OpenAI

Embedded SWE, Consumer Devices

OpenAI3 months ago
Location

San Francisco

Type

Full Time

Salary

USD 293,000 – 325,000

Level

Senior

Role

Embedded Software Engineer

Posted

Dec 16, 2025

Full TimeSenior

The role

Summary

OpenAI's Embedded Software Engineering team is seeking a Senior Embedded Software Engineer to build reliable, high-performance systems on custom hardware for consumer devices. The role involves designing and debugging embedded software, working closely with hardware teams, and optimizing for memory, power, and latency constraints in production-ready systems.

What you'll do

Embedded System Design: Design, implement, and debug software for embedded devices and custom hardware platforms
Software Requirements Definition: Contribute to defining software requirements, interfaces, and comprehensive test plans
Hardware Bring-up: Bring up and debug new boards, ensuring proper hardware-software integration
Performance Optimization: Analyze performance, memory, and power profiles and implement targeted optimizations
Root Cause Analysis: Investigate field issues, perform thorough root-cause analysis, and deliver robust fixes
Software Engineering Best Practices: Foster and implement good software engineering practices across the embedded team
Cross-functional Collaboration: Partner closely with hardware engineering teams to deliver integrated solutions
Production Code Development: Write production-quality C/C++ code for embedded systems with real-world constraints

What we look for

Technical

C/C++ ProficiencyExpert-level proficiency in C and C++ programming languages for embedded systems
Embedded Systems ExperienceDeep experience shipping embedded systems with approximately 10+ years of relevant experience
Embedded ToolchainsFamiliarity with embedded development toolchains, cross-compilation, and build systems
Embedded Operating SystemsExperience with embedded operating systems, RTOSes, and bare-metal programming
Debugging ExpertiseStrong debugging skills using hardware debuggers, oscilloscopes, and embedded debugging tools
Hardware-Software IntegrationExperience with hardware bring-up, board-level debugging, and hardware-software co-design

Education

Bachelor's DegreeBachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related technical field

Experience

Embedded Systems Shipping10+ years of experience shipping production embedded systems
Rapid PrototypingExperience with both rapid prototyping and scalable product development lifecycle
Consumer ElectronicsExperience developing software for consumer electronic devices and products

Skills

Required skills

C ProgrammingExpert-level C programming for embedded systems development
C++ ProgrammingAdvanced C++ programming for embedded applications
Embedded Systems Development10+ years shipping production embedded systems
Hardware DebuggingProficiency with embedded debugging tools and hardware interfaces
Low-level ProgrammingExperience with bare-metal programming and hardware abstraction layers
Performance OptimizationMemory, power, and performance optimization for constrained embedded systems

Nice to have

Zephyr RTOSExperience with Zephyr real-time operating system
Wireless NetworkingExperience with BLE, Wi-Fi, and other wireless communication stacks
Linux Kernel DevelopmentKernel development and device driver programming experience
Robotics SystemsExperience with robotic system bring-up and integration
Consumer ElectronicsBackground in consumer device development and manufacturing
AI/ML IntegrationUnderstanding of AI model deployment on embedded platforms

Compensation & benefits

Salary

USD 293,000 – 325,000 (annual)

Stock options

Available

Benefits

Equity Compensation

Stock options and equity participation in OpenAI's growth

Hybrid Work Model

Flexible hybrid work arrangement with 4 days in office per week

Relocation Assistance

Comprehensive relocation assistance for new employees moving to San Francisco

Cutting-edge Technology

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

Professional Development

Opportunities to work on groundbreaking AI and embedded systems technology

Equal Opportunity Employment

Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace

Interview process

  1. 1
    Initial Screening — Phone or video screening with recruiter to discuss background and role fit
  2. 2
    Technical Phone Screen — Technical interview focusing on embedded systems concepts, C/C++ programming, and debugging scenarios
  3. 3
    Technical Deep Dive — In-depth technical interview covering embedded system design, hardware-software integration, and problem-solving
  4. 4
    System Design Interview — Embedded system architecture discussion and design challenge
  5. 5
    Behavioral Interview — Discussion of past experiences, team collaboration, and alignment with OpenAI's mission
  6. 6
    Final Interview Round — Interview with senior team members and potential manager to assess technical leadership and cultural fit
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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
CC++
Frameworks
Zephyr RTOS
Tools
Embedded ToolchainsDebugging ToolsHardware Debug Interfaces
Other
BLE/Bluetooth Low EnergyWi-Fi StacksLinux KernelCustom Hardware Platforms

Interview Guides

5 guides available for OpenAI

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