Backend Software Engineer, ChatGPT ImageGen

About the Role

Your day-to-day responsibilities will involve collaborating closely with product engineers, researchers, and mobile teams to transform cutting-edge AI research into reliable and performant user experiences. You will be working at the intersection of research, infrastructure, and product development, ensuring that the systems you build can support billions of image generations and editing workflows efficiently and safely.

The success of the ChatGPT ImageGen team is deeply tied to the company's overall mission of ensuring that general-purpose artificial intelligence benefits all of humanity. By joining this team, you become part of a larger effort to push the boundaries of what AI can achieve while prioritizing safety and human needs.

What You Will Do

• Design and build highly scalable backend services and infrastructure that support multimodal AI workflows
• Develop and optimize APIs for image generation and editing capabilities
• Partner with researchers to productionize new image generation capabilities and bring them to users quickly and safely
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Android, iOS, web, and full-stack engineers, to ensure seamless end-to-end product experiences
• Drive technical architecture decisions across storage, serving, orchestration, and platform systems
• Use data and experimentation to identify opportunities for improving user experience, performance, and system efficiency
• Help shape engineering culture through technical leadership, mentorship, and operational excellence
• Contribute to the development of scalable and reliable distributed systems
• Ensure the highest levels of quality, reliability, and performance in the systems you build
• Participate in code reviews and contribute to the improvement of the codebase

What We Are Looking For

• Experience in building and operating large-scale backend or distributed systems
• Strong proficiency in modern backend technologies and cloud-native architectures
• Ability to work across the stack and partner closely with product and research teams
• Experience in designing APIs, service-oriented architectures, and highly reliable production systems
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to use data to inform technical and product decisions
• A sense of ownership and comfort navigating ambiguity in fast-moving environments
• Excitement about multimodal AI and the opportunity to help define the infrastructure powering the future of visual creation
• Deep curiosity about how cutting-edge AI research can be translated into products that reach millions of users
• Experience with Excel and other data analysis tools
• Strong communication and collaboration skills

Nice to Have

• Experience with containerization using Docker
• Knowledge of Kubernetes for orchestrating distributed systems
• Familiarity with agile development methodologies
• Participation in open-source projects or personal projects that demonstrate expertise in backend development
• Experience in mentoring junior engineers or leading small teams

Benefits and Perks

• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge AI technology that impacts millions of users
• Collaborative and dynamic work environment with a team of talented engineers and researchers
• Professional development opportunities, including conference sponsorships and training programs
• Competitive compensation package and equity
• Comprehensive health insurance and wellness programs
• Flexible remote work arrangements and a stipend for home office setup
• Access to the latest tools and technologies for professional growth
• Recognition and reward for outstanding performance and contributions to the company's mission

• Tip: Ensure your resume and cover letter highlight specific experiences with building and operating large-scale backend systems, as well as any experience with multimodal AI workflows.
• Tip: Prepare examples of how you've used data to inform technical decisions and improve system efficiency in your previous roles.
• Tip: Research OpenAI's current projects and initiatives, especially those related to ChatGPT and image generation, to demonstrate your interest and understanding of the company's mission.
• Tip: Practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms, as this will be valuable in collaborating with cross-functional teams.
• Tip: Be ready to discuss your approach to technical leadership, mentorship, and how you handle ambiguity in fast-paced environments.
• Tip: Consider creating a personal project or contributing to an open-source project that showcases your backend development skills, especially in areas related to AI and image processing.