OPT ML Research Engineer Jobs

ML Research Engineer jobs are among the most OPT-friendly roles in tech. Most positions sit squarely within STEM-designated degree programs, making you eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Roles span industry labs, academic research centers, and AI-focused startups actively accustomed to sponsoring F-1 students.

Find OPT ML Research Engineer Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs704+
Work Type72% On-site
Top LocationNew York, NY
Most JobsApple

Showing 5 of 704+ ML Research Engineer jobs

THOMASVILLE CITY SCHOOLS
ML Teacher
We won't show you this job again
THOMASVILLE CITY SCHOOLS
Added 1d ago
ML Teacher
THOMASVILLE CITY SCHOOLS
Thomasville, North Carolina
Teaching & Instruction
K-12 Teaching
On-Site
Bachelor's

Have you applied for this role?

Amazon.com
SDE II, ML Infra Services
We won't show you this job again
Amazon.com
Added 4d ago
SDE II, ML Infra Services
Amazon.com
Seattle, Washington
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
Cloud & DevOps
Data Science
$144k - $194k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Apple
ML Data Operations Engineer
We won't show you this job again
Apple
Added 4d ago
ML Data Operations Engineer
Apple
Cupertino, California
Data Science & Analytics
Data Engineering
Technical Product & Program Management
Data Science
$150k - $225k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Optimal Inc.
Machine Learning Research Engineer
We won't show you this job again
Optimal Inc.
Added 5d ago
Machine Learning Research Engineer
Optimal Inc.
Warren, Michigan
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
ML (Machine Learning)
Data Science
On-Site
Doctorate

Have you applied for this role?

Berkshire Grey
Senior ML Engineer
We won't show you this job again
Berkshire Grey
Added 2w ago
Senior ML Engineer
Berkshire Grey
Bedford, Massachusetts
Software Engineering
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
ML (Machine Learning)
$130k - $200k/yr
On-Site
Master's
51-200

Have you applied for this role?

See all 704+ ML Research Engineer Jobs

Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new ML Research Engineer roles.

Get Access To All Jobs

See all 704+ OPT ML Research Engineer Jobs

Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT ML Research Engineer Jobs.

Get Access To All Jobs

Tips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a ML Research Engineer

Target STEM OPT-eligible employers first

Not every company is E-Verify enrolled, which is required for your 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm enrollment before applying. Industry research labs and larger tech companies are almost always enrolled. Smaller startups require individual verification.

Align your degree field to the role explicitly

STEM OPT eligibility depends on your degree matching your job. ML Research Engineer roles typically require Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or Statistics. If your degree is adjacent, document how your coursework directly supports the research function.

File your STEM OPT extension at least 90 days early

Your DSO needs time to update your I-20, and USCIS processing can take weeks. Filing late risks a gap in work authorization. Most universities recommend starting the extension paperwork three to four months before your initial OPT expires.

Prioritize companies with existing H-1B sponsorship history

An employer willing to sponsor your future H-1B visa is far more valuable than one that isn't. Check public OFLC disclosure data to see which companies have filed H-1B petitions for research engineering roles. Past behavior is the strongest signal.

Address OPT directly in your cover letter or outreach

Many hiring managers assume international students require immediate visa sponsorship. Clarifying upfront that you have up to three years of OPT authorization, including the STEM extension, removes the biggest objection before it becomes one.

Leverage your research publications and GitHub to stand out

ML Research Engineer hiring is credential-heavy. Published papers, reproducible code repositories, and Kaggle competition results compensate for visa status concerns by making your technical contribution undeniable. Employers hire talent they cannot easily replace.

ML Research Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions

Do ML Research Engineer jobs qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension?

Yes, in nearly all cases. ML Research Engineer roles fall under CIP codes tied to Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, and Statistics, all of which are STEM-designated. Your degree field must match the role, and your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify. If both conditions are met, you're eligible for the full 24-month extension on top of your initial 12-month OPT.

Where is the best place to find ML Research Engineer jobs that sponsor OPT students?

Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters for employers actively open to hiring international candidates. General job boards mix in roles that quietly exclude visa holders, wasting application time. Migrate Mate surfaces ML Research Engineer openings from companies with demonstrated sponsorship history, so you can focus your search on realistic opportunities.

Can I work at a university research lab on OPT as an ML Research Engineer?

Yes. University and academic lab positions qualify as standard OPT employment as long as the role is directly related to your field of study and you're paid as an employee rather than receiving a stipend through a fellowship. Confirm with your DSO that the position qualifies before accepting. Academic labs are also typically E-Verify enrolled, making them fully compatible with STEM OPT extension requirements.

What happens to my OPT if my ML Research Engineer job ends unexpectedly?

You have a 60-day unemployment grace period during initial OPT and 60 days during the STEM extension. During that window you must report the unemployment to your DSO and actively pursue new employment. Time in OPT status counts toward your total 90-day unemployment limit across the authorization period. Finding a new qualifying role quickly is critical to maintaining lawful status.

Does contract or consulting work count as valid OPT employment for an ML Research Engineer?

Yes, self-employment and contract work are permitted on OPT as long as the work is directly related to your degree field. You must be able to document the relationship between your ML research activities and your academic training. For STEM OPT specifically, the employer you report must be E-Verify enrolled, which complicates pure freelance arrangements. Short-term consulting contracts with established companies are generally more straightforward to document properly.