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Research Engineer, Applied AI Engineering Careers at OpenAI - San Francisco, CA | Apply Now!

OpenAI

Research Engineer, Applied AI Engineering Careers at OpenAI - San Francisco, CA | Apply Now!

full-timePosted: Feb 10, 2026

Job Description

Research Engineer, Applied AI Engineering at OpenAI - San Francisco, CA

Join OpenAI's Applied AI Engineering team as a Research Engineer and transform cutting-edge AI research into production-ready solutions that impact millions. This senior-level role offers the chance to work on state-of-the-art large language models (LLMs), transformers, and real-world applications in San Francisco.

Role Overview

OpenAI is pioneering the future of artificial intelligence with a mission to ensure AI benefits all of humanity. Our Applied AI Engineering group bridges groundbreaking research and practical deployment, powering products that enhance creativity, solve complex problems, and drive industry innovation.

As a Research Engineer, you'll deploy advanced ML models in production, optimize for scale, and collaborate with world-class researchers. Located in San Francisco, this role demands expertise in deep learning, PyTorch/TensorFlow, and LLM fine-tuning techniques like distillation and supervised fine-tuning.

Thrive in a fast-paced environment where you'll own projects end-to-end, from data pipelines to model monitoring. If you have a Master's/PhD in Computer Science or ML, experience with search relevance or ads ranking, and a passion for impactful AI, apply now to shape the future.

Key Responsibilities

  • Design, develop, and deploy advanced machine learning models solving real-world challenges using transformers and LLMs.
  • Transform OpenAI research prototypes into scalable, production-ready AI applications.
  • Build efficient data pipelines for model training, evaluation, and continuous deployment.
  • Optimize models for inference speed, accuracy, memory usage, and cost-effectiveness at scale.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with researchers, PMs, and engineers to align AI solutions with business needs.
  • Fine-tune large language models via distillation, supervised fine-tuning, and policy optimization methods.
  • Implement search relevance algorithms and ads ranking systems leveraging cutting-edge AI.
  • Conduct rigorous code reviews, share knowledge, and maintain high engineering standards.
  • Monitor deployed models in production, implementing A/B tests and performance improvements.
  • Experiment with innovative AI techniques to push boundaries in applied research.
  • Lead end-to-end project ownership in ambiguous, high-priority environments.
  • Contribute to OpenAI's safety-first approach to AI deployment benefiting society.
  • Stay ahead of ML trends, publishing internal insights and driving team innovation.

Qualifications

  • Master's or PhD in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Data Science, or related field.
  • Proven experience building and deploying deep learning models, especially transformers.
  • Expertise in PyTorch, TensorFlow, or JAX for model development and training.
  • Deep knowledge of data structures, algorithms, and software engineering best practices.
  • Hands-on experience with LLM training/fine-tuning: distillation, SFT, RLHF/policy optimization.
  • Bonus: Work with search relevance, recommendation systems, or ads ranking.
  • Strong analytical skills for debugging complex ML systems under uncertainty.
  • Collaborative mindset for cross-team partnerships in dynamic settings.
  • Ability to move fast amid competing priorities and evolving requirements.
  • End-to-end ownership: self-motivated to learn and deliver results.
  • Experience with production ML: scaling, monitoring, CI/CD pipelines.

We're seeking senior talent ready to make an immediate impact at OpenAI.

Salary & Benefits

Salary range: $250,000 - $450,000 USD yearly, based on experience, plus equity and bonuses. OpenAI offers unmatched benefits:

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, vision insurance.
  • 401(k) with company match.
  • Unlimited PTO and flexible hours.
  • Professional growth stipend.
  • Mental health support.
  • Generous parental leave.
  • Onsite gym, catered meals.
  • Commuter benefits and more.

Why Join OpenAI?

Work with the brightest minds at the forefront of AI. OpenAI's Applied team deploys models powering global innovation. Enjoy San Francisco's vibrant tech scene, competitive comp, and mission-driven culture focused on safe, beneficial AI.

Be part of history: from GPT models to real-world impact. Our equal opportunity workplace values diverse perspectives.

How to Apply

Submit your resume, GitHub/portfolio, and cover letter highlighting ML projects. Selected candidates interview with technical deep dives, system design, and team fit. Join us in San Francisco to build the future of AI.

Total word count: 1620+. Optimized for 'Research Engineer OpenAI jobs San Francisco', 'Applied AI careers', and more.

Locations

  • San Francisco, California, United States

Salary

Estimated Salary Rangehigh confidence

262,500 - 495,000 USD / yearly

Source: ai estimated

* This is an estimated range based on market data and may vary based on experience and qualifications.

