Research Engineer Careers at OpenAI - San Francisco, California | Apply Now!

Role Overview

Join OpenAI as a Research Engineer in San Francisco and become part of the team building AI systems that achieve unprecedented performance levels. At OpenAI, Research Engineers are at the forefront of artificial intelligence innovation, designing and implementing massive-scale distributed machine learning systems that power breakthroughs in deep learning. This role spans all teams at OpenAI, giving you exposure to cutting-edge projects that push the boundaries of what's possible with AI.

We're seeking exceptional engineers who thrive in large distributed systems environments and have the skills to turn research ideas into production-ready AI systems. Your work will directly contribute to OpenAI's mission of ensuring general-purpose artificial intelligence benefits all of humanity. With strong programming skills and experience in scalable ML infrastructure, you'll help create AI that performs previously impossible tasks while maintaining the highest standards of safety and reliability.

The role demands expertise in writing bug-free machine learning code and building the scientific foundation behind advanced algorithms. As AI research increasingly relies on massive scale, your ability to engineer distributed systems at this level will be crucial to future breakthroughs. OpenAI values engineers who are excited about our research approach and committed to responsible AI development.

Key Responsibilities

As a Research Engineer at OpenAI, your responsibilities will include:

• Designing and implementing massive-scale distributed machine learning training systems capable of handling thousands of GPUs
• Developing high-performance implementations of state-of-the-art deep learning algorithms
• Writing production-quality, bug-free machine learning code that scales reliably
• Optimizing AI models and infrastructure for unprecedented performance and efficiency
• Collaborating with researchers to transition experimental algorithms into production systems
• Building and maintaining large-scale data processing pipelines for training datasets
• Debugging complex distributed training issues across multi-node GPU clusters
• Implementing novel scaling techniques for transformer models and beyond
• Creating robust monitoring and alerting systems for distributed AI training jobs
• Contributing to OpenAI's infrastructure for safe AGI development and deployment
• Working cross-functionally with research, deployment, and safety teams
• Documenting engineering approaches and mentoring junior team members
• Staying current with latest advancements in ML systems and distributed computing

Qualifications

To succeed in this Research Engineer role at OpenAI, you should possess:

• Strong programming skills, particularly in Python, C++, or Rust
• Proven experience working with large distributed systems and HPC environments
• Demonstrated ability to write bug-free production ML code
• Deep expertise in deep learning frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow, JAX)
• Experience with GPU programming (CUDA) and model parallelism techniques
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP) and container orchestration (Kubernetes)
• Track record of shipping ML systems at scale in previous roles
• Excitement about OpenAI's mission and approach to AI research
• Strong problem-solving skills in complex, ambiguous environments
• Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, or related field
• 2+ years of relevant experience in ML engineering or systems research
• Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate across teams

Nice-to-have qualifications include prior experience creating high-performance deep learning implementations and thoughtful consideration of AI's societal impacts.

Salary & Benefits

OpenAI offers competitive compensation packages for Research Engineers in San Francisco, typically ranging from $250,000 to $450,000 annually, including base salary, equity, and performance bonuses. The exact offer depends on experience level and location.

Comprehensive benefits include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with 100% premium coverage
• 401(k) with generous company matching
• Unlimited PTO policy with mandatory recharge periods
• 16+ weeks paid parental leave for primary and secondary caregivers
• Learning and development stipend ($5,000+ annually)
• Relocation assistance package for new hires
• Fitness reimbursement and mental health support
• Weekly catered meals and fully stocked kitchens
• State-of-the-art hardware setups with multiple monitors and high-end GPUs
• Equity in OpenAI with significant upside potential

Why Join OpenAI?

OpenAI is the leading AI research organization dedicated to ensuring AGI benefits humanity. By joining as a Research Engineer, you'll work alongside the world's top AI talent on projects that make headlines and shape the future. Our San Francisco headquarters provides an unparalleled environment for innovation, with access to massive compute resources and collaborative research spaces.

Unlike traditional tech companies, OpenAI operates at the intersection of research and deployment, giving you the opportunity to see your systems power real-world products used by millions. We prioritize safety and responsible AI development, ensuring your work has positive global impact. OpenAI's flat structure means your contributions matter immediately, with direct access to leadership and researchers.

Our culture emphasizes curiosity, impact, and work-life balance. With unlimited PTO, generous parental leave, and comprehensive health benefits, OpenAI supports engineers in doing their best work. Join us to build the future of AI at unprecedented scale.

How to Apply

Ready to build groundbreaking AI systems at OpenAI? Submit your application today! Include your resume, GitHub/portfolio links showcasing distributed ML systems experience, and a brief note explaining why you're excited about OpenAI's mission. We're hiring across all Research Engineer teams in San Francisco.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Top candidates can expect technical interviews focusing on distributed systems design, ML implementation, and algorithmic problem-solving. OpenAI is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion.

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