Design, build, and scale the backend services, APIs, and infrastructure that power OpenAI’s developer and enterprise products
Lead the architecture of distributed systems, databases, and data pipelines that support large-scale, high-reliability production workloads
Own major platform capabilities end-to-end, from early technical strategy and design through implementation, launch, and long-term operation
Shape the design of our APIs with care and intentionality, treating API interfaces as core product surfaces and driving a high-quality developer experience
Build secure, reliable, and compliant systems that meet the needs of both enterprise and developer use cases
Partner closely with product, research, design, infrastructure, and forward-deployed engineering teams to bring new capabilities into production
Drive technical direction across complex problem spaces, making sound architectural tradeoffs that balance speed, quality, and long-term maintainability
Improve engineering velocity by building internal tooling, platform abstractions, and systems that increase leverage across the broader organization
Raise the bar for engineering quality, system design, operational excellence, and technical decision-making across teams
Help identify and solve ambiguous, high-impact technical problems that cut across multiple systems and stakeholders

Requirements

Have significant experience building, scaling, and evolving production backend systems in fast-moving environments
Bring deep expertise in software engineering fundamentals, distributed systems, and API design
Are proficient in one or more backend languages such as Python, Go, Rust, or TypeScript
Have a track record of leading complex technical initiatives and driving architecture across teams or critical product areas
Care deeply about reliability, safety, security, and performance in production environments
Have strong product instincts and a high bar for developer experience and interface design
Are comfortable working in ambiguous, fast-moving environments and can create clarity where little exists
Own problems end-to-end and are eager to learn whatever is needed to solve them
Build thoughtfully, move with urgency, and collaborate effectively across disciplines
Influence technical direction through strong judgment, clear communication, and consistently high-quality execution
Have experience as a founder or early engineer at a startup, or have built products and platforms from scratch

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your family, with employer contributions to Health Savings Accounts
Pre-tax accounts for Health FSA, Dependent Care FSA, and commuter expenses (parking and transit)
401(k) retirement plan with employer match
Paid parental leave (up to 24 weeks for birth parents and 20 weeks for non-birthing parents), plus paid medical and caregiver leave (up to 8 weeks)
Paid time off: flexible PTO for exempt employees and up to 15 days annually for non-exempt employees
13+ paid company holidays, and multiple paid coordinated company office closures throughout the year for focus and recharge, plus paid sick or safe time (1 hour per 30 hours worked, or more, as required by applicable state or local law)
Mental health and wellness support
Employer-paid basic life and disability coverage
Annual learning and development stipend to fuel your professional growth
Daily meals in our offices, and meal delivery credits as eligible
Relocation support for eligible employees
Additional taxable fringe benefits, such as charitable donation matching and wellness stipends, may also be provided.

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools

backend systemsAPIsdistributed systemsdata pipelinesPythonGoRustTypeScriptsoftware engineering fundamentalsproduction environments

Soft Skills

leadershipproblem-solvingcollaborationcommunicationproduct instinctsclarity in ambiguityurgencytechnical judgmenthigh-quality executionengineering quality