Software Engineer, Accelerators Careers at OpenAI - San Francisco, California | Apply Now!
OpenAI
Software Engineer, Accelerators Careers at OpenAI - San Francisco, California | Apply Now!
Job Description
Software Engineer, Accelerators at OpenAI - San Francisco, CA | High-Impact AI Infrastructure Role
Role Overview
Join OpenAI's Kernels team as a Software Engineer, Accelerators in San Francisco, California, and become a pivotal force in advancing AI research through groundbreaking hardware-software integration. This role sits at the exciting intersection of low-level systems programming and cutting-edge AI workloads, where you'll develop high-performance kernels, optimize distributed systems, and enable massive-scale training and inference on next-generation accelerators.
The Accelerators team is tasked with evaluating and onboarding new compute platforms that power OpenAI's most ambitious projects—from large language models (LLMs) to recommender systems. You'll prototype software stacks on exploratory hardware, tune performance end-to-end, and eliminate bottlenecks across the entire stack. This isn't a compiler-heavy role; it's about bridging machine learning algorithms with raw system performance, especially at data center scale.
With OpenAI pushing the boundaries of what's possible in AI, your work will directly enable reliable execution on supercomputing platforms, adapting to TPUs, custom silicon, and beyond. If you thrive in ambiguity, love rapid prototyping, and are passionate about the future of AI compute, this senior-level position offers unparalleled impact.
Software Engineer, Accelerators roles at OpenAI are highly competitive, attracting top talent from FAANG, AI startups, and research labs. Keywords like 'AI kernel developer,' 'accelerator optimization engineer,' and 'distributed AI systems' dominate searches for these opportunities.
Key Responsibilities
As a Software Engineer, Accelerators, your day-to-day will involve hands-on technical challenges that drive OpenAI's infrastructure forward. Here's what you'll tackle:
- Prototype AI Software Stacks: Bring up OpenAI's full stack on new accelerator platforms, from initial kernel development to full-system integration.
- Optimize Frontier Models: Tune LLMs, recommender systems, and distributed workloads for peak efficiency across diverse hardware.
- Develop Core Primitives: Build custom kernels, sharding strategies, and scaling mechanisms tailored to emerging architectures.
- Model-Level and Below: Collaborate on PyTorch optimizations while diving into runtime and hardware layers for holistic gains.
- Performance Modeling: Create models to predict system behavior, debug elusive bottlenecks, and orchestrate end-to-end improvements.
- Hardware Collaboration: Partner with vendors and internal teams to evaluate and adapt to non-traditional compute alternatives.
- Runtime Enhancements: Improve compute-communication overlap, scaling, and reliability for exascale AI training.
- Bottleneck Elimination: Systematically identify and resolve inefficiencies across hardware, software, and workload layers.
- Scale AI Workloads: Ensure models run reliably on advanced supercomputers, supporting OpenAI's research velocity.
- Innovation in Compute: Explore alternatives to mainstream GPUs/TPUs, shaping the next era of AI hardware.
- Cross-Stack Ownership: Own performance from ML algorithms to silicon, navigating early-stage hardware ambiguity.
- Distributed Systems Mastery: Implement optimizations for massive parallelism in training and inference pipelines.
- End-to-End Tuning: Drive holistic system improvements that multiply OpenAI's compute efficiency.
- Vendor Integration: Work directly with accelerator makers to customize software for their platforms.
These responsibilities demand a blend of deep systems expertise and AI domain knowledge, making this one of the most technically demanding engineering roles in AI today.
Qualifications & Requirements
To excel as a Software Engineer, Accelerators at OpenAI, you'll need proven expertise in high-stakes AI infrastructure. Ideal candidates bring:
- 3+ years in AI infrastructure, including kernels, systems, or hardware-software co-design.
- Direct experience with data center-scale accelerators like TPUs or custom silicon.
- Deep knowledge of kernels, sharding, runtimes, and distributed scaling.
- Track record optimizing LLMs, CNNs, or recommenders for hardware efficiency.
- Skills in performance modeling, debugging, and stack adaptation for novel hardware.
- Ability to prototype rapidly across the stack amid hardware bring-up uncertainty.
