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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Get Access To All JobsMust-Have Qualifications
- 3 years of hands-on experience building AI products/applications.
- 3 years of application development experience.
- End-to-end RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) implementation experience.
- Experience with LangGraph and LangChain.
- Strong Python development and querying experience.
- SQL and database experience.
- Snowflake experience required.
- AI/ML development experience.
Required Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, Information Technology, or related field.
Experience
- 3–4 years of hands-on experience developing AI/ML solutions in enterprise environments.
- 2+ years of experience building solutions using Agentic AI technologies and Generative AI frameworks.
- Relevant experience delivering production-ready AI applications from concept through deployment.
Preferred Technical Skills
AI & Generative AI:
- Large Language Models (LLMs), Prompt Engineering, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), AI Agents and Multi-Agent Systems, Semantic Search and Embeddings & AI Evaluation Frameworks.
- Experience with one or more: LangGraph, LangChain, Semantic Kernel, AutoGen, CrewAI, LlamaIndex.
Programming & Development:
- Python (required), SQL, REST APIs, Git/GitHub, FastAPI or equivalent backend frameworks.
Cloud & Data Platforms:
- Experience with one or more Microsoft Azure, Azure OpenAI, Azure AI Foundry, AWS Bedrock & Google Cloud AI Services.
Data & Integration:
- Any of the below or more: Vector Databases, Azure AI Search, PostgreSQL, Snowflake.
Must-Have Qualifications
- 3 years of hands-on experience building AI products/applications.
- 3 years of application development experience.
- End-to-end RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) implementation experience.
- Experience with LangGraph and LangChain.
- Strong Python development and querying experience.
- SQL and database experience.
- Snowflake experience required.
- AI/ML development experience.
Required Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, Information Technology, or related field.
Experience
- 3–4 years of hands-on experience developing AI/ML solutions in enterprise environments.
- 2+ years of experience building solutions using Agentic AI technologies and Generative AI frameworks.
- Relevant experience delivering production-ready AI applications from concept through deployment.
Preferred Technical Skills
AI & Generative AI:
- Large Language Models (LLMs), Prompt Engineering, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), AI Agents and Multi-Agent Systems, Semantic Search and Embeddings & AI Evaluation Frameworks.
- Experience with one or more: LangGraph, LangChain, Semantic Kernel, AutoGen, CrewAI, LlamaIndex.
Programming & Development:
- Python (required), SQL, REST APIs, Git/GitHub, FastAPI or equivalent backend frameworks.
Cloud & Data Platforms:
- Experience with one or more Microsoft Azure, Azure OpenAI, Azure AI Foundry, AWS Bedrock & Google Cloud AI Services.
Data & Integration:
- Any of the below or more: Vector Databases, Azure AI Search, PostgreSQL, Snowflake.
See all 309+ STEM OPT AI Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT AI Jobs.
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.