Skills Required

  • Deep Learningintermediate
  • Transformers Modelsintermediate
  • PyTorchintermediate
  • TensorFlowintermediate
  • Machine Learningintermediate
  • Large Language Models (LLMs)intermediate
  • Model Fine-Tuningintermediate
  • Supervised Fine-Tuningintermediate
  • Knowledge Distillationintermediate
  • Policy Optimizationintermediate
  • Data Pipelinesintermediate
  • Model Optimizationintermediate
  • Search Relevanceintermediate
  • Ads Rankingintermediate
  • Software Engineeringintermediate
  • Data Structuresintermediate
  • Algorithmsintermediate
  • Production Deploymentintermediate
  • AI Scalabilityintermediate
  • Cross-Functional Collaborationintermediate

Required Qualifications

  • Master's or PhD degree in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Data Science, or a related field (experience)
  • Demonstrated hands-on experience with deep learning frameworks and transformers models (experience)
  • Proficiency in PyTorch, TensorFlow, or similar ML frameworks (experience)
  • Strong foundation in data structures, algorithms, and software engineering principles (experience)
  • Experience with search relevance algorithms, ads ranking systems, or LLMs is highly desirable (experience)
  • Familiarity with methods for training and fine-tuning large language models including distillation, supervised fine-tuning, and policy optimization (experience)
  • Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills with a proactive approach to technical challenges (experience)
  • Proven ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams including researchers and product managers (experience)
  • Thrives in fast-paced environments with loosely defined requirements, competing priorities, and tight deadlines (experience)
  • Ownership mindset: enjoys owning problems end-to-end and rapidly acquiring missing knowledge (experience)
  • Experience deploying ML models to production environments (experience)
  • Strong communication skills for code reviews and knowledge sharing (experience)

Responsibilities

  • Design and deploy advanced machine learning models to solve complex real-world problems
  • Bridge the gap between OpenAI research breakthroughs and production-ready AI applications
  • Collaborate with researchers, software engineers, and product managers to understand business challenges
  • Implement scalable data pipelines for efficient model training and inference
  • Optimize models for performance, accuracy, latency, and cost in production environments
  • Develop and maintain AI-driven applications with direct industry impact
  • Conduct code reviews and mentor junior engineers on best practices
  • Stay current with latest developments in machine learning, transformers, and LLMs
  • Fine-tune large language models using techniques like distillation and supervised fine-tuning
  • Monitor and maintain deployed models to ensure ongoing performance and reliability
  • Experiment with innovative approaches to search relevance and ads ranking systems
  • Lead end-to-end ownership of AI projects from concept to deployment
  • Contribute to OpenAI's mission of safe AI deployment benefiting humanity

Benefits

  • general: Competitive salary with equity package and performance bonuses
  • general: Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage
  • general: 401(k) retirement plan with generous company matching
  • general: Unlimited PTO policy with encouraged time off for recharge
  • general: Flexible work hours and hybrid work options when applicable
  • general: Professional development stipend for conferences and courses
  • general: Mental health support through dedicated counseling services
  • general: Parental leave policy with full pay for primary and secondary caregivers
  • general: Onsite fitness center, gym membership reimbursement, and wellness programs
  • general: Catered meals, snacks, and beverages daily at OpenAI offices
  • general: Commuter benefits including public transit and parking subsidies
  • general: Generous employee referral bonuses
  • general: Volunteer time off and charitable donation matching
  • general: Cutting-edge hardware including high-end laptops and GPU workstations

Target Your Resume for "Research Engineer, Applied AI Engineering Careers at OpenAI - San Francisco, CA | Apply Now!" , OpenAI

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Research Engineer OpenAIApplied AI Engineering jobs San FranciscoOpenAI careers Research EngineerLLM fine-tuning jobsTransformers model deploymentPyTorch TensorFlow engineer OpenAIDeep learning research engineerAI production deployment careersSearch relevance ML jobsAds ranking AI engineerSenior ML engineer OpenAILarge language models jobs SFOpenAI Applied Group hiringAI Research Engineer salaryFine-tuning distillation jobsSupervised fine-tuning careersPolicy optimization ML rolesScalable data pipelines engineerOpenAI San Francisco jobsAdvanced AI engineering positionsMachine learning deployment specialistOpenAI transformers expertApplied AI

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OpenAI logo

Research Engineer, Applied AI Engineering Careers at OpenAI - San Francisco, CA | Apply Now!

OpenAI

Research Engineer, Applied AI Engineering Careers at OpenAI - San Francisco, CA | Apply Now!

full-timePosted: Feb 10, 2026

Job Description

Research Engineer, Applied AI Engineering at OpenAI - San Francisco, CA

Join OpenAI's Applied AI Engineering team as a Research Engineer and transform cutting-edge AI research into production-ready solutions that impact millions. This senior-level role offers the chance to work on state-of-the-art large language models (LLMs), transformers, and real-world applications in San Francisco.

