STEM OPT Data Science Lead Jobs
Data Science Lead roles qualify for STEM OPT when your degree maps to an eligible CIP code in computer science, statistics, or a related STEM field. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and the 24-month extension adds up to 36 months total of post-graduation work authorization to build leadership-level experience in the U.S.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Citibank, N.A. seeks a Data Science Lead Analyst for its Schaumburg, Illinois location.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Duties:
- Code, test and execute requirements for simple-to-complex Retail Services Partner Delivery data processing programs.
- Design and construct new data processes using Base SAS, SAS Macros, Advanced SAS, Autosys Job scheduler, Service Now, Bitbucket, SQL, and Unix shell scripts.
- Modify existing data processes according to new business requirements.
- Identify and segment Retail Services reporting populations across data sources.
- Perform functionality testing and generate validation reports for data processes.
- Validate data from multiple sources to reconcile variances in the attributes and to ensure accurate data is consumed by data processes.
- Prepare, review, and execute test cases to ensure data processes create accurate results and run as expected.
- Work with stakeholders to define reporting requirements and iterate with business users to ensure output matches expectations.
- Consult on data processing solutions and create automated solutions to streamline report and process execution.
- Prepare data flow charts and process flow diagrams to illustrate transformations and rules to describe logical operations.
- Ensure support of ongoing activities.
A telecommuting/hybrid work schedule may be permitted within a commutable distance from the worksite, in accordance with Citi policies and protocols.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Requirements:
- Requires a Master’s degree or foreign equivalent in Engineering (any), Information Systems, Embedded Systems, Data Science, Computer Science or related field and 4 years of experience as a Developer, Data Analyst, Business Analyst, Business Relationship Manager, Systems Analyst, Software Engineer or related position.
- Alternatively, employer will accept a Bachelor’s degree in the stated fields and 6 years of the specified progressive, post-baccalaureate experience.
- Full span of experience must include:
- SAS programming language;
- Unix operating system and scripting;
- Working within the Banking sector, including Risk and Compliance;
- Working within Credit Card Domain;
- Writing and interpreting project requirements;
- AutoSys job scheduler;
- Bitbucket code change control;
- Working with large scale databases and files;
- Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), including planning, design, analysis, development, testing and deployment.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants submit resumes at https://jobs.citi.com/. Please reference Job ID #26964059. EO Employer.
COMPENSATION
- Wage Range: $157,500 to $163,300
JOB FAMILY GROUP
- Technology
JOB FAMILY
- Data Science
TIME TYPE
- Full time
PRIMARY LOCATION
- Schaumburg Illinois United States
PRIMARY LOCATION FULL TIME SALARY RANGE
In addition to salary, Citi’s offerings may also include, for eligible employees, discretionary and formulaic incentive and retention awards. Citi offers competitive employee benefits, including: medical, dental & vision coverage; 401(k); life, accident, and disability insurance; and wellness programs. Citi also offers paid time off packages, including planned time off (vacation), unplanned time off (sick leave), and paid holidays. For additional information regarding Citi employee benefits, please visit citibenefits.com. Available offerings may vary by jurisdiction, job level, and date of hire.
MOST RELEVANT SKILLS
Please see the requirements listed above.
OTHER RELEVANT SKILLS
For complementary skills, please see above and/or contact the recruiter.
ANTICIPATED POSTING CLOSE DATE
Jul 09, 2026
Citi is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.
If you are a person with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to use our search tools and/or apply for a career opportunity review Accessibility at Citi. View Citi’s EEO Policy Statement and the Know Your Rights poster.
INTRODUCTION
Citibank, N.A. seeks a Data Science Lead Analyst for its Schaumburg, Illinois location.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Duties:
- Code, test and execute requirements for simple-to-complex Retail Services Partner Delivery data processing programs.
- Design and construct new data processes using Base SAS, SAS Macros, Advanced SAS, Autosys Job scheduler, Service Now, Bitbucket, SQL, and Unix shell scripts.
- Modify existing data processes according to new business requirements.
- Identify and segment Retail Services reporting populations across data sources.
- Perform functionality testing and generate validation reports for data processes.
- Validate data from multiple sources to reconcile variances in the attributes and to ensure accurate data is consumed by data processes.
- Prepare, review, and execute test cases to ensure data processes create accurate results and run as expected.
- Work with stakeholders to define reporting requirements and iterate with business users to ensure output matches expectations.
- Consult on data processing solutions and create automated solutions to streamline report and process execution.
- Prepare data flow charts and process flow diagrams to illustrate transformations and rules to describe logical operations.
- Ensure support of ongoing activities.
A telecommuting/hybrid work schedule may be permitted within a commutable distance from the worksite, in accordance with Citi policies and protocols.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Requirements:
- Requires a Master’s degree or foreign equivalent in Engineering (any), Information Systems, Embedded Systems, Data Science, Computer Science or related field and 4 years of experience as a Developer, Data Analyst, Business Analyst, Business Relationship Manager, Systems Analyst, Software Engineer or related position.
- Alternatively, employer will accept a Bachelor’s degree in the stated fields and 6 years of the specified progressive, post-baccalaureate experience.
