AI Research Engineer Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
AI Research Engineer roles attract strong H-1B visa sponsorship from U.S. tech employers, and many positions also qualify under the O-1A visa for researchers with publications or patents. Demand across cloud, semiconductor, and defense AI labs has kept sponsorship rates consistently high for this specialty. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
See All AI Research Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 838+ AI Research Engineer jobs
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all 838+ AI Research Engineer jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new AI Research Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsOur mission at Duolingo is to develop the best education in the world and make it universally available. It's a big mission, and that's where you come in!
At Duolingo, you'll join a team that cares about finding innovative solutions to complex technical problems, running countless experiments (300+ at a time!) with our massive user base to make data-driven decisions, and educating our users and employees alike. You'll have limitless learning opportunities, mentorship and collaboration with world-class minds, and a variety of projects with large scopes — while doing work that's both fun and meaningful.
Join our life-changing mission to develop education for our half a billion (and growing!) learners around the world.
About the role...
We are looking for an experienced AI Research Engineer to join our Duolingo Monetization team. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record as an AI research engineer, with extensive experience across various machine learning techniques including large language models, multi-armed bandits, and more. They will have experience at all levels of the ML stack, including feature engineering, developing training data, fine-tuning, reinforcement learning, quality evaluations, deployment, and monitoring. On the Monetization team, we're building AI systems to improve the learning experience while driving our business, including deploying our research into bandit models to balance revenue and retention. Given the broad set of AI domains, broad experience in AI/ML is highly desirable.
You will...
- Join a full-stack team of frontend, backend and other AI Research engineers, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.
- Contribute to the development and training of bandit models and large-scale neural network models.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand their needs, to align the models' outputs with company objectives.
- Participate in and help drive strategic product and business decision making as a member of the Monetization leadership group.
- Stay up-to-date with the latest developments in machine learning, particularly in LLMs and bandits, and apply this knowledge to drive advancements in our projects.
- Mentor team members, providing guidance and support in their professional development.
- Ensure the delivery of high-quality, scalable, and efficient machine learning solutions.
✅ You have...
- Proven experience as an AI research engineer, for example, in LLMs, bandits, computer vision, or related fields.
- Strong background in training and fine-tuning large models in an applied setting.
- Advanced degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field with a focus on machine learning or artificial intelligence, or equivalent experience.
- Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to manage and inspire a team.
- Deep understanding of machine learning concepts, frameworks, and best practices.
Take a peek at how we care for our employees' holistic well-being with our benefits here.
We will do everything we can within reason to make sure that your interview takes place in an environment that fairly and accurately assesses your skills. If you need assistance or accommodation, please contact accommodations@duolingo.com.
Duolingo is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.
By applying for this position your data will be processed as per the Duolingo Applicant Privacy Notice.
Unfortunately, there is a rise in scammers pretending to be real Duolingo employees. Duolingo and our employees will never ask for your Social Security number, bank details, or passport info, and we'll never ask you to deposit a check, purchase equipment, or exchange money during the interview process. Real Duolingo employees always use an email that ends in @duolingo.com or @recruiting.duolingo.com. Stay alert and double-check these details before sharing any information.
Sign up for job alerts here.
Our mission at Duolingo is to develop the best education in the world and make it universally available. It's a big mission, and that's where you come in!
At Duolingo, you'll join a team that cares about finding innovative solutions to complex technical problems, running countless experiments (300+ at a time!) with our massive user base to make data-driven decisions, and educating our users and employees alike. You'll have limitless learning opportunities, mentorship and collaboration with world-class minds, and a variety of projects with large scopes — while doing work that's both fun and meaningful.
Join our life-changing mission to develop education for our half a billion (and growing!) learners around the world.
About the role...
We are looking for an experienced AI Research Engineer to join our Duolingo Monetization team. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record as an AI research engineer, with extensive experience across various machine learning techniques including large language models, multi-armed bandits, and more. They will have experience at all levels of the ML stack, including feature engineering, developing training data, fine-tuning, reinforcement learning, quality evaluations, deployment, and monitoring. On the Monetization team, we're building AI systems to improve the learning experience while driving our business, including deploying our research into bandit models to balance revenue and retention. Given the broad set of AI domains, broad experience in AI/ML is highly desirable.
You will...
- Join a full-stack team of frontend, backend and other AI Research engineers, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.
- Contribute to the development and training of bandit models and large-scale neural network models.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand their needs, to align the models' outputs with company objectives.
- Participate in and help drive strategic product and business decision making as a member of the Monetization leadership group.
- Stay up-to-date with the latest developments in machine learning, particularly in LLMs and bandits, and apply this knowledge to drive advancements in our projects.
- Mentor team members, providing guidance and support in their professional development.
- Ensure the delivery of high-quality, scalable, and efficient machine learning solutions.
✅ You have...