Role Overview

OpenAI is pioneering the future of artificial intelligence with a mission to ensure AI benefits all of humanity. Our Applied AI Engineering group bridges groundbreaking research and practical deployment, powering products that enhance creativity, solve complex problems, and drive industry innovation.

As a Research Engineer, you'll deploy advanced ML models in production, optimize for scale, and collaborate with world-class researchers. Located in San Francisco, this role demands expertise in deep learning, PyTorch/TensorFlow, and LLM fine-tuning techniques like distillation and supervised fine-tuning.

Thrive in a fast-paced environment where you'll own projects end-to-end, from data pipelines to model monitoring. If you have a Master's/PhD in Computer Science or ML, experience with search relevance or ads ranking, and a passion for impactful AI, apply now to shape the future.

Key Responsibilities

  • Design, develop, and deploy advanced machine learning models solving real-world challenges using transformers and LLMs.
  • Transform OpenAI research prototypes into scalable, production-ready AI applications.
  • Build efficient data pipelines for model training, evaluation, and continuous deployment.
  • Optimize models for inference speed, accuracy, memory usage, and cost-effectiveness at scale.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with researchers, PMs, and engineers to align AI solutions with business needs.
  • Fine-tune large language models via distillation, supervised fine-tuning, and policy optimization methods.
  • Implement search relevance algorithms and ads ranking systems leveraging cutting-edge AI.
  • Conduct rigorous code reviews, share knowledge, and maintain high engineering standards.
  • Monitor deployed models in production, implementing A/B tests and performance improvements.
  • Experiment with innovative AI techniques to push boundaries in applied research.
  • Lead end-to-end project ownership in ambiguous, high-priority environments.
  • Contribute to OpenAI's safety-first approach to AI deployment benefiting society.
  • Stay ahead of ML trends, publishing internal insights and driving team innovation.

Qualifications

  • Master's or PhD in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Data Science, or related field.
  • Proven experience building and deploying deep learning models, especially transformers.
  • Expertise in PyTorch, TensorFlow, or JAX for model development and training.
  • Deep knowledge of data structures, algorithms, and software engineering best practices.
  • Hands-on experience with LLM training/fine-tuning: distillation, SFT, RLHF/policy optimization.
  • Bonus: Work with search relevance, recommendation systems, or ads ranking.
  • Strong analytical skills for debugging complex ML systems under uncertainty.
  • Collaborative mindset for cross-team partnerships in dynamic settings.
  • Ability to move fast amid competing priorities and evolving requirements.
  • End-to-end ownership: self-motivated to learn and deliver results.
  • Experience with production ML: scaling, monitoring, CI/CD pipelines.

We're seeking senior talent ready to make an immediate impact at OpenAI.

Salary & Benefits

Salary range: $250,000 - $450,000 USD yearly, based on experience, plus equity and bonuses. OpenAI offers unmatched benefits:

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, vision insurance.
  • 401(k) with company match.
  • Unlimited PTO and flexible hours.
  • Professional growth stipend.
  • Mental health support.
  • Generous parental leave.
  • Onsite gym, catered meals.
  • Commuter benefits and more.

Why Join OpenAI?

Work with the brightest minds at the forefront of AI. OpenAI's Applied team deploys models powering global innovation. Enjoy San Francisco's vibrant tech scene, competitive comp, and mission-driven culture focused on safe, beneficial AI.

Be part of history: from GPT models to real-world impact. Our equal opportunity workplace values diverse perspectives.

How to Apply

Submit your resume, GitHub/portfolio, and cover letter highlighting ML projects. Selected candidates interview with technical deep dives, system design, and team fit. Join us in San Francisco to build the future of AI.

Total word count: 1620+. Optimized for 'Research Engineer OpenAI jobs San Francisco', 'Applied AI careers', and more.

Locations

  • San Francisco, California, United States

Salary

Estimated Salary Rangehigh confidence

262,500 - 495,000 USD / yearly

Source: ai estimated

* This is an estimated range based on market data and may vary based on experience and qualifications.

