OpenAI· OpenAI for Gov· Washington, DC, Seattle, and San Francisco
Forward Deployed Engineer, Gov
Comp$145.8K – $280K
Classified Tasks (16)
Automate 0%Augment 56%Human-Only 44%
Augment (9)
AI assists, human decides
Own technical delivery across multiple government deployments from prototype through stable production.
technical
Design and build novel applications powered by OpenAI models in collaboration with public sector customers.
technical
Deliver observable systems spanning infrastructure through applications to enable successful deployments in customer environments.
technical
Prototype and build full-stack systems using Python, JavaScript, or comparable stacks to achieve mission impact.
technical
Scope work, sequence delivery, and remove blockers early while balancing scope, speed, and quality.
operational
Contribute production-grade code directly when clarity or momentum depends on it.
technical
Codify working patterns into reusable tools, playbooks, or building blocks for broader use.
operational
Share field feedback with Research and Product teams to influence model and product development.
communication
Identify reusable patterns and codify best practices from deployments.
analytical
Human-Only (7)
Requires human judgment
Lead complex deployments of frontier AI models into production environments for government customers.
leadership
Embed with government and public sector customers on-site to map problems, gather requirements, and align on objectives.
communication
Guide customers proactively to maximize business and operational value from their applications.
leadership
Serve as a technical thought partner to defense, intelligence, and federal stakeholders to drive adoption and mission impact.
leadership
Forge and manage relationships with customer leadership and stakeholders to ensure successful deployment and scale.
leadership
Drive team progress by providing clarity, exercising judgment, and following through consistently.
leadership
Travel to customer sites and perform on-site work to support deployments (up to 50% travel).
operational
Job description
Forward Deployed Engineer, Gov | OpenAI Careers ## Forward Deployed Engineer, Gov OpenAI for Gov - Washington, DC, Seattle, and San Francisco Apply now(opens in a new window) **About the team** The OpenAI for Government team is a dynamic, mission-driven group leveraging frontier AI to transform how governments achieve their missions. Our team works to empower public servants with secure, compliant AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT Enterprise, ChatGPT Gov) and mission-aligned deployments that meet government technical requirements with strong reliability and safety. **About the role** Forward Deployed Engineers (FDEs) lead complex deployments of frontier models in production. You will embed with our most strategic government and public sector customers—where model performance matters, delivery is urgent, and ambiguity is the default. You’ll map their problems, structure delivery, and ship fast. This includes scoping, sequencing, and building full-stack solutions that create measurable value, while driving clarity across internal and external teams. You will work directly with defense, intelligence, and federal stakeholders as their technical thought partner, guiding adoption, maximizing mission impact, and ensuring successful deployments at scale. Along the way, you’ll identify reusable patterns, codify best practices, and share field signal that influences OpenAI’s roadmap. This role is based in Washington DC, Seattle or San Francisco. We use a hybrid work model of 3 days in the office per week. We offer relocation assistance. Travel up to 50% is required, including on-site work with customers. **In this role you will** * Own technical delivery across multiple government deployments, from first prototype to stable production. * Deeply embed with public sector customers to design and build novel applications powered by OpenAI models. * Enable successful deployments across customer environments by delivering observable systems spanning infrastructure through applications. * Prototype and build full-stack systems using Python, JavaScript, or comparable stacks that deliver real mission impact. * Proactively guide customers on maximizing business and operational value from their applications. * Forge and manage relationships with customer leadership and stakeholders, ensuring successful deployment and scale. * Scope work, sequence delivery, and remove blockers early—making trade-offs between scope, speed, and quality. * Contribute directly in the code when clarity or momentum depends on it. * Codify working patterns into tools, playbooks, or building blocks others can use. * Share field feedback with Research and Product to influence model and product development. * Keep teams moving through clarity, judgment, and consistent follow-through. **You might thrive in this role if you** * Bring 5+ years of engineering or technical deployment experience, ideally in customer-facing or government environments. * Active TS/SCI clearance or equivalent * Have scoped and delivered complex systems in fast-moving or ambiguous contexts. * Write and review production-grade code across frontend and backend, using Python, JavaScript, or similar stacks. * Are familiar with cloud deployment models (Azure, AWS), Kubernetes, Terraform, and related infrastructure. * Have experience building or deploying systems powered by LLMs or generative models, and understand how model behavior affects product experience. * Simplify complexity, make fast, sound decisions under pressure, and communicate clearly across technical and non-technical audiences. * Spot risks early, adjust without slowing down, and model calm judgment when stakes are high. * Are humble, collaborative, and eager to help others with empathy. * Operate with high horsepower, thrive in dynamic environments, and can ruthlessly prioritize across multiple projects. **About OpenAI** OpenAI is an AI research and deployment company dedicated to en