Sr Staff Machine Learning Engineer Jobs for OPT Students
Sr Staff Machine Learning Engineer roles are among the most OPT-friendly positions in tech. Companies filing H-1B petitions for ML engineers do so at high rates, and your STEM OPT extension gives you up to three years of work authorization to land and grow in one of these roles.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
PlusAI is a Physical AI company pioneering AI-based virtual driver software for factory-built autonomous trucks. Headquartered in Silicon Valley with operations in the United States and Europe, Plus was named by Fast Company as one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies. Partners including TRATON GROUP’s Scania, MAN, and International brands, Hyundai Motor Company, Iveco Group, Bosch, and DSV are working with Plus to accelerate the deployment of next-generation autonomous trucks. If you’re ready to make a huge impact and drive the future of autonomy, Plus is looking for talented individuals to join its fast-growing teams.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Use complex map and perception sensor output to develop novel deep learning models for our planning stack.
- Design critical safety checks to ensure driving trajectories are feasible and follow rules of road.
- Ensure all model development keeps a real-time focus and operates efficiently in compute-constrained environments.
- Track and incorporate the latest multidisciplinary research advancements in a fast-moving field.
- Ensure that your work is performed in accordance with the company’s Quality Management System (QMS) requirements and contribute to continuous improvement efforts.
- Ensure that technical work meets customer requirements, regulatory standards, and company quality policies.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- BS, MS, or PhD in Software, Robotics, or related field
- 4+ years of machine learning engineering experience for robotics applications
- Experience developing high-quality software from design and implementation to testing and deployment.
- Expertise with Python, willingness to do some C++ development as needed.
- Experience training with modern frameworks (e.g. PyTorch)
- A rigorous approach to model development: running well-designed experiments, defining suitable training and validation datasets, and evaluating on the right metrics.
- Hands-on familiarity with cloud data ingestion pipelines
- Strong communication and collaborative skills
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $130,000 - $220,000 a year
Our compensations (cash and equity) are determined based on the position, your location, qualifications, and experience.
YOUR OPPORTUNITIES JOINING PLUSAI
Work, learn and grow in a highly future-oriented, innovative and dynamic field. Wide range of opportunities for personal and professional development. Catered free lunch, unlimited snacks and beverages. Highly competitive salary and benefits package, including 401(k) plan.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
INTRODUCTION
PlusAI is a Physical AI company pioneering AI-based virtual driver software for factory-built autonomous trucks. Headquartered in Silicon Valley with operations in the United States and Europe, Plus was named by Fast Company as one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies. Partners including TRATON GROUP’s Scania, MAN, and International brands, Hyundai Motor Company, Iveco Group, Bosch, and DSV are working with Plus to accelerate the deployment of next-generation autonomous trucks. If you’re ready to make a huge impact and drive the future of autonomy, Plus is looking for talented individuals to join its fast-growing teams.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Use complex map and perception sensor output to develop novel deep learning models for our planning stack.
- Design critical safety checks to ensure driving trajectories are feasible and follow rules of road.
- Ensure all model development keeps a real-time focus and operates efficiently in compute-constrained environments.
- Track and incorporate the latest multidisciplinary research advancements in a fast-moving field.
- Ensure that your work is performed in accordance with the company’s Quality Management System (QMS) requirements and contribute to continuous improvement efforts.
- Ensure that technical work meets customer requirements, regulatory standards, and company quality policies.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- BS, MS, or PhD in Software, Robotics, or related field
- 4+ years of machine learning engineering experience for robotics applications
- Experience developing high-quality software from design and implementation to testing and deployment.
- Expertise with Python, willingness to do some C++ development as needed.
- Experience training with modern frameworks (e.g. PyTorch)
- A rigorous approach to model development: running well-designed experiments, defining suitable training and validation datasets, and evaluating on the right metrics.
- Hands-on familiarity with cloud data ingestion pipelines
- Strong communication and collaborative skills
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $130,000 - $220,000 a year
Our compensations (cash and equity) are determined based on the position, your location, qualifications, and experience.
YOUR OPPORTUNITIES JOINING PLUSAI
Work, learn and grow in a highly future-oriented, innovative and dynamic field. Wide range of opportunities for personal and professional development. Catered free lunch, unlimited snacks and beverages. Highly competitive salary and benefits package, including 401(k) plan.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Sr Staff Machine Learning Engineer
Target companies with active H-1B ML hiring history
Search DOL LCA disclosure data for employers who have filed Labor Condition Applications for machine learning roles. Companies with consistent ML filings are already set up to sponsor OPT students and are far less likely to reject your application over visa status.
Demonstrate end-to-end ML ownership, not just model building
Sr Staff roles require systems thinking across the full ML lifecycle. Highlight experience owning production pipelines, model governance, and cross-functional technical strategy. Generic model-training experience alone won't clear the bar at this seniority level.
Prepare a sponsorship conversation for late-stage interviews
At Sr Staff level, hiring decisions involve legal and finance teams. Be ready to explain your OPT timeline, STEM extension eligibility, and H-1B cap-subject filing window clearly. Employers who are undecided often need factual clarity, not reassurance.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Sr Staff Machine Learning Engineer on OPT?
Yes. F-1 students with approved OPT can work in Sr Staff Machine Learning Engineer roles as long as the job is directly related to your field of study. Most ML and computer science degrees satisfy this requirement. If you have a STEM-designated degree, you can apply for a 24-month extension beyond your initial 12 months of OPT, giving you up to three years total.
Do Sr Staff Machine Learning Engineer roles commonly offer H-1B sponsorship?
Yes, more consistently than most job categories. Sr Staff ML engineers are in high demand, and companies competing for this talent routinely sponsor H-1B petitions. Employers filing Labor Condition Applications for machine learning titles include major tech companies and AI-focused startups alike. You can browse OPT-friendly Sr Staff ML roles on Migrate Mate, which filters specifically for positions open to F-1 students.
What qualifies as a STEM-eligible degree for a Sr Staff ML Engineer role?
Degrees in computer science, electrical engineering, statistics, applied mathematics, and data science are all typically STEM-designated under ICE's STEM Designated Degree Program List. Your school's DSO can confirm whether your specific program qualifies. If it does, you can apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, which must be filed with USCIS before your initial OPT expires.
How does the 60-day grace period affect my job search for Sr Staff ML roles?
If your OPT employment ends, you have a 60-day grace period to find new employment, transfer your SEVIS record, or depart the United States. Sr Staff-level hiring processes often take 6 to 12 weeks, so starting your search before your current authorization ends is critical. You cannot work during the grace period, only remain in status while you search.
What should I look for to confirm a Sr Staff ML Engineer role is OPT-compatible?
The role must be full-time (or authorized part-time if your OPT is part-time authorized), directly related to your degree field, and with a company that has an EIN and meets DSS employer requirements for STEM OPT. Check that the employer is willing to sign your Form I-983 Training Plan if you are on STEM OPT extension, as that reporting obligation is mandatory and some smaller employers are unfamiliar with it.
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