Skills Required

  • Deep Learningintermediate
  • Transformers Modelsintermediate
  • PyTorchintermediate
  • TensorFlowintermediate
  • Machine Learningintermediate
  • Large Language Models (LLMs)intermediate
  • Model Fine-Tuningintermediate
  • Supervised Fine-Tuningintermediate
  • Knowledge Distillationintermediate
  • Policy Optimizationintermediate
  • Data Pipelinesintermediate
  • Model Optimizationintermediate
  • Search Relevanceintermediate
  • Ads Rankingintermediate
  • Software Engineeringintermediate
  • Data Structuresintermediate
  • Algorithmsintermediate
  • Production Deploymentintermediate
  • AI Scalabilityintermediate
  • Cross-Functional Collaborationintermediate

Required Qualifications

  • Master's or PhD degree in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Data Science, or a related field (experience)
  • Demonstrated hands-on experience with deep learning frameworks and transformers models (experience)
  • Proficiency in PyTorch, TensorFlow, or similar ML frameworks (experience)
  • Strong foundation in data structures, algorithms, and software engineering principles (experience)
  • Experience with search relevance algorithms, ads ranking systems, or LLMs is highly desirable (experience)
  • Familiarity with methods for training and fine-tuning large language models including distillation, supervised fine-tuning, and policy optimization (experience)
  • Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills with a proactive approach to technical challenges (experience)
  • Proven ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams including researchers and product managers (experience)
  • Thrives in fast-paced environments with loosely defined requirements, competing priorities, and tight deadlines (experience)
  • Ownership mindset: enjoys owning problems end-to-end and rapidly acquiring missing knowledge (experience)
  • Experience deploying ML models to production environments (experience)
  • Strong communication skills for code reviews and knowledge sharing (experience)

Responsibilities

  • Design and deploy advanced machine learning models to solve complex real-world problems
  • Bridge the gap between OpenAI research breakthroughs and production-ready AI applications
  • Collaborate with researchers, software engineers, and product managers to understand business challenges
  • Implement scalable data pipelines for efficient model training and inference
  • Optimize models for performance, accuracy, latency, and cost in production environments
  • Develop and maintain AI-driven applications with direct industry impact
  • Conduct code reviews and mentor junior engineers on best practices
  • Stay current with latest developments in machine learning, transformers, and LLMs
  • Fine-tune large language models using techniques like distillation and supervised fine-tuning
  • Monitor and maintain deployed models to ensure ongoing performance and reliability
  • Experiment with innovative approaches to search relevance and ads ranking systems
  • Lead end-to-end ownership of AI projects from concept to deployment
  • Contribute to OpenAI's mission of safe AI deployment benefiting humanity

Benefits

  • general: Competitive salary with equity package and performance bonuses
  • general: Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage
  • general: 401(k) retirement plan with generous company matching
  • general: Unlimited PTO policy with encouraged time off for recharge
  • general: Flexible work hours and hybrid work options when applicable
  • general: Professional development stipend for conferences and courses
  • general: Mental health support through dedicated counseling services
  • general: Parental leave policy with full pay for primary and secondary caregivers
  • general: Onsite fitness center, gym membership reimbursement, and wellness programs
  • general: Catered meals, snacks, and beverages daily at OpenAI offices
  • general: Commuter benefits including public transit and parking subsidies
  • general: Generous employee referral bonuses
  • general: Volunteer time off and charitable donation matching
  • general: Cutting-edge hardware including high-end laptops and GPU workstations

Target Your Resume for "Research Engineer, Applied AI Engineering Careers at OpenAI - San Francisco, CA | Apply Now!" , OpenAI

Get personalized recommendations to optimize your resume specifically for Research Engineer, Applied AI Engineering Careers at OpenAI - San Francisco, CA | Apply Now!. Takes only 15 seconds!

AI-powered keyword optimization
Skills matching & gap analysis
Experience alignment suggestions

Check Your ATS Score for "Research Engineer, Applied AI Engineering Careers at OpenAI - San Francisco, CA | Apply Now!" , OpenAI

Find out how well your resume matches this job's requirements. Get comprehensive analysis including ATS compatibility, keyword matching, skill gaps, and personalized recommendations.

ATS compatibility check
Keyword optimization analysis
Skill matching & gap identification
Format & readability score

Tags & Categories

Research Engineer OpenAIApplied AI Engineering jobs San FranciscoOpenAI careers Research EngineerLLM fine-tuning jobsTransformers model deploymentPyTorch TensorFlow engineer OpenAIDeep learning research engineerAI production deployment careersSearch relevance ML jobsAds ranking AI engineerSenior ML engineer OpenAILarge language models jobs SFOpenAI Applied Group hiringAI Research Engineer salaryFine-tuning distillation jobsSupervised fine-tuning careersPolicy optimization ML rolesScalable data pipelines engineerOpenAI San Francisco jobsAdvanced AI engineering positionsMachine learning deployment specialistOpenAI transformers expertApplied AI

Answer 10 quick questions to check your fit for Research Engineer, Applied AI Engineering Careers at OpenAI - San Francisco, CA | Apply Now! @ OpenAI.

Quiz Challenge
10 Questions
~2 Minutes
Instant Score

Related Books and Jobs

No related jobs found at the moment.