Host Systems Software Engineer

OpenAI

Host Systems Software Engineer for OpenAI developing performance-critical systems for AI infrastructure. Collaborate across hardware and software boundaries in innovative projects.

Posted 6/3/2026full-timeSan Francisco • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $266,000 - $445,000 per yearWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

LinuxPythonRust

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Design, implement, and debug host-side systems software for AI infrastructure, including Linux kernel drivers and supporting userspace components.
Build and optimize software paths for high-throughput, low-latency communication, including RDMA and related networking functionality.
Develop software around PCIe, DMA, NICs, accelerators, memory movement, and device interaction.
Bring up new hardware platforms and diagnose complex issues across kernel, firmware, networking, and hardware boundaries.
Build tooling for integration, testing, diagnostics, observability, qualification, and performance characterization.
Collaborate with hardware, networking, and platform teams to define interfaces and integrate new capabilities.
Work with external vendors where needed to integrate technologies and drive issues to resolution.
Contribute across the systems software stack as the platform and team evolve.
Help shape the technical direction and engineering practices for a growing systems software stack.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Experience building low-level or performance-critical systems software.
Strong programming skills in C or C++, with proficiency using Python and Linux tooling for automation and debugging.
Strong Linux systems fundamentals and the ability to debug across hardware and software boundaries.
Hands-on experience in at least one relevant area, such as Linux kernel drivers, kernel networking, RDMA, PCIe, DMA, NIC software, accelerator software, or high-performance I/O.
Experience owning complex software projects from design through implementation, bring-up, and validation.
Ability to thrive in ambiguity, work across subsystem boundaries, and build systems from scratch.
Strong cross-functional communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience developing Linux kernel drivers or other OS-level performance-critical components.
Familiarity with RDMA or RoCE, ibverbs, kernel networking, or congestion-control concepts such as ECN and DCQCN.
Experience with PCIe, DMA, peer-to-peer communication, SR-IOV, IOMMU, dma-buf, or related accelerator and I/O subsystems.
Experience bringing up accelerators, NICs, SoCs, or custom hardware platforms.
Experience profiling and optimizing high-throughput, low-latency systems.
Familiarity with Rust or experience using Rust for systems programming.

Benefits

Comp & perks

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.

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

CC++PythonLinux kernel driversRDMAPCIeDMANIC softwareaccelerator softwarehigh-performance I/O

Soft Skills

cross-functional communicationability to thrive in ambiguityproblem-solvingcollaboration