Solutions Architect, Startups

Details

About the team

The Solutions Architecture team is responsible for ensuring the safe and effective deployment of Generative AI applications for developers and enterprises. The team acts as a trusted advisor and thought partner for customers, building an effective backlog of GenAI use cases and driving them to production through strong technical guidance. OpenAI's customers range from early-stage startups to established global enterprises.

About the role

We are seeking a technically proficient, business-minded Solutions Architect to help push the frontier of advanced AI with strategic startup customers. You will work with leading AI startups, guiding them through ideation, development, delivery, and scaling to accelerate and maximize the value of what they build on OpenAI's platform. You will collect and deliver high-fidelity product and model feedback internally and collaborate closely with Sales, Solutions Engineering, Applied Research, and Product teams. This role reports to the Startups Solutions Architecture Lead.

This role is based in OpenAI's San Francisco HQ. The team uses a hybrid work model (3 days in the office per week) and offers relocation assistance to new employees.

Responsibilities

• Partner closely with strategic startup customers as their technical thought partner to build novel applications on the API, helping them rapidly move from ideation to scale.
• Provide proactive technical and business guidance to maximize customer impact and accelerate development.
• Experiment and prototype alongside customers, demonstrating practical use cases.
• Contribute to open-source resources and scale the function by sharing knowledge, codifying best practices, and publishing useful resources.
• Synthesize and deliver valuable feedback to Product and Research teams.
• Build relationships within the startup ecosystem, serving as a technical partner to both individual customers and the broader community.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience as a software engineer, ML engineer, or equivalent (startup experience or experience as a founder/founding engineer is highly valued).
• Proficiency in Python and JavaScript.
• Strong grasp of AI/LLM best practices and Generative AI application design.
• Experience building and/or delivering prototypes on top of the OpenAI API platform.
• Ability to identify opportunities to maximize customers' business value using the OpenAI API.
• Comfortable owning problems end-to-end and learning missing knowledge to get the job done.
• Strong collaborator with a humble attitude, ability to operate at high throughput, drive multiple concurrent projects, and prioritize effectively.

Benefits

• Base salary range: $220,000 - $280,000 (Zone A). Total compensation also includes equity and potential performance-related bonuses.
• 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, paid medical and caregiver leave.
• Flexible PTO for exempt employees and paid time off for non-exempt employees.
• 13+ paid company holidays and 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.
• Additional taxable fringe benefits (e.g., charitable donation matching, wellness stipends).

Equal opportunity & accommodations

OpenAI is an equal opportunity employer and provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Background checks and consideration for applicants with arrest or conviction records are handled in accordance with applicable law and local ordinances.