Technical Sourcer, Research

About the team

OpenAI’s purpose is to develop safe artificial general intelligence that serves the good of all people. Reaching that goal depends on attracting extraordinary talent from around the world to help expand the limits of what AI can do.

The Research Recruiting team is embedded within the research organization and works directly with research staff. The team builds trust, stays close to shifting priorities, and helps shape the long-term talent strategy for OpenAI’s research function.

About the role

In this position, you will identify and connect with leading AI researchers and scientists working at the edge of machine learning and artificial intelligence. Your focus will be on early-stage sourcing, developing smart outreach plans, and building durable relationships with highly specialized talent across both academia and industry to support research hiring needs.

You will support a variety of highly technical and research-focused openings by tracking new areas of expertise, finding standout contributors, and proactively reaching out to domain experts. You will work closely with recruiters, hiring managers, and research leaders to create strong talent pipelines for niche roles and continuously improve sourcing approaches as the team grows.

Responsibilities

• Design highly specific searches that surface the most relevant candidate profiles.
• Create outreach that resonates with passive candidates and helps build long-term relationships with priority prospects.
• Use inventive approaches to identify non-traditional, research-adjacent, and emerging talent.
• Work with hiring managers to shape sourcing strategies and provide market insight.
• Maintain structured, data-driven candidate tracking and funnel reporting.
• Represent OpenAI at conferences and other external events while engaging potential candidates.

What we’re looking for

• Substantial experience sourcing specialized engineering and/or AI talent across technical domains.
• Strong interest in AI research and enthusiasm for engaging with global research communities.
• Proven track record of sourcing and hiring top technical talent at a leading tech company and/or high-growth startup.
• Ability to juggle several complex searches at once while keeping quality high and ensuring a strong experience for stakeholders and candidates.
• Genuine interest in the research and mapping side of sourcing, with the understanding that it is a long-term effort.

Workplace and location

This position may be based in the San Francisco, New York, or Seattle offices, or performed remotely within the US. Applicants should indicate which location(s) are suitable. For those working onsite, relocation support is available and the schedule follows a hybrid model: three days per week in the office, with work-from-home flexibility on Thursdays and Fridays.

The offices are designed for productivity and collaboration, with height-adjustable desks, conference rooms, phone booths, fully stocked kitchens with snacks and drinks, three prepared meals each day, outdoor areas for work and socializing, wellness rooms, private bike storage, and additional amenities.

About OpenAI

OpenAI is an AI research and deployment company focused on making general-purpose artificial intelligence beneficial to everyone. The organization advances the capabilities of AI systems and works to deploy them safely through its products. OpenAI also emphasizes safety, human-centered design, and the value of diverse perspectives and experiences.

Equal opportunity and policy information

OpenAI is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristic.

Applicants may be subject to background checks in accordance with applicable law. Qualified candidates with arrest or conviction records will be considered consistent with relevant laws, including the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the California Fair Chance Act for US-based candidates. For unincorporated Los Angeles County workers, criminal history may be considered relevant to duties involving protection of computer hardware, return of hardware and data upon termination, confidentiality of proprietary information, and access to secure IT systems and related data-security obligations.

If you believe the posting is not compliant, a report may be submitted through the specified form. Inquiries unrelated to posting compliance will not receive a response.

OpenAI provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities, and requests can be made through the designated link.

OpenAI Global Applicant Privacy Policy applies.

OpenAI believes AI can help solve major global challenges and aims to share its benefits broadly.

Compensation

The listed compensation range is $136.8K to $240K.

Additional information

The role is open to candidates in San Francisco, New York, Seattle, or remote within the United States. When working in person, relocation assistance is available. The office schedule is hybrid with three days onsite and work-from-home availability on Thursdays and Fridays.