Research Engineer, Retrieval and Search at OpenAI (San Francisco)

Job Description

OpenAI’s Applied Engineering organisation is hiring an experienced research engineer for retrieval and search across ChatGPT and the API. Retrieval and search have become key uses of its models, and this role sits at the centre of that work: document, enterprise, knowledge and web-scale search, from research with OpenAI’s research teams to production for millions of users.

At a glance

• Team: Applied Engineering – Retrieval and Search
• Location: San Francisco
• Pay: $293,000 – $585,000 a year plus equity, as listed
• Apply: open until filled (re-checked 14 October 2026)

What you would do

• Work on retrieval and search algorithms with the research team: document, enterprise, knowledge and web-scale search
• Deploy search methods into ChatGPT and the API
• Explore research topics that could shape medium- and long-term product strategy
• Partner with researchers, engineers, product managers and designers

Why this role matters

Answers grounded in retrieved documents are more accurate and up to date, which is why search has become central to AI assistants. Work on this team reaches millions of users directly, and retrieval expertise is one of the most transferable skills in applied AI today.

What OpenAI is looking for

• Extensive experience building and maintaining production ML systems
• Experience with vector databases, search indices or other retrieval data stores
• Experience building internet-scale search systems
• End-to-end ownership of problems

Nice to have

• Research experience in information retrieval or ranking

Pay and location

OpenAI lists $293,000 to $585,000 a year plus equity for this San Francisco role.

How to apply

Apply through the official OpenAI job posting. OpenAI’s posting does not give a closing date, so the role is open until filled; ResearchJobs.in will re-check this listing on 14 October 2026. Check the posting for location and work-authorisation details before you apply.

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