You are required to have a H1B or TN Visa (Canadian Citizens) / US Green card or Citizenship to "WORK" in USA. Not only that SSN is also required, which you may not be able to obtain unless you have a H1B / TN / GC / Citizenship.
Every employer would do an employment eligibility check before starting an employment, where you have to furnish the proof of one of the above things along with 2 other proofs such as SSN + other document with a photo ID to establish you identity.