Role Overview

The Forward Deployed Software Engineer (FDSWE) at OpenAI operates at the exciting intersection of customer delivery and core platform development. You'll partner with high-profile customers to transform OpenAI's research breakthroughs into scalable, production-ready systems. This isn't just coding—it's about embedding yourself in customer environments, understanding their business pain points, and architecting custom solutions that deliver immediate value.

Expect to collaborate across teams: Sales, Solutions Engineering, Solutions Architects, Customer Success Managers, Research, and Applied Product Engineering. Your work will directly influence OpenAI's product roadmap through insightful feedback from real-world deployments. With up to 50% travel and a San Francisco base (3 days/week in-office), this role demands mobility, technical excellence, and a customer-first mindset.

Ideal candidates bring 7+ years of full-stack experience, preferably customer-facing, and thrive in fast-paced, iterative environments. Former startup founders or early engineers will find their product-building expertise highly valued here.

Key Responsibilities

As a Forward Deployed Software Engineer, your days will be filled with high-impact work:

• Deeply embed with strategic customers to grasp their business challenges and technical needs in detail.
• Design and architect full-stack solutions using experiment-driven, iterative methodologies for rapid iteration.
• Develop scalable prototypes and production systems leveraging OpenAI APIs.
• Prepare comprehensive scopes of work and project plans for both POCs and full deployments.
• Act as a hands-on technical expert, coding alongside customer teams on their infrastructure.
• Drive projects from inception to completion, ensuring on-time delivery and customer satisfaction.
• Collaborate with internal Product, Research, and Applied teams to refine customer experiences.
• Deliver actionable feedback that shapes OpenAI's core products and platform.
• Contribute to knowledge bases, documenting best practices from customer engagements.
• Design reusable abstractions to boost delivery speed and quality across all Forward Deployed projects.
• Partner closely with Sales and Solutions teams on the same accounts for holistic customer success.
• Travel up to 50% to customer sites, fostering deep technical partnerships.
• Scale the Forward Deployed Engineering function through shared insights and tooling.

This role demands versatility: from high-level architecture to debugging production issues side-by-side with clients.

Qualifications

To excel as a Forward Deployed Software Engineer at OpenAI, you need:

• 7+ years professional full-stack engineering experience (excluding internships) at tech/product companies.
• Customer-facing experience in roles like solutions engineering or consulting (highly desirable).
• Bonus: Former founder or early startup engineer who has built products from scratch.
• Strong experience with relational databases (Postgres/MySQL).
• Proven bias for action, iterating quickly with customers to nail the right solution.
• Expertise in full-stack development, APIs, cloud services (AWS/GCP), and modern frameworks (React/Node/Python).
• Comfort with hybrid SF-based work and up to 50% travel.
• Excellent communication for technical advising and cross-team collaboration.
• Track record of delivering scalable, production-grade software in customer environments.

OpenAI values diverse perspectives— we're committed to equal opportunity and inclusive hiring.

Salary & Benefits

OpenAI offers competitive compensation for Forward Deployed Software Engineers, estimated at $280,000 - $420,000 USD yearly (including base, bonus, and equity), reflecting senior-level expertise in San Francisco's market. Exact figures depend on experience.

Benefits include:

• Comprehensive health/dental/vision insurance.
• 401(k) with matching.
• Relocation assistance to SF.
• Hybrid model + travel perks.
• Unlimited PTO, parental leave.
• Professional growth stipends.
• Meals, wellness, and cutting-edge AI projects.

Why Join OpenAI?

OpenAI is at the forefront of AGI, ensuring AI benefits humanity. As an FDSWE, you'll work on transformative projects with massive impact. Our San Francisco HQ fosters collaboration among top minds. Join a mission-driven culture valuing safety, diversity, and innovation. Background checks apply per law.

With products like ChatGPT powering the world, your work here shapes the future.

How to Apply

Ready to deploy AI at scale? Submit your resume, LinkedIn, and a note on your customer-facing experience. Highlight startup or API integration projects. OpenAI's team will review promptly. We're excited to meet engineers passionate about AI and customer success!