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Software Engineer, Safety Engineering

openai

Híbrido San Francisco
Development Scrum Master

Job Score

100 pts
Hybrid model (+80) Development (+10) Scrum Master (+10)

About the Team

The Safety Systems org is responsible for various safety work to ensure our best models can be safely deployed to the real world to benefit the society and is at the forefront of OpenAI's mission to build and deploy safe AGI, driving our commitment to AI safety and fostering a culture of trust and transparency.

The Safety Engineering team builds the platforms and tools that make OpenAI’s models safe to use in the real world. We partner closely with researchers, product teams, and policy to turn safety ideas into reliable, scalable systems: measuring risk, enforcing safeguards, and continuously improving how models behave in production. Our work sits at the intersection of product engineering, data, and AI, and directly shapes how millions of people experience OpenAI’s technology.

About the Role

We’re looking for a self-starter engineer who loves building products in an iterative, fast-moving environment—especially internal tools that unlock real-world impact. In this role, you’ll build full-stack tooling for our Safety Systems teams that directly improves the safety and reliability of OpenAI’s models, including in sensitive areas like mental health and other vulnerable-user protections. Your work will increase the team’s velocity in identifying and fixing safety issues and help tighten the feedback loop between policy, data, and the model training cycle.

In this role, you will:

  • Own the end-to-end development of internal tools that help improve the safety of OpenAI’s models (with a focus on areas like mental health and other vulnerable-user protections)

  • Partner closely with Safety Systems researchers, engineers, and model policy creators to understand workflows, pain points, and requirements—and translate them into durable product solutions

  • Build full-stack experiences to support core model policy workflows, such as labeling and inspecting data, analyzing and reviewing failure cases, and surfacing insights for iteration

  • Optimize internal applications for usability, speed, and scale to increase team velocity and reduce time-to-fix for safety issues

  • Transform successful AI assisted safety workflows into external facing safety products, that empowers developers to build safer AI, uplift the industry standard for AI safety, and prepare the world for more capable AGI.

You might thrive in this role if you:

  • Have 5+ years of relevant engineering experience at tech and product-driven companies

  • Are proficient with JavaScript, React, and other web technologies

  • Are proficient with at least one backend language (we use Python)

  • Have experience with relational databases like Postgres/MySQL

  • Have an interest in AI/ML (direct experience not required)

  • Are excited to partner closely with researchers and policy writers to ship tools that directly improve the safety of OpenAI’s models

About OpenAI

OpenAI is an AI research and deployment company dedicated to ensuring that general-purpose artificial intelligence benefits all of humanity. We push the boundaries of the capabilities of AI systems and seek to safely deploy them to the world through our products. AI is an extremely powerful tool that must be created with safety and human needs at its core, and to achieve our mission, we must encompass and value the many different perspectives, voices, and experiences that form the full spectrum of humanity. 

We are an equal opportunity employer, and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other applicable legally protected characteristic.

For additional information, please see OpenAI’s Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement.

Background checks for applicants will be administered in accordance with applicable law, and qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment consistent with those laws, including the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the California Fair Chance Act, for US-based candidates. For unincorporated Los Angeles County workers: we reasonably believe that criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship with the following job duties, potentially resulting in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment: protect computer hardware entrusted to you from theft, loss or damage; return all computer hardware in your possession (including the data contained therein) upon termination of employment or end of assignment; and maintain the confidentiality of proprietary, confidential, and non-public information. In addition, job duties require access to secure and protected information technology systems and related data security obligations.

To notify OpenAI that you believe this job posting is non-compliant, please submit a report through this form. No response will be provided to inquiries unrelated to job posting compliance.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, and requests can be made via this link.

OpenAI Global Applicant Privacy Policy

At OpenAI, we believe artificial intelligence has the potential to help people solve immense global challenges, and we want the upside of AI to be widely shared. Join us in shaping the future of technology.

