OPT Validation Specialist Jobs
Validation Specialist roles are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with backgrounds in engineering, life sciences, or quality assurance. Most positions qualify as STEM OPT-eligible, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers in pharma, biotech, and medical device manufacturing regularly hire OPT candidates for these roles.
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Get Access To All JobsConsultant, AI Risk & Validation
Our Deloitte Regulatory, Risk & Forensic team helps client leaders translate multifaceted risk and an evolving regulatory environment into defensible actions that strengthen, protect, and transform their organizations. Join our team and use advanced data, AI, and emerging technologies with industry insights to help clients bring clarity from complexity and accelerate their path to value creation.
Work you'll do
As a Consultant Risk and Forensic on the Regulatory & Financial Risk team, you will be responsible for:
- Supporting the design, build, implementation and delivery of artificial intelligence, generative artificial intelligence, and agentic artificial intelligence solutions under the direction of project leadership
- Developing proofs of concept, experiments, and application components using machine learning, natural language processing, image analysis, time series analysis, graph-based methods, and retrieval-augmented generation techniques
- Performing AI solution validation activities, including data review, design assessment, testing support, benchmarking, sensitivity analysis, documentation, traceability, monitoring, and production-readiness assessment
- Evaluating trustworthiness and control considerations such as hallucination risk, grounding, bias, explainability, robustness, privacy, security, guardrails, escalation paths, and audit logging
- Translating technical analysis into clear findings and recommendations, supporting project delivery, and collaborating with Deloitte specialists to strengthen solution design, validation approaches, and responsible AI practices
The successful candidate would possess these skills:
- Ability to work independently and collaborate as part of a team
- Effective written and verbal communication skills
- Meticulous attention to detail and quality of work product
- Ability to build and sustain professional relationships
- Ability to lead projects or workstreams
- Ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced and dynamic environment
- Strong interpersonal skills and professional demeanor
- Ability to meet deadlines
- Ability to provide clear guidance to others
The team
Our Regulatory & Financial Risk offering supports clients' regulatory and compliance needs, balancing risk and regulatory requirements with enhancing business value and optimizing outcomes. We deliver enhanced value through strategic transformation, end-to-end implementation, and a focus on business-as-usual sustainability across processes, controls, and data & analytic infrastructures.
Qualifications
Required:
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Applied Mathematics, or a similar quantitative field
- 2+ years of experience developing or supporting artificial intelligence, generative artificial intelligence, or agentic artificial intelligence solutions using Python and JavaScript
- Experience with generative artificial intelligence tools and components such as Hugging Face, OpenAI application programming interfaces, Llama, Gemini, Claude, Granite, retrieval-augmented generation, or Stable Diffusion
- Experience with agentic artificial intelligence frameworks such as LangChain, LangGraph, AutoGen, Semantic Kernel, or CrewAI, and at least one deep learning framework such as PyTorch or TensorFlow/Keras
- Experience supporting the deployment of AI solutions on Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud Platform (GCP), including containerized environments using Docker or Kubernetes
- Limited immigration sponsorship may be available
- Ability to travel 20%, on average, based on the work you do and the clients and industries/sectors you serve
Preferred:
- Master's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Applied Mathematics, or a similar quantitative field
- Experience supporting generative artificial intelligence or agentic artificial intelligence solutions in production environments
- Experience training, fine-tuning, or evaluating deep learning models
- Experience with model risk management, model validation, monitoring, documentation, or reporting for AI-enabled solutions
- Experience serving Financial Services clients
- Experience developing AI methods or adapting emerging techniques beyond baseline framework implementation
Deloitte is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the recruiting process, please direct your inquiries to the Global Call Center (GCC) at USTalentCICInbox@deloitte.com.
Information for applicants with a need for accommodation: https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/careers/articles/join-deloitte-assistance-for-disabled-applicants.html
The wage range for this role takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. At Deloitte, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is $86,700 to $170,900.
You may also be eligible to participate in a discretionary annual incentive program, subject to the rules governing the program, whereby an award, if any, depends on various factors, including, without limitation, individual and organizational performance.
Consultant, AI Risk & Validation
Our Deloitte Regulatory, Risk & Forensic team helps client leaders translate multifaceted risk and an evolving regulatory environment into defensible actions that strengthen, protect, and transform their organizations. Join our team and use advanced data, AI, and emerging technologies with industry insights to help clients bring clarity from complexity and accelerate their path to value creation.
Work you'll do
As a Consultant Risk and Forensic on the Regulatory & Financial Risk team, you will be responsible for:
- Supporting the design, build, implementation and delivery of artificial intelligence, generative artificial intelligence, and agentic artificial intelligence solutions under the direction of project leadership
- Developing proofs of concept, experiments, and application components using machine learning, natural language processing, image analysis, time series analysis, graph-based methods, and retrieval-augmented generation techniques
- Performing AI solution validation activities, including data review, design assessment, testing support, benchmarking, sensitivity analysis, documentation, traceability, monitoring, and production-readiness assessment
- Evaluating trustworthiness and control considerations such as hallucination risk, grounding, bias, explainability, robustness, privacy, security, guardrails, escalation paths, and audit logging
- Translating technical analysis into clear findings and recommendations, supporting project delivery, and collaborating with Deloitte specialists to strengthen solution design, validation approaches, and responsible AI practices
The successful candidate would possess these skills:
- Ability to work independently and collaborate as part of a team
- Effective written and verbal communication skills
- Meticulous attention to detail and quality of work product
- Ability to build and sustain professional relationships
- Ability to lead projects or workstreams
- Ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced and dynamic environment
- Strong interpersonal skills and professional demeanor
- Ability to meet deadlines
- Ability to provide clear guidance to others
The team
Our Regulatory & Financial Risk offering supports clients' regulatory and compliance needs, balancing risk and regulatory requirements with enhancing business value and optimizing outcomes. We deliver enhanced value through strategic transformation, end-to-end implementation, and a focus on business-as-usual sustainability across processes, controls, and data & analytic infrastructures.
