OpenAI

Operating Systems Engineer | Consumer Devices

OpenAI1 months ago
Location

San Francisco

Type

Full Time

Salary

USD 230,000 – 385,000

Level

Senior

Role

Operating Systems Engineer

Posted

Feb 13, 2026

Full TimeSenior

The role

Summary

OpenAI's Consumer Devices team is seeking an Operating Systems Engineer to build foundational OS software for AI-powered hardware products. This role involves developing kernel components, security systems, and platform interfaces while collaborating across embedded, firmware, and application teams to deliver production-ready consumer devices at scale.

What you'll do

OS Kernel Development: Work on end-to-end OS capabilities spanning kernel, userspace services, application frameworks, and UI toolkits
Core Systems Integration: Develop, integrate, and maintain OS components including scheduling, memory management, filesystems, and drivers
System Services Architecture: Build and maintain core OS services and daemons for init, service management, device discovery, and networking
Security Implementation: Design and implement security mechanisms including secure boot, mandatory access control, and sandboxing
Privacy Systems: Develop privacy-preserving telemetry, data minimization, and user-consent oriented system behaviors
Performance Optimization: Establish performance discipline with instrumentation, profiling, and regression detection for boot time and latency
Power Management: Implement power measurement workflows, battery-aware tuning, and energy regression prevention
Debugging Infrastructure: Build first-class debugging and observability using tracing tools like eBPF, perf, and flamegraphs
Platform Interface Design: Provide stable, documented platform interfaces for application and UI frameworks
Production Reliability: Contribute to production hardening, incident response, and cross-team debugging efforts
Testing Strategy: Develop test strategy across unit, integration, and hardware-in-the-loop environments

What we look for

Technical

Systems ProgrammingStrong experience with Linux, BSD, or similar systems including meaningful kernel work
C/C++ ProficiencyProfessional proficiency in C and C++ for low-level systems development
OS Services ExperienceExperience building or maintaining core OS services, system daemons, and platform software
Debugging ExpertiseTrack record of debugging complex issues across kernel/userspace boundaries
Security FundamentalsFamiliarity with OS security design including isolation, privilege separation, and secure IPC

Education

Computer Science DegreeBachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related technical field preferred

Experience

Systems Engineering5+ years of professional experience in systems programming and OS development
Kernel DevelopmentMeaningful work experience in kernel development including drivers, core subsystems, or platform enablement
Production SystemsExperience with production-ready systems and reliability engineering

Skills

Required skills

C ProgrammingProfessional proficiency for kernel and low-level systems development
C++ ProgrammingProfessional proficiency for systems programming and OS components
Linux KernelStrong experience with kernel development, drivers, and core subsystems
Systems DebuggingExpertise in debugging complex kernel/userspace issues using tracing and profiling
OS SecurityUnderstanding of isolation boundaries, privilege separation, and secure IPC design

Nice to have

Rust ProgrammingProduction experience in systems contexts for security-sensitive components
Security HardeningExperience with SELinux/AppArmor, sandboxing, seccomp, and exploit mitigations
Observability ToolsSetting up eBPF-based tooling, perf pipelines, and automated regression detection
Performance OptimizationPower optimization experience including measurement methodology and closed-loop tuning
Graphics StackExperience with Wayland/compositors, graphics pipeline performance, and input latency
Hardware Bring-upBootloader debugging, device tree/ACPI, and peripheral enablement experience
Update SystemsOTA/update systems, partitioning strategies, and update security implementation
Open SourceContributing to upstream projects like Linux kernel and managing downstream patches

Compensation & benefits

Salary

USD 230,000 – 385,000 (annual)

Stock options

Available

Benefits

Equity Compensation

Stock options and equity participation in OpenAI's growth

Comprehensive Health Coverage

Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans

Professional Development

Opportunities to work on cutting-edge AI and systems technology

Collaborative Environment

Work with world-class researchers and engineers across AI and systems domains

Mission-Driven Work

Contribute to ensuring AI benefits all of humanity through consumer hardware products

Interview process

  1. 1
    Initial Screen — Phone or video screening with recruiting team to discuss background and interest
  2. 2
    Technical Phone Interview — Systems programming and OS concepts discussion with engineering team member
  3. 3
    Systems Design Interview — Architectural discussion of OS components, security, and performance considerations
  4. 4
    Coding Interview — Live coding session focusing on C/C++ systems programming and debugging scenarios
  5. 5
    Onsite Technical Rounds — Multiple technical interviews covering kernel development, security, and cross-team collaboration
  6. 6
    Team Fit Interview — Discussion with Consumer Devices team members about working style and collaboration
  7. 7
    Final Interview — Senior leadership interview focusing on technical leadership and OpenAI mission alignment
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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++RustAssembly
Frameworks
WaylandDRM/KMSSELinux/AppArmor
Tools
ftraceperfeBPF/BPFtraceLTTngsystemtapGDBGit
Other
Linux KernelBSDseccompnamespaces/cgroupsACPI/Device TreeOTA Systems

Interview Guides

5 guides available for OpenAI

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