OpenAI Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

OpenAI is a pioneering AI research and deployment company focused on ensuring that artificial general intelligence benefits all of humanity.

As a Software Engineer at OpenAI, you will play a crucial role in developing and maintaining the infrastructure that supports cutting-edge AI products like ChatGPT and the OpenAI API. Your responsibilities will include designing and building scalable systems, collaborating with cross-functional teams to implement new features, and ensuring the reliability and performance of deployed applications. A strong emphasis will be placed on full-stack development, particularly in real-time communication products. Candidates should be well-versed in backend technologies and have a solid understanding of system design, data management, and operational support.

To thrive in this role, you should possess not only technical proficiency in languages such as Python and Go but also a collaborative spirit and a commitment to creating an inclusive work environment. Experience in building production systems, handling large data volumes, and an understanding of AI ethics would further enhance your fit for this position.

This guide aims to equip you with relevant insights and tailored preparation strategies for your interview at OpenAI, helping you stand out as a candidate who aligns with the company's mission and values.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at OpenAI is structured to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the organization. It typically consists of several stages, each designed to evaluate different aspects of a candidate's capabilities.

1. Initial Recruiter Call

The process begins with a 30-minute phone call with a recruiter. This conversation serves as an introduction to the company and the role, where the recruiter will discuss your background, interests, and motivations for applying. They will also provide insights into OpenAI's culture and values, ensuring that you understand the expectations and responsibilities associated with the position.

2. Technical Assessment

Following the recruiter call, candidates usually undergo a technical assessment. This may involve a coding exercise conducted via a collaborative coding platform. The focus is often on practical coding problems rather than traditional data structures and algorithms. Candidates might be asked to implement specific functionalities, such as creating a class or building a simple application, which reflects real-world scenarios they may encounter in the role.

3. Virtual Onsite Interviews

Candidates who perform well in the technical assessment are typically invited to a virtual onsite interview. This stage usually consists of multiple rounds, including additional coding sessions and behavioral interviews. The coding sessions may involve more complex problems, such as designing a database or implementing a system from scratch. Behavioral interviews will assess how candidates approach teamwork, problem-solving, and their alignment with OpenAI's mission and values.

4. Systems Design Interview

In some cases, candidates may also participate in a systems design interview. This round focuses on evaluating a candidate's ability to architect scalable systems and make design decisions that balance performance, reliability, and user experience. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their thought processes and justify their design choices.

5. Final Review and Decision

After completing the interview rounds, the hiring team will review the candidate's performance across all stages. This includes feedback from interviewers on technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit. Candidates can expect to receive a decision within a few weeks, although the timeline may vary based on the team's needs and scheduling.

As you prepare for your interview, it's essential to familiarize yourself with the types of questions that may arise during the process.

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Software Engineer interview at OpenAI. The interview process will likely focus on practical coding skills, system design, and your ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their technical expertise, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of real-time communication systems.

Coding and Implementation

1. Can you describe how you would implement an in-memory database?

This question assesses your understanding of database design and implementation.

How to Answer

Discuss the key components of an in-memory database, such as data structures, indexing, and query handling. Highlight your approach to ensuring data integrity and performance.

Example

"I would start by defining the data structures needed to store the data efficiently, using hash maps for quick access. I would implement indexing to speed up query performance and ensure that data is serialized properly for persistence. Additionally, I would include mechanisms for handling concurrent access to maintain data integrity."

2. Write a function to implement a simple spreadsheet where updating one cell updates dependent cells.

This question tests your coding skills and understanding of dependencies in data structures.

How to Answer

Explain your approach to tracking dependencies and updating values. Discuss how you would handle circular dependencies and ensure efficient updates.

Example

"I would create a class for the spreadsheet that maintains a mapping of cells to their dependencies. When a cell is updated, I would traverse the dependency graph to update all dependent cells recursively, ensuring to check for circular dependencies to avoid infinite loops."

3. How would you design a web crawler that efficiently scrapes data?

This question evaluates your understanding of web scraping and concurrency.

How to Answer

Discuss the architecture of the crawler, including how you would handle multiple threads and manage requests to avoid being blocked by websites.

Example

"I would design the crawler using a multi-threaded approach, where each thread handles a separate URL. I would implement a queue to manage URLs to be crawled and use a rate limiter to avoid overwhelming the target server. Additionally, I would store the scraped data in a structured format for easy access."

