OPT Software Engineer AI Jobs

Software Engineer AI jobs are among the most actively sponsored OPT roles in tech right now. Employers filing H-1B visa and O-1 visa petitions for these positions routinely accept STEM OPT extensions, giving you up to three years of work authorization to build your career in machine learning, LLMs, and AI systems.

Find OPT Software Engineer AI Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs338+
Work Type78% On-site
Top LocationSan Francisco, CA
Most JobsApple

Showing 5 of 338+ Software Engineer AI jobs

Ambient.ai
Software Engineer, AI Infrastructure
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Ambient.ai
Added 1w ago
Software Engineer, AI Infrastructure
Ambient.ai
San Francisco Bay Area
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
Cloud & DevOps
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Data Science
Backend Engineering
$168k - $205k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's

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Brandeis University
Adjunct Instructor in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning in Drug Development
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Brandeis University
Added 2w ago
Adjunct Instructor in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning in Drug Development
Brandeis University
Waltham, Massachusetts
Teaching & Instruction
Corporate Training & Learning Development
$6,573.15/mo
Remote (US)
Doctorate
1,001-5,000

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The Ohio State University
Assistant Professor in Artificial Intelligence for Drug Discovery and Chemical Biology
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The Ohio State University
Added 2w ago
Assistant Professor in Artificial Intelligence for Drug Discovery and Chemical Biology
The Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio
Software Engineering
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Healthcare Administration
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
ML (Machine Learning)
On-Site
Doctorate
10,000+

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Axon
Senior Software Engineer I, Applied AI
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Axon
Added 1mo ago
Senior Software Engineer I, Applied AI
Axon
San Francisco, California
Software Engineering
Cloud & DevOps
Data Science & Analytics
Technical Product & Program Management
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Cloud Engineering
Backend Engineering
$162k - $259k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
501-1,000

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Innovaccer
Artificial Intelligence Researcher
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Innovaccer
Added 1mo ago
Artificial Intelligence Researcher
Innovaccer
San Francisco, California
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
ML (Machine Learning)
Data Science
On-Site
Master's
501-1,000

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Tips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Software Engineer AI

Target companies with active AI research teams

Focus on employers who file H-1B visa petitions for AI and ML roles specifically, not just general software engineering. Companies with dedicated AI labs are far more likely to have established OPT and visa sponsorship pipelines already in place.

Highlight your STEM OPT eligibility upfront

AI engineering roles fall squarely under STEM OPT extension eligibility. Mentioning your three-year authorization window early removes employer hesitation and signals you understand the process, which experienced hiring managers appreciate.

Align your projects to the employer's AI stack

Tailor your portfolio to match the specific frameworks a company uses, whether PyTorch, JAX, or LangChain. Employers sponsoring AI roles care more about production-relevant skills than breadth, so depth in their stack accelerates hiring decisions.

Start your job search at least four months before OPT expiry

AI hiring cycles can run eight to twelve weeks from application to offer. Factor in onboarding and DSO reporting deadlines. Starting early gives you negotiating room and avoids the pressure of a countdown affecting your decisions.

Pursue roles with clear H-1B sponsorship history

Use Department of Labor disclosure data to verify whether a company has sponsored AI engineers for H-1B visas before. Past sponsorship is the strongest predictor that an employer understands and is willing to repeat the process for you.

Prepare to explain your authorization timeline confidently

Recruiters often misunderstand STEM OPT duration. Be ready to explain clearly that your authorization runs up to three years post-graduation, and that H-1B filing happens before that window closes, not immediately after you start.

Software Engineer AI OPT: Frequently Asked Questions

Do Software Engineer AI jobs typically qualify for the STEM OPT extension?

Yes. Software Engineer AI roles fall under CIP codes tied to computer science, data science, and electrical engineering, all of which qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Combined with your initial 12-month OPT, you have up to three years of work authorization. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO before applying.

How do I find Software Engineer AI jobs that sponsor OPT students?

Migrate Mate lists Software Engineer AI roles from employers who have an established record of sponsoring international candidates. Filtering by sponsorship history saves significant time compared to applying broadly and discovering a company's policy only after multiple interview rounds.

Can I work on AI projects as an independent contractor during OPT?

Self-employment is technically permitted on OPT if you establish a legitimate business entity and the work falls within your field of study. However, most Software Engineer AI roles require access to proprietary data, GPUs, and internal systems that make full-time employer-sponsored employment far more practical and straightforward for maintaining valid OPT status.

What happens to my OPT status if an AI company acquires my employer?

An acquisition doesn't automatically invalidate your OPT, but it requires immediate attention. If the new entity changes your job title, scope, or employment terms materially, you must report the update to your DSO within 10 days. If the acquiring company isn't an E-Verify employer and you're on STEM OPT extension, your authorization could be at risk.

Are AI engineering internships on CPT a good path toward full-time OPT sponsorship?

They can be, especially at companies with established AI teams. A CPT internship gives the employer direct evidence of your technical output before committing to full-time sponsorship. The risk is over-using CPT: 12 or more months of full-time CPT eliminates your OPT eligibility entirely, so track your CPT usage carefully with your DSO.