Vice President of Research and Development Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship

Vice President of Research and Development roles qualify as specialty occupations under the H-1B visa, making employer sponsorship the primary path for international candidates. These senior-level positions attract sponsors across biotech, tech, and manufacturing, where multi-year tenure and EB-2 or EB-3 green card pipelines are standard.

Find Vice President of Research and Development Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs17+
Top Visa TypeH-1B
Work Type71% On-site
Top LocationChicago, IL
Most JobsHarris Computer

Showing 5 of 17+ Vice President of Research and Development jobs

Vice President, Artificial Intelligence Research & Development
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Vice President, Artificial Intelligence Research & Development
TransUnion
Chicago, Illinois
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
Technical Product & Program Management
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
ML (Machine Learning)
Data Science
$194k - $353k/yr
Hybrid
Doctorate
10,000+

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Vice President Research & Development
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Added 1mo ago
Vice President Research & Development
Harris Computer
Georgia
Executive Leadership & C-Suite
Product Management
Project & Program Management
Technical Product & Program Management
Project Management
Technical Program Management
$120k - $140k/yr
Remote (US)
None
10,000+

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Applied Research Director and Assistant Vice President Community Development & Engagement
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Applied Research Director and Assistant Vice President Community Development & Engagement
Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Research & Academia
Laboratory Research
Public Health & Informatics
$159k - $287k
On-Site
Doctorate

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VP – Research & Development
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VP – Research & Development
Quanterix
Billerica, Massachusetts
Project & Program Management
Product Management
Research & Academia
Project Management
Program Management
$270k - $315k/yr
On-Site
Doctorate
201-500

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VP, Research & Development
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Added 3mo ago
VP, Research & Development
McCrometer
Hemet, California
Specialized Engineering
Project & Program Management
Product Management
Engineering (Non-Software)
Project Management
$190k - $220k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
201-500

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Tips for Finding Vice President of Research and Development Jobs

Document your R&D leadership scope precisely

USCIS scrutinizes VP-level petitions for specialty occupation evidence. Your resume and job description must show that a specific bachelor's degree in engineering, life sciences, or a related technical field is a minimum requirement, not just preferred.

Target companies with active PERM history

VP of R&D roles often lead to green card sponsorship through PERM labor certification. Search Migrate Mate for employers who have filed PERM applications in R&D-adjacent categories, signaling they're built for long-term sponsorship commitments.

Verify prevailing wage tier before negotiating

VP of R&D roles typically land at DOL wage Level III or IV. Use the OFLC Wage Search to confirm the prevailing wage for your metro area and R&D occupation before entering salary discussions, so your offer clears LCA requirements.

Prepare for specialty occupation scrutiny at the VP level

USCIS sometimes challenges whether executive or VP titles require a specific degree versus general business acumen. Build a file showing that your R&D function demands deep technical expertise, using O*NET's occupation profile and your employer's internal job architecture as supporting evidence.

Align your offer letter to LCA occupation codes

Your employer's offer letter must map to the same occupation category used in the LCA filing. Mismatches between a generalist executive title and a technical occupation code are a common RFE trigger for VP-level H-1B petitions.

Account for H-1B cap timing in your start date

H-1B is subject to an annual cap and selection process, with rules that have changed recently. Work backward from your intended start date with your employer's immigration counsel to avoid a gap in authorization if you're not currently in H-1B status.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a Vice President of Research and Development role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?

Yes, provided the employer documents that the role requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific technical discipline, such as engineering, biochemistry, or computer science. Generic executive titles can attract RFEs, so the job description must emphasize technical depth over management breadth. USCIS looks for a direct relationship between the degree field and the R&D function being led.

Which visa types are realistic for a VP of Research and Development seeking sponsorship?

H-1B is the most common path for this role, covering initial employment up to three years and extendable to six. If you hold a Ph.D. or have demonstrated extraordinary ability in your research field, EB-1A or EB-2 NIW self-petition routes may also apply. TN visa is available for Canadians and Mexicans in qualifying scientific or engineering professions listed under USMCA.

How do I find employers actively sponsoring VP of Research and Development roles?

Migrate Mate lists U.S. employers with verified LCA sponsorship history, searchable by role and location. This lets you focus on companies that have already filed for senior R&D positions rather than cold-applying to employers without an established sponsorship track record.

Will my employer need to file PERM for a VP of Research and Development green card?

Most EB-2 and EB-3 green card paths for this role require PERM labor certification, where DOL must certify that no qualified U.S. worker was available for the position. The process involves a prevailing wage determination, a recruitment period, and a formal application through DOL. Priority date backlogs vary significantly depending on your country of birth, with India and China facing the longest waits.

Does a three-year Australian or international bachelor's degree satisfy the H-1B specialty occupation requirement for this role?

USCIS generally accepts a three-year bachelor's degree from Australia or other countries as equivalent to a U.S. four-year degree for specialty occupation purposes, particularly when combined with progressive work experience. A credential evaluation from a recognized organization strengthens the petition. The key issue is whether the degree field directly relates to the R&D responsibilities of the VP role, not the degree length alone.

What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Vice President of Research and Development 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.