OpenAI

iOS Engineer, ChatGPT Mobile Infrastructure

OpenAI2 weeks ago
Location

San Francisco

Type

Full Time

Salary

USD 185,000 – 385,000

Level

Staff

Role

iOS Engineer

Posted

Mar 1, 2026

Full TimeStaff

The role

Summary

OpenAI is seeking a Staff+ iOS Engineer to build and scale the core Swift platform infrastructure powering ChatGPT, Atlas, Sora, and other AI applications. This role focuses on developing foundational frameworks, improving app performance, and creating tools that enable hundreds of engineers to develop new AI capabilities rapidly and reliably.

What you'll do

Platform Architecture: Build and evolve foundational Swift frameworks used across multiple apps including caching, state management, observability, navigation, and component systems
Performance Optimization: Improve app performance in startup time, responsiveness, memory usage, and battery efficiency through profiling, visibility tools, and regression prevention
Reliability Engineering: Strengthen app reliability by systematically reducing crashes, improving error handling, and driving release process improvements
Cross-Team Collaboration: Embed with product engineering teams to understand pain points and identify emerging infrastructure needs across the organization
Developer Tooling: Develop internal tooling and automation including Bazel build systems, CI/CD pipelines, testing frameworks, and AI-powered development tools
API Design: Translate complex real-world constraints into clean abstractions with simple APIs, enforceable contracts, and safe defaults
Technical Leadership: Drive cross-team execution, align on technical interfaces, and navigate architectural tradeoffs across multiple product teams
Quality Assurance: Implement automated testing strategies, code review processes, and quality gates to maintain high standards across the platform

What we look for

Technical

iOS Development ExpertiseStrong fundamentals in Swift, concurrency patterns, networking, and the complete Xcode ecosystem
UI Framework ProficiencyDeep knowledge of UIKit and SwiftUI for building scalable user interfaces
Platform Engineering ExperienceProven track record with frameworks, architecture design, performance optimization, and developer tools
System Design SkillsAbility to design and implement large-scale mobile infrastructure solutions
Performance EngineeringExperience with app profiling, memory management, and optimization techniques

Education

Computer Science DegreeBachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or equivalent practical experience

Experience

Staff-Level Experience8+ years of iOS development experience with demonstrated leadership in platform engineering
Large-Scale Mobile DevelopmentExperience working on mobile applications with millions of users and complex technical requirements
Cross-Team LeadershipProven ability to drive technical initiatives across multiple engineering teams and stakeholders
AI/ML IntegrationExperience integrating machine learning models and AI capabilities into mobile applications (preferred)

Skills

Required skills

Swift ProgrammingExpert-level Swift development including modern language features and best practices
iOS SDK MasteryDeep understanding of iOS frameworks, APIs, and platform capabilities
Concurrency ProgrammingAdvanced knowledge of async/await, actors, and concurrent programming patterns
Performance AnalysisProficiency with Instruments and other performance profiling tools
Build SystemsExperience with Bazel, Xcode build configurations, and CI/CD automation
System ArchitectureAbility to design scalable, maintainable mobile platform architectures

Nice to have

AI/ML FrameworksExperience with Core ML, TensorFlow Lite, or other on-device machine learning frameworks
Cross-Platform DevelopmentKnowledge of React Native, Flutter, or other cross-platform mobile technologies
Backend IntegrationUnderstanding of RESTful APIs, GraphQL, and mobile-backend communication patterns
Security Best PracticesKnowledge of iOS security features, encryption, and secure coding practices
Accessibility EngineeringExperience implementing comprehensive accessibility features in iOS applications

Compensation & benefits

Salary

USD 185,000 – 385,000 (annual)

Stock options

Available

Benefits

Equity Compensation

Significant equity participation in one of the world's leading AI companies

Comprehensive Health Insurance

Full medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents

Professional Development

Access to cutting-edge AI research, conferences, and continuous learning opportunities

Flexible Work Arrangements

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

Retirement Benefits

401(k) matching and comprehensive retirement planning support

Parental Leave

Generous parental leave policies supporting work-life balance

Wellness Programs

Mental health support, fitness benefits, and employee wellness initiatives

Interview process

  1. 1
    Initial Screening — Phone or video call with recruiting team to discuss background, experience, and role alignment
  2. 2
    Technical Phone Screen — 45-60 minute technical interview focusing on iOS development fundamentals, Swift programming, and system design
  3. 3
    Take-Home Assignment — Practical coding exercise demonstrating iOS platform engineering skills and architectural thinking
  4. 4
    Onsite Interview Loop — Full-day interview including technical deep-dives, system design, behavioral questions, and team fit assessment
  5. 5
    Final Interview — Senior leadership interview focusing on technical vision, leadership potential, and cultural alignment with OpenAI's mission
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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
SwiftObjective-C
Frameworks
UIKitSwiftUICombineFoundation
Tools
XcodeBazelCI/CD SystemsInstrumentsTestFlight
Other
Core AnimationMetalNetwork.frameworkGrand Central Dispatch

Interview Guides

5 guides available for OpenAI

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iOS Engineer, ChatGPT Mobile Infrastructure at OpenAI | Scale Engineer