API Engineer
OpenAI
Job Overview
Who's the hiring manager?
Sign up to PitchMeAI to discover the hiring manager's details for this job. We will also write them an intro email for you.
Job Description
About The Team
The team at OpenAI brings its most capable technology to the world through the developer platform: the OpenAI API. As the leading AI development platform, the API is utilized by millions of developers and the majority of enterprises globally, powering many AI applications used daily. Recent releases include gpt-5, gpt-realtime, Responses API, and the Agents SDK, among other products and features.
About The Role
OpenAI is seeking an API Engineer to own the design of its APIs. The API is considered a core product, and its design and development are approached with meticulous care. Every endpoint, field name, and enum value is treated as a critical product interface. We are looking for engineers who not only enjoy building APIs but also possess a keen eye for detail in API design and a discerning taste for exceptional API experiences. This role offers a significant opportunity to shape the future roadmap of the OpenAI API through both design and implementation.
In This Role, You Will
- Design and build products launched in the API, which includes extending existing endpoints, adding new ones, or reimagining entire API suites.
- Play a major role in the API Review process, collaborating with other teams to ensure all APIs adhere to OpenAI's stringent design standards.
- Work closely with the API team, Developer Experience team, and GTM team to establish OpenAI's APIs as industry leaders.
You Might Thrive In This Role If You
- Possess a strong appreciation for API design, recognizing the distinction between well-designed and poorly designed APIs.
- Can operate effectively and independently within a fast-paced environment characterized by ambiguous requirements and goals.
- Are passionate about building for other developers and thrive on feedback from opinionated users.
- Are an engineer at heart but are willing to engage in product decisions.
- View APIs as foundational infrastructure, or 'ladders'.
Key skills/competency
- API Design
- Software Engineering
- Developer Experience
- Product Ownership
- System Architecture
- Scalable APIs
- Collaboration
- Problem Solving
- Fast-paced Development
- User-centric Design
How to Get Hired at OpenAI
- Research OpenAI's culture: Study their mission, values, recent news, and employee testimonials on LinkedIn and Glassdoor, especially their commitment to AI safety.
- Tailor your resume for API Engineer: Customize your resume to highlight API design principles, strong software engineering skills, and experience with developer platforms.
- Showcase API design expertise: Be prepared to discuss or provide examples of well-designed APIs you have contributed to, architected, or significantly influenced.
- Prepare for technical deep-dives: Focus on system design, API architecture, scalability challenges, and modern backend development practices relevant to AI platforms.
- Emphasize developer empathy: Articulate your approach to building for and gathering feedback from developers, demonstrating a user-centric mindset in API development.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about this job opportunity
Explore similar opportunities that match your background