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OpenAIOpenAISan Francisco, CA

Software Engineer, API Enterprise Controls

Build and operate backend API platform capabilities for enterprise controls, spanning authentication, networking, compliance, observability, and distributed systems. The role requires 9+ years of engineering experience, strong backend systems expertise, product judgment, and the ability to lead cross-functional initiatives.

293k – 385k/yr
On-site9+ YOEBackend Engineering

About the role

Responsibilities

  • Own backend product capabilities 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 careful attention to developer experience.
  • Build, operate, and debug highly reliable backend systems spanning databases, streaming infrastructure, request routing, and distributed services.

Requirements

  • 9+ years of professional engineering experience, excluding internships, in relevant backend, platform, or product-driven engineering roles.
  • Exceptional backend engineering depth and strong product judgment, with 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 detail.

Skills

PythonGoRustTypeScriptDistributed SystemsDatabasesstreaming systemsrequest routingAuthenticationNetworkingDevOpsObservability

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