Connectivity Software Engineer, Consumer Devices

at OpenAI

📍 San Francisco, United States

USD 293,000-325,000 per year

MIDDLE

✅ Hybrid

✅ Relocation

Tech Stack
Tag name is followed by "@" symbol and proficiency level value. About proficiency levels:

1-2 — basic awareness. Minimal hands-on experience, and a rudimentary understanding of the technology's purpose;

3-6 — daily use. Comfortable and regular usage, capable of handling common tasks and challenges related to the technology;

7-9 — you are an expert, you can teach others, you know all the pitfalls and tricks;

10 — exceptional knowledge, comprehensive understanding, and adeptness in all aspects of the technology, including advanced problem-solving. Think twice before claiming or demanding such level.

Debugging @ 5 Linux @ 6 Python @ 5 R @ 3 Security @ 3

Details

About the Team

The Connectivity Software Engineering team is responsible for enabling seamless, secure, and high-performance wireless connectivity across OpenAI’s products. We design and optimize Bluetooth, BLE, Wi-Fi, and emerging wireless technologies to ensure robust device pairing, network performance, and interoperability. Our work spans kernel drivers, system services, and user-level tools, with a focus on real-world performance, scalability, and reliability.

About the Role

OpenAI is seeking a Connectivity Software Engineer to design, implement, and optimize wireless connectivity features across our product ecosystem. You’ll work at the intersection of systems software, wireless standards, and hardware integration—building robust pairing and provisioning flows, debugging low-level protocols, and driving performance under real-world RF constraints. You will also support certification, field interoperability, and fleet-scale connectivity infrastructure.

This role is based in San Francisco, CA. We use a hybrid work model of 4 days in the office per week and offer relocation assistance to new employees.

Responsibilities

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

Requirements

You might thrive in this role if you:

Have deep experience shipping wireless features on Linux-based products
Are highly proficient in C/C++ with scripting experience (Python or shell) and systems debugging (gdb, strace, logs, packet traces)
Possess deep knowledge of Bluetooth Classic/BLE (HCI, L2CAP, GATT/GAP, profiles) and Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, WPA2/3, nl80211, NAN)
Bring hands-on experience with BlueZ, wpa_supplicant/hostapd, NetworkManager, and driver bring-up on ARM64 or x86 platforms
Have a proven track record of improving real-world performance and reliability under RF constraints

Preferred qualifications:

Experience with LE Audio (LC3), BLE Mesh, advanced roaming (802.11k/v/r), QoS/WMM, multicast/IGMP
Coexistence tuning across radios (BT/Wi-Fi/UWB/mmWave) and antenna/RF fundamentals with test equipment workflows
Familiarity with UWB (IEEE 802.15.4z, FiRa) ranging/integration; mmWave/Wi-Gig (802.11ad/ay)
Experience with security and provisioning at scale (EAP-TLS, device identity, secure boot, disk/network hardening)
Background in building factory test, interoperability, and certification test plans; upstream/open-source contributions

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your family, with employer contributions to Health Savings Accounts
Pre-tax accounts for Health FSA, Dependent Care FSA, and commuter expenses (parking and transit)
401(k) retirement plan with employer match
Paid parental leave (up to 24 weeks for birth parents and 20 weeks for non-birthing parents), plus paid medical and caregiver leave (up to 8 weeks)
Paid time off: flexible PTO for exempt employees and up to 15 days annually for non-exempt employees
13+ paid company holidays, and multiple paid coordinated company office closures throughout the year for focus and recharge, plus paid sick or safe time (1 hour per 30 hours worked, or more, as required by applicable state or local law)
Mental health and wellness support
Employer-paid basic life and disability coverage
Annual learning and development stipend to fuel your professional growth
Daily meals in our offices, and meal delivery credits as eligible
Relocation support for eligible employees
Additional taxable fringe benefits, such as charitable donation matching and wellness stipends, may also be provided