← All roles

Principal Software Engineer, Infrastructure Security

OpenAI· Security
Apply on company site
Remote$401k - $510kFull-timePosted 7mo ago

About the role

Principal Software Engineer role on the InfraSec team at OpenAI, responsible for architecture, development, and operation of core security services and security primitives across planet-scale infrastructure and multi-cloud environments.

Responsibilities

  • Own the architecture and roadmap for one or more core security services (e.g., authN/Z, policy enforcement, secure proxies, key management), taking them from design to rollout to long-term operation.
  • Design and implement planet-scale security systems that provide strong guarantees across hardware, operating systems, Kubernetes, networks, and CI/CD: balancing security, reliability, latency, and developer ergonomics.
  • Lead cross-functional launches with infrastructure and research engineering teams, shaping interfaces, migration plans, and safe rollout strategies across large fleets and critical workflows.
  • Build or evolve security primitives (identity, attestation, authorization, encryption key lifecycle, access mediation) that become platform building blocks for OpenAI.
  • Leverage frontier models and agents to develop automation and detection tooling to continuously identify and mitigate risks in large-scale cloud and on-prem environments.
  • Lead design reviews and threat models for major initiatives, and drive closure on systemic issues.
  • Mentor engineers across InfraSec and partner teams, raising the bar on engineering quality, operational readiness, and secure-by-default practices.

Qualifications

  • Strong software engineering skills with a track record of shipping and operating reliable distributed systems in production.
  • Experience building or operating critical infrastructure, especially security infrastructure, at planet scale (e.g., auth services, service-to-service proxies, certificate or key-management systems).
  • Deep understanding of security principles, best practices, and common vulnerabilities.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead cross-team technical initiatives: setting direction, aligning stakeholders, driving execution, and delivering measurable outcomes.
  • Expertise and curiosity about using frontier models and agents to effectively solve security challenges.
  • Expertise in securing large-scale cloud platforms (e.g., Azure, AWS, GCP), including multi-cloud networks and cloud-agnostic system design.
  • A proactive mindset, with the ability to identify and address security gaps or inefficiencies through automation and tooling.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with an ability to think critically and objectively assess risks.
  • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex security concepts to executive, technical, and non-technical stakeholders.

Skills

Required:Distributed systemsSecurity infrastructureSecurity principlesCross-team leadershipCloud security across multi-cloudAutomation and tooling for securityCommunication
Nice to have:Frontier models / agents for security

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your family, with employer contributions to Health Savings Accounts
  • Pre-tax accounts for Health FSA, Dependent Care FSA, and commuter expenses (parking and transit)
  • 401(k) retirement plan with employer match
  • Paid parental leave (up to 24 weeks for birth parents and 20 weeks for non-birthing parents), plus paid medical and caregiver leave (up to 8 weeks)
  • Paid time off: flexible PTO for exempt employees and up to 15 days annually for non-exempt employees
  • 13+ paid company holidays, and multiple paid coordinated company office closures throughout the year for focus and recharge, plus paid sick or safe time
  • Mental health and wellness support
  • Employer-paid basic life and disability coverage
  • Annual learning and development stipend
  • Daily meals in our offices, and meal delivery credits as eligible
  • Relocation support for eligible employees
  • Additional taxable fringe benefits, such as charitable donation matching and wellness stipends
Last updated Sep 3, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

About OpenAI

ai-infrastructure-and-developmentliquid-ai-recruiting-targetllmsetter-30setter-30-2026-q1speech-to-texttext-to-speechvoice-ai-stack
Company profileWebsite

More open roles at OpenAI