- Proven experience as an AI research engineer, for example, in LLMs, bandits, computer vision, or related fields.
- Strong background in training and fine-tuning large models in an applied setting.
- Advanced degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field with a focus on machine learning or artificial intelligence, or equivalent experience.
- Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to manage and inspire a team.
- Deep understanding of machine learning concepts, frameworks, and best practices.
Take a peek at how we care for our employees' holistic well-being with our benefits here.
We will do everything we can within reason to make sure that your interview takes place in an environment that fairly and accurately assesses your skills. If you need assistance or accommodation, please contact accommodations@duolingo.com.
Duolingo is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.
By applying for this position your data will be processed as per the Duolingo Applicant Privacy Notice.
Unfortunately, there is a rise in scammers pretending to be real Duolingo employees. Duolingo and our employees will never ask for your Social Security number, bank details, or passport info, and we'll never ask you to deposit a check, purchase equipment, or exchange money during the interview process. Real Duolingo employees always use an email that ends in @duolingo.com or @recruiting.duolingo.com. Stay alert and double-check these details before sharing any information.
Sign up for job alerts here.
See all 838+ AI Research Engineer jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new AI Research Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as an AI Research Engineer
Target employers with established H-1B filing histories
Companies like Google, Meta, Microsoft, and OpenAI file hundreds of H-1B petitions annually for research roles. Employers with existing immigration infrastructure move faster and are far less likely to back out after an offer.
Lead with publications, patents, and benchmarks
AI Research Engineer applications succeed when candidates demonstrate measurable research output. Papers on arXiv, NeurIPS acceptances, or model benchmarks give visa petitions concrete evidence of specialty occupation standing and strengthen O-1A eligibility significantly.
Clarify your degree field matches the role
H-1B specialty occupation requires a directly related degree. A PhD in computer science, electrical engineering, or statistics aligns cleanly. Applied mathematics or physics degrees typically qualify too, but include transcript evidence that your coursework covers machine learning specifically.
Ask about cap-exempt employer options early
Universities, federally funded research centers, and nonprofits affiliated with research institutions are H-1B cap-exempt. AI researchers working in academia or national labs can receive H-1B approval any time of year, bypassing the lottery entirely.
Consider the O-1A visa if you have a strong research record
If you have peer-reviewed publications, a high citation count, or have judged others' research, the O-1A is worth evaluating. It has no annual cap, no lottery, and approval rates for credentialed AI researchers with documented contributions run well above average.
AI Research Engineer jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find AI Research Engineer JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does an AI Research Engineer role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes, AI Research Engineer consistently qualifies as an H-1B specialty occupation. USCIS recognizes it as a role that normally requires at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field such as computer science, machine learning, or electrical engineering. Roles focused on model architecture, training pipelines, or applied research have strong approval histories, particularly when the employer can document that a theoretical and practical degree background is standard for the position.
Do I need a PhD to get H-1B sponsorship as an AI Research Engineer?
No, a PhD is not required, but it significantly strengthens both your sponsorship prospects and the visa petition itself. Most employers will sponsor candidates with a master's degree in a relevant field, especially when paired with publications, industry experience, or open-source contributions. Some roles at research-focused labs de facto prefer PhDs, so review job descriptions carefully. You can browse AI Research Engineer roles with sponsorship on Migrate Mate to see how requirements vary by employer.
Can I qualify for an O-1A visa as an AI Research Engineer?
Yes, and many AI researchers are stronger O-1A candidates than they realize. USCIS evaluates O-1A petitions across ten criteria, including published work in peer-reviewed venues, high citation counts, judging others' research, and contributions of major significance. Researchers with NeurIPS, ICML, or ICLR publications, or whose work is widely cited, often meet three or more criteria. The O-1A has no lottery and no cap, making it a practical alternative for researchers who miss the H-1B selection.
What happens to my visa status if I switch employers between research projects?
If you're on H-1B status, you can begin working for a new employer as soon as they file an H-1B transfer petition with USCIS, under H-1B portability rules, without waiting for approval. Your authorization continues as long as the new petition is non-frivolous and filed before your current status expires. If you're on STEM OPT, employer changes require updating your I-983 training plan within ten days, so notify your designated school official immediately when an offer is confirmed.
Which types of employers sponsor AI Research Engineer roles most reliably?
Large technology companies with dedicated AI divisions, semiconductor firms, cloud infrastructure providers, defense contractors, and academic medical centers with research arms are the most consistent sponsors. Universities and federally funded research centers are especially valuable because they are H-1B cap-exempt, meaning no lottery. Startups can and do sponsor, but their immigration infrastructure varies widely. Migrate Mate filters AI Research Engineer roles by sponsorship availability so you can identify employers already filing petitions in this category.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored AI Research Engineer jobs?
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.
See which AI Research Engineer employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
Search AI Research Engineer Jobs