Forward Deployed Engineer - UAE

Forward Deployed Engineering - Abu Dhabi, UAE

About the team

OpenAI’s Forward Deployed Engineering team partners with customers to turn research breakthroughs into production systems. We embed deeply with users to solve high-leverage problems. We move quickly from prototype to deployment and surface patterns that shape the platform. We operate at the intersection of customer delivery and core development. We work closely with Product, Research, and Go-To-Market (GTM).

About the role

Forward Deployed Engineers lead complex deployments of frontier models in production. You will embed with customers where model performance matters, delivery is urgent, and ambiguity is the default. You will use this to map their problems,You will use this to map their problems, structure delivery, and ship fast. You will scope, sequence, and build full-stack solutions that create measurable value. You will also drive clarity across internal and external teams. You will identify reusable patterns and share field signal that influences the roadmap.

Success in this role means owning the delivery state across workstreams. You will hold the bar on quality and pace and help OpenAI learn through execution.

This role is based in Abu Dhabi. We use a hybrid work model of 3 days in the office per week. We offer relocation assistance. Travel up to 50% is required.

In this role you will

• Own technical delivery across multiple deployments from first prototype to stable production
• Build full-stack systems that deliver customer value and sharpen how we learn
• Embed closely with customer teams, understand their needs, and guide adoption of what you build
• Scope work, sequence delivery, and remove blockers early
• Make trade-offs between scope, speed, and quality; adjust plans to protect delivery
• Contribute directly in the code when progress or clarity depends on it
• Codify working patterns into tools, playbooks, or building blocks that others can use
• Share field feedback that helps Research and Product understand where the models succeed and where they can improve
• Keep teams moving through clarity and follow-through

You might thrive in this role if you

• Bring 5+ years of engineering or technical deployment experience that includes customer-facing work
• Have scoped and delivered complex systems in fast-moving or ambiguous environments
• Write and review production-grade code across frontend and backend using Python, JavaScript, or comparable stacks
• Have built or deployed systems powered by LLMs or generative models and understand how model behaviour affects product experience
• Simplify complexity and make fast, sound decisions under pressure
• Communicate clearly with engineers, product teams, and customer stakeholders
• Spot risks early and adjust without slowing down
• Model calm and judgment when the stakes are high

About OpenAI

OpenAI is an AI research and deployment company dedicated to ensuring that general-purpose artificial intelligence benefits all of humanity. We push the boundaries of the capabilities of AI systems and seek to safely deploy them to the world through our products. AI is an extremely powerful tool that must be created with safety and human needs at its core the full spectrum of humanity.

We are an equal opportunity employeration, or other applicable legally protected characteristic.

Background checks for applicants will be administered in accordance with applicable lawation technology systems and related data security obligations.

To notify OpenAI that you believe this job posting is non-compliant. No response will be provided to inquiries unrelated to job posting compliance.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.

At OpenAI, we believe artificial intelligence has the potential to help people solve immense global challenges, and we want the upside of AI to be widely shared. Join us in shaping the future of technology.