Qualifications
Required:
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Applied Mathematics, or a similar quantitative field
- 2+ years of experience developing or supporting artificial intelligence, generative artificial intelligence, or agentic artificial intelligence solutions using Python and JavaScript
- Experience with generative artificial intelligence tools and components such as Hugging Face, OpenAI application programming interfaces, Llama, Gemini, Claude, Granite, retrieval-augmented generation, or Stable Diffusion
- Experience with agentic artificial intelligence frameworks such as LangChain, LangGraph, AutoGen, Semantic Kernel, or CrewAI, and at least one deep learning framework such as PyTorch or TensorFlow/Keras
- Experience supporting the deployment of AI solutions on Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud Platform (GCP), including containerized environments using Docker or Kubernetes
- Limited immigration sponsorship may be available
- Ability to travel 20%, on average, based on the work you do and the clients and industries/sectors you serve
Preferred:
- Master's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Applied Mathematics, or a similar quantitative field
- Experience supporting generative artificial intelligence or agentic artificial intelligence solutions in production environments
- Experience training, fine-tuning, or evaluating deep learning models
- Experience with model risk management, model validation, monitoring, documentation, or reporting for AI-enabled solutions
- Experience serving Financial Services clients
- Experience developing AI methods or adapting emerging techniques beyond baseline framework implementation
Deloitte is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the recruiting process, please direct your inquiries to the Global Call Center (GCC) at USTalentCICInbox@deloitte.com.
Information for applicants with a need for accommodation: https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/careers/articles/join-deloitte-assistance-for-disabled-applicants.html
The wage range for this role takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. At Deloitte, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is $86,700 to $170,900.
You may also be eligible to participate in a discretionary annual incentive program, subject to the rules governing the program, whereby an award, if any, depends on various factors, including, without limitation, individual and organizational performance.
See all 197+ OPT Validation Specialist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Validation Specialist
Target STEM-designated programs
Validation Specialist roles typically fall under STEM OPT CIP codes in engineering or life sciences. Confirm your degree's CIP code qualifies before applying, since STEM OPT eligibility determines whether you get 12 or 36 months of authorized work.
Highlight GMP and regulatory knowledge
Employers in pharma and medical devices prioritize candidates who understand FDA regulations, GMP compliance, and validation protocols like IQ, OQ, and PQ. Listing these credentials signals you can contribute immediately without an extended onboarding period.
Apply to large regulated-industry employers first
Companies in pharmaceutical manufacturing, biotech, and medical devices are accustomed to OPT and H-1B visa sponsorship. Mid-to-large employers in these sectors have established HR processes for work authorization and are far less likely to reject OPT applicants outright.
Address your timeline proactively
Validation roles often involve long-term projects spanning 12 to 24 months. Mentioning your STEM OPT eligibility early reassures employers that your authorization covers the project lifecycle, reducing hesitation about hiring someone mid-process.
Get your STEM OPT extension application in early
File your STEM OPT extension at least 90 days before your initial OPT expires. Late filing can create a work authorization gap, which is especially problematic if you are mid-validation project and your employer depends on your continued availability.
Frame contract and consulting roles as valid options
Many Validation Specialist positions are filled through life sciences staffing firms on contract terms. These arrangements are fully compatible with OPT as long as your DSO approves the employer and the role aligns with your degree field.
Validation Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Validation Specialist jobs qualify for STEM OPT extension?
Most Validation Specialist positions qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, provided your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, or a related life science. The role must also be directly related to your degree program. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before applying to roles so you know your full authorization window.
Will employers in pharma and biotech sponsor OPT students for Validation Specialist roles?
Yes. Pharmaceutical manufacturers, biotech firms, and medical device companies are among the most OPT-friendly employers for this role because they have established immigration compliance processes and regularly file H-1B petitions. Companies like these are accustomed to work authorization documentation and are far less likely to screen out OPT candidates than employers in unregulated industries. Browse current openings on Migrate Mate to find employers actively hiring OPT students.
What is the typical OPT work authorization period for a Validation Specialist role?
Initial post-completion OPT gives you 12 months of work authorization. If your degree qualifies as STEM-designated, you can apply for a 24-month extension, for a total of 36 months. Most multi-phase validation projects run 12 to 24 months, so securing your STEM OPT extension well before the initial period expires is important for maintaining continuous authorization throughout the engagement.
Can I work as a Validation Specialist through a staffing agency on OPT?
Yes, contract placements through life sciences staffing firms are compatible with OPT, but there are conditions. The staffing agency must function as your employer of record, your DSO must approve the arrangement, and the work must be directly related to your degree. Avoid arrangements structured as independent contracting, since self-employment on OPT is subject to strict DSO oversight and documentation requirements.
What documentation should I prepare before applying for Validation Specialist roles on OPT?
Have your EAD card, current I-20 with OPT authorization dates, and university transcripts ready to share with hiring managers. For STEM-heavy roles, a brief summary of relevant coursework or thesis work in quality systems or regulatory affairs can help. If your STEM OPT extension is pending, carry your extension receipt notice alongside your original EAD, since the two together demonstrate continued work authorization during the processing period.