Research Scientist Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Colorado
Research scientist roles in Colorado span federal laboratories, biotech firms, and university research centers. Major employers like the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Ball Aerospace, and the University of Colorado system regularly hire for these positions. Denver, Boulder, and Fort Collins anchor most of the state's research activity, making Colorado a strong target for scientists seeking visa sponsorship.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The application window will be open until at least May 26, 2026. This opportunity will remain online based on business needs which may be before or after the specified date.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- PhD in Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
- Experience in the design, implementation, and characterization of optical systems.
- One or more scientific contributions, including publications in peer-reviewed journals or presentations at quantum technology conferences.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience in the use of industry-standard optical and mechanical design software.
- Knowledge of fourier optics principles.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with hardware engineering teams on heterogeneous system integration.
ABOUT THE JOB
As an organization, Google maintains a portfolio of research projects driven by fundamental research, new product innovation, product contribution and infrastructure goals, while providing individuals and teams the freedom to emphasize specific types of work. As a Research Scientist, you'll setup large-scale tests and deploy promising ideas quickly and broadly, managing deadlines and deliverables while applying the latest theories to develop new and improved products, processes, or technologies. From creating experiments and prototyping implementations to designing new architectures, our research scientists work on real-world problems that span the breadth of computer science, such as machine (and deep) learning, data mining, natural language processing, hardware and software performance analysis, improving compilers for mobile platforms, as well as core search and much more.
As a Research Scientist, you'll also actively contribute to the wider research community by sharing and publishing your findings, with ideas inspired by internal projects as well as from collaborations with research programs at partner universities and technical institutes all over the world.
The full potential of quantum computing will be unlocked with a computer capable of error-corrected computations. Google Quantum AI's mission is to build this computer and unlock solutions to classically intractable problems. Our roadmap is focused on advancing the capabilities of quantum computing and enabling meaningful applications.
Google Research is building the next generation of intelligent systems for all Google products. To achieve this, we’re working on projects that utilize the latest computer science techniques developed by skilled software developers and research scientists. Google Research teams collaborate closely with other teams across Google, maintaining the flexibility and versatility required to adapt new projects and foci that meet the demands of the world's fast-paced business needs.
The US base salary range for this full-time position is $174,000-$252,000 + bonus + equity + benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.
Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and do not include bonus, equity, or benefits. Learn more about benefits at Google.
Responsibilities
- Design and test optical systems to enable precise neutral atom manipulation and addressing capabilities.
- Evaluate and mitigate risks associated with relevant emerging optical technologies.
- Establish rigorous methodologies for the characterization of optical performance and system tolerancing across various modules.
- Engineer modular optical systems to support effective scaling of quantum systems.
- Contribute to the scientific community through the publication and formal dissemination of research outcomes.
Google is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. See also Google's EEO Policy and EEO is the Law. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know by completing our Accommodations for Applicants form.
INTRODUCTION
The application window will be open until at least May 26, 2026. This opportunity will remain online based on business needs which may be before or after the specified date.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- PhD in Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
- Experience in the design, implementation, and characterization of optical systems.
- One or more scientific contributions, including publications in peer-reviewed journals or presentations at quantum technology conferences.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience in the use of industry-standard optical and mechanical design software.
- Knowledge of fourier optics principles.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with hardware engineering teams on heterogeneous system integration.
ABOUT THE JOB
As an organization, Google maintains a portfolio of research projects driven by fundamental research, new product innovation, product contribution and infrastructure goals, while providing individuals and teams the freedom to emphasize specific types of work. As a Research Scientist, you'll setup large-scale tests and deploy promising ideas quickly and broadly, managing deadlines and deliverables while applying the latest theories to develop new and improved products, processes, or technologies. From creating experiments and prototyping implementations to designing new architectures, our research scientists work on real-world problems that span the breadth of computer science, such as machine (and deep) learning, data mining, natural language processing, hardware and software performance analysis, improving compilers for mobile platforms, as well as core search and much more.
As a Research Scientist, you'll also actively contribute to the wider research community by sharing and publishing your findings, with ideas inspired by internal projects as well as from collaborations with research programs at partner universities and technical institutes all over the world.
The full potential of quantum computing will be unlocked with a computer capable of error-corrected computations. Google Quantum AI's mission is to build this computer and unlock solutions to classically intractable problems. Our roadmap is focused on advancing the capabilities of quantum computing and enabling meaningful applications.
Google Research is building the next generation of intelligent systems for all Google products. To achieve this, we’re working on projects that utilize the latest computer science techniques developed by skilled software developers and research scientists. Google Research teams collaborate closely with other teams across Google, maintaining the flexibility and versatility required to adapt new projects and foci that meet the demands of the world's fast-paced business needs.
The US base salary range for this full-time position is $174,000-$252,000 + bonus + equity + benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.
Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and do not include bonus, equity, or benefits. Learn more about benefits at Google.
Responsibilities
- Design and test optical systems to enable precise neutral atom manipulation and addressing capabilities.
- Evaluate and mitigate risks associated with relevant emerging optical technologies.
- Establish rigorous methodologies for the characterization of optical performance and system tolerancing across various modules.
- Engineer modular optical systems to support effective scaling of quantum systems.
- Contribute to the scientific community through the publication and formal dissemination of research outcomes.
Google is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. See also Google's EEO Policy and EEO is the Law. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know by completing our Accommodations for Applicants form.
Research Scientist Job Roles in Colorado
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Search Research Scientist Jobs in ColoradoResearch Scientist Jobs in Colorado: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for research scientists in Colorado?
Federal research institutions and large aerospace and biotech employers account for a significant share of research scientist sponsorship in Colorado. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory, National Center for Atmospheric Research, Ball Aerospace, Lockheed Martin, and the University of Colorado campuses have all filed H-1B visa petitions for research scientist roles. Bioscience companies in the Denver metro area, including those clustered around the Fitzsimons Innovation Campus, also sponsor regularly.
Which visa types are most common for research scientist roles in Colorado?
The H-1B is the most common visa for research scientist positions in Colorado, as these roles typically require a specialized degree in a scientific field and qualify as specialty occupations. J-1 visas are also widely used for researchers coming through university exchange programs or national laboratory fellowships. Scientists with exceptional records may pursue the O-1A, and those with U.S.-earned PhDs sometimes explore EB-1 or EB-2 NIW immigrant pathways.
Which cities in Colorado have the most research scientist sponsorship jobs?
Boulder and Denver account for the largest concentration of research scientist sponsorship activity in Colorado. Boulder hosts the National Center for Atmospheric Research, NIST's Boulder campus, and the main University of Colorado campus, all of which sponsor research staff. Fort Collins is home to Colorado State University and several agricultural and atmospheric research programs. The Denver metro area adds biotech, aerospace, and energy research employers to the mix.
How to find research scientist visa sponsorship jobs in Colorado?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for roles that offer visa sponsorship, making it straightforward to search for research scientist positions in Colorado without sorting through employers who don't sponsor. You can narrow results by location to focus on Boulder, Denver, or Fort Collins. Migrate Mate also surfaces roles at national laboratories and university research centers that actively recruit international candidates, which are often underrepresented on general job platforms.
Are there state-specific factors that affect visa sponsorship for research scientists in Colorado?
Colorado's concentration of federally funded research institutions introduces one important consideration: some positions at national laboratories and defense contractors require security clearances, which are generally not accessible to non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents. This limits sponsorship eligibility for certain roles. However, many laboratory positions focused on climate, energy, and atmospheric science do not have clearance requirements and actively recruit international researchers with relevant doctoral training.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored research scientist jobs in Colorado?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.