- Full span of experience must include:
- SAS programming language;
- Unix operating system and scripting;
- Working within the Banking sector, including Risk and Compliance;
- Working within Credit Card Domain;
- Writing and interpreting project requirements;
- AutoSys job scheduler;
- Bitbucket code change control;
- Working with large scale databases and files;
- Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), including planning, design, analysis, development, testing and deployment.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants submit resumes at https://jobs.citi.com/. Please reference Job ID #26964059. EO Employer.
COMPENSATION
- Wage Range: $157,500 to $163,300
JOB FAMILY GROUP
- Technology
JOB FAMILY
- Data Science
TIME TYPE
- Full time
PRIMARY LOCATION
- Schaumburg Illinois United States
PRIMARY LOCATION FULL TIME SALARY RANGE
In addition to salary, Citi’s offerings may also include, for eligible employees, discretionary and formulaic incentive and retention awards. Citi offers competitive employee benefits, including: medical, dental & vision coverage; 401(k); life, accident, and disability insurance; and wellness programs. Citi also offers paid time off packages, including planned time off (vacation), unplanned time off (sick leave), and paid holidays. For additional information regarding Citi employee benefits, please visit citibenefits.com. Available offerings may vary by jurisdiction, job level, and date of hire.
MOST RELEVANT SKILLS
Please see the requirements listed above.
OTHER RELEVANT SKILLS
For complementary skills, please see above and/or contact the recruiter.
ANTICIPATED POSTING CLOSE DATE
Jul 09, 2026
Citi is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.
If you are a person with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to use our search tools and/or apply for a career opportunity review Accessibility at Citi. View Citi’s EEO Policy Statement and the Know Your Rights poster.
See all 74+ STEM OPT Data Science Lead Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization in Data Science Lead
Verify your CIP code before applying
Check that your degree's CIP code appears on the STEM Designated Degree Program List maintained by USCIS. Data science degrees sometimes map to statistics or computer science codes rather than a standalone data science category, so confirm with your DSO before targeting roles.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Ask hiring managers directly whether the company is enrolled in E-Verify before you reach the offer stage. STEM OPT authorization is void if your employer isn't enrolled, and many mid-size analytics firms haven't completed enrollment even when they're otherwise willing to hire OPT students.
Target companies with active data science LCA filings
Use the OFLC Wage Search to find employers who have filed Labor Condition Applications for data science or machine learning roles. Companies with recent LCA activity are already familiar with the compliance steps that overlap with STEM OPT employer obligations.
Build an I-983 training plan around leadership deliverables
For a Data Science Lead role, your I-983 should document mentorship responsibilities, model deployment ownership, and cross-functional project outcomes, not just technical tasks. A vague training plan tied only to tools or coding work is harder to defend at the 12-month evaluation.
Use Migrate Mate to find STEM OPT eligible Data Science Lead openings
Filter your search on Migrate Mate to surface Data Science Lead roles at E-Verify enrolled employers. This removes the manual step of cross-checking employer eligibility and lets you focus on companies already set up to support STEM OPT training plans and reporting requirements.
Address cap-gap timing during salary and start-date negotiations
If your OPT expires while an H-1B visa petition is pending, cap-gap rules extend your authorization through September 30. Negotiating a start date that accounts for this window prevents a gap that would otherwise force you to pause in a leadership role mid-project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Data Science Lead role qualify for STEM OPT?
Yes, if your degree carries an eligible CIP code in computer science, statistics, information science, or a related STEM field, and the Data Science Lead position requires applying that technical training directly. Your DSO must recommend the STEM OPT extension on your I-20, and your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify. The O*NET occupation profile for data science roles supports the STEM designation when the job duties align with your degree field.
What E-Verify requirements apply to my employer for STEM OPT?
Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify as a condition of hiring you on STEM OPT. Enrollment must be active before your extension begins, not just initiated. The employer also needs to sign the I-983 training plan and submit a formal evaluation at the 12-month mark. If your employer is not enrolled, your STEM OPT authorization doesn't apply, regardless of how well the role matches your degree.
What should the I-983 training plan include for a Data Science Lead?
The I-983 must connect your daily work to the learning objectives tied to your STEM degree. For a Data Science Lead, that means documenting responsibilities like designing modeling pipelines, leading analytical projects, or mentoring junior team members as practical applications of your academic training. Generic descriptions of tools used aren't sufficient. USCIS expects the plan to show how the role advances skills within your specific degree field.
How does cap-gap protection affect a Data Science Lead on STEM OPT?
If you're on STEM OPT and your employer files an H-1B petition before your authorization expires, cap-gap rules allow you to keep working through September 30 of that fiscal year while the petition is pending. For a Data Science Lead managing ongoing projects, this means you can stay in your role without interruption during the transition window. USCIS issues an updated I-20 reflecting the cap-gap extension to document the continued authorization.
Where can I find Data Science Lead jobs that support STEM OPT?
Migrate Mate lists Data Science Lead openings at employers already enrolled in E-Verify, so you can focus your search on companies set up to support STEM OPT training plans and reporting requirements. Filtering by STEM OPT eligibility at the start of your search saves significant time compared to vetting employer enrollment status manually after finding a role through a general job board.