Forward Deployed Engineer - Life Sciences - NYC

Details

About the team

OpenAI’s Forward Deployed Engineering team partners with customers to turn research breakthroughs into production systems. The team embeds deeply with users to solve high-leverage problems, moves quickly from prototype to deployment, and surfaces patterns that shape the platform. The team operates at the intersection of customer delivery and core development and works closely with Product, Research, and Go-To-Market (GTM).

About the role

Forward Deployed Engineers lead complex deployments of frontier models in production. You will embed with customers where model performance matters, delivery is urgent, and ambiguity is the default. You will map customer problems, structure delivery, and ship fast. You will scope, sequence, and build full-stack solutions that create measurable value, and drive clarity across internal and external teams.

This role focuses on the Life Sciences vertical, partnering with pharmaceutical companies, clinical research organizations, and other data and services providers to deploy next-generation AI capabilities across drug discovery, development, and operations. You will lead 0→1 development of OpenAI’s industry offering in this space — identifying high-value use cases, shaping solution patterns, and building the first repeatable deployments that inform product and GTM strategy.

Success in this role means owning the delivery state across workstreams, holding the bar on quality and pace, and helping OpenAI learn through execution.

This role is based in New York City with a hybrid work model (3 days in office per week). Relocation assistance is offered. Travel up to 50% is required.

Responsibilities

• Own technical delivery across multiple deployments from first prototype to stable production
• Build full-stack systems that deliver customer value and sharpen how the team learns
• Embed closely with customer teams, understand their needs, and guide adoption of built solutions
• Scope work, sequence delivery, and remove blockers early
• Make trade-offs between scope, speed, and quality; adjust plans to protect delivery
• Contribute directly in code when progress or clarity depends on it
• Codify working patterns into tools, playbooks, or building blocks for reuse
• Share field feedback that helps Research and Product understand model strengths and weaknesses
• 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 using Python, JavaScript, or comparable stacks
• Experience building or deploying systems powered by LLMs or generative models and understanding how model behavior affects product experience
• Demonstrated ability to simplify complexity and make fast, sound decisions under pressure
• Strong communication skills with engineers, product teams, and customer stakeholders
• Ability to spot risks early and adjust without slowing down; model calm and judgment when stakes are high
• Experience with the life sciences industry

Location & Work Model

• Location: New York City, United States
• Work model: Hybrid (3 days in office per week)
• Travel: Up to 50%
• Relocation assistance available

Benefits

• Base pay range listed: $180,000–$280,000 (varies by market and experience). Offers include equity and may include performance-related bonus(es)
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with employer contributions to Health Savings Accounts
• Pre-tax accounts: Health FSA, Dependent Care FSA, and commuter expense accounts (parking and transit)
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match
• Paid parental leave and paid medical/caregiver leave
• Paid time off: flexible PTO for exempt employees and up to 15 days annually for non-exempt employees
• 13+ paid company holidays and additional company closures; paid sick/safe time as required by law
• Mental health and wellness support
• Employer-paid basic life and disability coverage
• Annual learning and development stipend
• Daily meals in offices and meal delivery credits as eligible
• Additional fringe benefits (e.g., relocation support, charitable donation matching, wellness stipends)

About OpenAI

OpenAI is an AI research and deployment company dedicated to ensuring that general-purpose artificial intelligence benefits all of humanity. The company emphasizes safety, diverse perspectives, and inclusive hiring practices. Background checks will be administered consistent with applicable law. OpenAI is committed to reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities.