Software Engineer (Cryptography)

About The Company

OpenAI is a leading artificial intelligence research and deployment organization dedicated to ensuring that artificial general intelligence (AGI) benefits all of humanity. Committed to pushing the boundaries of AI capabilities, OpenAI develops cutting-edge AI systems and deploys them responsibly through innovative products. The company emphasizes safety, ethics, and inclusivity, fostering a collaborative environment that values diverse perspectives and voices. OpenAI strives to create AI tools that address global challenges while prioritizing human needs and safety. As an organization, OpenAI champions transparency, research excellence, and equitable access to AI technologies, aiming to shape a future where AI serves the greater good.

About The Role

The Trusted Computing and Cryptography team at OpenAI is a specialized engineering and security division within the broader Security organization. This team focuses on deploying high-performance cryptographic solutions at scale, managing secure key management systems—including offline physical backups and multi-party computation—and developing trusted hardware enclaves that enable secure boot measurements and confidential GPU computation. The role involves building and securing critical computing infrastructure, integrating advanced cryptographic techniques into production and research systems, and designing operating system-level security measures such as remote attestation and host integrity verification. The ideal candidate will be instrumental in enhancing OpenAI’s security posture, ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of its systems and data, and supporting the organization’s mission to develop safe and impactful AI technologies. This position offers the flexibility of remote work within the US, with occasional travel to San Francisco headquarters or other offices, following a hybrid work model of three days in-office per week. OpenAI also provides relocation assistance to qualified candidates.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience as a software engineer working on large-scale, production systems.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Rust, and C/C++.
• Strong background in deploying cryptographic systems at scale, including cryptographic key management.
• Experience with security primitives like TPM2, Secure Boot, secure enclaves, and confidential computing platforms such as Intel SGX and AMD-SEV.
• Knowledge of operating system security measures, including remote attestation, TPM measurement, and host integrity verification.
• Ability to design, implement, and maintain secure key management and infrastructure systems.
• Experience in architecting, observing, and debugging distributed systems in a production environment.
• Self-motivated with a problem-solving mindset, willing to learn new concepts as needed.
• Excellent collaboration skills and a humble attitude, with a focus on team success.
• Experience with system refactoring or rebuilding to accommodate scaling challenges.
• Good intuition for selecting off-the-shelf solutions versus building custom tools to accelerate workflows.

Responsibilities

• Develop high-performance, secure code in Rust and Python to support cryptographic and trusted computing functionalities.
• Collaborate with researchers, engineers, and security experts to integrate advanced cryptographic techniques into OpenAI’s systems.
• Create and maintain foundational libraries supporting cryptographic operations, ensuring adherence to security best practices.
• Design and implement secure key management systems, including hardware-based solutions and multi-party computation protocols.
• Deploy and manage trusted hardware enclaves, such as TPMs, Secure Boot, Nitro Enclaves, and confidential computing environments.
• Research and develop operating system-level security measures, including remote attestation, TPM measurement, and host integrity checks.
• Contribute to the development of infrastructure that enhances trustworthiness and security of OpenAI’s computing environment.
• Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve security vulnerabilities and system bottlenecks in distributed systems.
• Stay current with emerging security primitives and cryptographic technologies to continuously improve OpenAI’s security architecture.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package ranging from $308,000 to $465,000, complemented by equity options.
• Flexible remote work options within the US, with a hybrid work model of three days in the office per week.
• Relocation assistance for eligible candidates.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Generous paid time off and holiday leave policies.
• Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning.
• Access to a collaborative and innovative work environment focused on impactful AI research.
• Participation in shaping the future of safe and beneficial AI technologies.

Equal Opportunity

OpenAI is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other legally protected characteristics. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all employees can thrive.