Skip to content
OpenAIOpenAISan Francisco, CA

Host Systems Software Engineer

As a Host Systems Software Engineer, you will define and build the host software stack for next-generation AI systems, working on performance-critical software including Linux kernel drivers, high-throughput I/O paths, and system-scale networking. You will debug across hardware and software boundaries and optimize high-throughput, low-latency systems.

266k – 445k
Hybrid5+ YOEEmbedded Engineering

About the role

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.
  • Experience with PCIe, DMA, peer-to-peer communication, SR-IOV, IOMMU, dma-buf, or related accelerator and I/O subsystems.
  • Experience bringing up accelerators, NICs, SoCs, or custom hardware platforms.
  • Experience profiling and optimizing high-throughput, low-latency systems.
  • Familiarity with Rust or experience using Rust for systems programming.

Skills

C++PythonLinuxRdmaPcieDmaNicRustKernel NetworkingAccelerator Software
OpenAI

SOC Architect

OpenAISan Francisco, CA

Leads definition and development of custom AI SoCs for edge ML inference, driving architecture, tradeoffs, and co-design with internal teams and silicon partners. Requires deep expertise in SoC subsystems, AI accelerators, and cross-functional leadership.

266k – 445k
On-siteEmbedded Engineering
OpenAI

Robotics Software Engineer

OpenAISan Francisco, CA

Design, implement, and optimize software for robotics data collection and evaluation. Integrate hardware platforms and develop automation tools in a multidisciplinary team.

255k – 325k
On-site5+ YOEEmbedded Engineering
OpenAI

System Power Engineer, Consumer Devices

OpenAISan Francisco, CA

Characterize, measure, and optimize power consumption on embedded consumer hardware. Build test automation, measure subsystem power, and drive improvements in battery life, thermals, and charging performance.

293k – 325k
HybridEmbedded Engineering
OpenAI

Camera Firmware Engineer, Consumer Products

OpenAISan Francisco, CA

Owns low-level camera firmware enablement on custom hardware, from board bring-up to production capture. Develops reliable sensor drivers, capture paths, and debugging tools using strong C/C++ skills on embedded Linux systems.

293k – 325k
HybridEmbedded Engineering
OpenAI

System Software Engineer, Consumer Products

OpenAISan Francisco, CA

Designs, implements, and debugs core platform software components across kernel and user space for reliable, secure consumer products. Requires strong C/C++ proficiency, OS internals knowledge, and systems debugging expertise.

293k – 325k
HybridEmbedded Engineering