Role Overview

The Applied Engineering team at OpenAI is at the forefront of safely deploying artificial intelligence to the world. We've launched transformative products including ChatGPT, Plugins, DALL·E, and advanced APIs for GPT-5, embeddings, and fine-tuning. Our infrastructure handles massive scale while maintaining the highest standards of safety and responsibility.

Within this elite organization, the Fraud Engineering team specializes in identifying and neutralizing fraudsters and abusers who threaten our platform. As a Software Engineer, Scaled Abuse, you'll design and implement sophisticated detection systems that balance fraud prevention, operational costs, and exceptional customer experiences. This isn't just about stopping bad actors—it's about staying multiple steps ahead of sophisticated, well-resourced adversaries in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

Our San Francisco headquarters places you at the epicenter of AI innovation, working alongside brilliant minds who prioritize safe deployment over unchecked growth. You'll leverage our modern tech stack—Terraform, Kubernetes, Azure, Python, Postgres, Kafka—and integrate frontier AI models like GPT-5 to create fraud prevention systems that were previously unimaginable.

Key Responsibilities

Your impact will be immediate and profound. Here's what you'll tackle daily:

• Architect scalable fraud detection pipelines processing billions of API calls
• Build real-time remediation systems that automatically neutralize threats
• Collaborate cross-functionally with finance, security, product, research, and Trust & Safety operations
• Leverage GPT-5 and future foundation models for advanced behavioral analysis
• Conduct forensic investigations into sophisticated fraud campaigns
• Develop machine learning models for anomaly detection and risk scoring
• Optimize systems for cost-efficiency while maintaining >99% detection rates
• Create executive dashboards tracking fraud metrics and prevention efficacy
• Research emerging fraud techniques from dark web forums and threat intelligence
• Mentor team members on anti-abuse best practices and engineering rigor
• Design A/B experiments testing new detection strategies
• Contribute to platform-wide security hardening initiatives
• Stay ahead of adversaries through continuous learning and tool development

Every decision you make directly protects OpenAI's mission to benefit all of humanity through safe AI deployment.

Qualifications

We're seeking battle-tested engineers who thrive in high-stakes environments:

• 5+ years backend/data systems engineering experience at scale
• 2+ years hands-on fraud/abuse detection, investigation, or operations
• Proven ability to reverse-engineer complex fraud schemes
• Deep intuition for scalable system architecture and optimization
• Insatiable curiosity and rapid learning capability
• Exceptional cross-functional collaboration skills
• Comfort with ambiguity and rapidly evolving priorities
• Experience with ML techniques (highly preferred)
• Familiarity with our stack: Python, Kubernetes, Terraform, Azure, Postgres, Kafka
• Track record balancing security with customer experience

While specific tool experience helps, we prioritize engineering excellence and adaptability over exact stack matches.

Salary & Benefits

Competitive Compensation: Total compensation for this senior role ranges from $220,000 - $350,000 USD annually, including base salary, equity, and performance bonuses. Exact figures depend on experience and location.

Comprehensive Benefits Package:

• Top-tier medical, dental, vision coverage
• 401(k) with generous matching
• Unlimited PTO policy
• Parental leave (16+ weeks)
• Learning stipends for conferences/courses
• Fitness and wellness reimbursements
• Commuter benefits
• Stock options in unicorn AI leader
• Fully stocked offices with healthy meals
• Mental health support programs
• Regular team offsites and social events
• Flexible work arrangements

OpenAI invests heavily in keeping our team healthy, happy, and growing professionally.

Why Join OpenAI?

OpenAI isn't just another tech company—we're building the future of intelligence. Our work powers applications used by millions daily, from enterprise solutions to consumer breakthroughs. The Fraud Engineering team occupies a mission-critical position: protecting this technology from abuse while enabling safe, responsible innovation.

Key Advantages:

• Work with GPT-5 and future frontier models before public release
• Solve problems at unprecedented scale and complexity
• Directly impact AI safety and humanity's future
• Collaborate with world-class researchers and engineers
• Generous equity upside in a $80B+ valuation company
• San Francisco HQ in vibrant tech ecosystem

Our culture emphasizes impact over process, curiosity over credentials, and safety above all. If you burn to protect cutting-edge technology from sophisticated adversaries, this is your arena.

How to Apply

Ready to safeguard the future of AI? Our application process is straightforward:

1. Submit Application: Upload resume, LinkedIn, and optional cover letter
2. Technical Screen: 45-minute conversation about your experience
3. Technical Deep Dive: Live coding and system design (90 minutes)
4. Fraud Case Study: Analyze real-world fraud scenarios
5. Team Interviews: Meet your future colleagues
6. Offer: Competitive package within 2 weeks

Timeline: We move fast. Apply today—positions fill quickly. Direct applications receive priority consideration over recruiters.

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