AI Strategy Lead Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
AI Strategy Lead roles are actively sponsored under the H-1B visa, typically requiring a bachelor's degree or higher in computer science, data science, or a related field. Employers filing Labor Condition Applications for this title span consulting, tech, and enterprise sectors. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Edmund Optics is seeking a Senior Director of Artificial Intelligence to lead the strategy, development, and deployment of AI initiatives across the organization. This role will define the enterprise AI roadmap, and build and mentor a high-performing team. This role will partner with the continuous improvement team to determine areas within the organization that can benefit the most from AI, as well as working with the analytics team on the development and rollout of AI-driven solutions for Edmund Optics. This role will partner with engineering, manufacturing, sales, and IT leadership to embed AI into core business processes. The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise with strong business acumen and the ability to translate AI capabilities into measurable value for a global optics and photonics manufacturer.
Responsibilities
- Strategy & Vision: Define and drive the company-wide AI strategy, identifying high-impact opportunities across manufacturing, HR, quality control, supply chain, R&D, sales, and customer service.
- Leadership & Team Building: Recruit, develop, and lead a team of new to industry AI designers and project managers to implement major AI projects. Work with the analytics team to establish best practices for model development, deployment, and governance. Move towards a hub-and-spoke operating model, with a centralized team of specialists defining standards and practices while working closely with embedded teams across the business.
- Cross-Functional Partnership: Collaborate with continuous improvement and with major functional areas such as optical engineering, manufacturing operations, IT, and commercial teams to identify use cases for advancement (e.g., computer vision for defect detection, predictive maintenance, generative AI for design/quoting tools, customer-facing chat/support tools).
- Solution Delivery: Be accountable for the full lifecycle of AI projects — from proof of concept through production deployment and monitoring — ensuring scalability, reliability, and ROI.
- Data Infrastructure: Partner with IT, analytics, and cybersecurity to ensure the organization has the data pipelines, infrastructure, and governance needed to support AI initiatives.
- Innovation & Emerging Tech: Stay current on advances in AI (including large language models, computer vision, generative AI, agentic AI, and industrial AI applications) and assess applicability to optics manufacturing and photonics R&D.
- Responsible AI & Governance: Establish policies for data privacy, model risk, security, and ethical use of AI across the enterprise.
- Executive Communication: Report to senior leadership on AI initiative progress, business impact, budget, and risk; build the business case for continued AI investment.
- Vendor & Partnership Management: Evaluate and manage relationships with AI technology vendors, cloud providers, and external research partners.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Required Skills & Abilities
- Proven track record of deploying AI and/or ML solutions at scale in a manufacturing, industrial, or engineering-driven environment.
- Strong knowledge of machine learning, computer vision, agentic AI, and/or generative AI techniques and their practical business applications.
- Strong change management skills, especially implementing AI solutions in major functional areas of a large organization.
- Experience building and leading technical teams.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate technical concepts for non-technical executive stakeholders.
- Experience managing budgets and demonstrating ROI on technology investments.
- Comply with federal, state, and company policies, procedures, and regulations.
Education/Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or related field (Master's or PhD preferred).
- 5+ years of experience in AI, ML, data science, or related technical fields, with 5+ years in a leadership role adjacent to AI (computer science, engineering, data analytics or other related fields).
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience in optics, photonics, precision manufacturing, or a related technical industry.
- Experience with cloud AI or ML platforms, especially agentic AI tools.
- Experience with AI data platforms, especially Snowflake.
Physical Requirements
Ability to operate office equipment such as a copier; ability to see details at a close range; ability to sit at desk or PC for long periods of time; work in office setting.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
Think you meet some of the requirements but not all? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs for which they do not meet every qualification. If you see a role that interests you, we encourage you to apply, regardless of whether or not your experience is completely aligned with the job description. Edmund Optics is committed to becoming the most diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace within the Optics and Photonics Industry and beyond. You may be a great candidate for this role or others within Edmund Optics.
COMPENSATION RANGE TRANSPARENCY
At Edmund Optics, we are committed to transparency and equity in our hiring practices. The posted salary range for this role reflects the expected base pay. The actual offer will be based on multiple factors, including but not limited to relevant skills, education, work experience, business needs, and geographic location.
