Artificial Intelligence STEM OPT Jobs in Illinois
Artificial intelligence F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Illinois are concentrated in Chicago, where employers like Google, Salesforce, and Uptake actively hire AI engineers, ML researchers, and data scientists. Illinois's dense tech corridor and proximity to top research universities make it a strong market for STEM OPT candidates in AI roles.
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INTRODUCTION
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and it’s in the applicant's best interest to apply early. The anticipated application window is open until July 17, 2026, but may close earlier if all available projects are full. Applications submitted after the application window or once the role is closed/projects are full will not be considered. Participation in this program requires that you are located in the United States for the duration of the engagement. This opportunity is intended for students who are pursuing a PhD degree program in Computer Science or a related field. Our Student Researcher opportunities are flexible in time commitment, length of opportunity, and onsite/remote nature, depending on the specific project and host needs. Start dates for this role are typically January through July. This program is intended for students who will not be seeking full time employment following this role, as this program is non-conversion eligible. Google is a global company and, in order to facilitate efficient collaboration and communication globally, English proficiency is a requirement for this internship program. To start the application process, you will need an updated CV or resume and a current unofficial or official transcript in English (PDFs preferred).
Please ensure your anticipated graduation dates (in MM/YY) and any proficiency in coding languages are listed on the resume.
Applicants in the County of Los Angeles: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act. Applicants in San Francisco: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act. In accordance with Washington state law, we are highlighting our comprehensive benefits package, which is available to all eligible US based employees.
Benefits for this role include:
- Health, dental, vision, life, disability insurance
- Retirement Benefits: 401(k) with company match
- Paid Time Off: 20 days of vacation per year, accruing at a rate of 6.15 hours per pay period for the first five years of employment
- Sick Time: 40 hours/year (statutory, where applicable); 5 days/event (discretionary)
- Maternity Leave (Short-Term Disability + Baby Bonding): 28-30 weeks
- Baby Bonding Leave: 18 weeks
- Holidays: 13 paid days per year
Note: By applying to this position you will have an opportunity to share your preferred working location from the following: Mountain View, CA, USA; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Atlanta, GA, USA; Austin, TX, USA; Cambridge, MA, USA; Chicago, IL, USA; Irvine, CA, USA; Kirkland, WA, USA; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Madison, WI, USA; New York, NY, USA; Palo Alto, CA, USA; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Goleta, CA, USA; San Bruno, CA, USA; Seattle, WA, USA; San Francisco, CA, USA; Sunnyvale, CA, USA; Washington D.C., DC, USA.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Currently enrolled in a PhD degree in Computer Science, Linguistics, Statistics, Biostatistics, Applied Mathematics, Operations Research, Economics, Natural Sciences, or related technical field.
- Experience in one area of computer science (e.g., Natural Language Understanding, Human Computer Interactions, Computer Vision, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Algorithmic Foundations of Optimization, Quantum Information Science, Data Science, Software Engineering, or similar areas).
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Currently enrolled in a full-time degree program and returning to the program after completion of the internship.
- Currently attending a degree program in the United States.
- Experience as a researcher, including internships, full-time, or at a lab.
- Experience contributing to research communities or efforts, including publishing papers in major conferences or journals.
- Experience with one or more general purpose programming languages (e.g., Python, Java, JavaScript, C/C++, etc.).
ABOUT THE JOB
The Student Researcher Program fosters academic collaborations by hiring students onto research projects aligned to company priorities in scientific advancement. The program offers placements on teams across Google, for research, engineering, and science roles. As a Student Researcher, you will have the opportunity to participate in research projects focused on developing solutions for real-world, large-scale problems. Student Researcher projects are exploratory and experiences that drive scientific advancement across a multitude of research areas. Students will work collaboratively on projects that explore innovative research challenges and support the creation of breakthrough technologies. Projects vary in duration and location based on team and student requirements. It is required that you are located in one of the specific country locations identified for this role for the full duration of the engagement. When you apply, you will be considered for Student Researcher positions across all of Google's research teams including Google DeepMind, Google Research, Google Cloud and more. This allows us to find the right project match for your skills and interests. Researchers across Google are working to advance the state of the art in computing and build the next generation of intelligent systems for all Google products. To achieve this, we invest in foundational research and work on projects that utilize the latest computer science techniques developed by skilled software developers and research scientists. Whether we're shaping the future of sustainability, optimizing algorithms, or pioneering AI systems, our teams strive to continuously progress science, advance society, and improve the lives of billions of people.
COMPENSATION
The US base salary range for this full-time position is $113,000-$150,000. 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
- Participate in research to develop solutions for real-world, large-scale problems.
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.
STEM OPT Artificial Intelligence Job Roles in Illinois
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Search Artificial Intelligence Jobs in IllinoisArtificial Intelligence STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
Which artificial intelligence companies sponsor F-1 STEM OPT visas in Illinois?
Chicago-based and Illinois-operating employers with documented F-1 STEM OPT hiring in artificial intelligence include Salesforce, Google, Morningstar, Uptake, and Narrative Science. Large financial technology firms such as Enova and trading companies like Citadel and DRW also sponsor AI roles. University-affiliated research institutions including the University of Chicago and Northwestern University hire STEM OPT candidates for AI research positions as well.
Which cities in Illinois have the most artificial intelligence F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Chicago accounts for the overwhelming majority of artificial intelligence STEM OPT sponsorship opportunities in Illinois, driven by its concentration of fintech, enterprise software, and healthcare technology employers. Evanston hosts Northwestern University's AI research groups, which employ STEM OPT students and recent graduates. The Chicago suburb corridor along the Metra Union Pacific North line also has a growing cluster of technology employers with AI hiring history.
What types of artificial intelligence roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship?
Roles that consistently qualify include machine learning engineer, data scientist, natural language processing researcher, computer vision engineer, AI research scientist, and MLOps engineer. These positions typically require a degree in computer science, electrical engineering, mathematics, or statistics, all designated STEM fields under the STEM OPT extension. The job duties must align with your degree field for the role to qualify, which AI engineering and research positions generally satisfy when matched to a relevant STEM degree.
How do I find artificial intelligence F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Illinois?
Migrate Mate filters artificial intelligence job listings specifically for F-1 STEM OPT candidates in Illinois, surfacing employers with verified sponsorship history so you are not applying blindly. You can filter by city, role type, and visa category to target Chicago-area AI employers who have filed for STEM OPT workers before. Checking an employer's DOL Labor Condition Application filings through the OFLC Wage Search can also confirm whether a specific Illinois company has sponsored AI roles previously.
Are there any state-specific or industry-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Illinois AI roles?
Illinois does not impose state-level visa sponsorship restrictions, but employers in Chicago's financial technology and algorithmic trading sectors sometimes have security clearance or background check requirements that can affect STEM OPT candidates. Illinois AI employers in healthcare technology must also comply with HIPAA staffing considerations. Because Chicago hosts several cap-exempt research institutions, STEM OPT candidates working in university-affiliated AI labs may have additional H-1B visa transition pathways through those employers compared to purely commercial firms.