Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) - NYC

Details

OpenAI’s Forward Deployed Engineering team partners with customers to turn research breakthroughs into production systems, operating at the intersection of customer delivery and core platform development.

Forward Deployed Engineers lead complex end-to-end deployments of frontier models in production alongside strategic customers. The role owns discovery, technical scoping, system design, implementation, and production rollout while partnering directly with customer engineering and domain teams. Success is measured through production adoption, measurable workflow impact, and evaluation-driven feedback that influences product and model roadmaps.

The role is based in New York and follows a hybrid work model requiring three days per week in the office. Travel of up to 50% is required.

Responsibilities

• Own technical delivery across multiple deployments, from initial prototype through stable production.
• Build full-stack systems that deliver customer value and improve learning about model performance.
• Embed closely with customer teams, understand their needs, and guide adoption of delivered systems.
• Scope work, sequence delivery, and remove blockers early.
• Balance scope, speed, and quality while adjusting plans to protect delivery.
• Contribute directly to production code when progress or clarity depends on it.
• Codify effective working patterns into tools, playbooks, or reusable building blocks.
• Share field feedback with Research and Product teams to identify where models succeed and where they can improve.
• Keep teams moving through clarity and follow-through.

Requirements

• 5+ years of engineering or technical deployment experience, including customer-facing work.
• Experience scoping and delivering complex systems in fast-moving or ambiguous environments.
• Ability to write and review production-grade frontend and backend code using Python, JavaScript, or comparable stacks.
• Experience building or deploying systems powered by large language models or generative models, with an understanding of how model behavior affects product experience.
• Ability to simplify complexity and make fast, sound decisions under pressure.
• Clear communication with engineers, product teams, and customer stakeholders.
• Ability to identify risks early and adjust plans without slowing delivery.
• Calm judgment when operating in high-stakes situations.

Benefits

• Base salary of $185,000–$300,000, plus equity and performance-related bonuses for eligible employees.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, with employer contributions to Health Savings Accounts.
• Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts and commuter benefits.
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match.
• Paid parental, medical, and caregiver leave.
• Paid time off, paid company holidays, office closures, and paid sick or safe time as required by applicable law.
• 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.

OpenAI is an equal opportunity employer committed to reasonable accommodations and compliance with applicable employment laws.