Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) - SF

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, development, and production rollout while partnering directly with customer engineering and domain teams.

Success is measured through production adoption, measurable workflow impact, and eval-driven feedback that informs product and model roadmaps. The role works closely with Product, Research, Partnerships, GRC, Security, and GTM teams.

This role is based in San Francisco and follows a hybrid work model with three days in the office per week. 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 organizational learning.
• Embed closely with customer teams, understand their needs, and guide adoption of solutions.
• Scope work, sequence delivery, and remove blockers early.
• Make trade-offs between scope, speed, and quality while protecting delivery.
• Contribute directly to the code when progress or clarity depends on it.
• Codify working patterns into tools, playbooks, or reusable building blocks.
• Share field feedback with Research and Product 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 code across frontend and backend systems using Python, JavaScript, or comparable technology 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 the stakes are high.

About OpenAI

OpenAI is an AI research and deployment company dedicated to ensuring that general-purpose artificial intelligence benefits all of humanity. The company is an equal opportunity employer and provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Background checks are administered in accordance with applicable law.

Benefits

• Base salary of $162,000–$280,000 per year.
• Equity, performance-related bonuses for eligible employees, and comprehensive benefits.
• 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 paid sick or safe time as required by 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 taxable fringe benefits may include charitable donation matching and wellness stipends.