Role Overview

OpenAI’s Forward Deployed Engineers (FDEs) are the bridge between groundbreaking AI research and enterprise-scale production deployments. Based in Munich, Germany, you'll partner directly with top-tier customers to transform research breakthroughs into mission-critical systems that drive measurable business outcomes.

In this high-impact role, you'll own the full lifecycle of complex deployments—from initial discovery and technical scoping through system design, development, and production rollout. Success is measured by production adoption rates, tangible workflow improvements, and evaluation-driven feedback that directly shapes OpenAI's product and model roadmaps.

This position requires a hybrid work model (3 days/week in our Munich office) with up to 50% travel to customer sites. We provide comprehensive relocation assistance for qualified candidates passionate about deploying safe, beneficial AI at global scale.

Working alongside Product, Research, Partnerships, GRC, Security, and GTM teams, you'll embed with customer engineering organizations to deliver full-stack solutions powered by the latest large language models (LLMs) and generative AI technologies.

Key Responsibilities

As a Forward Deployed Engineer, your impact will span technical leadership, customer partnership, and strategic feedback loops:

• Lead end-to-end technical delivery for multiple high-stakes deployments, from rapid prototypes to stable production systems serving millions of users.
• Architect and build full-stack applications that integrate frontier models, delivering immediate customer value while capturing rich learning data.
• Embed deeply with customer engineering and domain expert teams to uncover unmet needs and champion adoption of deployed solutions.
• Masterfully scope complex projects, sequence delivery phases strategically, and eliminate blockers before they impact timelines.
• Navigate critical trade-offs between feature scope, development velocity, and production quality while safeguarding delivery commitments.
• Roll up sleeves and contribute production-grade code across Python/JavaScript stacks when execution clarity demands it.
• Systematize field-proven patterns into scalable tools, deployment playbooks, and reusable components that accelerate team-wide progress.
• Synthesize customer usage patterns and model performance insights to provide actionable feedback that evolves OpenAI's research and product direction.
• Maintain relentless forward momentum through crisp communication, rigorous follow-through, and proactive clarity creation.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Research, Product, Security, and Partnerships teams to ensure compliant, secure deployments.
• Drive adoption metrics through rigorous evaluation frameworks and continuous improvement cycles.
• Travel up to 50% to customer sites, building trusted technical partnerships that unlock enterprise-scale AI transformation.
• Champion safe AI deployment practices while pushing technical boundaries in production environments.

Qualifications

Thriving FDEs combine deep technical excellence with customer empathy and delivery ownership:

• 5+ years delivering customer-facing engineering projects or technical deployments in fast-paced environments.
• Demonstrated mastery scoping and shipping complex, production-grade systems amid ambiguity and shifting priorities.
• Production proficiency across full-stack development with Python, JavaScript/TypeScript, and modern web frameworks.
• Hands-on experience building LLM-powered applications with nuanced understanding of model behaviors, limitations, and UX implications.
• Proven ability to distill complex technical challenges into simple, executable plans under deadline pressure.
• Exceptional communication bridging engineers, product managers, executives, and customer stakeholders.
• Instinctive risk radar with track record of preemptive mitigation without sacrificing velocity.
• Composure and sound judgment navigating high-visibility, high-stakes delivery scenarios.

Bonus: Experience with enterprise customers, AI safety practices, DevOps tooling, or European data compliance frameworks.

Salary & Benefits

Competitive Compensation: Total compensation range of $180,000-$300,000 USD annually (base + equity + bonus), calibrated to Munich market with consideration for senior expertise and customer-facing impact.

• Performance-based annual bonuses
• Meaningful equity in OpenAI
• Comprehensive relocation package including housing and settling-in support
• Hybrid Munich office (3 days/week) with state-of-the-art facilities
• Unlimited PTO with wellness recharge encouragement
• Full health coverage (medical, dental, vision)
• 16+ weeks parental leave
• Retirement plan matching
• Professional growth stipend ($5K+ annually)
• Visa sponsorship and immigration support

Why Join OpenAI?

OpenAI isn't just building AI—we're ensuring artificial general intelligence benefits all humanity. As a Forward Deployed Engineer in Munich, you'll:

• Work on frontier models before they're public, shaping AI's real-world impact
• Partner with Global 500 enterprises driving AI transformation
• Directly influence research roadmaps through production insights
• Join Europe's growing AI hub in vibrant Munich
• Thrive in a mission-driven culture prioritizing safety, truth-seeking, and rapid execution
• Access world-class peers pushing AI boundaries daily

We're committed to diversity—applications welcome regardless of background. See our EEO policy.

How to Apply

Ready to deploy frontier AI at scale? Submit your resume, GitHub/portfolio, and a brief note on your most impactful customer-facing deployment. Munich-based candidates prioritized, but exceptional talent worldwide considered with relocation.

Applications reviewed on rolling basis. OpenAI is an equal opportunity employer.