4. Describe how you would build a real-time communication system.

This question assesses your knowledge of real-time systems and protocols.

How to Answer

Explain the components of a real-time communication system, including signaling, media transmission, and error handling.

Example

"I would use WebRTC for peer-to-peer communication, implementing a signaling server to establish connections. The system would handle audio and video streams, ensuring low latency and high quality. I would also include mechanisms for error correction and reconnection in case of network issues."

5. How would you implement a function to change directories in a file system?

This question tests your understanding of file system operations and path manipulation.

How to Answer

Discuss how you would handle relative and absolute paths, as well as error handling for invalid paths.

Example

"I would implement a function that takes the current directory and a new path as inputs. I would parse the new path to determine if it's relative or absolute, then update the current directory accordingly. I would also include error handling to check for invalid paths and ensure the new directory exists."

System Design

1. Design a scalable API for a chat application.

This question evaluates your ability to design systems that can handle high loads.

How to Answer

Discuss the architecture of the API, including load balancing, database design, and real-time messaging.

Example

"I would design the API using a microservices architecture, with separate services for user management, message handling, and notifications. I would implement load balancing to distribute traffic evenly and use a NoSQL database for storing messages to allow for quick retrieval. Real-time messaging would be handled using WebSockets."

2. How would you ensure the reliability of a distributed system?

This question assesses your understanding of distributed systems and fault tolerance.

How to Answer

Explain the strategies you would use to ensure reliability, such as redundancy, monitoring, and automated recovery.

Example

"I would implement redundancy by having multiple instances of each service running in different availability zones. I would use monitoring tools to track system health and set up automated recovery processes to restart failed services. Additionally, I would implement circuit breakers to prevent cascading failures."

3. Describe how you would implement a monitoring system for a large-scale application.

This question tests your knowledge of observability and monitoring practices.

How to Answer

Discuss the components of a monitoring system, including metrics collection, alerting, and visualization.

Example

"I would implement a monitoring system that collects metrics from all services using a centralized logging solution. I would set up alerts for key performance indicators and use visualization tools like Grafana to create dashboards for real-time monitoring. This would help in quickly identifying and addressing issues."

4. How would you design a fault-tolerant system?

This question evaluates your understanding of fault tolerance and system resilience.

How to Answer

Explain the principles of fault tolerance, including redundancy, failover mechanisms, and data replication.

Example

"I would design the system with redundancy at every level, including multiple instances of services and data replication across different regions. I would implement failover mechanisms to switch to backup systems in case of failure and regularly test the system to ensure it can handle faults gracefully."

5. What considerations would you take into account when designing a secure API?

This question assesses your understanding of security best practices.

How to Answer

Discuss the security measures you would implement, such as authentication, authorization, and data encryption.

Example

"I would implement OAuth for secure authentication and ensure that all API endpoints are protected with proper authorization checks. I would also use HTTPS to encrypt data in transit and implement rate limiting to prevent abuse. Regular security audits would be conducted to identify and address vulnerabilities."

Here are some tips to help you excel in your interview.

Understand the Practical Focus

OpenAI's interview process emphasizes practical coding problems over theoretical data structures and algorithms. Prepare to demonstrate your ability to implement real-world solutions, such as building an in-memory database or creating a class that updates dependent values, similar to how a spreadsheet operates. Familiarize yourself with the specific technologies mentioned in the job description, such as Python, Go, and Kubernetes, as these may be relevant to the coding exercises.

Prepare for Collaborative Problem-Solving

During the coding sessions, expect a collaborative atmosphere where interviewers may encourage discussion about your thought process. Be prepared to explain your approach, ask clarifying questions, and engage in a dialogue about your solutions. This not only showcases your technical skills but also your ability to work well with others, which is highly valued at OpenAI.

Emphasize User Experience and Safety

OpenAI places a strong emphasis on user experience and the responsible deployment of AI technologies. Be ready to discuss how your engineering decisions can enhance user experience and ensure safety in the systems you build. Consider how you can contribute to creating a diverse and inclusive culture within the team, as this aligns with OpenAI's values.

