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Software Engineer, Distributed Data Systems - Robotics

openai

San Francisco
Development Data

Job Score

90 pts
On-site model (+70) Development (+10) Data (+10)

About the Team

The OpenAI Robotics team is focused on unlocking general-purpose robotics and pushing towards AGI-level intelligence in dynamic, real-world settings. Working across the entire model stack, we integrate cutting-edge hardware and software to explore a broad range of robotic form factors. We strive to seamlessly blend high-level AI capabilities with the constraints of physical systems to improve peoples’ lives.

About the Role

As a Software Engineer, Distributed Data Systems, you will design, build, and operate some of the largest distributed data systems in the world. You will be responsible for the end-to-end stack to deliver and consume top-quality data for robotics training at exabyte-scale. You’ll manage distributed data pipelines, collaborate closely with researchers to translate requirements into robust systems, and harden pipelines that serve as the backbone for OpenAI’s rapid iteration cycles.

We’re looking for engineers who are detail-oriented, have strong experience with distributed systems, and excel at building reliable, large-scale systems in high-stakes environments.

This role is based in San Francisco, CA. We use a hybrid work model of 3 days in the office per week and offer relocation assistance to new employees.

In this role, you will:

  • Design, build, and maintain data infrastructure such as exabyte-scale distributed data processing, data selection, automated labeling, and training data loaders.

  • Ensure our data platform can scale by orders of magnitude while remaining reliable and efficient.

  • Partner with researchers to deeply understand requirements and translate them into production-ready systems.

  • Harden, optimize, and maintain critical data infrastructure systems that power multimodal training and evaluation.

  • Deliver the best possible data for training robotics models.

You might thrive in this role if you:

  • Have strong experience with distributed systems and large-scale infrastructure with a strong interest in data.

  • Are detail-oriented and bring rigor to building and maintaining reliable systems.

  • Demonstrate excellent software engineering fundamentals and organizational skills.

  • Are comfortable with ambiguity and rapid change

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 Data

The Data field has undergone a radical transformation with the rise of Generative AI. Data professionals are fundamental for evidence-based decision-making across all industries.

Key specializations include Data Engineering, Data Science, Business Intelligence, Machine Learning Engineering, and Analytics. Tools like SQL, Python, Spark, dbt, and cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure) are essential.

The data market continues with high demand and salaries among the most competitive in the technology sector, with many remote work opportunities.

Discover Other Areas

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

About Project Management

Project Management is essential to ensure strategic initiatives are delivered on time, within scope, and with quality. PM professionals coordinate teams, manage risks, and communicate with stakeholders.

Key methodologies include PMBOK, PRINCE2, Scrum, and Kanban. Tools like Jira, Asana, Monday, and MS Project are widely used in daily work.

Certifications like PMP and PgMP are important differentiators in the market, with growing demand in technology and consulting companies.

About Sales

The Sales area is responsible for generating revenue and expanding the customer base. B2B and B2C sales professionals are fundamental for sustainable growth of any organization.

Key skills include prospecting, negotiation, CRM (Salesforce, HubSpot), sales enablement, and value consulting. The consultative and data-driven approach is increasingly valued.

Consultative sellers and senior Sales Managers have very high earning potential, with OTE (On-Target Earnings) that can exceed monthly salaries in technology companies.

About Traffic Analyst

The Traffic Analyst (paid media/performance specialist) is the professional responsible for creating, managing, and optimizing sponsored ad campaigns on digital platforms such as Google Ads, Meta Ads, LinkedIn Ads, and TikTok Ads. They monitor conversion metrics, analyze return on investment (ROAS), perform A/B testing on ads and landing pages, and manage the marketing budget to maximize lead generation and qualified sales.

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 Customer Success

Customer Success is the area responsible for ensuring clients achieve their goals when using the product or service. It is a strategic function for retention, expansion, and customer satisfaction.

Key skills include account management, churn analysis, NPS, onboarding, upsell, and cross-sell. Knowledge of CS tools like Gainsight, Totango, and ChurnZero is a differentiator.

CS is becoming increasingly strategic in SaaS companies, with professionals directly contributing to recurring revenue growth (MRR/ARR).

Career Guides

Technology Career Guide

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

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Design Career Guide

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

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Marketing Career Guide

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

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Finance Career Guide

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

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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.

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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 Audiovisual Revolution in the Digital Age

Discover the skills, cloud tools, and strategic mindsets that tech giants, global agencies, and startups demand from video professionals in 2026.

The audiovisual market has undergone a radical transformation. The era when the best opportunities were restricted solely to traditional film studios or television networks is over. Today, the massive volume of premium hiring—including 100% remote positions and six-figure compensation packages—comes from tech companies, digital product startups, Growth Marketing agencies, and streaming-focused production houses.

To stand out in this new landscape, it is no longer enough to just "know how to cut video." The modern professional must be a visual problem solver, possessing a deep understanding of audience retention, cross-platform formats, and cloud-based workflows.

1. Master Cloud Workflows and Collaboration

If you are looking for a global remote position, the first barrier you will face is infrastructure. International production companies and tech startups no longer ship external hard drives via mail. They require candidates who know how to operate seamlessly within real-time review and collaboration ecosystems.

  • Frame.io: It has become the industry standard (now natively integrated into Adobe). Knowing how to manage real-time feedback and version control using Frame.io is an absolute prerequisite for senior editors.
  • Proxy Workflows: Mastering the creation and editing of proxies in Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve is non-negotiable for anyone editing 4K/6K footage remotely on standard internet connections.
"The ability to collaborate asynchronously and manage media in the cloud is no longer a perk, but the backbone of modern post-production teams." — Frame.io Insider

2. Embrace Integrated Artificial Intelligence

The fear of being replaced by AI is common, but corporate reality tells a different story: companies are actively hiring professionals who leverage AI to multiply their productivity. Tech recruiters are looking for talent who can automate tedious tasks and focus on high-level art direction.

  • Generative AI: Tools like Runway Gen-2, Midjourney, and Adobe Firefly are being used to create storyboards, expand backgrounds (Generative Fill), and generate auxiliary assets for Motion Graphics on the fly.
  • Audio and Roto AI: Using tools like Adobe Podcast AI for one-click audio cleanup and DaVinci Resolve's Magic Mask for automatic rotoscoping reduces hours of manual labor to mere minutes. Highlight these efficiency gains on your resume.

3. Your Portfolio is Your Ultimate Currency

In the audiovisual universe, your text-based resume matters far less than your Showreel. However, the most common mistake is creating a Reel filled only with pretty pictures and upbeat music, devoid of context.

According to hiring guidelines from top agencies listed on Motionographer, a top-tier portfolio must feature:

  1. The "Breakdown": Don't just show the final render. Show the layers, the color correction (before/after), or the raw shapes in After Effects. Prove that you are the architect behind the work.
  2. Focus on Results: If a video you edited for a TikTok Ads campaign increased conversion rates by 30%, state that clearly in the project description. Data-driven results secure B2B contracts.
  3. The Right Platforms: Forget Google Drive links. Host your work on Vimeo (for high-quality playback without ads) or Behance (for detailed project case studies). Even better: have your own dedicated website.

4. Soft Skills and B2B Dynamics

Video editors and motion designers often work in silos, but in modern tech companies, they are fully immersed in agile methodologies (Scrum/Kanban). You will need to interact daily with Copywriters, Product Managers, and Growth Analysts.

Knowing how to receive critical feedback without taking it personally, understanding the difference between a "technical revision" and a "strategic revision," and communicating rendering deadlines clearly are the soft skills that guarantee your retention in high-paying remote roles.

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