# Systems Software Engineer, Silicon Bringup

**Company:** [OpenAI](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/openai)
**Location:** San Francisco, CA
**Role:** Embedded Engineering
**Salary:** $266k – $445k/yr
**Skills:** C, C++, Rust, Python, Computer Architecture, Firmware, Device Drivers, Operating Systems, Hardware Interfaces, Test Automation, Telemetry, Regression Testing, Performance Characterization, Stress Testing, Reliability Testing
**Posted:** 2026-08-24

> Leads systems software bringup and validation for new AI silicon, developing diagnostics, automation, observability, and stress infrastructure from first power-on through integrated model execution. The role requires low-level programming, computer architecture knowledge, hardware-software debugging, and cross-functional technical leadership.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities
- Develop end-to-end software bringup and validation strategies for new AI silicon and first-party systems.
- Define software-driven test coverage across compute, memory, interconnect, I/O, and system-level interactions.
- Build diagnostics, test automation, telemetry, and regression infrastructure.
- Lead bringup from initial silicon arrival through board and system integration, docking, runtime enablement, and model execution.
- Design stress tests to characterize reliability, performance, and stability across workloads and operating conditions.
- Translate architecture specifications and performance models into measurable acceptance criteria, coverage goals, and pass/fail signals.
- Debug hardware-software failures, drive root-cause analysis, and coordinate fixes across silicon, firmware, electrical, platform, and workload teams.
- Validate integrated-system functionality and model performance, and create reusable infrastructure for future silicon generations.

## Requirements
- Strong systems programming experience in C, C++, Rust, Python, or comparable low-level environments.
- Experience bringing up or validating complex silicon, accelerators, servers, or other hardware-software systems.
- Understanding of computer architecture and compute, memory, interconnect, and I/O subsystems.
- Low-level debugging experience across firmware, drivers, operating systems, and hardware interfaces.
- Ability to create rigorous test strategies, identify coverage gaps, and build scalable automation and observability.
- Experience with performance characterization, stress testing, reliability testing, or production readiness.
- Clear cross-disciplinary communication and the ability to drive ambiguous, high-stakes technical work from planning through closure.
- Commitment to building durable tools and processes that improve future bringup cycles.

## Compensation
- Annual salary range: $266,000–$445,000.
- Candidates may need to meet legal status requirements under U.S. export control laws and regulations.

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