Forward Deployed Engineer - Life Sciences - SF

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, moving quickly from prototype to deployment and surfacing 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 you will drive clarity across internal and external teams.

This specific 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 the 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 broader 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 San Francisco. The work model is hybrid with 3 days in the 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 organizational learning
• Embed closely with customer teams, understand their needs, and guide adoption of what you build
• 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 that others can use
• Share field feedback that helps Research and Product understand 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 that includes 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
• Experience simplifying complexity and making fast, sound decisions under pressure
• Clear communication with engineers, product teams, and customer stakeholders
• Ability to spot risks early and adjust without slowing down; model calm and judgment when the stakes are high
• Experience with the life sciences industry

Benefits

• Base pay range: $180,000 — $280,000 (Zone A). Offers equity and additional total compensation components (bonuses, etc.)
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with employer contributions to Health Savings Accounts
• Pre-tax accounts for Health FSA, Dependent Care FSA, and commuter expenses
• 401(k) with employer match
• Paid parental leave, paid medical and caregiver leave
• Flexible PTO for exempt employees and up to 15 days annually for non-exempt employees
• 13+ paid company holidays and office closures; 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 meals in offices and meal delivery credits as eligible
• Relocation support for eligible employees
• Additional taxable fringe benefits (charitable donation matching, wellness stipends)

Additional notes

OpenAI is an equal opportunity employer. Background checks will be administered in accordance with applicable law. Reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities are available by request.