Be Ready for Behavioral Questions

Expect behavioral interview questions that assess your teamwork, problem-solving abilities, and how you handle challenges. Reflect on past experiences where you demonstrated a humble attitude, eagerness to help colleagues, and ownership of problems. Prepare to share specific examples that highlight your contributions to team success and your approach to overcoming obstacles.

Manage Your Time Wisely

Interviews may have time constraints, so practice managing your time effectively during coding exercises. If you find yourself stuck, communicate your thought process to the interviewer and ask for guidance. This shows your willingness to learn and adapt, which is crucial in a fast-paced environment like OpenAI.

Follow Up with Questions

At the end of your interviews, take the opportunity to ask insightful questions about the team, projects, and company culture. This not only demonstrates your interest in the role but also helps you gauge if OpenAI is the right fit for you. Consider asking about the team's approach to scaling systems, the challenges they face, and how they prioritize safety in their deployments.

By focusing on these areas, you can present yourself as a well-rounded candidate who is not only technically proficient but also aligned with OpenAI's mission and values. Good luck!

1. How would you measure the effectiveness of extra pay for delivery drivers during peak hours?

If you work at a food delivery company, how would you measure the effectiveness of giving extra pay to delivery drivers during peak hours to meet consumer demand?

2. Create a function rain_days to calculate the probability of rain on the nth day after today.

It will likely rain tomorrow, depending on whether it rained today or yesterday. If it rained both days, there’s a 20% chance it will rain tomorrow. If it rained one of the days, there’s a 60% chance. If it rained neither day, there’s a 20% chance. Given that it rained today and yesterday calculate the probability it will rain the day after today.

3. What are the assumptions of linear regression?

List and explain the key assumptions that must be met for linear regression analysis to be valid.

You should plan to brush up on technical skills and practice interview questions and mock interviews as much as possible. A few tips for acing your OpenAI interview include:

• Be Prepared for In-Depth Technical Questions: OpenAI interviews are thorough and focus on various technical aspects, including coding, machine learning theory, and statistics. Make sure to be well-versed in these areas.
• Understand OpenAI’s Mission: OpenAI aims to ensure that general-purpose AI benefits all of humanity. Be prepared to discuss why you want to work at OpenAI and how your long-term career goals align with their mission.
• Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: Interviews will likely include challenging problems that test your problem-solving abilities and infrastructure knowledge. Be ready to discuss your thought process and solutions clearly.

What is the average salary for a Software Engineer at OpenAI?

According to Glassdoor, software engineers at OpenAI earn between $104K to $146K per year, with an average of $123K per year.

Why should I work at OpenAI?

OpenAI is at the forefront of artificial intelligence research and deployment, aiming to ensure that general-purpose AI benefits all of humanity. Working here means being part of a team that values innovation, safety, and transparency while addressing global challenges. Additionally, OpenAI fosters a culture of inclusivity and offers generous benefits, including comprehensive healthcare, 401(k) plans, unlimited time off, and continuous learning opportunities.

What qualifications and skills are required for a Software Engineer role at OpenAI?

OpenAI prefers candidates with strong backend or full-stack development experience for a Software Engineer position, especially in infrastructure, API design, and performance optimization. Excellent communication skills, a deep care for quality and functionality, and a curiosity-driven mindset are vital. Specific technical skills may include proficiency in cloud infrastructure, programming/scripting languages, and container technologies.

What is the company culture like at OpenAI?

OpenAI values creativity, collaboration, and inclusivity. The company encourages learning from deployment, prioritizes safety over unfettered growth, and seeks to distribute the benefits of AI widely and responsibly. The teams work cross-functionally in a fast-paced environment and are committed to delivering high-quality, safe AI technologies.

OpenAI’s mission to develop AI that benefits all of humanity offers a compelling opportunity for skilled software engineers who are eager to contribute to groundbreaking projects and innovation.

If you want more insights about the company, check out our main OpenAI Interview Guide, where we have covered many interview questions that could be asked. We’ve also created interview guides for other roles, such as software engineer and data analyst, where you can learn more about OpenAI’s interview process for different positions.

At Interview Query, we empower you to unlock your interview prowess with a comprehensive toolkit, equipping you with the knowledge, confidence, and strategic guidance to conquer every OpenAI software engineer interview question and challenge.

You can check out all our company interview guides for better preparation, and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Good luck with your interview!