STEM OPT AI Researcher Jobs
AI Researcher roles fall under STEM-designated CIP codes, making them eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension on top of your initial 12-month OPT period. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and sign a formal I-983 training plan. A STEM degree in computer science, electrical engineering, statistics, or a related field is required to qualify.
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Get Access To All JobsAbout Workato
Workato delivers enterprise infrastructure for the agentic era, redefining iPaaS and helping enterprises unify data, applications, processes, and AI into a single, governed platform. A leader in Enterprise MCP and trusted by 50% of the Fortune 500, Workato’s cloud-native architecture connects every application, data source, and process to power real-time orchestration at scale. With enterprise-grade security and continuous innovation at its core, Workato provides the trusted foundation for organizations to automate with confidence and operationalize AI across the business.
Why join us?
Ultimately, Workato believes in fostering a flexible, trust-oriented culture that empowers everyone to take full ownership of their roles. We are driven by innovation and looking for team players who want to actively build our company.
But, we also believe in balancing productivity with self-care. That’s why we offer all of our employees a vibrant and dynamic work environment along with a multitude of benefits they can enjoy inside and outside of their work lives.
If this sounds right up your alley, please submit an application. We look forward to getting to know you!
Also, feel free to check out why:
- Business Insider named us an “enterprise startup to bet your career on”
- Forbes’ Cloud 100 recognized us as one of the top 100 private cloud companies in the world
- Deloitte Tech Fast 500 ranked us as the 17th fastest growing tech company in the Bay Area, and 96th in North America
- Quartz ranked us the #1 best company for remote workers
Responsibilities
We are looking for an exceptional AI Research Scientist to join our growing team. In this role, you will be responsible to:
- Explore workflow-aware planning, cost-optimised RAG, tool-use evaluation, and multi-agent collaboration.
- Prototype and benchmark models; present findings internally and externally.
- Collaborate with Product & Engineering to ship research-backed features.
- Contribute to open-source repos and author technical blogs.
Requirements
Qualifications / Experience / Technical Skills
- MS/PhD in Computer Science, ML, or related field—or equivalent experience.
- Hands-on with PyTorch/JAX and modern LLM frameworks.
- Strong publication record in top-tier ML venues (NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR) or demonstrable impactful experimental work; hands-on experience with large-scale model training, transformer architectures, reinforcement-learning techniques, and CUDA.
Soft Skills / Personal Characteristics
- Curiosity-driven and self-directed.
- Ability to explain complex ideas to non-experts.
- Team player who welcomes feedback and knowledge-sharing.
(REQ ID: 2124)
About Workato
Workato delivers enterprise infrastructure for the agentic era, redefining iPaaS and helping enterprises unify data, applications, processes, and AI into a single, governed platform. A leader in Enterprise MCP and trusted by 50% of the Fortune 500, Workato’s cloud-native architecture connects every application, data source, and process to power real-time orchestration at scale. With enterprise-grade security and continuous innovation at its core, Workato provides the trusted foundation for organizations to automate with confidence and operationalize AI across the business.
Why join us?
Ultimately, Workato believes in fostering a flexible, trust-oriented culture that empowers everyone to take full ownership of their roles. We are driven by innovation and looking for team players who want to actively build our company.
But, we also believe in balancing productivity with self-care. That’s why we offer all of our employees a vibrant and dynamic work environment along with a multitude of benefits they can enjoy inside and outside of their work lives.
If this sounds right up your alley, please submit an application. We look forward to getting to know you!
Also, feel free to check out why:
- Business Insider named us an “enterprise startup to bet your career on”
- Forbes’ Cloud 100 recognized us as one of the top 100 private cloud companies in the world
- Deloitte Tech Fast 500 ranked us as the 17th fastest growing tech company in the Bay Area, and 96th in North America
- Quartz ranked us the #1 best company for remote workers
Responsibilities
We are looking for an exceptional AI Research Scientist to join our growing team. In this role, you will be responsible to:
- Explore workflow-aware planning, cost-optimised RAG, tool-use evaluation, and multi-agent collaboration.
- Prototype and benchmark models; present findings internally and externally.
- Collaborate with Product & Engineering to ship research-backed features.
