Offensive Security Engineer, Hardware

Details

About the Team

Security is at the foundation of OpenAI’s mission to ensure that artificial general intelligence benefits all of humanity. The Security team protects OpenAI’s technology, people, and products. The team is technical in what it builds and operational in how it works, supporting products and research. Team tenets include prioritizing for impact, enabling researchers, preparing for future transformative technologies, and engaging a robust security culture.

Role overview

We're seeking an exceptional Principal-level Offensive Security Engineer to challenge and strengthen OpenAI's security posture. This role is focused on continuously testing OpenAI's hardware products and related services. It's an opportunity to craft innovative attack simulations, collaborate closely with defensive teams, influence strategic security improvements across the organization, automate offensive techniques, and drive remediation of discovered issues.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate proactively with engineering teams to enhance security and mitigate risks in hardware, firmware, and software.
• Perform comprehensive penetration testing across a diverse suite of products (hardware, firmware, and associated services).
• Leverage advanced automation and OpenAI technologies to optimize offensive security work and build tooling.
• Present insightful, actionable findings clearly and compellingly to inspire impactful change across technical and non-technical audiences.
• Influence security strategy by providing attacker-driven insights into risk and threat modeling.
• Drive remediation efforts and contribute to fixes in complex codebases.

Requirements

• 7+ years of hands-on experience or exceptional accomplishments demonstrating equivalent expertise.
• Principal-level / senior offensive security experience (role explicitly describes a Principal-level hire).
• Exceptional skill in code review and identifying novel and subtle vulnerabilities.
• Demonstrated mastery assessing complex technology stacks, including:
  • Reverse engineering bootrom images, firmware, or silicon-level components.
  • Deep familiarity with low-level kernel operations, secure boot processes, and hardware–software interactions.
  • Hands-on experience building and validating secure boot chains and threat models.
• Proficiency with hardware debugging tools (UART, JTAG, SWD, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers).
• Solid programming skills in C, C++, Python, and assembly for embedded systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences; ability to communicate complex technical concepts through compelling storytelling.
• Strong intuitive understanding of trust boundaries and risk assessment in dynamic contexts.
• Excellent coding skills for writing robust tools and automation for offensive operations.
• Proven track record of not just finding vulnerabilities but actively contributing to solutions in complex codebases.

Bonus points

• Prior experience working in tech startups or fast-paced technology environments.
• Experience in related disciplines such as Software Engineering (SWE), Detection Engineering, Site Reliability Engineering (SRE), Security Engineering, or IT Infrastructure.

Benefits & additional information

• Base compensation range listed for this role: $325,000 – $490,000 (total compensation may include equity and bonuses).
• 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, medical, and caregiver leave; flexible PTO policy for exempt employees; paid holidays and 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.
• Background checks will be administered consistent with applicable law; OpenAI provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.

About OpenAI

OpenAI is an AI research and deployment company dedicated to ensuring that general-purpose artificial intelligence benefits all of humanity. The company values diverse perspectives and is an equal opportunity employer. Additional policies and candidate resources are provided during the hiring process.