Full-Stack Software Engineer, Applied Foundations
Full Stack Engineer · Senior · Full Time
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Role
What you'll do.
OpenAI is seeking a Full-Stack Software Engineer for their Applied Foundations team, responsible for building core product and platform layers that power transformative AI applications like ChatGPT. The ideal candidate will architect resilient, secure systems across frontend and backend, collaborating to deliver innovative AI technologies at global scale.
Responsibilities
- System Architecture: Architect, build, and improve comprehensive frontend and backend systems for AI product infrastructure
- Full Stack Development: Design and implement end-to-end product solutions from initial exploration through launch readiness
- Technical Planning: Participate in long-term architectural planning and conduct detailed technical design reviews
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with multi-disciplinary teams to design solutions that balance user experience with system security and safety
Qualifications
What we look for.
Technical
Full Stack Development
Proven experience building and shipping complete applications across frontend and backend technologies
System Resilience
Expertise in designing scalable systems capable of handling large-scale complexity and high-traffic environments
Problem Solving
Strong ability to independently solve complex technical challenges and acquire new skills rapidly
Education
Computer Science
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related technical discipline preferred
Experience
Startup Environment
Demonstrated success in fast-moving, startup-like development environments with end-to-end product delivery
AI/ML Product Development
Previous experience in AI, machine learning, or advanced technology product development is highly advantageous
Skills
Required
Full Stack Engineering
Comprehensive expertise in both frontend and backend development technologies
System Design
Advanced capabilities in designing robust, scalable software architectures
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Strong interpersonal and communication skills for effective teamwork
Preferred
AI/ML Technologies
Nice to haveFamiliarity with machine learning frameworks, natural language processing, and generative AI technologies
Security Engineering
Nice to haveUnderstanding of adversarial system protection and advanced cybersecurity principles
Tech stack
Languages
Frameworks
Databases
Tools
Other
Compensation
Pay and benefits.
Base·USD 185,000 – 385,000
Equity·Stock options
Benefits
Equity Compensation
Competitive stock options to share in company's growth
Health Insurance
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
Professional Development
Opportunities for continuous learning and AI research exposure
Flexible Work Arrangement
Hybrid work model with location flexibility
Process
Interview steps.
- 01
Initial Screening
Phone or video call with recruiting team to assess background and fit
- 02
Technical Assessment
Comprehensive coding challenge evaluating full stack and system design skills
- 03
Onsite/Virtual Interviews
Multiple rounds including technical interviews, system design, and behavioral assessments
- 04
Final Panel Interview
Meeting with senior engineering leadership to discuss vision and potential contributions
Full posting
Original listing.
About the Team
OpenAI’s Applications Engineering organization builds and operates the products (such as ChatGPT & Codex) that bring our cutting-edge research to millions of users and developers worldwide.
The Applied Foundations team owns the core product and platform layers that make those experiences possible — from identity & access, to safety to payments & commerce across all of our apps. Our teams span product engineering, infrastructure, and safety, working together to deliver technology that is reliable, secure, and trusted at global scale.
About the Role
We’re hiring Full-Stack Software Engineers to design and implement safe services, systems and infrastructure that power our core products.
In this role, you will:
Architect, build, and improve frontend and backend systems.
Work across the full stack to build products and systems from initial exploration through launch readiness.
Participate in long-term architectural planning and technical design reviews.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design solutions that protect against and mitigate adversarial attacks without compromising user experience.
You might thrive in this role if you:
Have built and shipped full-stack apps or systems end-to-end — in fast-moving, startup-like environments.
Have a humble attitude, an eagerness to help your colleagues, and a desire to do whatever it takes to make the team succeed.
Enjoy building resilient products and services that handle large scale and complexity.
Are self-directed and enjoy figuring out the best way to solve a particular problem
Own problems end-to-end, and are willing to pick up whatever knowledge you're missing to get the job done.
About OpenAI
OpenAI is an AI research and deployment company dedicated to ensuring that general-purpose artificial intelligence benefits all of humanity. We push the boundaries of the capabilities of AI systems and seek to safely deploy them to the world through our products. AI is an extremely powerful tool that must be created with safety and human needs at its core, and to achieve our mission, we must encompass and value the many different perspectives, voices, and experiences that form the full spectrum of humanity.
We are an equal opportunity employer, and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other applicable legally protected characteristic.
For additional information, please see OpenAI’s Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement.
Background checks for applicants will be administered in accordance with applicable law, and qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment consistent with those laws, including the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the California Fair Chance Act, for US-based candidates. For unincorporated Los Angeles County workers: we reasonably believe that criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship with the following job duties, potentially resulting in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment: protect computer hardware entrusted to you from theft, loss or damage; return all computer hardware in your possession (including the data contained therein) upon termination of employment or end of assignment; and maintain the confidentiality of proprietary, confidential, and non-public information. In addition, job duties require access to secure and protected information technology systems and related data security obligations.
To notify OpenAI that you believe this job posting is non-compliant, please submit a report through this form. No response will be provided to inquiries unrelated to job posting compliance.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, and requests can be made via this link.
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At OpenAI, we believe artificial intelligence has the potential to help people solve immense global challenges, and we want the upside of AI to be widely shared. Join us in shaping the future of technology.
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