Site Reliability Engineer

As a Site Reliability Engineer at OpenAI, you'll design and build scalable infrastructure for public sector customers, manage systems from the hardware up to Kubernetes, and ensure reliability by being onsite with clients. You'll partner with numerous teams to integrate security and compliance measures, automate routine tasks, and troubleshoot issues directly using observability tools.

Candidates should have at least 5 years of experience managing infrastructure at scale, strong troubleshooting skills, and hands-on experience with both Docker and Kubernetes. Additionally, an active US security clearance is preferred. Proficiency in scripting, especially Python, is essential for automating routine tasks in this role.

This position offers a unique chance for Site Reliability Engineers to see the tangible impact of their work by engaging directly with customers in the public sector. You'll also work cross-functionally with product, security, and compliance teams to develop critical functionalities tailored to specific infrastructures and environments, enhancing your professional experience.

At OpenAI, safety is a top priority. As a Site Reliability Engineer, you will closely collaborate with security and compliance teams to ensure that our technology aligns with necessary standards and operates within the constraints of regulated environments, ensuring the responsible deployment of AI technologies.

The work environment at OpenAI is dynamic and collaborative, allowing Site Reliability Engineers to thrive amid ambiguity while working on challenging projects. You'll be part of a nimble team that emphasizes innovative solutions, and your contributions will directly impact how AI solutions are deployed in the real world.

In your response, highlight specific projects where you managed container orchestration using Kubernetes. Discuss the challenges you faced and how you overcame them, emphasizing any improvements in deployment efficiency or reliability that resulted from your work.

Focus on a specific example where you identified the root cause of a failure, the systematic steps you took to ameliorate the issue, and how you communicated with your team and clients. Highlight your problem-solving skills and how you ensured the system's reliability moving forward.

Share your experience in scripting languages such as Python. Provide examples of tasks you've automated and the impact this had on efficiency and scalability. Emphasize your commitment to improving processes through automation.

Discuss your understanding of designing infrastructure that can grow seamlessly with demand, including considerations like resource allocation, load balancing, and redundancy. Share specific techniques or frameworks you've utilized in past roles.

Describe your approach to prioritization, suggesting methods like using a triage system or a collaborative tool for managing tasks. Emphasize the importance of communication and maintaining a flexible mindset as challenges arise.

Explain your experience with security protocols and compliance requirements, particularly in regulated environments. Discuss your approach to ensuring that all operational frameworks adhere to both organizational and external guidelines.

Provide examples of times you've worked with project managers, engineers, and security teams. Describe how you navigated differing priorities and ensured alignment towards common goals, showcasing your interpersonal skills.

List tools you've effectively used, such as Grafana, Prometheus, or Splunk. Describe how you utilize these tools to enhance system reliability and troubleshoot issues quickly, ensuring optimal performance.

Discuss your approach to being on-call, touching on the importance of preparedness, documentation, and collaboration. Highlight your problem-solving skills and how you manage stress effectively when responding to urgent issues.

Convey your passion for technology and AI, as well as your desire to make a meaningful impact through your work. Personal anecdotes about previous successful projects or collaborations can illustrate your alignment with OpenAI’s mission and vision.