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About Software Development

Software Development is one of the most dynamic and constantly evolving fields in the job market. Professionals in this area are responsible for creating, maintaining, and optimizing web, mobile, and desktop applications that impact millions of users daily.

Key languages and frameworks include JavaScript (React, Node.js, Vue.js), Python (Django, Flask), Java (Spring), PHP (Laravel), and TypeScript. Demand for full-stack developers continues to grow, especially in tech companies and startups.

Salaries range from entry-level to senior positions, with growing opportunities for remote work and international freelancing.

About Scrum Master

The Scrum Master is the professional responsible for facilitating the adoption of Scrum and agile practices within development teams. They act as servant leaders, removing impediments, promoting continuous improvement, and ensuring Scrum events and ceremonies happen in the best possible way.

Key skills include event facilitation (sprint planning, daily, review, retrospective), backlog management, team coaching, conflict resolution, and agile metrics (velocity, burndown, cycle time). Knowledge of Jira, Trello, Azure DevOps, and frameworks like Kanban, XP, and SAFe is a differentiator.

Scrum Masters in technology companies are highly valued, especially those who can promote team autonomy, create psychologically safe environments, and lead agile transformations at scale. The field offers opportunities from junior scrum master to agile coach, head of agile, and director of agile transformation.

Discover Other Areas

Understand the scope of work, key skills, and tools used in different career areas.

About Automation Analyst

The Automation Analyst is the professional responsible for identifying process optimization opportunities and developing automated workflows (RPA, scripts, or integrations). They map manual and repetitive tasks across various company areas and build automation solutions using low-code/no-code platforms (such as Zapier, Make, Power Automate, n8n) or RPA tools (such as UiPath), driving operational efficiency and error reduction.

About Web Master

The Web Master is the professional responsible for maintaining, securing, and ensuring the technical performance of websites and web applications. They manage servers, hosting infrastructure, uptime monitoring, and ensure everything runs fast and reliably.

Key skills include server management (Apache, Nginx), hosting (AWS, Google Cloud, Azure), CDN (Cloudflare), SSL, DNS, web security (WAF, firewall), performance (Core Web Vitals, cache, compression), and versioning (Git, CI/CD). Knowledge of Docker, WordPress, cPanel, and monitoring (Sentry, New Relic) is a differentiator.

Web Masters in technology companies are highly valued, especially those who master DevOps, SRE, and can guarantee uptime and performance at scale. The field offers opportunities from junior webmaster to SRE and infrastructure engineer, with a focus on reliability, security, and speed.

About Content

The Content and Social Media area is essential for building digital presence and audience engagement. Professionals create content strategies, manage social networks, and develop impactful brand narratives.

Key skills include copywriting, storytelling, community management, metrics analysis, audiovisual production, and knowledge of each platform algorithms.

With the growth of influencer marketing and social commerce, this area continues to generate new career opportunities.

About Administrative

The Administrative area is responsible for ensuring the efficient functioning of all organizational operations. Administrative professionals manage processes, human resources, procurement, and facility management.

Key skills include process management, Office 365, administrative ERPs, compliance, and people management. Knowledge of automation and AI tools is becoming increasingly relevant.

The digitization of administrative processes has created new opportunities for professionals who master technology and management.

About SEO Analyst

The SEO Analyst is the professional responsible for optimizing websites for search engines, increasing organic visibility and qualified traffic. With the growing importance of digital marketing, SEO professionals are fundamental to any online presence strategy.

Key skills include on-page and off-page SEO, technical SEO, keyword research, SEO audits, link building, optimized content creation, and metrics analysis. Tools like Google Search Console, Google Analytics, Ahrefs, Semrush, Moz, and Screaming Frog are essential for daily work.

SEO analysts in technology companies are highly valued, especially those who master technical SEO, Core Web Vitals, and data-driven content strategies. The field offers opportunities from junior analyst to head of SEO, with a focus on organic growth, domain authority, and return on investment.

Career Guides

Technology Career Guide

Planning, skills, interviews, and professional growth in IT, Data Science, DevOps, and Product.

