Role Overview

The GTM Innovation team at OpenAI serves as an internal incubator, deploying groundbreaking applications of our technology to transform how Sales, Technical Success, Enablement, and Revenue Operations engage with customers. As a Backend Software Engineer on this elite team, you'll partner directly with go-to-market leaders to understand their workflows, identify high-leverage opportunities, and ship novel solutions powered by OpenAI's API platform.

This isn't traditional backend engineering. You'll move at startup speed from prototype to production, owning end-to-end outcomes that directly shape how customers experience OpenAI technology in the field. Perfect for engineers who crave user proximity, product ownership, and the opportunity to define entirely new categories of enterprise AI software.

Based in San Francisco, this role offers immediate impact on OpenAI's most critical growth initiatives while working alongside some of the world's top AI researchers and engineers.

Key Responsibilities

• Architect and build high-impact backend applications that accelerate OpenAI's go-to-market velocity
• Lead full product lifecycle execution: rapid prototyping, iterative development, production deployment, and ongoing maintenance
• Embed directly with Sales, Technical Success, and Revenue Operations teams to deeply understand user workflows
• Innovate novel applications of OpenAI models to solve complex customer engagement and internal workflow challenges
• Synthesize deployment learnings into actionable insights for Applied Research and core product teams
• Design scalable API integrations that handle enterprise-scale customer interactions
• Collaborate cross-functionally to translate business requirements into technical architecture
• Optimize LLM-powered workflows for performance, cost-efficiency, and reliability
• Mentor junior engineers while maintaining hands-on coding ownership
• Drive 0→1 product innovation in uncharted enterprise AI territory
• Instrument applications for deep user behavior analytics and continuous improvement
• Partner with frontend engineers to deliver seamless full-stack experiences
• Establish best practices for rapid iteration in production AI systems

Qualifications

Technical Excellence (Required):

• 4+ years building user-facing systems as software/ML/product engineer
• Deep fluency in Python or JavaScript with full-stack application experience
• Proven track record building LLM-powered workflows using OpenAI API or equivalent

Product Mindset (Required):

• Experience owning end-to-end product outcomes from 0→1
• Comfort embedding with non-technical users to identify unmet needs
• Ability to move quickly while shipping production-grade systems

Startup DNA (Strongly Preferred):

• Former founder or early engineer at high-growth startup
• Experience building products from scratch in resource-constrained environments

Cultural Fit:

• Thrives in ambiguity with strong ownership mentality
• Collaborative team player who elevates those around them
• Deep curiosity about AI's frontier applications
• Mission-driven to ensure AGI benefits all humanity

Salary & Benefits

Competitive Compensation: Total compensation for this senior role typically ranges from $220,000 - $350,000 annually, including base salary, equity, and performance bonuses. Exact compensation determined by experience level and qualifications.

Comprehensive Benefits Package:

• Top-tier medical, dental, vision coverage
• 401(k) with generous matching
• Unlimited PTO with recharge encouragement
• Parental leave and fertility benefits
• Professional development budget
• Stock options in AI market leader
• Weekly catered meals, fitness reimbursement
• Mental health support programs

OpenAI offers one of the most competitive compensation packages in AI, reflecting our commitment to attracting world-class talent.

Why Join OpenAI?

OpenAI isn't just building AI products—we're creating the most powerful technology humanity has ever developed. Your work on the GTM Innovation team will:

• Shape AI's Commercial Future: Directly influence how the world's most advanced AI reaches enterprise customers
• Work on Frontier Problems: Apply latest models to unsolved go-to-market challenges
• Maximum Impact: Small team, massive leverage—your code touches millions of customer interactions
• Elite Environment: Collaborate with PhDs, founders, and industry pioneers daily
• Mission Alignment: Ensure AGI benefits all humanity through safe, responsible deployment

This is rare: a chance to build at startup speed with OpenAI's unlimited resources and the world's best talent.

How to Apply

Ready to redefine enterprise AI? Submit your application including:

• Resume/CV highlighting relevant experience
• GitHub/portfolio with LLM projects (strongly preferred)
• Brief note on your most impactful 0→1 project

OpenAI is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Background checks conducted per applicable law.

Applications reviewed on rolling basis. Top candidates contacted within 1 week.