STEM OPT AI Research Engineer Jobs
AI Research Engineer roles sit squarely within STEM OPT eligibility, letting you work for up to 36 months post-graduation without H-1B visa sponsorship. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and your degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or a related STEM field must align with the role's CIP code to qualify for the 24-month extension.
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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 747+ STEM OPT AI Research Engineer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as an AI Research Engineer
Verify your CIP code before applying
Your STEM OPT extension depends on your degree's CIP code matching a STEM-designated field. Check your I-20 with your DSO before you start applying to confirm your program qualifies, not after you've accepted an offer.
Screen employers for E-Verify enrollment early
STEM OPT employers must be enrolled in E-Verify before your extension starts. Ask your recruiter during the first interview, not at the offer stage. A company without E-Verify enrollment cannot legally employ you on STEM OPT.
Target labs with established research training structures
The I-983 training plan requires a specific learning objective tied to your STEM degree. AI research roles at companies or universities with existing research divisions are easier to document because training plans there map directly to defined project scopes.
Use OFLC Wage Search to benchmark your offer
AI Research Engineer wages vary significantly by employer type and geography. Pull the prevailing wage for SOC code 15-2051 or 15-1299 from OFLC Wage Search before negotiating so you know whether an offer meets DOL wage standards for your location.
Find STEM OPT-ready employers on Migrate Mate
Search AI Research Engineer roles on Migrate Mate, which filters employers by E-Verify enrollment and STEM OPT compatibility. This saves you from applying to companies that can't legally support your work authorization before the conversation even starts.
File your STEM OPT extension 90 days before OPT expires
USCIS requires your extension application to be received before your initial OPT EAD expires. File at least 90 days out to stay within the 180-day filing window and avoid a gap in work authorization between initial OPT and your extension approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my STEM degree qualify me for the STEM OPT extension as an AI Research Engineer?
Your degree qualifies if it's in a STEM-designated field and your program's CIP code appears on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Computer science, electrical engineering, mathematics, and statistics are common qualifying fields for AI Research Engineer roles. Your DSO can confirm your specific CIP code matches before you apply for the 24-month extension.
What does the I-983 training plan require for an AI Research Engineer role?
The I-983 requires your employer to document how the AI Research Engineer role provides practical training directly related to your STEM degree. This means listing specific learning objectives, the skills you'll develop, and how they connect to your field of study. Your employer and DSO must both sign the form, and it must be on file before your extension starts.
How do I confirm my employer is enrolled in E-Verify before accepting an offer?
Ask your recruiter or HR contact directly whether the company is currently enrolled in E-Verify as an employer, not just a participant. You can also search the E-Verify employer search tool by company name. E-Verify enrollment is a hard legal requirement for STEM OPT, and enrollment must be active at the time your extension begins, not just when you were hired.
How do I find AI Research Engineer employers that support STEM OPT?
Migrate Mate filters AI Research Engineer listings by E-Verify enrollment and STEM OPT eligibility, so you're not manually vetting each company. This matters because many job postings don't disclose E-Verify status upfront, and finding out after an offer wastes time for both you and the employer.
What happens to my STEM OPT authorization if my employer loses E-Verify enrollment?
If your employer's E-Verify enrollment terminates while you're on STEM OPT, your work authorization is no longer valid at that employer. USCIS requires you to notify your DSO within five days of losing employment. You then have a 60-day grace period to find a new qualifying employer, transfer your STEM OPT, or change status. Staying employed beyond that point without a valid authorization is a status violation.