Role Overview

The Frontier Clusters Infrastructure Software Engineer role at OpenAI represents a rare opportunity to work at the absolute forefront of AI infrastructure. Our Frontier Systems team doesn't just manage data centers—they transform ambitious designs into operational reality, supporting the hyperscale supercomputers that train OpenAI's most advanced models.

In this position, you'll operate next-generation compute clusters blending distributed systems expertise with practical infrastructure engineering. Expect to scale Kubernetes to unprecedented sizes, automate bare-metal deployments across thousands of nodes, and create software layers that abstract multi-data-center complexity for seamless AI training workloads.

This is hands-on systems engineering where reliability meets velocity. You'll troubleshoot fires during critical training runs, build automation that scales with our ambitions, and continuously push the boundaries of what's possible in large-scale computing infrastructure.

OpenAI's mission to develop safe AGI requires infrastructure that doesn't just work—it excels under extreme conditions. Your work directly enables breakthroughs in artificial general intelligence that will shape humanity's future.

Key Responsibilities

As a Software Engineer on Frontier Clusters Infrastructure, your impact will span the full stack from bare metal to application workloads:

• Kubernetes at Massive Scale: Architect, deploy, and scale Kubernetes clusters serving millions of pods across multiple data centers, implementing advanced provisioning, auto-scaling, and lifecycle automation.
• Bare-Metal Mastery: Own the complete node lifecycle from rack delivery through firmware flashing, OS installation, and Kubernetes integration, achieving deployment times measured in minutes rather than hours.
• Software Abstractions: Build distributed systems that present unified interfaces across heterogeneous clusters, enabling training workloads to scale seamlessly regardless of underlying hardware topology.
• Operational Excellence: Drive metrics like cluster recovery time (target: <15 minutes), firmware upgrade velocity, and hardware utilization rates through relentless automation and observability.
• End-to-End Reliability: Integrate server BMCs, switch telemetry, power systems, and cooling infrastructure into comprehensive health monitoring platforms that predict failures before they impact training.
• Observability Engineering: Design monitoring systems capable of handling millions of metrics per second, implementing anomaly detection, capacity forecasting, and automated remediation at hyperscale.
• Cross-Team Collaboration: Partner with AI researchers, hardware engineers, and networking teams to deliver infrastructure that meets the uncompromising demands of frontier model training.

Success requires balancing careful systems design with the urgency of production training runs—where minutes of downtime cost millions in compute and delay humanity's progress toward safe AGI.

Qualifications

We're seeking senior engineers who thrive in ambiguous, high-stakes environments:

• 5+ years operating Kubernetes or similar orchestration at significant scale (1000+ nodes)
• Deep expertise in Linux systems, networking protocols, and GPU computing stacks
• Strong programming background (Python/Go preferred) with production Infrastructure-as-Code experience
• Proven ability to build automation that eliminates toil across large engineering teams
• Experience with bare-metal provisioning, firmware management, or data center operations
• Track record of improving operational metrics in mission-critical environments

Bonus points for: High-performance computing experience, RDMA networking, cluster federation patterns, or prior work with AI training infrastructure.

Salary & Benefits

Compensation: $250,000 - $450,000 base salary + equity + comprehensive benefits (total compensation varies based on experience and location).

Exceptional Benefits Package:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision coverage (100% premiums covered)
• Unlimited PTO with wellness days
• Generous parental leave (16+ weeks)
• 401(k) with company match
• Fitness stipend + wellness programs
• Daily catered meals and fully stocked kitchens
• Learning stipend for conferences and courses
• Relocation support for SF move

OpenAI offers equity that could be life-changing as we approach AGI milestones.

Why Join OpenAI?

You'll work with brilliant minds pushing AI boundaries while building infrastructure that scales to meet them. OpenAI offers:

• Mission Impact: Direct contribution to safe AGI development benefiting humanity
• Technical Challenge: Largest supercomputers in the world with bleeding-edge hardware
• Career Growth: Rapid learning environment with world-class peers
• Culture: Mission-driven teams valuing curiosity, urgency, and impact

San Francisco headquarters provides access to top AI talent and hardware innovation ecosystem.

How to Apply

Ready to build the infrastructure powering AGI? Submit your resume and a brief note about your most impactful infrastructure project. We're moving quickly—top candidates interview within 1 week.

Application Link: [Apply Now]

OpenAI is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.