Software Engineer, Privacy Infrastructure
WFA Digital Insight
As the demand for data privacy specialists grows, companies like Openai are at the forefront of innovation. With a 25% increase in data breaches in 2025, the need for skilled engineers who can design and operate secure data systems is more pressing than ever. Openai's commitment to AI safety and human-centered design makes this role particularly appealing. Candidates with experience in large-scale data systems, secure data transfers, and collaboration with cross-functional teams will be well-suited for this position. Before applying, consider the company's emphasis on defensibility by default and enabling researchers, and be prepared to communicate technical concepts clearly to non-technical teams.
Job Description
About the Role
The Software Engineer, Privacy Infrastructure role at Openai is a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of security, privacy, and core infrastructure. As part of the Privacy Engineering team, you will design and operate technical systems that support legal compliance workflows, including secure data processing and document review. Your day-to-day work will involve partnering with Legal, Security, IT, and partner engineering teams to turn legal processes into concrete technical workflows.The role requires a deep understanding of large-scale data problems and the rigor required when the results may be scrutinized. You will work closely with various stakeholders to ensure that data infrastructure is built securely, quickly, and at scale. The guiding principles of the team include defensibility by default, enabling researchers, preparing for future transformative technologies, and building a robust security culture.
As a key member of the team, you will contribute to the development of data storage pipelines, search and discovery services, and secure data transfer protocols. Your expertise will help inform the design and operation of technical systems that support legal compliance workflows, ensuring that data is handled securely and efficiently.
What You Will Do
- Design and operate data storage pipelines that can operate at scale
- Build search and discovery services based on the needs of partner teams
- Automate secure data transfers, including encrypting, checksumming, and auditing exports to reviewers
- Stand up locked-down compute environments that balance usability with security controls
- Instrument monitoring and KPIs that maintain accountability of data holds and productions
- Collaborate cross-functionally to codify SOPs, threat models, and chain-of-custody documentation that withstand scrutiny
- Work closely with Legal, Security, and IT teams to inform the design and operation of technical systems
- Develop and maintain technical workflows that support legal compliance
- Participate in the development of data infrastructure and systems to support privacy, legal, and security teams
What We Are Looking For
- Hands-on experience building or operating large-scale data-lake or backup systems (Azure, AWS, GCP)
- Knowledge of Terraform or Pulumi, CI/CD, and experience with turning ad-hoc legal requests into repeatable pipelines
- Comfort working with discovery workflows (legal holds, enterprise document collections, secure review) or eager to build expertise quickly
- Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to non-technical teams such as Legal, Engineering, and others
- Experience shipping secure solutions that balance speed, cost, and evidentiary defensibility
- Strong understanding of security principles and practices
- Experience working in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines
- Comfort working with ambiguity and uncertainty
Nice to Have
- Experience with cloud-based data storage and processing platforms
- Knowledge of machine learning and AI concepts
- Familiarity with security frameworks and regulations (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA)
- Experience with Agile development methodologies
- Certification in cloud computing or cybersecurity
Benefits and Perks
- Competitive salary and equity package
- Comprehensive health insurance and benefits
- Generous PTO and paid holidays
- Remote work stipend and support for home office setup
- Opportunities for professional development and growth
- Access to cutting-edge technologies and tools
- Collaborative and dynamic work environment
- Recognition and reward for outstanding performance
How to Stand Out
- Research Openai's approach to AI safety and human-centered design to understand the company's values and mission.
- Develop a strong understanding of large-scale data systems and secure data transfers to stand out in the application process.
- Prepare to communicate technical concepts clearly and concisely to non-technical teams, such as Legal and Engineering.
- Be prepared to discuss your experience with cloud-based data storage and processing platforms, as well as your knowledge of security principles and practices.
- Consider creating a portfolio that showcases your experience with secure data transfers and data infrastructure development.
- Don't be afraid to ask questions during the interview process, such as what a typical day looks like in the role or what the biggest challenges are that the team is currently facing.
- Pay attention to the company culture and values during the interview process, and be prepared to discuss how you align with them.
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