STEM OPT AI Jobs
AI roles in machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision qualify for the STEM OPT 24-month extension if your degree falls under an eligible CIP code. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and you'll need a signed I-983 training plan before your extension begins.
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Description
About the Role
We are looking for an AI Reseacher to join our growing AI team and help build intelligent, production-grade AI systems that solve complex problems at scale.
In this role, you will work closely with product, engineering, and data teams to design, develop, and deploy AI-powered applications, including LLM-based solutions, AI agents, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), and intelligent automation workflows.
The ideal candidate is hands-on, highly curious, and comfortable working across the full AI development lifecycle—from experimentation and prototyping to production deployment and optimization.
A Day in the Life
- You take an idea from paper to prototype to production. If you have only ever done one of those three, this role will stretch you, and we are fine with that if the rest is strong.
- You can build the model layer of a real product, not just a model. That means choosing model sizes, composing several models into a working system, and holding a product-level accuracy bar.
- You write real code. Python fluently, PyTorch fluently, and enough systems sense to know why your training run is slow.
- You design experiments. You state the hypothesis, run the ablation, and report the result that disagrees with you.
- You measure things. You are suspicious of results that look good, and you build the eval before you build the model.
- You read current research and can tell the difference between a technique that will hold up and one that will not.
- You explain your work to people who are not AI engineers, including clinicians and operators who will tell you when your output is wrong.
What You Need
- MS or PhD in Computer Science, Machine Learning, or a related quantitative field. Exceptional BS candidates with substantial research or open-source work will be considered.
- Depth beyond coursework: first-author publications at NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, ACL, EMNLP, or similar; meaningful open-source ML contributions; a research internship at an AI lab; or models you trained and shipped that people actually used.
- You have fine-tuned an open-weight model yourself, understand the difference between parameter-efficient and full fine-tuning, and can explain why you chose one.
- Strong Python and PyTorch. Familiarity with the current training and serving stack (HuggingFace, FSDP or DeepSpeed, vLLM or SGLang, or equivalents).
- Some exposure to multi-GPU training, even at lab scale. You should know what a sharding strategy is and why it matters.
- Evidence you can finish things.
We offer competitive benefits to set you up for success in and outside of work.
Here’s What We Offer
- Generous PTO Benefits: Enjoy PTO benefit accrual of 20 days per year.
- Parental Leave: Experience one of the industry's best parental leave policies to spend time with your new addition.
- Rewards & Recognition: Unlock your potential and be rewarded generously with both monetary incentives and widespread recognition for your dedication and outstanding performance.
- Insurance Benefits: We offer medical, dental, and vision benefits along with 100% company-sponsored short and long-term disability and basic life insurance. Legal aid and pet insurance options are available at a discounted rate.
Innovaccer is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity, and we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where all employees, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, marital status, or veteran status, feel valued and empowered.
Disclaimer: Innovaccer does not charge fees or require payment from individuals or agencies for securing employment with us. We do not guarantee job spots or engage in any financial transactions related to employment. If you encounter any posts or requests asking for payment or personal information, we strongly advise you to report them immediately to our HR department at px@innovaccer.com. Additionally, please exercise caution and verify the authenticity of any requests before disclosing personal and confidential information, including bank account details.
About Innovaccer
Innovaccer activates the flow of healthcare data, empowering providers, payers, and government organizations to deliver intelligent and connected experiences that advance health outcomes. The Healthcare Intelligence Cloud equips every stakeholder in the patient journey to turn fragmented data into proactive, coordinated actions that elevate the quality of care and drive operational performance. Leading healthcare organizations like CommonSpirit Health, Atlantic Health, and Banner Health trust Innovaccer to integrate a system of intelligence into their existing infrastructure— extending the human touch in healthcare.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization in AI
Verify your CIP code before applying
Check that your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code appears on the STEM Designated Degree Program List. Computer science, electrical engineering, and statistics degrees typically qualify, but interdisciplinary programs sometimes don't. Confirm with your DSO before targeting STEM OPT roles.
Filter employers by E-Verify enrollment status
STEM OPT is void if your employer isn't enrolled in E-Verify on your start date. Use Migrate Mate to search AI roles filtered by employers with confirmed E-Verify enrollment, so you don't lose authorization after accepting an offer.
Request your I-983 training plan before day one
Your signed I-983 must be in place before USCIS approves your STEM OPT extension. Draft a training plan that maps your AI role's learning objectives to your degree field, and get your employer's signature at least 90 days before your initial OPT expires.
Check prevailing wage before negotiating your offer
AI employers filing LCAs are required to meet DOL prevailing wage standards. Run your target job title and metro area through the OFLC Wage Search before your offer negotiation so you know the wage floor and can flag underpaying offers before accepting.
Use O*NET to match your degree to AI job titles
Specialty occupation determinations hinge on degree-to-role alignment. Look up AI and machine learning job titles on O*NET to confirm the listed education requirement is a specific STEM field, not just 'any bachelor's degree,' which weakens your case for STEM OPT eligibility.
Track cap-gap timing if H-1B is your next step
If your employer files an H-1B visa petition before April 1 and USCIS selects it, cap-gap extends your OPT automatically through September 30. Submit your I-983 renewal and keep your EAD current so there's no gap in authorization during the transition window.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which STEM degrees qualify for the STEM OPT extension in AI roles?
Degrees in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, mathematics, statistics, and data science are the most common qualifying fields for AI jobs. Your degree's CIP code must appear on the USCIS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Interdisciplinary or applied programs sometimes carry CIP codes that aren't on the list, so confirm with your DSO before assuming eligibility.
Does every AI employer need to be enrolled in E-Verify?
Yes. E-Verify enrollment is a legal requirement for all STEM OPT employers, with no exceptions. The enrollment must be active on your first day of work, not just when you sign your offer letter. You can verify an employer's E-Verify status through the E-Verify employer search tool before accepting an offer. Startups and smaller AI labs frequently overlook this requirement, so always check.
What goes into the I-983 training plan for an AI role?
The I-983 must describe the specific AI skills and learning objectives you'll develop, how those objectives connect to your STEM degree field, and how your employer will supervise and evaluate your progress. For machine learning or NLP roles, this means documenting model development workflows, research methodologies, and technical mentorship structures. Both you and a company official must sign the plan before USCIS processes your extension.
How do I find AI employers who are already set up to hire STEM OPT students?
Migrate Mate lists AI roles from employers with verified E-Verify enrollment and prior STEM OPT or H-1B filing history, so you can target companies that have already navigated the compliance process. This saves significant time compared to screening employers manually after receiving offers from companies unfamiliar with the training plan and reporting requirements.
What happens to my STEM OPT if my AI employer gets acquired or changes its E-Verify status?
If your employer's E-Verify enrollment lapses or the company is acquired by a new legal entity that isn't enrolled, your STEM OPT authorization is at risk. You must notify your DSO within five business days and either confirm the successor entity re-enrolls in E-Verify or begin your job search immediately. USCIS treats a gap in E-Verify coverage as a violation of STEM OPT terms.