Machine Learning Scientist Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Machine learning scientist roles consistently rank among the highest for H-1B visa sponsorship, with tech companies regularly filing petitions for ML engineers, research scientists, and AI specialists. The role's advanced degree requirements and specialized skillset align perfectly with specialty occupation criteria, making visa approval rates favorable for qualified candidates. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsSUMMARY
At Apple, we believe privacy is a fundamental human right. Our Security Engineering & Architecture (SEAR) organization is at the forefront of protecting billions of users worldwide, building security into every product, service, and experience we create. The SEAR ML Security Engineering team combines cutting-edge machine learning with world-class security engineering to defend against evolving threats at unprecedented scale. We're responsible for developing intelligent security systems for Apple Intelligence that protect Apple's ecosystem while preserving the privacy our users expect and deserve. We're seeking a ML Security Research Scientist who operates at the intersection of applied research and production impact. You'll lead original security research on agentic ML systems deployed at scale—driving secure agentic design directly into shipping products, identifying real vulnerabilities in tool-using models and designing adversarial evaluations that reflect actual attacker behavior. You'll work at the boundary between research, platform engineering, and product security, translating findings into architectural decisions, launch requirements, and long-term hardening strategies that protect billions of users. Your impact will be measured by risk reduction in production systems that ship.
DESCRIPTION
This role focuses on applied security research for production ML systems, with an emphasis on agentic and tool-using models deployed at scale. You will lead research efforts that surface real security risks in shipped or near-shipped systems, and you will drive mitigations that integrate cleanly into Apple’s ML platforms and products. You will operate at the boundary between research, platform engineering, and product security, conducting original research grounded in real system behavior and translating it into concrete design changes, launch requirements, and long-term hardening strategies. Impact is measured by risk reduction in production, not theoretical results alone.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Ph.D. or equivalent experience in machine learning, security, systems, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience in applied ML security, adversarial ML, or systems security with real-world impact.
- Strong experimental and engineering skills, with an emphasis on reproducibility and operational relevance.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience researching or securing LLM-based or tool-augmented ML systems.
- Ability to work fluidly across research, engineering, and security review processes.
- Track record of influencing production systems through research-driven insights.
- Publications in top venues are a plus, but production impact is the primary signal.
COMPENSATION
- Base pay range for this role is between $184,700 and $277,600, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple’s discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You’ll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses — including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation.
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.
Apple believes accessibility is a fundamental human right. You’ll find that idea reflected in everything here — in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong.
Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.
SUMMARY
At Apple, we believe privacy is a fundamental human right. Our Security Engineering & Architecture (SEAR) organization is at the forefront of protecting billions of users worldwide, building security into every product, service, and experience we create. The SEAR ML Security Engineering team combines cutting-edge machine learning with world-class security engineering to defend against evolving threats at unprecedented scale. We're responsible for developing intelligent security systems for Apple Intelligence that protect Apple's ecosystem while preserving the privacy our users expect and deserve. We're seeking a ML Security Research Scientist who operates at the intersection of applied research and production impact. You'll lead original security research on agentic ML systems deployed at scale—driving secure agentic design directly into shipping products, identifying real vulnerabilities in tool-using models and designing adversarial evaluations that reflect actual attacker behavior. You'll work at the boundary between research, platform engineering, and product security, translating findings into architectural decisions, launch requirements, and long-term hardening strategies that protect billions of users. Your impact will be measured by risk reduction in production systems that ship.
DESCRIPTION
This role focuses on applied security research for production ML systems, with an emphasis on agentic and tool-using models deployed at scale. You will lead research efforts that surface real security risks in shipped or near-shipped systems, and you will drive mitigations that integrate cleanly into Apple’s ML platforms and products. You will operate at the boundary between research, platform engineering, and product security, conducting original research grounded in real system behavior and translating it into concrete design changes, launch requirements, and long-term hardening strategies. Impact is measured by risk reduction in production, not theoretical results alone.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Ph.D. or equivalent experience in machine learning, security, systems, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience in applied ML security, adversarial ML, or systems security with real-world impact.
