STEM OPT AI Data Engineer Jobs
AI Data Engineer roles in machine learning infrastructure, data pipelines, and model deployment qualify for STEM OPT's 24-month extension if your degree is in computer science, data science, or a related STEM field. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and you'll need a signed I-983 training plan before your start date.
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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 709+ STEM OPT AI Data Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT AI Data Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as an AI Data Engineer
Verify your CIP code before applying
Check that your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code maps to an approved STEM field on USCIS's list. Computer science, data science, and information systems CIP codes all qualify, but applied mathematics or statistics degrees sometimes require closer review by your DSO.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Search the E-Verify employer search tool by company name before signing anything. Startups and smaller data teams frequently lack E-Verify enrollment, which disqualifies them as STEM OPT employers regardless of how well the role fits your training plan.
Build your I-983 training plan around AI pipeline work
Map your job duties to specific learning objectives in the I-983: model training workflows, data orchestration tools, and MLOps practices all count as structured training activities. A vague plan citing only 'data engineering tasks' increases the risk of DSO rejection or an ICE audit.
Target employers with LCA filing history in AI roles
Use Migrate Mate to filter AI Data Engineer roles by employers who have filed Labor Condition Applications for H-1B visa workers in similar SOC codes. LCA history signals an existing immigration compliance infrastructure, which matters for STEM OPT employers managing reporting obligations.
Negotiate your offer letter to reflect the I-983 structure
Ask HR to specify your reporting structure, supervision arrangement, and core technical responsibilities in writing before onboarding. ICE's STEM OPT regulations require that the employer mentor you in a formal capacity, and a vague offer letter makes the required I-983 supervisor attestation harder to complete accurately.
Time your OPT application to protect cap-gap eligibility
If you plan to transition to H-1B, file your USCIS I-765 renewal at least 90 days before your initial OPT EAD expires. A timely H-1B registration combined with an in-time OPT filing preserves cap-gap authorization through October 1 if you're selected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an AI Data Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your degree is in an approved STEM field such as computer science, data science, electrical engineering, or applied mathematics, and the role involves substantive technical work in areas like data pipeline development, model deployment, or ML infrastructure. Your DSO confirms eligibility by matching your degree's CIP code to the STEM Designated Degree Program List maintained by USCIS before authorizing the extension.
How do I check whether an employer is enrolled in E-Verify for STEM OPT?
Use the E-Verify employer search tool, which is publicly accessible and searchable by company name and location. Enrollment status can change, so search close to your offer stage rather than at initial application. If a company recruits STEM OPT students but doesn't appear in E-Verify, they must enroll before your extension can be authorized, which adds time to the onboarding process.
What should an AI Data Engineer include in the I-983 training plan?
Your I-983 must describe specific learning goals tied to your job duties, the supervision and mentorship structure, and how the work connects to your STEM degree. For AI Data Engineer roles, this typically includes training objectives around data architecture, feature engineering, model monitoring, and workflow automation tools. Generic descriptions without measurable goals are the most common reason DSOs request revisions before signing.
How do I find AI Data Engineer roles at employers already set up for STEM OPT?
Migrate Mate filters AI Data Engineer listings by employers with verified E-Verify enrollment and LCA filing history in relevant SOC codes, so you're not wasting applications on companies that can't legally hire STEM OPT students. Filtering by this criteria early shortens the offer-to-authorization timeline significantly compared to sorting it out after receiving an offer.
Does the STEM OPT cap-gap rule cover me if I'm working as an AI Data Engineer?
Yes, if your employer files an H-1B petition on your behalf before your OPT EAD expires and you filed your I-765 on time, cap-gap authorization extends your work authorization through September 30 of the fiscal year in which you were selected. This applies regardless of your specific role title, as long as your underlying STEM OPT status is valid and the petition was filed while your OPT period was still active.