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Software Engineer, API Agents

OpenAISan FranciscoCore Product & Platform
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Salary
$266K – $445K
Job type
Full-time
Experience
Senior · 7+ yrs
Posted
9 Oct 2026
Status
Open · checked 7d ago

About this role

Based in San Francisco, OpenAI is hiring a full-time Software Engineer for API Agents to design core infrastructure for next-generation AI agents. This position suits experienced backend engineers seeking to build reliable production systems that transform frontier artificial intelligence models into practical task-completing tools.

Role Overview

The API Agents team at OpenAI creates the shared agent harness, infrastructure, and tools necessary to make frontier AI models complete real work reliably. This backend role involves designing services and abstractions that assist agents in locating context, using computers, maintaining memory, coordinating long-running workflows, and executing tasks securely. The position operates at the intersection of research, infrastructure, and product development, translating fast-moving model capabilities into dependable production primitives.

Key Responsibilities

Design, build, and operate shared agent harnesses and backend infrastructure supporting long-running workflows across internal and third-party products.
Develop reusable capabilities encompassing search, connected context, computer use, memory, tool execution, subagents, and multi-agent orchestration.
Establish production safety foundations including secure execution environments, identity management, permissions, observability, evaluations, and cost and latency efficiency.
Collaborate with research, product, and infrastructure teams to translate model progress into measurable improvements in task completion.

Requirements

Seven or more years of professional engineering experience in backend, infrastructure, platform, or product-focused roles, excluding internships.
Strong backend fundamentals with a history of guiding complex systems from ambiguous requirements to production-ready services.
Proficiency in at least one backend language such as Python, Go, Rust, or TypeScript.
Experience in distributed systems, API design, workflow orchestration, search, storage, and compute environments.

Skills and Tools

Python
Go
Rust
TypeScript
Distributed Systems
Workflow Orchestration
APIs

Salary and Benefits

Salary range between $266K and $445K
Equity offerings included

About the Company

OpenAI operates as an artificial intelligence research and deployment organization with the goal of ensuring general-purpose artificial intelligence benefits humanity. The company focuses on safety and incorporating diverse human perspectives while deploying AI tools globally.

How to Apply

To apply for this role, visit the official OpenAI careers page and submit the application online.

Skills and tech stack

PythonGoRustTypeScriptDistributed Systems

Questions candidates ask

Where is this job located?

This position is located in San Francisco.

How many years of experience are required?

Applicants must have seven or more years of professional engineering experience in backend, infrastructure, platform, or product-driven engineering roles, excluding internships.

What programming languages are relevant for this role?

Proficiency in backend languages such as Python, Go, Rust, or TypeScript is required.

What is the salary range for this position?

The salary ranges from $266K to $445K and includes offers of equity.

How should I submit my application?

Candidates should apply directly on the official OpenAI careers page.

Ready to apply?

The application is on the official OpenAI careers page.

Apply on company site