- Strong experimental and engineering skills, with an emphasis on reproducibility and operational relevance.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience researching or securing LLM-based or tool-augmented ML systems.
- Ability to work fluidly across research, engineering, and security review processes.
- Track record of influencing production systems through research-driven insights.
- Publications in top venues are a plus, but production impact is the primary signal.
COMPENSATION
- Base pay range for this role is between $184,700 and $277,600, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple’s discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You’ll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses — including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation.
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.
Apple believes accessibility is a fundamental human right. You’ll find that idea reflected in everything here — in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong.
Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.
See all 4,016+ Machine Learning Scientist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Machine Learning Scientist
Target companies with active ML research divisions
Focus on employers like Google DeepMind, Microsoft Research, OpenAI, and Meta AI. These companies regularly sponsor visas for ML scientists and understand the specialized nature of the role.
Emphasize your advanced degree in a relevant field
Machine learning scientist positions typically require at least a master's degree in computer science, statistics, mathematics, or related field. PhD holders have stronger visa petition cases.
Highlight specialized ML frameworks and research experience
Document expertise in TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn, and published research. USCIS recognizes ML as a specialty occupation requiring specific technical knowledge and advanced training.
Consider both tech companies and research institutions
Universities, national labs, and research institutes also sponsor H-1B visas for ML scientists. These employers often have cap-exempt status, avoiding the annual lottery entirely.
Build a portfolio demonstrating real-world ML applications
Showcase projects involving deep learning, natural language processing, computer vision, or reinforcement learning. Concrete examples strengthen your specialty occupation case during the petition process.
Network through ML conferences and academic publications
Connect with potential sponsors at NeurIPS, ICML, or ICLR conferences. Co-authored papers with U.S. researchers can open doors to academic or industry positions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do machine learning scientists qualify for H-1B specialty occupation requirements?
Yes, machine learning scientist roles consistently meet H-1B visa specialty occupation criteria. The position requires advanced knowledge in mathematics, statistics, computer science, and specialized ML frameworks. Most employers require at least a master's degree in a relevant field, and the role involves complex algorithm development that clearly demonstrates specialized expertise.
What degree fields qualify for machine learning scientist visa petitions?
Computer science, mathematics, statistics, electrical engineering, physics, and data science degrees typically qualify. The key is demonstrating how your coursework relates to machine learning fundamentals like linear algebra, probability theory, algorithms, and programming. A PhD in any of these fields significantly strengthens your petition case.
Are machine learning scientists eligible for cap-exempt H-1B positions?
Yes, if working for universities, affiliated research institutions, or nonprofit research organizations. Many academic ML positions are cap-exempt, meaning no lottery participation required. Private companies are generally cap-subject, but some have university affiliations that may qualify for exemptions.
How do ML scientists demonstrate extraordinary ability for O-1 visas?
O-1 visa criteria include published research papers, conference presentations, peer review activities, high-impact citations, and recognition awards. Leading ML research projects, developing novel algorithms, or contributing to widely-used frameworks can also demonstrate extraordinary ability in the field.
Can machine learning scientists transition from F-1 student status to work visas?
Yes, through OPT and STEM OPT extensions totaling up to 36 months. This provides time to find sponsoring employers and participate in H-1B lotteries. Many ML PhD students also transition directly to cap-exempt academic positions or receive National Interest Waiver green cards based on their research contributions.
How to find Machine Learning Scientist jobs with visa sponsorship?
To find Machine Learning Scientist positions with visa sponsorship, use Migrate Mate, which specializes in connecting international talent with sponsoring employers. Focus on tech companies, research institutions, and AI startups that commonly sponsor H-1B, O-1, or EB-2 visas for ML roles. These employers actively seek candidates with expertise in deep learning, neural networks, and data science to drive their AI initiatives.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Machine Learning Scientist 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.