← All roles

Software Engineer, API Enterprise Controls

OpenAI· Core Product & Platform
Apply on company site
San Francisco$266k - $445k + equityFull-timePosted 2mo ago

About the role

Backend-focused software engineer role within OpenAI's API Enterprise Controls team, delivering enterprise-grade platform capabilities for API authentication, identity, key management, secure networking, compliance, observability, and operational workflows.

Responsibilities

  • Own backend product capabilities end to end across authentication and identity, service accounts and key controls, secure networking, compliance, observability, and operational workflows.
  • Partner with Product, go-to-market, security, infrastructure teams, and sophisticated customers to identify needs, shape the roadmap, and lead large cross-functional projects from design through launch.
  • Design developer-facing APIs, system behavior, configuration, error handling, safe defaults, auditing, and notifications with exceptional care for the details that define a great developer experience.
  • Build, operate, and debug highly reliable backend systems spanning databases, streaming infrastructure, request routing, and distributed services, with strong operational ownership.

Qualifications

  • 9+ years of professional engineering experience, excluding internships, in relevant backend, platform, or product-driven engineering roles.
  • Exceptional backend engineering depth paired with strong product judgment and a track record of shipping API or platform capabilities that users depend on.
  • Experience leading large cross-functional initiatives, influencing product direction, and aligning engineering, Product, go-to-market, security, and infrastructure partners.
  • Proficiency in one or more backend languages such as Python, Go, Rust, TypeScript, or similar, with strong software design and systems fundamentals.
  • Experience with distributed systems, databases, streaming systems, request routing, authentication and identity, networking, or enterprise platform controls.
  • Strong communication and developer empathy, including experience working closely with product partners and users to turn ambiguous needs into clear technical decisions.
  • Strong opinions about reliability, DevOps, and operational excellence, paired with meticulous attention to the details that make complex systems feel simple and dependable.

Skills

Required:Backend developmentDistributed systemsAPI designAuthentication and identityCross-functional leadershipCommunication and empathy

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 (1 hour per 30 hours worked, or more, as required by applicable state or local law)
  • 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 10, 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