Solutions Engineer, Startups

Details

About the team

The Solutions Engineering 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, partnering directly with founders and technical teams to design, build, and scale new AI products on OpenAI.

About the role

We are seeking a technically proficient, product-minded Solutions Engineer to help push the frontier of advanced AI with our startup customers. You'll work with early-stage and high-growth AI startups, guiding them through ideation, development, delivery, and scaling to accelerate and maximize the value of what they build on the OpenAI platform. You will: collaborate closely with Sales, Solutions Architecture, Applied Research, and Product teams; collect and deliver high-fidelity product and model feedback internally; and report to the Startups Solutions Engineering Lead. This role is based in OpenAI's San Francisco HQ and follows a hybrid work model (3 days in office per week). Relocation assistance is offered to new employees.

Responsibilities

• Partner closely with startups as their technical thought partner to build novel applications on the OpenAI API, helping them move from concept to production at scale.
• Create and deliver repeatable guidance for the broader startup ecosystem by publishing best practices, sample apps, deployment patterns, and technical playbooks.
• Lead workshops, office hours, hackathons, and founder roundtables to share guidance and drive adoption.
• Collaborate with Product and Research to ensure models and platform deliver frontier-level performance on real startup workloads.
• Synthesize high-fidelity product and model feedback from a broad portfolio of startups and translate it into clear, prioritized requirements that shape the roadmap.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience as a software engineer, ML engineer, or equivalent; experience in startups is strongly preferred. Experience as a founder or founding engineer is highly valued.
• Proficiency in Python and JavaScript.
• Strong grasp of AI/LLM best practices and practical experience building or deploying LLM-based solutions.
• Experience building and/or delivering prototypes on top of the OpenAI API platform.
• Ability to identify opportunities to maximize customers' business value through the OpenAI API.
• Experience owning problems end-to-end and learning missing knowledge as needed.
• Strong collaboration, communication, and program execution skills; ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and prioritize effectively.

Benefits

• Base salary range: $220,000 - $280,000 (Zone A). Total compensation may include equity and performance-related bonuses.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance; employer contributions to HSAs; pre-tax FSA options.
• 401(k) with employer match.
• Paid parental leave and paid medical/caregiver leave.
• Flexible PTO for exempt employees and paid time off for non-exempt employees.
• 13+ paid company holidays and company office closures.
• Mental health and wellness support; employer-paid basic life and disability coverage.
• Annual learning & development stipend; meals in office and meal delivery credits as eligible.
• Relocation support for eligible employees.
• Background checks in accordance with applicable law; reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities.

Additional information

• Location: San Francisco HQ. Hybrid work model (3 days in office per week).
• Reports to: Startups Solutions Engineering Lead.
• Collaborates with: Sales, Solutions Architecture, Applied Research, Product teams.