Forward Deployed Security Engineer

OpenAI; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 293,000 - 385,000; Full time

Job summary

OpenAI is seeking a Forward Deployed Security Engineer to secure novel applications of our technology. This role involves working closely with engineering teams and customers to ensure robust security for deployments. Candidates must have over 5 years of experience in security engineering, an active US security clearance, and proficiency in programming languages like Python or Golang.

This position offers a hybrid work model, requiring some on-site work, and includes competitive compensation between $293K and $385K along with equity.

Qualifications

• Requires active US security clearance.
• Must have 5+ years of security engineering experience.
• Expertise in infrastructure, application, and network security.

Responsibilities

• Implement and maintain security controls for public sector customers.
• Provide technical expertise on protective security controls.
• Collaborate on security and compliance goals with cross-functional teams.

Skills

Security engineering experience

Infrastructure security

Application security

Network security

Systems engineering

Programming in Python or Golang

Experience with cloud platforms

Collaboration in cross-functional teams

Tools

Kubernetes

Terraform

AWS

Azure

Job description

Forward Deployed Security Engineer

Security – Washington, DC

About the Team

Security is at the foundation of OpenAI’s mission to ensure that artificial general intelligence benefits all of humanity. The Security team protects OpenAI’s technology, people, and products. We are technical in what we build but are operational in how we do our work, and are committed to supporting all products and research at OpenAI. Our Security team tenets include: prioritizing for impact, enabling researchers, preparing for future transformative technologies, and engaging a robust security culture.

About the Role

Our technologies support some of the most important and impactful work in the world, including our strategic and high‑impact customers in the public sector. As a Forward Deployed Security Engineer (FDSecE) you will be responsible for securing these novel applications of OpenAI’s technology. We’re looking for motivated, tenacious, and curious people who will work closely with engineering teams to ensure our infrastructure deployments are highly secure against our adversaries. As an FDSecE, you will embed directly throughout the lifecycle, working on‑site and being hands‑on to ensure the overall security of these deployments from design to production and through ongoing operations.

This role is preferred to be based in Washington DC but may consider remote work. We use a hybrid work model of 3 days in the office per week and offer relocation assistance to new employees. Travel to and working from customer sites is required for this role.

Responsibilities

• Deeply embed with our most strategic public sector customers to implement and maintain robust security controls.
• Be a design and technical thought partner by leveraging security expertise on protective controls including access controls, authentication, encryption, network, and system security.
• Collaborate closely with teammates, cross‑functional teams, customers, and service providers to achieve security and compliance goals.
• Ensure continuity of critical security and monitoring controls through routine security assessments, threat monitoring, and security validation exercises.

Qualifications

• An active US security clearance.
• 5+ years of security engineering experience, with an emphasis on infrastructure security, application security, network security, datacenter security, and systems engineering.
• Familiarity with deployment models, including to cloud platforms (Azure, AWS) and the underlying infrastructure primitives (Kubernetes, Terraform).
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Golang, or similar.
• A proven track record of developing high‑quality, scalable, and secure infrastructure.
• Experience with security operations including insider threat monitoring, network/endpoint detection and response, or red team or penetration testing operations.
• Comprehensive knowledge of modern adversary tactics, techniques, and procedures.
• The ability to work collaboratively and effectively in a cross‑functional team environment.
• Thrive in dynamic environments and can navigate ambiguity with ease.

Compensation

$293K – $385K + Equity

We are an equal opportunity employer, and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other applicable legally protected characteristic.