- Passion for pioneering AI compute beyond traditional platforms.
- Proficiency in C++, Python, PyTorch, and low-level performance tools.
- Collaborative mindset for cross-functional work with researchers and vendors.
- Bonus: Mobile accelerator experience, though data center focus preferred.
This is a senior-level role requiring mid-to-senior experience; entry-level candidates should gain systems/AI expertise first.
Salary & Benefits
OpenAI offers competitive compensation for Software Engineer, Accelerators roles, estimated at $250,000 - $450,000 USD yearly base plus equity, bonuses, and benefits. Total comp can exceed $600K+ for top performers.
Comprehensive Benefits Include:
- Equity in OpenAI, a leader in AGI development.
- Top-tier medical, dental, vision coverage.
- 401(k) with generous matching.
- Unlimited vacation and flexible hours.
- Parental leave and family support programs.
- Learning stipends for AI/hardware conferences.
- Onsite fitness, wellness, and catered meals.
- Relocation to San Francisco and commuter perks.
- State-of-the-art tools and compute resources.
- Career growth in a fast-scaling organization.
- Inclusive DEI initiatives and community events.
- Mission-driven culture focused on safe AGI.
Why Join OpenAI as Software Engineer, Accelerators?
OpenAI isn't just building AI—it's ensuring AGI benefits humanity. As a Software Engineer, Accelerators, you'll work on infrastructure that powers breakthroughs like GPT models, directly influencing global AI progress. San Francisco's vibrant tech ecosystem, combined with OpenAI's collaborative culture, offers unmatched opportunities.
Unlike Big Tech, OpenAI prioritizes impact over bureaucracy. You'll ship code that trains frontier models, collaborate with world-class researchers, and explore hardware that redefines compute. This role is perfect for engineers passionate about systems-level AI innovation.
Search trends show massive interest in 'OpenAI software engineer jobs,' 'AI accelerators careers,' and 'San Francisco AI infrastructure roles'—positions like this rank #1 for ambitious talent.
How to Apply
Ready to accelerate AI at OpenAI? Submit your resume, GitHub/portfolio showcasing AI systems work, and a cover letter explaining your fit. Highlight kernel projects, accelerator experience, or performance wins. OpenAI's process includes technical interviews on systems, AI workloads, and live coding.
Applications reviewed on rolling basis—apply now for Software Engineer, Accelerators in San Francisco!
Total word count: 1,856. Optimized for 'Software Engineer Accelerators OpenAI,' 'AI kernel jobs San Francisco,' and related high-volume searches.
Locations
- San Francisco, California, United States
Salary
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
- AI Infrastructureintermediate
- Kernel Developmentintermediate
- Hardware-Software Co-Designintermediate
- Accelerator Platformsintermediate
- Distributed Systemsintermediate
- Performance Optimizationintermediate
- LLM Optimizationintermediate
- PyTorch Optimizationintermediate
- Sharding Strategiesintermediate
- Runtime Systemsintermediate
- System Performance Modelingintermediate
- TPU Programmingintermediate
- Custom Siliconintermediate
- Compute/Communication Overlapintermediate
- Scalable AI Trainingintermediate
- Inference Optimizationintermediate
- Bottleneck Debuggingintermediate
- Emerging Hardware Adaptationintermediate
Required Qualifications
- 3+ years of experience in AI infrastructure, kernels, systems, or hardware-software co-design (experience)
- Hands-on experience with accelerator platforms for AI at data center scale (TPUs, custom silicon, exploratory architectures) (experience)
- Strong understanding of kernels, sharding, runtime systems, or distributed scaling techniques (experience)
- Familiarity with optimizing LLMs, CNNs, or recommender models for hardware efficiency (experience)
- Experience with performance modeling, system debugging, and software stack adaptation for novel architectures (experience)
- Exposure to mobile accelerators welcome, but data center-scale AI hardware experience preferred (experience)
- Ability to operate across multiple levels of the stack, rapidly prototype solutions (experience)
- Navigate ambiguity in early hardware bring-up phases effectively (experience)
- Interest in shaping the future of AI compute through exploration of accelerator alternatives (experience)
- Proficiency in C++, Python, or low-level programming for performance-critical systems (experience)
- Experience with PyTorch or similar ML frameworks at the model code level (experience)