Salary Range:
$190,000 - $235,000 per year
BENEFITS:
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Life, AD&D, Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Tuition Reimbursement
- 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match up to 3%
- Daycare and Gym Reimbursement
- Paid Parental Leave and New Mother Benefits
- Training and Development Opportunities
Availability of these benefits may depend on the country and employment type.
INTRODUCTION
Edmund Optics is seeking a Senior Director of Artificial Intelligence to lead the strategy, development, and deployment of AI initiatives across the organization. This role will define the enterprise AI roadmap, and build and mentor a high-performing team. This role will partner with the continuous improvement team to determine areas within the organization that can benefit the most from AI, as well as working with the analytics team on the development and rollout of AI-driven solutions for Edmund Optics. This role will partner with engineering, manufacturing, sales, and IT leadership to embed AI into core business processes. The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise with strong business acumen and the ability to translate AI capabilities into measurable value for a global optics and photonics manufacturer.
Responsibilities
- Strategy & Vision: Define and drive the company-wide AI strategy, identifying high-impact opportunities across manufacturing, HR, quality control, supply chain, R&D, sales, and customer service.
- Leadership & Team Building: Recruit, develop, and lead a team of new to industry AI designers and project managers to implement major AI projects. Work with the analytics team to establish best practices for model development, deployment, and governance. Move towards a hub-and-spoke operating model, with a centralized team of specialists defining standards and practices while working closely with embedded teams across the business.
- Cross-Functional Partnership: Collaborate with continuous improvement and with major functional areas such as optical engineering, manufacturing operations, IT, and commercial teams to identify use cases for advancement (e.g., computer vision for defect detection, predictive maintenance, generative AI for design/quoting tools, customer-facing chat/support tools).
- Solution Delivery: Be accountable for the full lifecycle of AI projects — from proof of concept through production deployment and monitoring — ensuring scalability, reliability, and ROI.
- Data Infrastructure: Partner with IT, analytics, and cybersecurity to ensure the organization has the data pipelines, infrastructure, and governance needed to support AI initiatives.
- Innovation & Emerging Tech: Stay current on advances in AI (including large language models, computer vision, generative AI, agentic AI, and industrial AI applications) and assess applicability to optics manufacturing and photonics R&D.
- Responsible AI & Governance: Establish policies for data privacy, model risk, security, and ethical use of AI across the enterprise.
- Executive Communication: Report to senior leadership on AI initiative progress, business impact, budget, and risk; build the business case for continued AI investment.
- Vendor & Partnership Management: Evaluate and manage relationships with AI technology vendors, cloud providers, and external research partners.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Required Skills & Abilities
- Proven track record of deploying AI and/or ML solutions at scale in a manufacturing, industrial, or engineering-driven environment.
- Strong knowledge of machine learning, computer vision, agentic AI, and/or generative AI techniques and their practical business applications.
- Strong change management skills, especially implementing AI solutions in major functional areas of a large organization.
- Experience building and leading technical teams.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate technical concepts for non-technical executive stakeholders.
- Experience managing budgets and demonstrating ROI on technology investments.
- Comply with federal, state, and company policies, procedures, and regulations.
Education/Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or related field (Master's or PhD preferred).
- 5+ years of experience in AI, ML, data science, or related technical fields, with 5+ years in a leadership role adjacent to AI (computer science, engineering, data analytics or other related fields).
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience in optics, photonics, precision manufacturing, or a related technical industry.
- Experience with cloud AI or ML platforms, especially agentic AI tools.
- Experience with AI data platforms, especially Snowflake.
Physical Requirements
Ability to operate office equipment such as a copier; ability to see details at a close range; ability to sit at desk or PC for long periods of time; work in office setting.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
Think you meet some of the requirements but not all? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs for which they do not meet every qualification. If you see a role that interests you, we encourage you to apply, regardless of whether or not your experience is completely aligned with the job description. Edmund Optics is committed to becoming the most diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace within the Optics and Photonics Industry and beyond. You may be a great candidate for this role or others within Edmund Optics.
