Research Software Engineer Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois
Research software engineer visa sponsorship jobs in Illinois are concentrated in Chicago's technology and research corridor, with major employers including Argonne National Laboratory, Fermilab, the University of Chicago, and companies like Morningstar and CME Group. The state's university network and national laboratory presence create consistent demand for internationally sponsored research engineering talent.
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Research Software Developer - NCSA
The National Center for Supercomputing Applications
Job Summary
To write software and tools to address scientific and other real world problems. Partner in NCSA's vision of being a home for addressing complex research problems in science and society, powered by the development and application of advanced and comprehensive digital environments. Collaborate with research teams and partners to address heterogeneous research questions and to ensure appropriate resources are available to deliver innovative research outcomes.
Duties & Responsibilities
Research Software Application and Development (80%)
- Engineer and develop software that addresses real world, complex problems with simple interfaces to powerful backend tools, and analyses across human resources, finance, communications, and administration, both independently and in collaboration with team members.
- Evaluate and integrate collaborative input, and design new approaches and techniques to address project-specific needs and critical technological challenges.
- Ensure project deliverables are completed within deadlines.
- Guide project team members in terms of developing software and tools, as well as in prioritization of deliverables and deadlines.
- Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses between varieties of novel approaches to software development problems.
- Work with internal customers to leverage synergies across projects.
- Design and support common cyberinfrastructure for a broad range of communities within the University.
- Employ methodologies and develop code which supports an environment of secure systems.
- Design and develop security-oriented programs which by nature defend against disruption or misdirection of services.
- Track activity in relevant fields both programmatic and domain-specific.
Research Communication (20%)
- Communicate findings with project colleagues to be used as needed in current programming and design efforts.
- Publish and present results of software research and development to contribute to internal documentation.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field plus three (3) years of experience in software development. Programming experience in one or more programming languages (e.g. Java, C++, Python, Scala, Ruby, Javascript). Six (6) months of experience researching, presenting, and/or publishing technical projects or papers in a professional or academic setting.
Appointment Information
This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after 11/12/2026. Salary is commensurate with experience. The salary range for this position is $87,027-$88,000.
This position is eligible for sponsorship for work authorization.
Application Procedures & Deadline Information
Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on November 22, 2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact Jewel Goodly at jgoodly@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.
At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — the state’s flagship public university and one of the world’s leading research institutions — every staff member helps shape what’s next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you’re empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence — where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.
Champaign-Urbana
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.
This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or accessibility@illinois.edu.
Requisition ID: 1038135
Job Category: Research
Research Software Engineer Job Roles in Illinois
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Search Research Software Engineer Jobs in IllinoisResearch Software Engineer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies in Illinois sponsor visas for research software engineers?
Illinois has a strong mix of academic institutions, national laboratories, and private firms that sponsor visas for research software engineers. Argonne National Laboratory and Fermilab both have established international hiring programs. The University of Chicago and Northwestern University regularly sponsor research engineering roles. In the private sector, companies like Morningstar, CME Group, and Chicago-based fintech and healthcare technology firms have active H-1B visa filing histories for software engineering positions.
Which visa types are available for research software engineers in Illinois?
Research software engineering is a specialty occupation requiring at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a closely related field, making it eligible for the H-1B, E-3 visa (Australian nationals), H-1B1 visa (Chilean and Singaporean nationals), and TN visa (Canadian and Mexican nationals holding an engineering degree). For longer-term residence, EB-2 or EB-3 employment-based green cards are common pathways, typically requiring PERM labor certification filed by the sponsoring employer.
How to find research software engineer visa sponsorship jobs in Illinois?
Migrate Mate lists research software engineer roles in Illinois from employers with verified visa sponsorship history, so you can focus on positions where sponsorship is already established rather than asking at the application stage. Filtering by Illinois and the research software engineering role category on Migrate Mate surfaces relevant openings across Chicago, Evanston, and the broader Chicagoland area, including positions at national laboratories and university-affiliated research centers.
Which Illinois cities have the most research software engineer sponsorship jobs?
Chicago is the dominant hiring market for sponsored research software engineers in Illinois, driven by its concentration of financial technology, healthcare IT, and enterprise software firms. Evanston benefits from Northwestern University's research programs, while the Chicagoland suburbs around Lemont and Batavia house Argonne National Laboratory and Fermilab respectively, both significant employers of internationally sponsored research engineering staff. Urbana-Champaign also generates demand through the University of Illinois.
Are there state-specific factors that affect visa sponsorship for research software engineers in Illinois?
Illinois's national laboratories, Argonne and Fermilab, operate under Department of Energy funding structures that influence their international hiring processes, often requiring additional clearance considerations alongside standard visa sponsorship. The University of Chicago and other research universities operate under cap-exempt H-1B status, meaning sponsored positions at these institutions are not subject to the annual H-1B cap and lottery, which makes academic and research institution roles particularly accessible for international candidates.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored research software engineer jobs in Illinois?
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.