OpenAI
Host Systems Software Engineer
Part remote, part office, you need to live within commuting distance of a named location.
Hybrid · San Francisco
Employer listed it 4 months ago · Added 5 days ago
Been open since 4 months ago. Long-running listings are sometimes left up after the role is filled.
Salary
$266,000 to $445,000
Location
Hybrid · San Francisco
Timezone
Not stated
Contract
Full-time
Experience
Mid
Category
Software
Published by the employer
Remote flexibility
Hybrid
This role is only partly remote, the employer expects time in the office around San Francisco, Hybrid, so you need to live within commuting distance.
What the employer says
- Source listing states candidate location: "San Francisco, Hybrid"
- Listing mentions "Hybrid"
What Nomaders makes of it
- Not suitable if you plan to move between countries
The quotes above are the employer's own words; the reading is ours. Always check the original listing and employment terms before working from another country.
About the role
About the Team OpenAI’s Hardware organization develops AI-native silicon and system-level solutions for the unique demands of advanced AI workloads. Building on efforts like Jalapeño, the team is developing future generations of AI-native silicon and tightly integrated systems to power the next generation of frontier models. By co-designing chips, systems, tools, and methodologies, the team helps deliver faster, more efficient, and production-ready hardware for OpenAI’s supercomputing platform.
About the Role We’re looking for an experienced systems software engineer to help define and build the host software stack for our custom next-generation AI systems. You will work close to the hardware on performance-critical software, including Linux kernel drivers, high-throughput I/O paths, and system-scale networking and RDMA.
This role spans architecture, implementation, platform bring-up, debugging, and performance optimization. You will work across hardware and software boundaries to make new systems usable end to end, from low-level device interfaces through userspace tooling and production validation.
In this role you will:
Design, implement, and debug host-side systems software for AI infrastructure, including Linux kernel drivers and supporting userspace components.
Build and optimize software paths for high-throughput, low-latency communication, including RDMA and related networking functionality.
Develop software around PCIe, DMA, NICs, accelerators, memory movement, and device interaction.
Bring up new hardware platforms and diagnose complex issues across kernel, firmware, networking, and hardware boundaries.
Build tooling for integration, testing, diagnostics, observability, qualification, and performance characterization.
Collaborate with hardware, networking, and platform teams to define interfaces and integrate new capabilities.
Work with external vendors where needed to integrate technologies and drive issues to resolution.
Contribute across the systems software stack as the platform and team evolve.
Help shape the technical direction and engineering practices for a growing systems software stack.
You might thrive in this role if you have:
Experience building low-level or performance-critical systems software.
Strong programming skills in C or C++, with proficiency using Python and Linux tooling for automation and debugging.
Strong Linux systems fundamentals and the ability to debug across hardware and software boundaries.
Hands-on experience in at least one relevant area, such as Linux kernel drivers, kernel networking, RDMA, PCIe, DMA, NIC software, accelerator software, or high-performance I/O.
Experience owning complex software projects from design through implementation, bring-up, and validation.
Ability to thrive in ambiguity, work across subsystem boundaries, and build systems from scratch.
Strong cross-functional communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience developing Linux kernel drivers or other OS-level performance-critical components.
Familiarity with RDMA or RoCE, ibverbs, kernel networking, or congestion-control concepts such as ECN and DCQCN.
Requirements
- ·Experience building low-level or performance-critical systems software.
- ·Strong programming skills in C or C++, with proficiency using Python and Linux tooling for automation and debugging.
- ·Strong Linux systems fundamentals and the ability to debug across hardware and software boundaries.
- ·Hands-on experience in at least one relevant area, such as Linux kernel drivers, kernel networking, RDMA, PCIe, DMA, NIC software, accelerator software, or high-performance I/O.
- ·Experience owning complex software projects from design through implementation, bring-up, and validation.
Benefits
No benefits package published with this listing. Ask about it at first interview.
How to apply
- 1Check the flexibility label above, hybrid, matches where you plan to live and work.
- 2Tailor your CV to the role at OpenAI, mentioning your remote working experience.
- 3Apply directly on the employer's careers page using the button below. Nomaders never handles your application.
Found 5d ago. Last checked 23 Sept. Always confirm the details on the original posting, salary and location can change after publication.
Listing sourced from Company boards.
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