Read full guide →

Design Career Guide

UX/UI, Graphic Design, Product Design. Portfolio, tools, interviews, and growth in the Design field.

Read full guide →

Marketing Career Guide

SEO, Paid Media, Growth, Content Marketing. Certifications, tools, and strategies to grow in Digital Marketing.

Read full guide →

Finance Career Guide

Financial market, investments, corporate finance, certifications, and strategies to grow in the financial field.

Read full guide →

Communication Career Guide

Journalism, PR, Corporate Communication, Content Marketing, and Multimedia Production.

Read full guide →

Administration Career Guide

Business Management, HR, Logistics, Consulting, Project Management, and Entrepreneurship.

Read full guide →

Data Career Guide

Data Science, Data Engineering, BI, Machine Learning, and AI. From training to the job market.

Read full guide →

Product Career Guide

Product Management, Product Ownership, Agile, Scrum, and OKRs. From strategy to execution.

Read full guide →

Tech & Remote Glossary

Stop getting lost in interviews and job descriptions

The job market, especially within tech and global companies, has developed its own dialect. Not understanding these acronyms can make you lose valuable opportunities or poorly negotiate your contract. To end this problem, we created the Definitive Glossary for the Remote Professional.

🏢 Work Models & Routine

Async (Asynchronous Work)
A communication model where responses don't need to be immediate. Instead of back-to-back meetings, the team relies on well-structured documents, threads, and messages. It's the gold standard for global companies spanning multiple time zones.
Sync (Synchronous Work)
The opposite of Async. It requires the team to be online and available at the same time for meetings, live chats, and real-time collaboration.
Daily / Stand-up
A quick daily meeting (usually 15 minutes) common in Agile (Scrum) methodologies. The team answers three questions: What did I do yesterday? What will I do today? Are there any blockers?
All-Hands / Town Hall
A company-wide meeting involving all employees. Usually led by the founders (C-Levels) to present results, new goals, and answer team questions.
1:1 (One-on-One)
A recurring individual meeting between a professional and their direct manager. It is used for career alignment, feedback, and problem-solving, not just for project status updates.

💰 Contracts, Benefits & Compensation

PTO (Paid Time Off)
Instead of strict, categorized leave policies, modern US companies usually offer a flexible pool of days (e.g., 20 days of PTO, or even "Unlimited PTO") that you can use for vacations, sick days, or personal matters, while receiving your regular compensation.
Equity / Stock Options
Company ownership. The startup offers you the right to buy shares at a heavily discounted strike price in the future. If the company grows, goes public, or is acquired, these shares can be highly lucrative.
Vesting (Vesting Schedule)
The rule that controls your Equity. It usually lasts 4 years. You don't get all the shares on day one; you "earn" them gradually as you stay with the company. A "1-year Cliff" means you must stay for at least one year to receive your first batch of shares.
RSUs (Restricted Stock Units)
Unlike Stock Options (where you have the right to buy the stock), RSUs are actual shares the company grants you as a bonus or part of your compensation package, following a strict Vesting schedule.
Independent Contractor (1099 / B2B)
The most common international hiring model for global talent working for US companies. You act as a service provider (business-to-business), receiving the gross salary (often six-figure compensation) without standard local payroll tax deductions at the source.

🤖 Recruitment & Hiring Process

ATS (Applicant Tracking System)
The "robot" that reads your resume. Software like Greenhouse, Ashby, and Workday are used to filter candidates by keywords before a human even looks at the document. (Pro tip: this is why your resume must be clean, semantic, and have the right keywords).
JD (Job Description)
The document that lists the responsibilities, technical requirements, and benefits of the open position.
Cultural Fit
The interview stage that evaluates if your core values, communication style, and worldview align with the company's culture. This is the ultimate test of your Soft Skills.
Onboarding
The integration process. It's the period of your first few weeks at the company, where you get your access credentials, learn about the culture, study the internal documentation, and understand how the product works.

🚀 How to use this to your advantage?

