Forward Deployed Software Engineer - Seattle

at OpenAI

📍 Seattle, United States

USD 153,000-325,000 per year

MIDDLE

✅ Hybrid

✅ Relocation

Used Tools & Technologies

PostgreSQL

Required Skills & Competences
Tag name is followed by "@" symbol and proficiency level value. About proficiency levels:

1-2 — basic awareness. Minimal hands-on experience, and a rudimentary understanding of the technology's purpose;

3-6 — daily use. Comfortable and regular usage, capable of handling common tasks and challenges related to the technology;

7-9 — you are an expert, you can teach others, you know all the pitfalls and tricks;

10 — exceptional knowledge, comprehensive understanding, and adeptness in all aspects of the technology, including advanced problem-solving. Think twice before claiming or demanding such level.

MySQL @ 3 API @ 3

Details

About the team

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

About the role

We are looking for customer-focused software engineers to build custom software that leverages OpenAI’s APIs to solve real customer problems. As an FDSWE, you will work with customers and Forward Deployed Engineers to design and implement scalable solutions, design abstractions to solve customer problems, and use those abstractions to scale speed and quality of delivery across Forward Deployed engagements.

This role is based in Seattle and follows a hybrid work model (3 days in the office per week). Travel up to 50% is required. Relocation assistance is offered for eligible employees.

Responsibilities

Embed deeply with strategic customers to understand their business challenges and technical requirements.
Design, architect, and develop full-stack solutions using an experiment-driven, iterative approach.
Prepare detailed scopes of work and project plans for both 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 their 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); customer-facing experience is highly desirable.
Experience designing and implementing full-stack production systems and abstractions for scalability.
Experience with relational databases such as Postgres/MySQL.
Strong bias for action and willingness to work iteratively with customers to deliver the right solution.
Ability to travel up to 50%.
Former founders or early startup engineers who have built products from scratch are a plus.

Benefits

Base salary range: $153,000 - $325,000 (in addition to equity and other compensation components).
Medical, dental, and vision insurance with employer contributions to HSAs.
Pre-tax accounts (Health FSA, Dependent Care FSA, commuter benefits).
401(k) with employer match.
Paid parental leave and paid medical/caregiver leave.
Flexible PTO for exempt employees and up to 15 days annually for non-exempt employees.
13+ paid company holidays and coordinated company 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.

Additional information

Background checks will be administered in accordance with applicable law.
OpenAI is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.