Forward Deployed Software Engineer - SF

at OpenAI

📍 San Francisco, United States

USD 185,000-325,000 per year

SENIOR

✅ Hybrid

✅ Relocation

Tech Stack
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.

API MySQL @ 4 PostgreSQL @ 4

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.

The team is looking for customer-focused software engineers to build effective custom software leveraging OpenAI’s APIs to solve real customer problems. The role involves working with customers and Forward Deployed Engineers to design and implement scalable solutions, create abstractions that improve delivery speed and quality, and collaborate with Sales, Solutions Engineering, Solutions Architects, Customer Success Managers, Research, Applied, Product, and Engineering teams.

This role is based in San Francisco and follows a hybrid work model requiring three days in the office per week. Travel of up to 50% is required.

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 proof-of-concept prototypes and full production deployments.
Work hands-on with customers’ technical teams as a technical expert and trusted advisor, coding on their infrastructure to drive projects to completion.
Collaborate with Product, Research, and Applied teams to ensure seamless customer experiences, project success, and actionable product feedback.
Contribute to internal knowledge bases by documenting best practices and sharing insights from customer engagements.

Requirements

7+ years of professional full-stack engineering experience, excluding internships, in relevant roles at technology and product-driven companies.
Customer-facing experience is highly desirable.
Experience with relational databases such as PostgreSQL or MySQL.
Bias for action and willingness to work iteratively with customers to deliver solutions that solve their problems.
Experience as a former founder or early-stage startup engineer who built a product from scratch is a plus.

Benefits

Base salary of $185,000–$325,000 per year.
Equity, performance-related bonuses for eligible employees, and benefits.
Medical, dental, and vision insurance, with employer contributions to Health Savings Accounts.
Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts, dependent care, and commuter expense accounts.
401(k) retirement plan with employer match.
Paid parental, medical, and caregiver leave.
Paid time off, company holidays, and office closures.
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.