The secret isn't just knowing what these acronyms mean, but using them actively. If during an interview for a premium tech role you ask, "How does your PTO policy and Vesting schedule work?", the recruiter will immediately perceive you as a high-level professional, familiar with the global market standards.

The remote job market requires preparation. And having the right vocabulary is the first big step to securing six-figure proposals and standing out among thousands of applicants.

Expert Tip

The Evolution of Support and Customer Success

The Evolution of Support and Customer Success: Opportunities, Tools, and the New Professional Profile

Discover how customer service evolved from a cost center into the ultimate growth and retention engine for the world's leading tech and SaaS companies.

The Current Landscape: From Cost Center to Revenue Engine

Historically, customer support was viewed by companies merely as a reactive department, focused on troubleshooting technical issues and closing tickets. However, with the consolidation of the SaaS (Software as a Service) business model and the subscription economy, the game has drastically changed.

Today, Customer Experience (CX) and Customer Success (CS) are the pillars of a company's financial sustainability. The logic is simple: in a highly competitive market, the Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) is incredibly high. Losing a customer (Churn) means bleeding money. The modern support professional is, in reality, a strategist focused on retention, account expansion (Upsell/Cross-sell), and ensuring that the client achieves their desired outcomes using the product.

"Acquiring a new customer is anywhere from five to 25 times more expensive than retaining an existing one." — Harvard Business Review

Customer Support vs. Customer Success: Understanding the Difference

Although both areas walk hand-in-hand, their roles and success metrics in the job market are distinct. Understanding this difference is crucial for anyone looking to enter or advance in this career:

  • Customer Support: Predominantly reactive and transactional. The focus is on the speed and efficiency of issue resolution. Common metrics include First Response Time (FRT), Mean Time to Resolution (MTTR), and Customer Satisfaction Score (CSAT).
  • Customer Success: A proactive and long-term function. The goal is to ensure the customer extracts maximum value from the product. CS professionals analyze the Health Score, conduct Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs), and directly target Net Retention Revenue (NRR) while combating Churn.

Market Opportunities and Global Remote Work

The global market for B2B Support and CS professionals is hotter than ever. Startups and major international corporations are massively hiring talent worldwide to provide 24/7 coverage across different time zones.

Opportunities range from entry-level roles, such as Customer Support Representative (CSR), to high-level executive positions like Key Account Manager, Implementation Specialist, Customer Success Manager (CSM), and Head of CX. For professionals with native or fluent English, "Global Remote" and "US Remote" positions offer highly competitive six-figure compensation packages, equity, and aggressive benefits.

Tech Stack: The Tools You Must Master

To pass through the rigorous ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems, like Greenhouse or Ashby) used by top-tier tech companies, your resume must showcase familiarity with the platforms that orchestrate the customer journey. The most demanded tools include:

  • Zendesk and Intercom: The global leaders in ticket management, asynchronous chat, and omnichannel support automation.
  • Salesforce and HubSpot: Essential CRMs (Customer Relationship Management) to maintain data history and alignment between Sales and Support teams.
  • Jira and Confluence: Atlassian tools crucial for escalating frontline bugs directly to the Engineering and Product teams.
  • Gainsight and Totango: Enterprise-grade platforms specifically built for Customer Success, used to monitor portfolio health predictively.

The Profile of the Modern CX Professional

The stereotype of the agent reading from a rigid script is a thing of the past. Tech recruiters are looking for a profile that blends emotional intelligence with analytical (data-driven) capabilities. The most valued competencies today are:

  1. Empathy and Resilience: The ability to de-escalate frustrated clients and turn crises into loyalty-building opportunities.
  2. Flawless Asynchronous Communication: Especially in remote work environments, clarity in writing emails, documentation, and chat threads is non-negotiable.
  3. Data Literacy: Knowing how to read dashboards, spot where users are getting stuck in the product, and suggest improvements based on hard data.
  4. Product Vision: Modern support acts as the primary feedback loop between the end-user and the Engineering and UX Design teams.