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 visa 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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Summary
The Senior Statistical Programmer Analyst Contractor will be responsible for supporting the submission readiness of study data packages per CDISC standards and FDA guidance, planning, execution, and quality of statistical analyses, and statistical programming infrastructure. This position will report into Head of Statistical Programming and will interact regularly with internal and external biostatisticians, clinical data managers, and other team members. Demonstrated ability to prioritize work and to effectively communicate and collaborate with key stakeholders both within Biometrics and beyond (research, translational science, clinical science, clinical operations and regulatory) is a must.
This is a unique opportunity to join a small but growing Biometrics team investigating a diverse portfolio of immuno-oncology therapeutics in early development. The ideal candidate will be a highly experienced technical SAS programmer/developer with an in-depth understanding of clinical and/or statistical programming processes, tools, systems, and strong communication skills.
Responsibilities
- Develop specifications, build and execute programs for internal data reviews, publications, exploratory, post-hoc and regulatory review.
- Adopts strategic approach to producing and prioritizing analytical deliverables which includes study level or integrated analysis for safety signal detection or other business needs.
- Work with data management to review case report forms, database specifications, and data transfer specifications.
- Manage on-time and quality delivery of CRO-generated analyses results.
- Solid, demonstrated experience with CDASH and CDISC data standards (SDTM, ADaM) as well as health authority reporting requirements.
- In-depth knowledge of data standards and demonstrated experience in the handling non-CRF data including proven ability to work with diverse data types.
- Responsible for creating/reviewing SDTM/ADaM mapping specifications.
- Generates or validates SDTM domains, ADaM datasets, reviewer's guide, and define.xml files.
- Generates or validates TFLs to support the statistical analysis of data for clinical studies, regulatory submissions, and publications such as CSR, DSUR, IB, publications, etc.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a data science field, e.g., statistics, mathematics, epidemiology, computer science, bioinformatics, or another field with commensurate levels of experience.
- 8+ years programming experience with growing responsibility in biotechnology or pharmaceutical clinical trial environment.
- Experience in software development and testing (e.g., SAS Macros tools, R functions/packages, Unix scripts etc).
- Experts in developing applications using various technical stacks not limited to SAS, R and/or Python.
- Solid understanding of industry standards such as CDISC, specifically SDTM and controlled terminology and/or ADaM.
- Proven ability to translate sophisticated problems into clear and concise programming code/tools.
- Basic Project management skills and experience.
- Solid understanding of programming practices (including tools and processes), relevant health authority guidelines, such as (e.g., ICH-GCP, 21 CFR Part 11), and relevant clinical R&D concepts.
- Demonstrated strong written, verbal communication skills, ability to manage conflicting demands and priorities and to negotiate successfully.
Arcus Biosciences is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. Arcus is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and does not discriminate based on race, religion, color,
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Senior Statistical Programmer Jobs
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.
Senior Statistical Programmer jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Senior Statistical Programmer 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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