Application Guide

How to Apply for Offensive Security Engineer, Agent Security

at Open AI

🏢 About Open AI

OpenAI is a pioneering AI research and deployment company at the forefront of developing safe and beneficial artificial general intelligence (AGI). Working here means contributing to cutting-edge AI systems like ChatGPT, DALL-E, and Codex that are transforming industries globally. The company's mission-driven culture attracts top talent passionate about shaping the future of AI responsibly.

About This Role

This Principal Offensive Security Engineer role focuses specifically on securing OpenAI's agent-powered products like Codex and Operator by conducting continuous offensive security testing. You'll be hunting for realistic vulnerabilities in rapidly evolving AI systems that perform sensitive user actions, directly influencing security improvements across the organization. This position offers deep engagement with unique attack surfaces at the intersection of applications, infrastructure, and AI models.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day involves designing and executing attack simulations against OpenAI's agent products, collaborating with defensive teams to validate security controls, and conducting deep code reviews to identify subtle vulnerabilities. You might spend time researching new AI attack vectors, documenting findings with actionable remediation guidance, and participating in security architecture discussions to influence product design decisions.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Open AI Is Looking For

  • Has 7+ years of hands-on red team experience with proven ability to find novel vulnerabilities in modern tech companies, not just checklist-based testing
  • Possesses specific experience assessing AI-powered systems and identifying AI vulnerabilities like prompt injection, model manipulation, or training data poisoning
  • Demonstrates exceptional code review skills with examples of finding subtle vulnerabilities that automated tools miss
  • Has offensive security experience in hyperscaler environments and understands cloud-native attack vectors relevant to OpenAI's infrastructure

📝 Tips for Applying to Open AI

1

Highlight specific AI security experience - don't just list general red team work; detail projects involving prompt injection, model security, or AI system assessments

2

Include concrete examples of novel vulnerabilities you've discovered in complex systems, especially those involving multiple components interacting

3

Demonstrate understanding of OpenAI's specific products - mention Codex, Operator, or ChatGPT security considerations in your application materials

4

Show how you've influenced strategic security improvements beyond just finding bugs - include metrics or examples of organizational impact

5

Prepare to discuss agent security specifically - how you'd approach testing systems that perform actions on behalf of users with large, diverse attack surfaces

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific experience with AI system security and examples of finding AI-related vulnerabilities like prompt injection', "How you've designed innovative attack simulations for complex, evolving systems similar to OpenAI's agent products", 'Your approach to collaborating with defensive teams to translate offensive findings into strategic security improvements', "Why you're passionate about securing AI systems specifically and how that aligns with OpenAI's mission"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Study OpenAI's agent products (Codex, Operator) and their capabilities to understand the specific attack surfaces you'd be testing
  • → Research OpenAI's security publications, blog posts, or conference talks to understand their security philosophy and current focus areas
  • → Review recent AI security vulnerabilities and research papers on prompt injection, model extraction, and other AI-specific attack vectors
  • → Understand OpenAI's deployment infrastructure and how their AI systems interact with cloud environments

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk through how you would design an attack simulation for an AI agent like Codex that can perform sensitive user actions
2 Describe your most complex prompt injection or AI model vulnerability discovery and how you exploited it
3 How would you approach offensive security testing in a hyperscaler environment with rapidly evolving AI systems?
4 Discuss a time you identified a novel vulnerability through code review that automated tools missed
5 How do you balance finding vulnerabilities with helping defensive teams implement practical mitigations in fast-paced environments?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Presenting only generic red team experience without specific AI security examples or understanding of AI vulnerabilities
  • Focusing solely on technical exploitation skills without demonstrating ability to influence strategic security improvements
  • Showing lack of understanding about OpenAI's specific products and how agent security differs from traditional application security

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Open AI!

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