Connectivity Software Engineer, Consumer Devices

Details

The Connectivity Software Engineering team enables seamless, secure, and high-performance wireless connectivity across OpenAI's products. The team designs and optimizes Bluetooth, BLE, Wi-Fi, and emerging wireless technologies, spanning kernel drivers, system services, and user-level tools, with a focus on real-world performance, scalability, and reliability.

The role involves designing, implementing, and optimizing wireless connectivity features across the product ecosystem. This includes building pairing and provisioning flows, debugging low-level protocols, improving performance under real-world RF constraints, and supporting certification, field interoperability, and fleet-scale connectivity infrastructure.

This role is based in San Francisco, California, and follows a hybrid work model requiring four days in the office per week.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and debug Bluetooth/BLE and Wi-Fi features across kernel drivers, BlueZ, wpa_supplicant, hostapd, and systemd/D-Bus services.
• Deliver pairing, bonding, and provisioning flows using GATT/GAP, LE Audio/LC3, WPA3/802.1X, captive portals, and NAN.
• Optimize throughput, latency, jitter, roaming, Bluetooth-to-Wi-Fi coexistence, and power modes such as TWT and WoWLAN.
• Build network management using NetworkManager, nmcli, nl80211, cfg80211, mac80211, DNS, DHCP, mDNS, P2P, and SoftAP.
• Instrument and analyze systems using packet captures and tools including btmon/hcidump, Wireshark, iperf, eBPF/perf, and spectrum sniffers.
• Drive interoperability and certification readiness for Bluetooth SIG and Wi-Fi Alliance requirements, and resolve field issues through root-cause fixes.
• Contribute to OTA-safe configuration, telemetry, and diagnostics for fleet-scale operation.

Requirements

• Deep experience shipping wireless features on Linux-based products.
• High proficiency in C/C++, scripting with Python or shell, and systems debugging using gdb, strace, logs, and packet traces.
• Deep knowledge of Bluetooth Classic/BLE, including HCI, L2CAP, GATT/GAP, and profiles.
• Deep knowledge of Wi-Fi, including 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, WPA2/3, nl80211, and NAN.
• Hands-on experience with BlueZ, wpa_supplicant/hostapd, NetworkManager, and driver bring-up on ARM64 or x86 platforms.
• Proven experience improving real-world performance and reliability under RF constraints.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with LE Audio/LC3, BLE Mesh, advanced roaming using 802.11k/v/r, QoS/WMM, multicast, and IGMP.
• Experience tuning coexistence across Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, UWB, and mmWave radios, as well as antenna/RF fundamentals and test equipment workflows.
• Familiarity with UWB, including IEEE 802.15.4z and FiRa, and mmWave/WiGig, including 802.11ad/ay.
• Experience with security and provisioning at scale, including EAP-TLS, device identity, secure boot, and disk/network hardening.
• Background building factory test, interoperability, and certification test plans.
• Upstream or open-source contributions.

Benefits

• Base salary of $293,000–$325,000 per year, plus equity.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, with employer contributions to Health Savings Accounts.
• Pre-tax accounts for health, dependent care, and commuter expenses.
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match.
• Paid parental, medical, and caregiver leave.
• Paid time off, paid company holidays, office closures, and sick or safe time.
• Mental health and wellness support.
• Employer-paid basic life and disability coverage.
• Annual learning and development stipend.
• Daily office meals and eligible meal delivery credits.
• Relocation support for eligible employees.
• Additional benefits may include charitable donation matching and wellness stipends.