Senior AI Software Engineer Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Michigan
Michigan's senior AI software engineer market is anchored by automotive tech giants like Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis, all investing heavily in machine learning for autonomous vehicles and connected systems. Detroit and Ann Arbor lead hiring, with the University of Michigan pipeline feeding demand. Visa sponsorship is active across both legacy automakers and AI-focused startups.
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Mission Statement
At Michigan Engineering, we develop people-first engineers who will shape the world for the better. Through discovery and innovation, we create the foundational knowledge and practical technologies that address today's pressing challenges, power industries, and change lives. Our programs and community are designed to promote personal well-being and achievement, enabling everyone to unlock their potential and contribute with confidence.
Job Summary
The Robotics Department in the College of Engineering at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor invites applications for one senior (tenure-track or tenured) faculty position in Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence, offered through the University of Michigan Faculty Expansion Program. The successful candidate will join our mission to accelerate advances in robotics for the benefit of society. Candidates will have a relevant doctorate or equivalent experience and an outstanding record of achievement and impactful research in academia, industry, and/or at national laboratories. They will have a strong record of commitment to teaching and mentorship at the undergraduate and graduate levels and to providing service to the university and to the profession.
Rank is commensurate with experience, from promotion-ready assistant professor through full professor. We seek an outstanding scholar whose work advances the theory and practice of AI-driven embodied systems that collaborate with humans in physical environments.
This position is a cornerstone of a broader university initiative in Human-Centered and Human-Embodied AI (HCAI). This position will reside in the Robotics Department, with the intention of strengthening synergies with the School of Information and the potential to seed a future multi-unit research center. The position supports the University's Vision 2034 strategic priorities, which emphasize impactful research in health, education, sustainability, and human-centered technology.
An ideal candidate will bring a demonstrated record of expertise and scholarship that is deeply connected to leading robotics and AI research, student engagement and experiential learning, and the values of the Robotics Department. Research contributions are expected to focus on developing responsible embodied AI systems for seamless human collaboration in physical environments, for areas including AI alignment, human-robot interaction, foundational models, collaborative robotics, multimodal interaction, AR/VR interfaces, and cognitive models of human-AI joint action. A successful candidate will be expected to develop a vigorous, externally funded research program in human-centered and human-embodied AI.
Please see application instructions and further information at https://robotics.umich.edu/jobs/. Application review will begin on November 1, 2026 and will continue on a rolling basis. All applications submitted by December 15, 2026 will receive full consideration. If you have any questions regarding the search process, please contact robotics-faculty-search@umich.edu.
The University of Michigan is one of the world's leading research universities, with $2.16B in research expenditures (FY2025). Consistently ranked among the top research universities by US News and NSF, it has 19 schools and colleges, and the University is rich with opportunities for collaboration and cross-disciplinary inquiry. The successful candidate will have access to Michigan's advanced robotics facilities and resources, opportunities to contribute to emerging research center development and industry partnerships, and support for technology transfer, spinoff companies, and licensable innovations.
We are located in Ann Arbor, MI, which is ranked the #1 U.S. City for Quality of Life by U.S. News and World Report (2024), #2 City with the Best Public Schools in America by Niche.com (2021), and #1 Best Places to Live for Families by Fortune (2022).
Employment will require a criminal background check and may require an institutional reference check regarding any misconduct. If an institutional reference check is necessary, candidates will be required to submit a self-disclosure form as well as an authorization to release information form.
Required Qualifications*
- A relevant doctorate or equivalent experience.
- An outstanding record of achievement and impactful research in academia, industry, and/or at national laboratories.
- A strong record of commitment to teaching and mentorship at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
- A strong record of providing service to the university and to the profession.
- Demonstrated experience and rank commensurate with a promotion-ready assistant professor through full professor level.
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Underfill Statement
This position is posted as Associate Professor/Professor. The rank of the selected candidate will depend upon the candidate's qualifications.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Job Opening ID
283509
Working Title
Professor / Associate Professor in Human-Centered Embodied Artificial Intelligence (Robotics)
Job Title
PROFESSOR
Work Location
Ann Arbor Campus
Ann Arbor, MI
Modes of Work
Onsite
Full/Part Time
Full-Time
Regular/Temporary
Regular
FLSA Status
Exempt
Organizational Group
College Engineering
Department
CoE Robotics
Posting Begin/End Date
9/25/2026 - 12/16/2026
Career Interest
Instructional - Regular
Senior AI Software Engineer Job Roles in Michigan
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Search Senior AI Software Engineer Jobs in MichiganSenior AI Software Engineer Jobs in Michigan: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for senior AI software engineers in Michigan?
Ford Motor Company, General Motors, and Stellantis are among the most active visa sponsors for senior AI software engineers in Michigan, particularly for roles tied to autonomous driving, computer vision, and predictive systems. Beyond automotive, companies like Waymo (with Michigan testing operations), Microsoft, and Amazon Web Services also sponsor in the state. AI-focused startups in Ann Arbor and Detroit have also filed H-1B visa petitions for senior engineering roles.
Which visa types are most common for senior AI software engineer roles in Michigan?
The H-1B is the most common visa category for senior AI software engineers in Michigan, as these roles typically qualify as specialty occupations requiring at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, machine learning, or a related field. Candidates with extraordinary ability may pursue the O-1A. Canadians and Mexicans may qualify under the TN visa for computer systems analyst roles. L-1B intracompany transfers are also used by multinationals with Michigan offices.
Which cities in Michigan have the most senior AI software engineer sponsorship jobs?
Ann Arbor and Detroit account for the majority of senior AI software engineer sponsorship activity in Michigan. Ann Arbor benefits from proximity to the University of Michigan and hosts a dense cluster of AI and autonomous vehicle companies. Dearborn is significant due to Ford's headquarters. Grand Rapids and Troy also have growing tech presences, though sponsorship volume there is lower than in the Ann Arbor-Detroit corridor.
How to find senior ai software engineer visa sponsorship jobs in Michigan?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international candidates seeking visa sponsorship and filters senior AI software engineer roles in Michigan by sponsorship history. This is more targeted than general job searches because it focuses on employers who have demonstrably sponsored similar roles. Michigan's automotive tech sector and Ann Arbor's startup scene make it worth filtering specifically by those cities and industries on Migrate Mate to surface the most relevant opportunities.
Are there any Michigan-specific factors senior AI software engineers should know before pursuing sponsorship?
Michigan's dominant automotive industry means many senior AI roles involve safety-critical applications, which can require additional credentialing or security clearance considerations beyond standard visa requirements. The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor creates a strong OPT-to-H-1B pipeline, so employers in the area are generally familiar with the sponsorship process. DOL prevailing wage determinations for senior AI engineers in Michigan reflect the Ann Arbor and Detroit metro areas separately, which can affect petition filings depending on the work location.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored senior ai software engineer jobs in Michigan?
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.