STEM OPT Research And Development Engineer Jobs
Research and Development Engineer roles sit squarely within STEM OPT eligibility, giving you up to 24 months of extended work authorization beyond your initial OPT period. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and your STEM degree must align with the role's CIP code. That's 36 months total to build your R&D career in the U.S.
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Get Access To All JobsSUMMARY
The AIML Multimodal Foundation Model Team is pioneering next-generation intelligent agent technologies that combine multimodal reasoning, tool-use, and visual understanding. Our innovative features redefine how hundreds of millions of people utilize their computers and mobile devices for search and information retrieval. Our universal search engine powers search capabilities across a range of Apple products, including Siri, Spotlight, Safari, Messages, and Lookup. Additionally, we develop cutting-edge generative AI technologies based on multimodal large language models to enable innovative features in both Apple’s devices and cloud-based services. As a member of this team, you will design new architectures for multimodal agents, explore advanced training paradigms, and build robust agentic capabilities such as planning, grounding, tool-use, and autonomous task execution. You will collaborate closely with researchers and engineers to bring cutting-edge agent research into production, transforming Apple devices into intelligent partners that help users get things done.
DESCRIPTION
As a member of our fast-paced group, you’ll have the unique and rewarding opportunity to shape upcoming products from Apple. We are looking for people with excellent applied machine learning, computer vision, multimodal LLM, and agent training experience and solid engineering skills. This role will have the following responsibilities:
- Developing state-of-the-art multimodal foundation models for Apple Intelligence.
- Developing various agent capabilities for multimodal LLMs, including computer use agents, visual tool use, thinking with images, and multimodal web search.
- Developing, fine-tuning, and evaluating domain specific foundation models for various tasks and applications in Apple’s AI powered products.
- Conducting applied research to transfer the pioneering research in generative AI to production ready technologies.
- Understanding product requirements, translate them into modeling tasks and engineering tasks.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- PhD, MS or equivalent experience
- Experience in machine learning, deep learning, computer vision, or natural language processing
- Proficiency in one of following languages: Python, Go, Java, C++
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Excellent data analytical skills
- Good interpersonal skills and team player
- PhD preferred
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $184,700 and $324,800, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple’s discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You’ll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses — including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant
At Apple, we believe accessibility is a fundamental human right. You’ll find that idea reflected in everything here — in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong.
Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.
SUMMARY
The AIML Multimodal Foundation Model Team is pioneering next-generation intelligent agent technologies that combine multimodal reasoning, tool-use, and visual understanding. Our innovative features redefine how hundreds of millions of people utilize their computers and mobile devices for search and information retrieval. Our universal search engine powers search capabilities across a range of Apple products, including Siri, Spotlight, Safari, Messages, and Lookup. Additionally, we develop cutting-edge generative AI technologies based on multimodal large language models to enable innovative features in both Apple’s devices and cloud-based services. As a member of this team, you will design new architectures for multimodal agents, explore advanced training paradigms, and build robust agentic capabilities such as planning, grounding, tool-use, and autonomous task execution. You will collaborate closely with researchers and engineers to bring cutting-edge agent research into production, transforming Apple devices into intelligent partners that help users get things done.
DESCRIPTION
As a member of our fast-paced group, you’ll have the unique and rewarding opportunity to shape upcoming products from Apple. We are looking for people with excellent applied machine learning, computer vision, multimodal LLM, and agent training experience and solid engineering skills. This role will have the following responsibilities:
- Developing state-of-the-art multimodal foundation models for Apple Intelligence.
- Developing various agent capabilities for multimodal LLMs, including computer use agents, visual tool use, thinking with images, and multimodal web search.
- Developing, fine-tuning, and evaluating domain specific foundation models for various tasks and applications in Apple’s AI powered products.
- Conducting applied research to transfer the pioneering research in generative AI to production ready technologies.
- Understanding product requirements, translate them into modeling tasks and engineering tasks.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- PhD, MS or equivalent experience
- Experience in machine learning, deep learning, computer vision, or natural language processing
- Proficiency in one of following languages: Python, Go, Java, C++
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Excellent data analytical skills
- Good interpersonal skills and team player
- PhD preferred
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $184,700 and $324,800, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple’s discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You’ll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses — including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant
At Apple, we believe accessibility is a fundamental human right. You’ll find that idea reflected in everything here — in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong.
Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.
See all 370+ STEM OPT Research And Development Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Research And Development Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Research And Development Engineer
Verify your CIP code before applying
Cross-reference your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code against the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Engineering disciplines like mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineering qualify, but your transcript's field designation must match exactly.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment during screening
Ask recruiters directly whether the company is enrolled in E-Verify before your first interview. R&D labs at universities and nonprofits sometimes lack enrollment, which disqualifies them as STEM OPT employers regardless of how well the role fits.
Negotiate your I-983 training plan details
Your I-983 must list specific learning objectives tied to your R&D project scope. Push your hiring manager to define measurable engineering outcomes in the plan, not just your job title. Vague plans invite DSO rejection and delay your extension filing.
Use OFLC Wage Search to anchor salary discussions
Look up the prevailing wage for your SOC code and work location using OFLC Wage Search before negotiating your offer. R&D Engineer roles span multiple wage levels, and knowing the DOL benchmark prevents you from accepting below the employer's LCA certification threshold.
Search Migrate Mate for R&D employers with OPT history
Filter your job search on Migrate Mate to surface companies with verified STEM OPT hiring history in R&D engineering. Targeting employers who have sponsored OPT students before cuts the time you spend educating HR on E-Verify and training plan requirements.
File your STEM OPT extension 90 days before OPT ends
USCIS requires your extension application to be received before your initial OPT expires. Submit your I-765 to USCIS at least 90 days early so a pending receipt notice covers any gap if your card hasn't arrived by your end date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Research and Development Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your degree falls under a DHS-designated STEM field and the role uses that technical training directly. Engineering disciplines including mechanical, electrical, biomedical, chemical, and computer engineering qualify. Your DSO will verify that your degree's CIP code appears on the STEM Designated Degree Program List before recommending the extension on your I-20.
What E-Verify requirement applies to my STEM OPT employer?
Your employer must be actively enrolled in E-Verify at the worksite where you'll perform your R&D work. Enrollment at a parent company's headquarters doesn't automatically cover a subsidiary or separate facility. Verify the specific site's E-Verify status before accepting an offer. If the employer isn't enrolled, they must enroll before USCIS will approve your STEM OPT extension.
What goes into the I-983 training plan for an R&D engineering position?
Your I-983 must describe the practical training objectives tied to your specific R&D projects, the supervision structure, and how the work connects to your STEM degree. Generic job descriptions aren't sufficient. USCIS expects measurable learning outcomes, such as developing proficiency in specific testing methodologies or design software. Your DSO and employer both sign the form, and your employer must submit a formal evaluation every six months.
How does cap-gap protection work if I'm waiting on an H-1B decision?
If your employer files an H-1B visa petition on your behalf before your OPT or STEM OPT expires, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year. You can continue working as an R&D Engineer during this period. If your H-1B is selected and approved, your status transitions on October 1. USCIS confirmation of the timely-filed petition serves as your authorization to continue working.
Where can I find Research and Development Engineer jobs that accept STEM OPT?
Migrate Mate filters R&D engineering roles by employers enrolled in E-Verify and with a track record of hiring STEM OPT students. You can search by location, engineering discipline, and company type to focus your applications on employers already familiar with the training plan and extension process, which shortens your path from offer to approved work authorization.