Performance Modeling Engineer

About this role

OpenAI seeks a Performance Modeling Engineer to develop and apply modeling frameworks that evaluate AI system performance across compute, memory, and networking infrastructure. You'll collaborate with architects to run simulations, analyze tradeoffs, and inform next-generation hardware design decisions.

What you'll do

• Develop and maintain performance modeling tools and frameworks for AI systems
• Build models evaluating compute, memory, interconnect, and distributed system scaling
• Run simulations and analytical models to support architectural tradeoff analysis
• Analyze modeling outputs and translate results into actionable design insights
• Validate models against real system measurements and workload behavior
• Collaborate with performance leads and architects on forward-looking design questions

What they're looking for

• Software engineering or modeling background (simulation, systems modeling, performance analysis)
• System architecture fundamentals (compute, memory, networking)
• Programming and technical tool/framework development
• Performance bottleneck analysis and scaling behavior reasoning
• Quantitative modeling and analytical thinking
• Cross-team collaboration and rapid domain learning
• Familiarity with AI/ML workloads or distributed systems
• Experience with simulation tools, benchmarking, or profiling

Benefits

• Hybrid work model (3 days per week in office)
• Based in San Francisco, CA
• Relocation assistance offered
• Opportunity to work on advanced AI infrastructure
• Exposure to cutting-edge system architecture challenges