Role Overview

OpenAI’s Forward Deployed Engineers (FDEs) operate at the crucial intersection of customer delivery and core platform development. Based in Paris, France, you'll lead complex end-to-end deployments of our most advanced large language models (LLMs) and generative AI systems. From initial discovery and technical scoping to system design, build, and production rollout, you'll partner directly with customer engineering and domain teams.

Success in this role is measured by production adoption rates, measurable workflow improvements, and evaluation-driven feedback that directly influences OpenAI's product and model roadmaps. You'll collaborate closely with Product, Research, Partnerships, Governance Risk & Compliance (GRC), Security, and Go-To-Market (GTM) teams. This hybrid position requires 3 days per week in our Paris office, offers relocation assistance, and involves up to 50% travel to customer sites.

As a Forward Deployed Engineer at OpenAI Paris, you'll own the full lifecycle of AI deployments, ensuring our frontier models deliver transformative value. This is not just engineering—it's strategic partnership with global leaders pushing AI boundaries.

Key Responsibilities

Your day-to-day will involve high-impact, hands-on work across the deployment spectrum:

• Own technical delivery for multiple deployments, guiding projects from initial prototypes to stable, scalable production systems.
• Design and build full-stack applications that deliver immediate customer value while capturing insights to refine OpenAI's learning systems.
• Embed with customer teams to deeply understand their technical needs, workflows, and success metrics, then guide seamless adoption of deployed solutions.
• Conduct thorough scoping exercises, sequence delivery phases logically, and eliminate blockers before they impact timelines.
• Navigate complex trade-offs between project scope, development speed, and solution quality, always prioritizing successful delivery.
• Dive into code directly when hands-on contributions accelerate progress or provide necessary clarity for the team.
• Document and productize successful deployment patterns into reusable tools, playbooks, and modular building blocks for broader team use.
• Synthesize field experiences into actionable feedback loops that inform Research model improvements and Product roadmap decisions.
• Maintain relentless forward momentum through crystal-clear communication and unwavering follow-through on commitments.
• Foster cross-functional collaboration with OpenAI's Product, Research, Partnerships, GRC, Security, and GTM organizations.
• Drive measurable outcomes through production adoption metrics, workflow transformation KPIs, and rigorous evaluation frameworks.
• Lead discovery workshops and technical deep dives to translate customer requirements into robust production architectures.
• Ensure all deployed systems meet enterprise-grade standards for reliability, security, scalability, and maintainability.

This role demands both strategic vision and tactical execution in fast-paced, ambiguous environments.

Qualifications

We're seeking battle-tested engineers who thrive in customer-facing, high-stakes deployments:

• 5+ years of engineering or technical deployment experience, with substantial customer-facing responsibilities.
• Demonstrated success scoping and delivering complex, production-grade systems in fast-moving or ambiguous contexts.
• Proficiency writing and reviewing production code across full-stack environments (Python, JavaScript, or equivalent stacks).
• Hands-on experience building or deploying LLM-powered or generative AI systems, with insight into model behavior impacts.
• Exceptional ability to distill complexity into simple, actionable solutions under intense pressure.
• Outstanding communication bridging technical teams, product managers, and executive customer stakeholders.
• Proven risk anticipation skills with agile adjustment capabilities that maintain velocity.
• Composure and sound judgment in mission-critical, high-pressure scenarios.

Paris-based candidates preferred, with relocation support available. Comfort with hybrid work (3 office days/week) and up to 50% travel essential.

Salary & Benefits

OpenAI offers competitive compensation for Forward Deployed Engineers in Paris, estimated at $220,000 - $350,000 USD base annually (total comp higher with equity). Benefits include:

• Comprehensive health coverage and wellness programs
• Unlimited PTO with wellness days
• Relocation assistance to Paris
• Professional development budget
• Parental leave and family benefits
• Hybrid Paris office with modern amenities
• Travel per diem for customer visits
• Equity in OpenAI's mission-driven growth

Why Join OpenAI?

OpenAI leads the global AI revolution, ensuring general-purpose artificial intelligence benefits humanity. Paris team members shape how frontier models transform industries. Work with brilliant minds, tackle humanity's biggest challenges, and enjoy Paris's cultural richness in a hybrid model. Our commitment to safety, diversity, and inclusion creates a thriving environment where your work has global impact.

How to Apply

Ready to deploy frontier AI in Paris? Submit your resume, GitHub/portfolio, and cover letter explaining your fit. Highlight LLM deployment experience and customer-facing successes. OpenAI is equal opportunity employer.