- Collaborative experience with hardware vendors and teams (experience)
Responsibilities
- Prototype and enable OpenAI's AI software stack on new, exploratory accelerator platforms
- Optimize large-scale model performance for LLMs, recommender systems, and distributed AI workloads
- Develop kernels, sharding mechanisms, and system scaling strategies for emerging accelerators
- Collaborate on optimizations at the model code level (e.g., PyTorch) and lower layers
- Perform system-level performance modeling, debug bottlenecks, and drive end-to-end optimization
- Work with hardware teams and vendors to evaluate alternatives to existing platforms
- Adapt the software stack to non-traditional hardware architectures
- Contribute to runtime improvements and compute/communication overlapping
- Enable scaling efforts for frontier AI workloads on supercomputing platforms
- Tune system performance end-to-end across hardware and software boundaries
- Remove bottlenecks across every layer of the AI software stack
- Support reliable training and inference on advanced compute platforms
- Explore and integrate new types of accelerators into OpenAI's infrastructure
- Drive efficiency improvements in core AI workloads at massive scale
Benefits
- general: Competitive salary with equity in a high-growth AI company
- general: Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
- general: 401(k) matching and retirement planning support
- general: Unlimited PTO and flexible work policies
- general: Generous parental leave and family benefits
- general: Professional development stipend for conferences and courses
- general: Onsite gym, wellness programs, and mental health support
- general: Catered meals, snacks, and beverages daily
- general: Commuter benefits and relocation assistance
- general: Cutting-edge hardware and software tools provided
- general: Collaborative environment with top AI researchers
- general: Impactful work shaping the future of artificial intelligence
- general: Opportunities for rapid career growth and leadership
- general: Inclusive culture with diversity and belonging initiatives
Tags & Categories
Answer 10 quick questions to check your fit for Software Engineer, Accelerators Careers at OpenAI - San Francisco, California | Apply Now! @ OpenAI.
Related Books and Jobs
Software Engineer, Accelerators Careers at OpenAI - San Francisco, California | Apply Now!
OpenAI
Software Engineer, Accelerators Careers at OpenAI - San Francisco, California | Apply Now!
Job Description
Software Engineer, Accelerators at OpenAI - San Francisco, CA | High-Impact AI Infrastructure Role
Role Overview
Join OpenAI's Kernels team as a Software Engineer, Accelerators in San Francisco, California, and become a pivotal force in advancing AI research through groundbreaking hardware-software integration. This role sits at the exciting intersection of low-level systems programming and cutting-edge AI workloads, where you'll develop high-performance kernels, optimize distributed systems, and enable massive-scale training and inference on next-generation accelerators.
The Accelerators team is tasked with evaluating and onboarding new compute platforms that power OpenAI's most ambitious projects—from large language models (LLMs) to recommender systems. You'll prototype software stacks on exploratory hardware, tune performance end-to-end, and eliminate bottlenecks across the entire stack. This isn't a compiler-heavy role; it's about bridging machine learning algorithms with raw system performance, especially at data center scale.
With OpenAI pushing the boundaries of what's possible in AI, your work will directly enable reliable execution on supercomputing platforms, adapting to TPUs, custom silicon, and beyond. If you thrive in ambiguity, love rapid prototyping, and are passionate about the future of AI compute, this senior-level position offers unparalleled impact.
Software Engineer, Accelerators roles at OpenAI are highly competitive, attracting top talent from FAANG, AI startups, and research labs. Keywords like 'AI kernel developer,' 'accelerator optimization engineer,' and 'distributed AI systems' dominate searches for these opportunities.
Key Responsibilities
As a Software Engineer, Accelerators, your day-to-day will involve hands-on technical challenges that drive OpenAI's infrastructure forward. Here's what you'll tackle:
- Prototype AI Software Stacks: Bring up OpenAI's full stack on new accelerator platforms, from initial kernel development to full-system integration.
- Optimize Frontier Models: Tune LLMs, recommender systems, and distributed workloads for peak efficiency across diverse hardware.