- Contribute to open-source repos and author technical blogs.
Requirements
Qualifications / Experience / Technical Skills
- MS/PhD in Computer Science, ML, or related field—or equivalent experience.
- Hands-on with PyTorch/JAX and modern LLM frameworks.
- Strong publication record in top-tier ML venues (NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR) or demonstrable impactful experimental work; hands-on experience with large-scale model training, transformer architectures, reinforcement-learning techniques, and CUDA.
Soft Skills / Personal Characteristics
- Curiosity-driven and self-directed.
- Ability to explain complex ideas to non-experts.
- Team player who welcomes feedback and knowledge-sharing.
(REQ ID: 2124)
See all 295+ STEM OPT AI Researcher Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization in AI Researcher
Verify your CIP code before applying
Cross-check your degree's CIP code against the DHS STEM OPT designated degree list before targeting roles. A degree in data science or applied mathematics qualifies; a general information systems degree may not. Confirm with your DSO before your OPT end date.
Filter employers by E-Verify enrollment status
STEM OPT requires your employer to be actively enrolled in E-Verify, not just registered. Ask the recruiter to confirm current enrollment before your first interview. An employer that lets enrollment lapse after your start date puts your authorization at risk.
Align your I-983 training plan with research deliverables
AI Researcher roles require a signed I-983 training plan with specific learning objectives and performance benchmarks. Frame your objectives around measurable research outputs, such as model accuracy improvements or published findings, so the plan satisfies USCIS requirements on its face.
Use Migrate Mate to target verified STEM OPT employers
Search for AI Researcher openings on Migrate Mate, which surfaces employers with confirmed E-Verify enrollment and STEM OPT hiring history. This cuts the time you'd otherwise spend manually vetting employers through the E-Verify employer search tool.
Check prevailing wage before negotiating your offer
Look up the SOC code 15-2051 or 15-1221 wage level for your metro area using the OFLC Wage Search before you negotiate. Your offer must meet the DOL prevailing wage for your role and location, so knowing the floor prevents a mismatch that could delay your I-983 approval.
File your STEM OPT extension 90 days before OPT expires
USCIS requires your STEM OPT extension application to be filed before your initial OPT EAD expires. Submit at least 90 days early to stay inside the automatic 180-day cap-gap protection window and avoid a gap in your work authorization between approval cycles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my degree qualify me for the STEM OPT extension as an AI Researcher?
Your degree qualifies if it appears on the DHS STEM OPT designated degree list with a matching CIP code. Degrees in computer science, statistics, mathematics, electrical engineering, and applied data science typically qualify. Degrees in general business or information management often do not, even if your coursework was technical. Confirm your specific CIP code with your DSO before applying.
What does an AI Researcher I-983 training plan need to include?
The I-983 must name your employer, describe how the AI Researcher role relates to your STEM degree, and list measurable learning objectives and performance benchmarks. USCIS expects concrete deliverables tied to your research work, such as model development milestones or publication targets. Both you and your employer supervisor must sign it, and your DSO must update your SEVIS record before you can file the extension.
How do I confirm my employer is enrolled in E-Verify?
Ask your recruiter or HR contact to confirm active E-Verify enrollment before you accept an offer. You can also search the public E-Verify employer search tool by company name or EIN to check enrollment status. Enrollment must remain active throughout your STEM OPT period, not just at the time of hiring. A lapsed enrollment requires your employer to re-enroll before you can legally continue working.
What happens to my STEM OPT authorization if my AI Researcher role changes within the same company?
A material change in job duties, location, or compensation requires an updated I-983 training plan submitted to your DSO within 10 days. If your role shifts from AI research to a non-STEM function, your STEM OPT authorization may no longer apply to that position. Minor project changes within the same research track generally do not require a new plan, but document the continuity in writing with your employer.
Where can I find AI Researcher jobs that already accept STEM OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate lists AI Researcher openings from employers with confirmed E-Verify enrollment and a track record of hiring STEM OPT students. Searching there filters out employers who either aren't E-Verify enrolled or have no history of supporting OPT extensions, which saves you the back-and-forth of vetting eligibility after you've already applied.