Linux Kernels Software Lead

Details

About the team

The Scaling team builds and optimizes large-scale infrastructure to enable next-generation AI workloads.

About the role

We’re looking for a founding/lead Linux kernel developer to join our Scaling team. In this role you’ll design and develop Linux kernel components, working at the intersection of hardware and software to unlock performance at scale.

Responsibilities

• Lead and bootstrap the development of our Linux kernel stack to support high-performance systems.
• Design and implement kernel drivers, including functionality related to DMA, PCIe, NICs, and RDMA.
• Drive end-to-end development of system-scale networking, including required kernel and other low-level software.
• Collaborate with vendors to integrate their technologies within our systems and manage vendor deliverables.
• Bring up and debug the kernel on new platforms.
• Build userspace software to support integration, testing, diagnostics, and performance validation.

Requirements

• Proven experience leading development within the Linux kernel.
• Deep knowledge of subsystems relevant to high-performance systems: PCIe, dma-buf, RDMA, P2P, SR-IOV, IOMMU, etc.
• Knowledge of subsystems and frameworks related to scale-out networking: ibverbs, ECN/DCQCN, etc.
• Strong programming skills in C, C++, Python, and Linux shell scripting; Rust experience is a strong plus.
• Experience working directly with engineering teams to define interfaces and tooling.
• Track record of managing vendor deliverables and technical relationships.
• Background in embedded systems development (bootloaders, drivers, hardware/software integration).
• Ability to thrive in ambiguity and build systems from scratch.

Note: To comply with U.S. export control laws and regulations, candidates for this role may need to meet certain legal status requirements as provided in those laws and regulations.

Benefits

• Competitive base pay (see salary range in listing) plus equity and performance-related bonuses for eligible employees.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with employer contributions to Health Savings Accounts.
• Pre-tax accounts (Health FSA, Dependent Care FSA, commuter expenses).
• 401(k) retirement plan 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 additional paid 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.

About OpenAI

OpenAI is an AI research and deployment company dedicated to ensuring that general-purpose artificial intelligence benefits all of humanity. We push the boundaries of AI capabilities and seek to safely deploy them through our products. OpenAI is an equal opportunity employer and provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.