1-2 years of relevant experience in software engineering, systems modeling, or performance analysis.
Strong programming skills for developing tools and frameworks.
Understanding of basic system architecture including compute, memory, and networking elements.
Ability to analyze system performance and detect scalability issues.
Proficient analytical and problem-solving skills in quantitative settings.
Quick learner with capability to collaborate with various technical teams.
Responsibilities
Develop and maintain performance modeling tools and frameworks.
Build models to assess system behavior across different subsystems.
Analyze distributed system performance and identify bottlenecks.
Run simulations to inform architectural and infrastructure choices.
Collaborate with senior engineers on hardware design tradeoffs.
Translate modeling outputs into actionable recommendations.
Validate models with benchmarking and performance data.
Benefits
Hybrid work model with three days in the office each week.
Relocation assistance offered for new hires.
Opportunities for professional growth and skill development in a dynamic field.
Full Job Description
About the Role
We are seeking an Performance Modeling Engineer to support the development and application of modeling tools used to evaluate AI system performance and inform architectural decisions.
In this role, you will partner closely with Senior Performance Modeling Engineers and the Performance Modeling Lead to analyze system behavior, run simulations and analytical models, and help evaluate tradeoffs across compute, memory, networking, and storage. You will contribute to building modeling frameworks while developing a strong foundation in system architecture and AI infrastructure.
This role is ideal for early-career engineers with 1-2 years of experience in software engineering, systems analysis, or performance modeling who are excited to grow in large-scale infrastructure and hardware/software systems.
This role is based in San Francisco, CA. We use a hybrid work model of 3 days in the office per week and offer relocation assistance.
Key Responsibilities
Support the development and maintenance of performance modeling tools and frameworks
Assist in building models to evaluate system behavior across compute, memory, networking, and interconnect subsystems
Help analyze distributed system scaling behavior and identify performance bottlenecks
Run simulations and analytical models to support architecture and infrastructure decisions
Partner with senior engineers to evaluate design tradeoffs across hardware and system components
Interpret modeling outputs and help translate findings into clear recommendations
Validate models using benchmarking data and real system performance measurements
Improve modeling workflows, documentation, and usability for broader team adoption
Collaborate cross-functionally with hardware, infrastructure, and architecture teams
Continuously build technical depth across AI infrastructure, system architecture, and performance analysis
Qualifications
1-2 years of experience in software engineering, systems modeling, performance analysis, or related technical work
Strong programming skills and experience building technical tools, scripts, or frameworks
Familiarity with system architecture fundamentals such as compute, memory, and networking
Ability to reason about system performance, bottlenecks, and scaling behavior
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with comfort working in quantitative environments
Ability to learn quickly and work effectively across technical teams
Preferred Skills
Exposure to AI/ML workloads, distributed systems, or large-scale infrastructure
Experience with simulation tools, benchmarking, profiling, or performance analysis
Familiarity with data center systems, server architecture, or hardware platforms
Interest in system architecture and hardware/software co-design
Internship or early professional experience in performance engineering, infrastructure, or systems design
About OpenAI
OpenAI is an artificial intelligence research laboratory consisting of the for-profit corporation OpenAI LP and its parent company, the non-profit OpenAI Inc. The company was founded in 2015 by a group of technology leaders, including Elon Musk, Sam Altman, Greg Brockman, Ilya Sutskever, and John Schulman. OpenAI's mission is to develop and promote friendly AI for the betterment of humanity. The company has developed a number of cutting-edge AI technologies, including GPT-3, a language processing system that can generate human-like text. OpenAI has received funding from a number of high-profile investors, including LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman and venture capitalist Peter Thiel.
