Senior Statistical Programmer Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Senior Statistical Programmers consistently rank among the most sponsored roles in pharma and biotech. Companies like Pfizer, Merck, and AstraZeneca regularly file H-1B and O-1 petitions for this title. A biostatistics, statistics, or computer science degree is typically required. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsRole: Senior Statistical Programmer
Contract Duration: 12+ Months
Start Date: ASAP
Location: Remote – must work core Pacific Time hours
Position Summary
A clinical-stage biotech company based in the Bay Area is seeking a Senior Statistical Programmer to provide long-term contract support. The organization is focused on the development of oncology therapeutics, and with a growing pipeline, the programming team requires additional senior-level expertise. This role will specifically focus on CDISC SDTM standards, requiring deep, hands-on experience in SDTM mapping and implementation for oncology clinical trials. The ideal candidate will be a subject matter expert in SDTM who can lead dataset development efforts, ensure regulatory compliance, and provide technical guidance to cross-functional teams.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the development, mapping, and implementation of CDISC SDTM datasets for oncology clinical studies.
- Translate raw clinical data into compliant SDTM domains according to CDISC standards and sponsor requirements.
- Develop and maintain SDTM specifications and mapping documentation.
- Perform hands-on SAS programming to create, validate, and quality control SDTM datasets.
- Ensure SDTM deliverables are submission-ready and compliant with regulatory standards.
- Collaborate with Biostatistics, Data Management, and Clinical teams to resolve data and mapping issues.
- Review CRFs, CRF annotations, and protocols to ensure accurate SDTM mapping.
- Support regulatory submissions and respond to data-related queries as needed.
Top Requirements
- 10–15+ years of statistical programming experience in clinical research, preferably with small to mid-sized sponsor companies
- Extensive expertise in CDISC SDTM standards with strong hands-on SDTM mapping and implementation experience for oncology trials
- Oncology experience required, with solid tumor experience strongly preferred (RECIST criteria)
- Advanced SAS programming skills with a focus on SDTM dataset creation and validation.
- Experience preparing SDTM datasets for regulatory submissions (e.g., FDA/EMA).
- Ability to work independently and serve as an SDTM subject matter expert within the programming team.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively in a cross-functional environment.
Role: Senior Statistical Programmer
Contract Duration: 12+ Months
Start Date: ASAP
Location: Remote – must work core Pacific Time hours
Position Summary
A clinical-stage biotech company based in the Bay Area is seeking a Senior Statistical Programmer to provide long-term contract support. The organization is focused on the development of oncology therapeutics, and with a growing pipeline, the programming team requires additional senior-level expertise. This role will specifically focus on CDISC SDTM standards, requiring deep, hands-on experience in SDTM mapping and implementation for oncology clinical trials. The ideal candidate will be a subject matter expert in SDTM who can lead dataset development efforts, ensure regulatory compliance, and provide technical guidance to cross-functional teams.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the development, mapping, and implementation of CDISC SDTM datasets for oncology clinical studies.
- Translate raw clinical data into compliant SDTM domains according to CDISC standards and sponsor requirements.
- Develop and maintain SDTM specifications and mapping documentation.
- Perform hands-on SAS programming to create, validate, and quality control SDTM datasets.
- Ensure SDTM deliverables are submission-ready and compliant with regulatory standards.
- Collaborate with Biostatistics, Data Management, and Clinical teams to resolve data and mapping issues.
- Review CRFs, CRF annotations, and protocols to ensure accurate SDTM mapping.
- Support regulatory submissions and respond to data-related queries as needed.
Top Requirements
- 10–15+ years of statistical programming experience in clinical research, preferably with small to mid-sized sponsor companies
- Extensive expertise in CDISC SDTM standards with strong hands-on SDTM mapping and implementation experience for oncology trials
- Oncology experience required, with solid tumor experience strongly preferred (RECIST criteria)
- Advanced SAS programming skills with a focus on SDTM dataset creation and validation.
- Experience preparing SDTM datasets for regulatory submissions (e.g., FDA/EMA).
- Ability to work independently and serve as an SDTM subject matter expert within the programming team.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively in a cross-functional environment.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Senior Statistical Programmer
Target CROs and large pharma sponsors directly
Contract research organizations and top-tier pharmaceutical companies file the highest volume of H-1B petitions for statistical programming roles. Focus your applications on employers with an established history of sponsoring this specific title.
Highlight SAS and CDISC expertise prominently
Employers filing H-1B petitions for this role almost always require SAS programming and CDISC standards knowledge. Making these skills visible early in your application strengthens the specialty occupation argument your employer must make to USCIS.
Understand the specialty occupation requirement
USCIS approves H-1B petitions for this role when the position requires a specific degree in statistics, biostatistics, or a closely related field. Generic bachelor's degrees in unrelated disciplines will likely not satisfy the specialty occupation standard.
Ask about cap-exempt employers in your search
Universities, nonprofit research institutions, and some government-affiliated research centers are exempt from the H-1B lottery. A Senior Statistical Programmer role at a cap-exempt employer means year-round filing with no lottery risk.
Consider O-1A if you have exceptional credentials
Published research, leadership on clinical trial submissions, or recognition from professional bodies like the American Statistical Association can support an O-1A petition, which has no cap, no lottery, and no employer-specific limitations.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does the Senior Statistical Programmer role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes, in most cases. USCIS consistently recognizes this role as a specialty occupation when the position requires a bachelor's degree or higher in statistics, biostatistics, or computer science. Petitions are strongest when the job description specifies a degree in a directly related field rather than accepting any bachelor's degree as sufficient.
Which visa types do employers most commonly sponsor for this role?
The H-1B is the most common path, followed by the L-1B for intracompany transfers within multinational pharma or CRO firms. Candidates with strong publication records or regulatory submission experience may also qualify for the O-1A. TN visas are available for Canadian and Mexican nationals if the role maps cleanly to a covered USMCA occupation.
How strong are H-1B approval rates for this job title?
Approval rates for Senior Statistical Programmer petitions are generally high relative to other H-1B titles because the degree-to-role connection is well-established and USCIS adjudicators are familiar with pharma and CRO filings. Petition strength depends on how precisely the employer's job description ties the duties to the required degree field.
Do I need a master's degree to get sponsored, or is a bachelor's degree enough?
A bachelor's degree in statistics, biostatistics, or a closely related quantitative field is sufficient for most H-1B petitions at this level. However, many employers in pharma and biotech prefer or require a master's degree for senior titles, so a graduate degree strengthens both your petition and your competitiveness. Use Migrate Mate to browse which employers are actively sponsoring and what qualifications they specify.
Can I switch employers while on an H-1B as a Senior Statistical Programmer?
Yes. Under H-1B portability rules, you can begin working for a new employer as soon as they file a new H-1B petition on your behalf, without waiting for approval, as long as you have been in valid H-1B status for at least 180 days. Your new employer must file a cap-exempt transfer petition rather than a fresh cap-subject petition.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Senior Statistical Programmer 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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