Machine Learning Research Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship

Machine learning research roles attract strong H-1B visa sponsorship from tech companies, national labs, and AI-focused startups. Most positions require a master's or PhD in computer science or a related field, and employers regularly sponsor both H-1B and O-1A visas for qualified researchers. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.

Find Machine Learning Research Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs440+
Top Visa TypeH-1B
Work Type86% On-site
Top LocationSan Jose, CA
Most JobsApple

Showing 5 of 440+ Machine Learning Research jobs

JPMorganChase
Applied AI ML Researcher Director
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JPMorganChase
New 11h ago
Applied AI ML Researcher Director
JPMorganChase
Palo Alto, California
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
Technical Product & Program Management
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
ML (Machine Learning)
Data Science
$223k - $325k/yr
On-Site
Doctorate

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Intuitive (Intuitive Surgical)
Senior AI/ML Research Engineer
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Intuitive (Intuitive Surgical)
Added 6d ago
Senior AI/ML Research Engineer
Intuitive (Intuitive Surgical)
Sunnyvale, California
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
ML (Machine Learning)
Data Science
$167k - $241k/yr
On-Site
Master's

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Optimal Inc.
Machine Learning Research Engineer
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Optimal Inc.
Added 1w ago
Machine Learning Research Engineer
Optimal Inc.
Warren, Michigan
Data Science & Analytics
Software Engineering
Data Science
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
On-Site
Doctorate

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Cognitiv
Director, ML Research Science
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Cognitiv
Added 1w ago
Director, ML Research Science
Cognitiv
San Mateo, California
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
Data Science
$330k/yr
Hybrid
Master's

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Liquid AI
ML Research Engineer
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Liquid AI
Added 1w ago
ML Research Engineer
Liquid AI
San Francisco, California
Data Science & Analytics
Software Engineering
Data Engineering
Data Science
Hybrid
Master's

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Tips for Finding Machine Learning Research Jobs

Target employers with a research division, not just an ML team

Companies like Google DeepMind, Microsoft Research, and Meta FAIR file LCAs specifically for research scientist roles. These divisions have established sponsorship pipelines and dedicated immigration counsel, making the process faster and more predictable than smaller engineering teams.

A PhD significantly strengthens your H-1B specialty occupation case

USCIS scrutinizes whether machine learning research qualifies as a specialty occupation. A doctoral degree in computer science, statistics, or a related field removes most of that ambiguity and supports a cleaner petition, especially for research-focused roles without a product deliverable.

Published research and citations are O-1A evidence, not just resume polish

If you have peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations at NeurIPS or ICML, or high citation counts, document them carefully. These directly support O-1A criteria for original contributions and judging, giving you an alternative if H-1B lottery selection doesn't go your way.

National labs and universities sponsor without the H-1B lottery

Institutions like MIT Lincoln Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, and most research universities are cap-exempt H-1B employers. That means no lottery wait and year-round filing, which matters if you're on OPT with a ticking clock or between visa statuses.

Clarify whether the role is research or applied engineering before applying

Employers sometimes list "machine learning research" roles that are effectively product engineering positions. The distinction matters for visa framing. A role requiring original research and publication supports a stronger petition than one focused primarily on model deployment and infrastructure.

OPT STEM extension gives you 36 months to secure H-1B sponsorship

Machine learning research falls under CIP codes eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Combined with initial OPT, that's up to 36 months of work authorization, giving you three H-1B lottery cycles to find a sponsoring employer before needing another visa pathway.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do machine learning research roles commonly get H-1B sponsorship?

Yes. Machine learning research is among the most actively sponsored role categories in the H-1B visa program. Tech companies, AI startups, and research institutions file thousands of LCAs annually for these positions. The role's clear degree requirement in computer science, statistics, or a related field satisfies USCIS specialty occupation standards reliably, making denials on that basis relatively uncommon for genuine research positions. Browse open roles on Migrate Mate to find employers with active sponsorship histories.

Does my degree field need to match machine learning research specifically?

Not exactly, but it needs to be directly related. A bachelor's or advanced degree in computer science, electrical engineering, statistics, applied mathematics, or data science typically satisfies the H-1B specialty occupation requirement for ML research roles. A degree in an unrelated field, even with significant self-taught ML skills, creates petition risk. USCIS looks for a direct relationship between the field of study and the duties of the role.

Is the O-1A visa a realistic option for machine learning researchers?

For researchers with a strong publication record, it can be. The O-1A requires evidence of extraordinary ability, which for ML researchers typically means peer-reviewed publications at top venues like NeurIPS, ICML, or ICLR, high citation counts, peer review service, or awards in the field. Meeting three of the eight O-1A criteria is the threshold. Researchers early in their career may not yet meet it, but mid-career researchers with a meaningful publication history often do.

What happens to my visa sponsorship if my research project ends or the company pivots?

Your H-1B status is tied to your employer, not your project. If the company terminates your role, your employer is legally required to pay for your return transportation home, and you enter a 60-day grace period to find a new sponsor, change status, or depart. If you move to a new employer, they must file an H-1B transfer petition, which allows you to start work upon receipt. Keeping your job search proactive before any project ends reduces the risk of a gap.

Can I switch from a research role to an applied ML engineering role on the same H-1B?

Only if the new role is within the same specialty occupation category and the material change rules are followed. A significant change in job duties, location, or employer requires an amended H-1B petition before you make the switch. Moving from pure research to product-focused ML engineering may or may not constitute a material change depending on how different the duties are. Your employer's immigration counsel should evaluate the specific role change before you transition.

What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Machine Learning Research 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.

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