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 visa 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 JobsINTRODUCTION
About Certara
Certara accelerates the potential of bringing medicines to market and to patients using biosimulation software, technology, and services to transform traditional drug discovery and development. Our clients include more than 2,400 biopharmaceutical companies, academic institutions, and regulatory agencies across 70 countries.
Our goal is to enable the life sciences industry’s use of data, modeling, and analytics to make better decisions across the various phases of discovery and drug development. Our software and scientists incorporate modern advances in scientific understanding, drug development experience, data analysis, and AI resulting in significant opportunities to decrease the cost and increase the probability of success for new drug approval and commercialization.
Responsibilities
As a Statistical Programming Consultant, you will use your SAS and R programming skills to prepare SDTM and ADaM datasets, Tables, Listings, & Figures (TLFs), as well as create related documents such as aCRF, programming specifications, and define packages (including reviewer’s guides) for Phase 1 to Phase 4 clinical trials. Advanced SAS macro programming experience is required for the development of global tools that will increase the efficiency and capacity of the Statistical Programming group. Preclinical SEND dataset preparation is a plus. Experience with NDA/IND-type regulatory submissions is preferred.
In addition, you will conduct quality control and quality assurance activities on datasets and outputs and may participate in company initiatives to improve the efficiency of end-to-end statistical programming activities, analysis, and reporting (IT, methodology, automation, quality). You will work closely in teams led by statistical programmers, statisticians, and drug development consultants, supporting a variety of client projects across various therapeutic areas and complexities.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- B.Sc., M.Sc., or equivalent education in Biostatistics/Statistics, Bioinformatics, Life Sciences, Mathematics, Physical Sciences, or related fields.
- At least 6 years of Clinical trials related work experience in SAS programming, analysis and reporting in the context of drug development projects is required.
- Well experienced in the Pinnacle 21 validation process, generating Define.xml using Pinnacle 21.
- Extensive experience in implementing CDISC standards, as well as annotating CRFs, creating specifications for SDTM and ADaM datasets.
- Experienced in creating Define.xml and the corresponding Reviewers’ Guide for SDTM and ADaM datasets.
- Good verbal and written communications skills in English.
- Demonstrated knowledge of clinical drug development.
- Proficiency in conducting advanced statistical analyses.
- Must be independent, attention to detail, accountable to quality and timely delivery.
- Ability to work on multiple collaborative projects, team player mentality.
- Experience with the R software platform (in addition to SAS) is a plus.
Certara bases all employment-related decision on merit, taking into consideration qualifications, skills, achievement, and performance. We treat all applicants and employees without regard to personal characteristics such as race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, nationality, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental condition, genetic information, military service, or other characteristic protected by law.
INTRODUCTION
About Certara
Certara accelerates the potential of bringing medicines to market and to patients using biosimulation software, technology, and services to transform traditional drug discovery and development. Our clients include more than 2,400 biopharmaceutical companies, academic institutions, and regulatory agencies across 70 countries.
Our goal is to enable the life sciences industry’s use of data, modeling, and analytics to make better decisions across the various phases of discovery and drug development. Our software and scientists incorporate modern advances in scientific understanding, drug development experience, data analysis, and AI resulting in significant opportunities to decrease the cost and increase the probability of success for new drug approval and commercialization.
Responsibilities
As a Statistical Programming Consultant, you will use your SAS and R programming skills to prepare SDTM and ADaM datasets, Tables, Listings, & Figures (TLFs), as well as create related documents such as aCRF, programming specifications, and define packages (including reviewer’s guides) for Phase 1 to Phase 4 clinical trials. Advanced SAS macro programming experience is required for the development of global tools that will increase the efficiency and capacity of the Statistical Programming group. Preclinical SEND dataset preparation is a plus. Experience with NDA/IND-type regulatory submissions is preferred.
In addition, you will conduct quality control and quality assurance activities on datasets and outputs and may participate in company initiatives to improve the efficiency of end-to-end statistical programming activities, analysis, and reporting (IT, methodology, automation, quality). You will work closely in teams led by statistical programmers, statisticians, and drug development consultants, supporting a variety of client projects across various therapeutic areas and complexities.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- B.Sc., M.Sc., or equivalent education in Biostatistics/Statistics, Bioinformatics, Life Sciences, Mathematics, Physical Sciences, or related fields.
- At least 6 years of Clinical trials related work experience in SAS programming, analysis and reporting in the context of drug development projects is required.
- Well experienced in the Pinnacle 21 validation process, generating Define.xml using Pinnacle 21.
- Extensive experience in implementing CDISC standards, as well as annotating CRFs, creating specifications for SDTM and ADaM datasets.
- Experienced in creating Define.xml and the corresponding Reviewers’ Guide for SDTM and ADaM datasets.
- Good verbal and written communications skills in English.
- Demonstrated knowledge of clinical drug development.
- Proficiency in conducting advanced statistical analyses.
- Must be independent, attention to detail, accountable to quality and timely delivery.
- Ability to work on multiple collaborative projects, team player mentality.
- Experience with the R software platform (in addition to SAS) is a plus.
Certara bases all employment-related decision on merit, taking into consideration qualifications, skills, achievement, and performance. We treat all applicants and employees without regard to personal characteristics such as race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, nationality, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental condition, genetic information, military service, or other characteristic protected by law.
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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.
Prepare documentation of your clinical trial contributions
Sponsors strengthen H-1B and O-1 petitions with evidence of your specific technical contributions. Keep records of studies you programmed, regulatory submissions you supported, and any validation or QC processes you owned.
Frequently 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 visa 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.