OpenAI

Software Engineer, Online Storage

OpenAI11 months ago
Location

San Francisco

Type

Full Time

Salary

USD 230,000 – 385,000

Level

Senior

Role

Backend Engineer

Posted

Apr 14, 2025

Full TimeSenior

The role

Summary

OpenAI's Online Storage team is seeking a Software Engineer to build and scale database infrastructure powering ChatGPT, Sora, and OpenAI APIs, serving hundreds of millions of users globally. The role focuses on designing highly scalable, reliable database systems and APIs while ensuring operational excellence through defined SLAs and KPIs. Candidates need 4+ years of experience with 2+ years leading complex projects, strong systems programming skills in C++/Python, and expertise in distributed systems, databases, and large-scale infrastructure.

What you'll do

Database Architecture Design: Design and build highly scalable, reliable, and performant database systems
API Development: Design and build simple and intuitive APIs for underlying database systems
Performance Optimization: Analyze and resolve performance and scalability bottlenecks to improve system efficiency
System Debugging and Maintenance: Debug, instrument, and fix system issues from root cause analysis to long-term solutions
Technical Strategy: Define technical strategy and guide development of robust infrastructure for high-scale production systems
Cross-functional Collaboration: Collaborate closely with product teams to understand requirements and deliver impactful solutions
Developer Productivity: Build intuitive tools and systems that boost engineering productivity for fellow developers
System Reliability: Own reliability of built systems including participation in on-call rotation for critical incidents

What we look for

Technical

Systems Programming ExpertiseStrong expertise in systems programming with hands-on multi-threading and concurrency experience
Distributed Systems ExperienceHands-on experience with distributed systems including data storage, caching, search, or backend infrastructure
Large-scale System DesignExperience building and rebuilding production systems to support new capabilities and growing scale
Database and Storage SystemsDomain experience in databases, large-scale data systems, storage, caching, or search technologies

Education

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

Experience

Industry Experience4+ years of software engineering industry experience
Technical Leadership2+ years leading large-scale, complex projects or technical initiatives as engineer or tech lead
Production SystemsExperience with reliability, scalability, security, and continuous improvement of distributed systems

Skills

Required skills

C++ ProgrammingProficiency in C++ for high-performance systems programming
Python ProgrammingStrong Python skills for backend services and tooling development
Distributed SystemsDeep understanding of distributed system architectures and patterns
Database SystemsExperience with database design, optimization, and large-scale data management
Multi-threadingAdvanced knowledge of concurrent programming and thread safety
System PerformanceAbility to analyze and optimize system performance and scalability
Technical LeadershipExperience leading complex technical projects and initiatives

Nice to have

Search TechnologiesExperience with search indexing, retrieval, and optimization
Caching SystemsKnowledge of distributed caching strategies and implementations
Infrastructure as CodeExperience with automated infrastructure management and deployment
Monitoring and ObservabilitySkills in system instrumentation, metrics, and debugging tools
API DesignExperience designing intuitive and scalable API interfaces
Storage SystemsKnowledge of distributed storage architectures and data persistence

Compensation & benefits

Salary

USD 230,000 – 385,000 (annual)

Stock options

Available

Benefits

Equity Compensation

Stock options and equity participation in OpenAI's growth

Competitive Salary

Market-leading compensation package ranging from $230K to $385K annually

Equal Opportunity

Commitment to diversity and inclusion with equal employment opportunities

Reasonable Accommodations

Support for applicants with disabilities through accommodation processes

Mission-Driven Work

Opportunity to work on AI systems that benefit humanity and shape technology's future

Interview process

  1. 1
    Application Review — Initial screening of resume, portfolio, and technical background
  2. 2
    Phone/Video Screen — 30-45 minute conversation with recruiter or hiring manager about background and motivation
  3. 3
    Technical Phone Interview — 60-90 minute technical discussion covering systems design and programming concepts
  4. 4
    System Design Interview — Design a large-scale distributed system similar to OpenAI's infrastructure challenges
  5. 5
    Coding Interview — Live coding session focused on algorithms, data structures, and systems programming
  6. 6
    Behavioral Interview — Discussion of past projects, leadership experience, and cultural fit with OpenAI values
  7. 7
    Final Interview — Meet with senior team members and discuss technical strategy and long-term vision
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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
C++PythonSQL
Frameworks
Distributed Systems FrameworksAPI Development Frameworks
Databases
Large-scale DatabasesDistributed Database SystemsCaching Systems
Tools
Monitoring and ObservabilityInfrastructure as CodeLoad Testing Tools
Other
Multi-threading and ConcurrencySearch TechnologiesStorage Systems

Interview Guides

5 guides available for OpenAI

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