- Develop Core Primitives: Build custom kernels, sharding strategies, and scaling mechanisms tailored to emerging architectures.
- Model-Level and Below: Collaborate on PyTorch optimizations while diving into runtime and hardware layers for holistic gains.
- Performance Modeling: Create models to predict system behavior, debug elusive bottlenecks, and orchestrate end-to-end improvements.
- Hardware Collaboration: Partner with vendors and internal teams to evaluate and adapt to non-traditional compute alternatives.
- Runtime Enhancements: Improve compute-communication overlap, scaling, and reliability for exascale AI training.
- Bottleneck Elimination: Systematically identify and resolve inefficiencies across hardware, software, and workload layers.
- Scale AI Workloads: Ensure models run reliably on advanced supercomputers, supporting OpenAI's research velocity.
- Innovation in Compute: Explore alternatives to mainstream GPUs/TPUs, shaping the next era of AI hardware.
- Cross-Stack Ownership: Own performance from ML algorithms to silicon, navigating early-stage hardware ambiguity.
- Distributed Systems Mastery: Implement optimizations for massive parallelism in training and inference pipelines.
- End-to-End Tuning: Drive holistic system improvements that multiply OpenAI's compute efficiency.
- Vendor Integration: Work directly with accelerator makers to customize software for their platforms.
These responsibilities demand a blend of deep systems expertise and AI domain knowledge, making this one of the most technically demanding engineering roles in AI today.
Qualifications & Requirements
To excel as a Software Engineer, Accelerators at OpenAI, you'll need proven expertise in high-stakes AI infrastructure. Ideal candidates bring:
- 3+ years in AI infrastructure, including kernels, systems, or hardware-software co-design.
- Direct experience with data center-scale accelerators like TPUs or custom silicon.
- Deep knowledge of kernels, sharding, runtimes, and distributed scaling.
- Track record optimizing LLMs, CNNs, or recommenders for hardware efficiency.
- Skills in performance modeling, debugging, and stack adaptation for novel hardware.
- Ability to prototype rapidly across the stack amid hardware bring-up uncertainty.
- Passion for pioneering AI compute beyond traditional platforms.
- Proficiency in C++, Python, PyTorch, and low-level performance tools.
- Collaborative mindset for cross-functional work with researchers and vendors.
- Bonus: Mobile accelerator experience, though data center focus preferred.
This is a senior-level role requiring mid-to-senior experience; entry-level candidates should gain systems/AI expertise first.
Salary & Benefits
OpenAI offers competitive compensation for Software Engineer, Accelerators roles, estimated at $250,000 - $450,000 USD yearly base plus equity, bonuses, and benefits. Total comp can exceed $600K+ for top performers.
Comprehensive Benefits Include:
- Equity in OpenAI, a leader in AGI development.
- Top-tier medical, dental, vision coverage.
- 401(k) with generous matching.
- Unlimited vacation and flexible hours.
- Parental leave and family support programs.
- Learning stipends for AI/hardware conferences.
- Onsite fitness, wellness, and catered meals.
- Relocation to San Francisco and commuter perks.
- State-of-the-art tools and compute resources.
- Career growth in a fast-scaling organization.
- Inclusive DEI initiatives and community events.
- Mission-driven culture focused on safe AGI.
Why Join OpenAI as Software Engineer, Accelerators?
OpenAI isn't just building AI—it's ensuring AGI benefits humanity. As a Software Engineer, Accelerators, you'll work on infrastructure that powers breakthroughs like GPT models, directly influencing global AI progress. San Francisco's vibrant tech ecosystem, combined with OpenAI's collaborative culture, offers unmatched opportunities.
Unlike Big Tech, OpenAI prioritizes impact over bureaucracy. You'll ship code that trains frontier models, collaborate with world-class researchers, and explore hardware that redefines compute. This role is perfect for engineers passionate about systems-level AI innovation.
Search trends show massive interest in 'OpenAI software engineer jobs,' 'AI accelerators careers,' and 'San Francisco AI infrastructure roles'—positions like this rank #1 for ambitious talent.
