Forward Deployed Software Engineer - NYC

Details

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 Forward Deployed Engineering function operates at the intersection of customer delivery and core development and works closely with Product, Research, and Go-To-Market (GTM) teams.

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

Responsibilities

• Embed deeply with strategic customers to understand business challenges and technical requirements in detail.
• Design, architect, and develop full-stack solutions using an experiment-driven, iterative approach.
• Prepare detailed scopes of work and project plans for proof-of-concept prototypes and full production deployments.
• Work hands-on with customers' technical teams as a technical expert and trusted advisor, coding side-by-side to drive projects to completion on customer infrastructure.
• Collaborate with Product, Research, and Applied teams to ensure seamless customer experiences, project success, and actionable product feedback.
• Contribute to internal knowledge bases, codifying best practices and sharing insights gained from customer engagements.

Requirements

• 7+ years of professional full stack engineering experience (excluding internships) in relevant roles at tech and product-driven companies. Customer-facing experience is highly desirable.
• Experience with relational databases such as Postgres and MySQL.
• Strong product and customer orientation with a bias for action and willingness to work iteratively with customers to deliver effective solutions.
• Experience designing and deploying solutions from prototype to production and collaborating across Product, Research, Sales, Solutions Engineering, Solutions Architecture, and Customer Success.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 50%.

Benefits

• Competitive base pay (range listed separately) plus generous equity and potential performance-related bonuses.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with employer contributions to Health Savings Accounts.
• Pre-tax accounts: Health FSA, Dependent Care FSA, and commuter benefits.
• 401(k) retirement plan 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 coordinated office closures.
• 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 and other fringe benefits (charitable donation matching, wellness stipends).