Abuse Investigator (AI Self-Improvement Risk)
WFA Digital Insight
The demand for specialized professionals in AI safety and security has surged, with a 25% increase in job openings in 2025. Openai's commitment to ensuring that general-purpose artificial intelligence benefits humanity is reflected in this critical role. As a highly skilled Abuse Investigator, you will be at the forefront of identifying and mitigating risks associated with AI autonomy. With the rise of remote work, digital skills are more crucial than ever, and this role requires expertise in investigating complex systems and emerging technologies. Before applying, candidates should be aware of the high level of technical expertise required and the need to navigate ambiguous signals in a rapidly evolving environment.
Job Description
About the Role
The Abuse Investigator role at Openai is a critical position that involves identifying and investigating cases where AI models exhibit autonomous or agentic behavior, which may introduce safety risks. This role is part of the Intelligence and Investigations team, which supports Openai's mission to ensure that general-purpose artificial intelligence benefits all of humanity. The team's work enables the development of data-backed policies and safety mitigations, allowing for the safe deployment of AI products.As an Abuse Investigator, you will be responsible for reviewing leads, investigating model behavior, and identifying cases where systems demonstrate agentic or autonomous patterns that introduce safety risks. Your work will involve detecting and analyzing behaviors such as multi-step planning, capability chaining, tool use, persistence, and workaround behavior. You will also develop signals and tracking strategies to help proactively identify emerging agentic risk patterns across the platform.
The Intelligence and Investigations team works closely with other teams to develop and implement safety mitigations, and your findings will inform the development of policies and safeguards to prevent misuse of AI products. Your work will have a direct impact on the safety and security of Openai's products and services.
What You Will Do
- Review leads and investigate model behavior to identify cases where systems demonstrate agentic or autonomous patterns that introduce safety risks
- Detect and analyze behaviors such as multi-step planning, capability chaining, tool use, persistence, and workaround behavior
- Develop signals and tracking strategies to help proactively identify emerging agentic risk patterns across the platform
- Identify gaps in existing safeguards, evaluations, or monitoring systems and propose improvements
- Communicate investigation findings clearly to technical, policy, and leadership stakeholders
- Collaborate with other teams to develop and implement safety mitigations
- Stay up-to-date with the latest developments in AI safety and security, and apply this knowledge to your work
- Develop and maintain technical expertise in areas such as machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision
- Participate in the development of policies and procedures for investigating and mitigating AI-related risks
- Provide training and guidance to other teams on AI safety and security best practices
What We Are Looking For
- At least 6 years of experience conducting investigations, threat analysis, or research in complex and ambiguous domains
- Deep expertise in investigating complex, adversarial, or emergent system behavior, ideally in AI safety, security, cyber, or trust & safety environments
- Strong familiarity with technical investigations, especially using SQL, Python, or similar tools, in a government, research, or technology setting
- Experience analyzing multi-step systems, automation, or agentic workflows, and understanding how behaviors emerge across interactions
- At least two years of experience helping to develop automated or scalable approaches to detection or investigation
- Experience identifying failure modes, unintended behaviors, or system-level risks, particularly in AI or software systems
- Strong judgment and resilience in high-pressure environments
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills
- Ability to navigate ambiguous signals in a rapidly evolving and highly technical environment
Nice to Have
- Experience working in a remote or distributed team environment
- Familiarity with AI-related technologies such as machine learning, natural language processing, or computer vision
- Experience with data visualization tools or techniques
- Knowledge of programming languages such as Java, C++, or JavaScript
- Experience with agile development methodologies
Benefits and Perks
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Opportunity to work on cutting-edge AI technology and contribute to the development of safety and security protocols
- Collaborative and dynamic work environment
- Professional development opportunities, including training and education programs
- Flexible working hours and remote work options
- Access to the latest technologies and tools
- Recognition and reward programs for outstanding performance
- Comprehensive health insurance and wellness programs
- Retirement savings plan and matching program
- Paid time off and vacation days
- Employee discounts and perks
How to Stand Out
- To stand out in your application, highlight your experience with technical investigations and your ability to analyze complex systems and behaviors.
- Make sure to showcase your knowledge of AI-related technologies and your understanding of the latest developments in AI safety and security.
- Be prepared to provide specific examples of your experience with automation, agentic workflows, and multi-step systems.
- Develop a strong portfolio that demonstrates your technical skills and expertise in investigating complex systems and behaviors.
- Practice your communication skills, as you will be working closely with technical, policy, and leadership stakeholders.
- Be prepared to discuss your experience with data visualization tools and techniques, and how you can apply these skills to your work as an Abuse Investigator.
- Research Openai's mission and values, and be prepared to discuss how your skills and experience align with the company's goals and objectives.
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