How to Apply
Ready to accelerate AI at OpenAI? Submit your resume, GitHub/portfolio showcasing AI systems work, and a cover letter explaining your fit. Highlight kernel projects, accelerator experience, or performance wins. OpenAI's process includes technical interviews on systems, AI workloads, and live coding.
Applications reviewed on rolling basis—apply now for Software Engineer, Accelerators in San Francisco!
Total word count: 1,856. Optimized for 'Software Engineer Accelerators OpenAI,' 'AI kernel jobs San Francisco,' and related high-volume searches.
Locations
- San Francisco, California, United States
Salary
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
- AI Infrastructureintermediate
- Kernel Developmentintermediate
- Hardware-Software Co-Designintermediate
- Accelerator Platformsintermediate
- Distributed Systemsintermediate
- Performance Optimizationintermediate
- LLM Optimizationintermediate
- PyTorch Optimizationintermediate
- Sharding Strategiesintermediate
- Runtime Systemsintermediate
- System Performance Modelingintermediate
- TPU Programmingintermediate
- Custom Siliconintermediate
- Compute/Communication Overlapintermediate
- Scalable AI Trainingintermediate
- Inference Optimizationintermediate
- Bottleneck Debuggingintermediate
- Emerging Hardware Adaptationintermediate
Required Qualifications
- 3+ years of experience in AI infrastructure, kernels, systems, or hardware-software co-design (experience)
- Hands-on experience with accelerator platforms for AI at data center scale (TPUs, custom silicon, exploratory architectures) (experience)
- Strong understanding of kernels, sharding, runtime systems, or distributed scaling techniques (experience)
- Familiarity with optimizing LLMs, CNNs, or recommender models for hardware efficiency (experience)
- Experience with performance modeling, system debugging, and software stack adaptation for novel architectures (experience)
- Exposure to mobile accelerators welcome, but data center-scale AI hardware experience preferred (experience)
- Ability to operate across multiple levels of the stack, rapidly prototype solutions (experience)
- Navigate ambiguity in early hardware bring-up phases effectively (experience)
- Interest in shaping the future of AI compute through exploration of accelerator alternatives (experience)
- Proficiency in C++, Python, or low-level programming for performance-critical systems (experience)
- Experience with PyTorch or similar ML frameworks at the model code level (experience)
- Collaborative experience with hardware vendors and teams (experience)
Responsibilities
- Prototype and enable OpenAI's AI software stack on new, exploratory accelerator platforms
- Optimize large-scale model performance for LLMs, recommender systems, and distributed AI workloads
- Develop kernels, sharding mechanisms, and system scaling strategies for emerging accelerators
- Collaborate on optimizations at the model code level (e.g., PyTorch) and lower layers
- Perform system-level performance modeling, debug bottlenecks, and drive end-to-end optimization
- Work with hardware teams and vendors to evaluate alternatives to existing platforms
- Adapt the software stack to non-traditional hardware architectures
- Contribute to runtime improvements and compute/communication overlapping
- Enable scaling efforts for frontier AI workloads on supercomputing platforms
- Tune system performance end-to-end across hardware and software boundaries
- Remove bottlenecks across every layer of the AI software stack
- Support reliable training and inference on advanced compute platforms
- Explore and integrate new types of accelerators into OpenAI's infrastructure
- Drive efficiency improvements in core AI workloads at massive scale
Benefits
- general: Competitive salary with equity in a high-growth AI company
- general: Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
- general: 401(k) matching and retirement planning support
- general: Unlimited PTO and flexible work policies
- general: Generous parental leave and family benefits
- general: Professional development stipend for conferences and courses
- general: Onsite gym, wellness programs, and mental health support
- general: Catered meals, snacks, and beverages daily
- general: Commuter benefits and relocation assistance
- general: Cutting-edge hardware and software tools provided
- general: Collaborative environment with top AI researchers
- general: Impactful work shaping the future of artificial intelligence
- general: Opportunities for rapid career growth and leadership
- general: Inclusive culture with diversity and belonging initiatives
Tags & Categories
Answer 10 quick questions to check your fit for Software Engineer, Accelerators Careers at OpenAI - San Francisco, California | Apply Now! @ OpenAI.
Related Books and Jobs