Software Engineer, API Enterprise Controls

Details

API Enterprise Controls is part of the API Infrastructure organization and owns platform capabilities that help developers, startups, and enterprises adopt the OpenAI API securely and confidently. The team builds systems across authentication and identity, service accounts and key management, secure networking, compliance, auditability, observability, and operational controls.

This is a product-engineering role focused on deep backend systems. The engineer will work across databases, streaming systems, request routing, authentication, and developer-facing APIs while applying strong product judgment, developer empathy, and attention to detail. The role involves leading large cross-functional initiatives and carrying ambiguous needs from discovery through design, launch, and iteration.

Responsibilities

• Own backend product capabilities end to end across authentication and identity, service accounts and key controls, secure networking, compliance, observability, and operational workflows.
• Partner with Product, go-to-market, security, infrastructure teams, and sophisticated customers to identify needs, shape the roadmap, and lead large cross-functional projects from design through launch.
• Design developer-facing APIs, system behavior, configuration, error handling, safe defaults, auditing, and notifications with careful attention to developer experience.
• Build, operate, and debug highly reliable backend systems spanning databases, streaming infrastructure, request routing, and distributed services.
• Engage directly with product partners and users to turn ambiguous needs into clear technical decisions.

Requirements

• 9+ years of professional engineering experience, excluding internships, in relevant backend, platform, or product-driven engineering roles.
• Exceptional backend engineering depth paired with strong product judgment and a track record of shipping API or platform capabilities that users depend on.
• Experience leading large cross-functional initiatives, influencing product direction, and aligning engineering, Product, go-to-market, security, and infrastructure partners.
• Proficiency in one or more backend languages such as Python, Go, Rust, TypeScript, or similar, with strong software design and systems fundamentals.
• Experience with distributed systems, databases, streaming systems, request routing, authentication and identity, networking, or enterprise platform controls.
• Strong communication and developer empathy, including experience working closely with product partners and users.
• Strong opinions about reliability, DevOps, and operational excellence, paired with meticulous attention to detail.

About OpenAI

OpenAI is an AI research and deployment company dedicated to ensuring that general-purpose artificial intelligence benefits all of humanity. OpenAI is an equal opportunity employer and provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Background checks are administered in accordance with applicable law.

Benefits

• Base salary range of $293,000–$385,000 per year, plus equity.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, with employer contributions to Health Savings Accounts.
• Pre-tax accounts for health, dependent care, and commuter expenses.
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match.
• Paid parental, medical, and caregiver leave.
• Paid time off, company holidays, office closures, and paid sick or safe time as required by law.
• 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.
• Additional benefits may include charitable donation matching and wellness stipends.