COMPENSATION RANGE TRANSPARENCY
At Edmund Optics, we are committed to transparency and equity in our hiring practices. The posted salary range for this role reflects the expected base pay. The actual offer will be based on multiple factors, including but not limited to relevant skills, education, work experience, business needs, and geographic location.
Salary Range:
$190,000 - $235,000 per year
BENEFITS:
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Life, AD&D, Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Tuition Reimbursement
- 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match up to 3%
- Daycare and Gym Reimbursement
- Paid Parental Leave and New Mother Benefits
- Training and Development Opportunities
Availability of these benefits may depend on the country and employment type.
See all 2,629+ AI Strategy Lead Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new AI Strategy Lead roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding AI Strategy Lead Jobs
Frame your degree field precisely
USCIS scrutinizes whether your degree directly supports the role. A degree in computer science, data science, or management information systems ties cleanly to AI strategy work. A general business degree alone may trigger a Request for Evidence.
Quantify AI impact in your application materials
Sponsoring employers need to justify the specialty occupation standard to USCIS. Concrete outcomes, such as revenue influenced by AI initiatives or models deployed at scale, strengthen the employer's petition and reduce the risk of scrutiny.
Target employers with a proven H-1B filing history
Not every company that posts an AI Strategy Lead role has experience navigating H-1B sponsorship. Prioritize employers whose DOL Labor Condition Application filings show consistent sponsorship for strategy and technology leadership roles.
Distinguish strategy from pure research in your resume
AI Strategy Lead is a hybrid role. USCIS approvals favor applicants who clearly demonstrate applied business application of AI, not just research. Emphasize cross-functional leadership, product integration, and enterprise implementation alongside technical credentials.
Understand where you sit in the H-1B lottery timeline
If you need cap-subject H-1B sponsorship, registration opens in March for an October 1 start. Roles at universities or nonprofits are cap-exempt, allowing year-round filing. Know which category your target employer falls into before accepting an offer.
Consider O-1A as a parallel path
AI strategy professionals with published work, speaking engagements, or demonstrable industry recognition may qualify for the O-1A visa for extraordinary ability. This bypasses the H-1B lottery entirely and is worth exploring before each registration cycle closes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an AI Strategy Lead role considered a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Generally yes, provided the employer can document that the position requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific technical or analytical field. USCIS expects the degree requirement to be standard across the industry for this type of role. If the job description accepts any degree field or treats a degree as preferred rather than required, it weakens the specialty occupation argument and raises the likelihood of a Request for Evidence.
What degree fields are most commonly accepted for AI Strategy Lead sponsorship?
Computer science, data science, artificial intelligence, management information systems, and applied mathematics are the most defensible fields. Some employers also accept engineering or statistics degrees depending on the role's technical depth. A general MBA without an underlying technical degree creates more risk, as USCIS may question whether the specific degree field is truly required for the position's core duties.
How competitive is H-1B sponsorship for AI strategy roles compared to pure engineering roles?
The H-1B lottery treats all cap-subject petitions equally regardless of job title, so selection odds are the same. The difference is in post-selection approval rates. Strategy roles face slightly more scrutiny than pure engineering roles because the specialty occupation standard is easier to establish for narrowly defined technical work. Strong job descriptions and degree alignment reduce this risk significantly.
Can work experience substitute for a formal degree when applying for AI Strategy Lead roles that offer sponsorship?
Under H-1B rules, three years of specialized work experience can substitute for one year of formal education, meaning 12 years of relevant experience can replace a four-year degree entirely. However, employers sponsoring this specific role may still require a formal degree as a company policy. Confirm the employer's internal requirements separately from the USCIS substitution rules before assuming experience will satisfy both.
Where can I find AI Strategy Lead jobs that offer visa sponsorship?
Migrate Mate curates visa-sponsoring employers and filters roles by sponsorship willingness, which removes the guesswork of identifying which companies will support your application. AI Strategy Lead roles appear across enterprise technology, management consulting, and financial services sectors on the platform. Browsing by role type on Migrate Mate lets you focus your outreach on employers already familiar with the H-1B process for senior strategy positions.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored AI Strategy Lead 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.