Software Engineer, Backend (Cooperative AI)

About this role

Join OpenAI's Cooperative AI team as a Backend Software Engineer to design and scale infrastructure powering AI-driven knowledge and automation systems. You'll build robust backend services that integrate OpenAI models into high-impact workflows across the organization, working at the intersection of distributed systems and cutting-edge AI technology.

What you'll do

• Design and maintain backend services and APIs for intelligent automation and knowledge systems
• Transform and structure data across internal platforms for AI workflows and downstream systems
• Collaborate with product, research, and engineering teams to integrate OpenAI models into workflows
• Own full development lifecycle of new backend systems and internal platform capabilities
• Build scalable and maintainable systems while iterating rapidly on new ideas

What they're looking for

• Backend engineering (4+ years at product-driven companies)
• Python and FastAPI
• PostgreSQL
• Distributed systems design and scaling
• API design
• Data processing pipelines
• Structured knowledge representation
• Pragmatic, iterative development mindset