OpenAI

Backend Software Engineer, ChatGPT Engineering

OpenAI1 months ago
Location

San Francisco

Type

Full Time

Salary

USD 185,000 – 385,000

Level

Mid

Role

Backend Engineer

Posted

Feb 3, 2026

Full TimeMid

The role

Summary

OpenAI is seeking a Backend Software Engineer for the ChatGPT Engineering team to design and implement scalable backend systems powering AI-driven products. The role involves working on distributed systems, APIs, and data infrastructure while collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver reliable, high-performance services at global scale.

What you'll do

Backend Architecture: Architect, build, and improve scalable backend systems and APIs that power ChatGPT's global infrastructure
Performance Optimization: Drive performance, reliability, and security improvements across distributed services handling millions of requests
Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with product, data science, and frontend teams to deliver integrated AI-powered features
Data Infrastructure: Implement robust data storage, retrieval, compute, and integration solutions for large-scale AI applications
Technical Leadership: Participate in long-term architectural planning and technical design reviews to guide system evolution
System Reliability: Build resilient services that maintain high availability and handle complex failure scenarios gracefully
API Development: Design and maintain RESTful and GraphQL APIs that serve ChatGPT's diverse client ecosystem

What we look for

Technical

Distributed SystemsStrong experience with distributed systems architecture, consensus algorithms, and fault tolerance patterns
Backend LanguagesProficiency in Go, Python, Rust, or C++ for building high-performance backend services
API DesignExperience designing and implementing RESTful APIs and GraphQL endpoints at scale
Database SystemsKnowledge of both SQL and NoSQL databases, data modeling, and performance optimization
Cloud PlatformsExperience with AWS, GCP, or Azure for scalable cloud infrastructure deployment

Education

Computer Science DegreeBachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related technical field
Alternative EducationEquivalent practical experience with demonstrable expertise in backend engineering

Experience

Backend Development3+ years of experience building and maintaining production backend systems at scale
System DesignProven track record of architecting and implementing complex distributed systems
Performance EngineeringExperience with performance optimization, monitoring, and reliability engineering practices

Skills

Required skills

Distributed SystemsDeep understanding of distributed computing concepts, consensus algorithms, and system reliability
Backend ProgrammingExpert-level proficiency in Go, Python, Rust, or C++ for production system development
System ArchitectureAbility to design scalable, maintainable backend architectures for high-traffic applications
Database DesignStrong knowledge of database systems, data modeling, and query optimization techniques
API DevelopmentExperience creating robust, well-documented APIs that serve diverse client applications

Nice to have

AI/ML IntegrationExperience integrating machine learning models into production backend systems
Container OrchestrationFamiliarity with Kubernetes, Docker, and modern deployment practices
Monitoring & ObservabilityKnowledge of monitoring tools like Prometheus, Grafana, and distributed tracing systems
Event-Driven ArchitectureExperience with message queues, event streaming, and asynchronous processing patterns
Security Best PracticesUnderstanding of backend security principles, authentication, and data protection
Performance OptimizationExpertise in profiling, benchmarking, and optimizing high-performance backend services

Compensation & benefits

Salary

USD 185,000 – 385,000 (annual)

Stock options

Available

Benefits

Health Insurance

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and families

Retirement Benefits

401(k) plan with company matching to support long-term financial planning

Equity Compensation

Stock options in one of the world's leading AI companies with significant growth potential

Professional Development

Learning budget for conferences, courses, and technical skill advancement

Flexible Work Arrangements

Hybrid work options with offices in San Francisco, New York, and Seattle

Cutting-edge Technology

Access to state-of-the-art AI research and development resources

Innovation Culture

Opportunity to work on groundbreaking AI products that impact millions of users globally

Interview process

  1. 1
    Application Review — Initial screening of resume, GitHub profile, and technical portfolio assessment
  2. 2
    Technical Phone Screen — 45-minute conversation covering system design concepts and coding fundamentals
  3. 3
    System Design Interview — 90-minute session designing a distributed system similar to ChatGPT's backend architecture
  4. 4
    Coding Assessment — Live coding session focusing on data structures, algorithms, and backend problem-solving
  5. 5
    Technical Deep Dive — Discussion of past projects, architectural decisions, and technical challenges overcome
  6. 6
    Cultural Fit Interview — Conversation with team members about collaboration, values alignment, and career goals
  7. 7
    Final Round — Meet with engineering leadership to discuss long-term vision and technical strategy
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OpenAI

OpenAI

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OpenAI is an American artificial intelligence research organization developing advanced AI models like GPT. Focused on ensuring AI benefits humanity, it creates tools for natural language processing and generative AI applications.

San Francisco, California, United StatesFounded 2015openai.com

Tech Stack

Languages
GoPythonRustC++
Frameworks
gRPCRESTful APIsGraphQL
Databases
PostgreSQLRedisApache KafkaElasticsearch
Tools
KubernetesDockerTerraformPrometheus
Other
AWS/GCPDistributed SystemsMicroservices Architecture

Interview Guides

5 guides available for OpenAI

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