasize publications and research output

ML research hiring managers weight peer-reviewed publications, conference papers at NeurIPS, ICML, or ICLR, and open-source model contributions heavily. Strong research output also strengthens future O-1A or EB-1A immigration petitions based on extraordinary ability.

Clarify your authorization window upfront

Tell recruiters your exact EAD expiration date and STEM extension eligibility in the first conversation. Research teams plan hiring timelines months ahead, so knowing you have two to three years of work authorization removes a common sponsorship hesitation early in the process.

Build toward O-1 eligibility from day one

Machine Learning researchers accumulate O-1 qualifying evidence naturally through citations, peer review, judging competitions, and speaking at conferences. Documenting these activities from your first OPT role creates a strong immigration record independent of the H-1B lottery.

Machine Learning Research OPT: Frequently Asked Questions

Do Machine Learning Research jobs qualify for the 24-month OPT STEM extension?

Yes, provided your underlying degree is in a STEM-designated field such as Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or Electrical Engineering. Machine Learning Research roles fall squarely within the STEM occupation categories that satisfy the extension criteria. You should confirm your specific CIP code with your DSO before filing.

How do I find Machine Learning Research employers that sponsor OPT and H-1B?

Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for employers willing to sponsor international candidates on OPT, so you can focus your search on companies that have already committed to sponsoring work authorization rather than asking cold. Corporate research labs at large technology companies, university research groups, and federally funded AI institutes are the most active sponsors in this field.

Can I work as an independent or contract ML researcher on OPT?

Self-employment is not permitted on standard OPT. Your work must be directly related to your degree field and performed for an employer who reports your employment to your DSO within 10 days of your start date. Contract or consulting arrangements may be permissible if structured through an employer of record who fulfills the reporting requirement and the work is degree-related.

What happens to my OPT status if my Machine Learning Research position ends before my EAD expires?

OPT allows a cumulative unemployment limit of 90 days during the initial 12-month period and an additional 60 days during the 24-month STEM extension, for 150 days total. Exceeding these limits terminates your F-1 status. If your position ends, you should begin a new job search immediately and report any employment changes to your DSO without delay.

Does Machine Learning Research experience improve my long-term visa sponsorship prospects?

Substantially. Peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations at venues like NeurIPS or ICML, and measurable research impact build direct evidence for O-1A extraordinary ability petitions and EB-1A or EB-2 NIW green card categories. Employers in this field are also among the most experienced H-1B sponsors, meaning your transition from OPT to long-term status is a well-established path rather than an exception.