If you are serious about building technology that millions of people actually use, not just classroom projects, then the Software Engineer Internship (Fall 2026) at OpenAI deserves your full attention. Hosted on-site in San Francisco, this 15-week paid internship places you inside applied engineering teams working on real, production-level AI systems. You are not shadowing senior developers—you are contributing to products like ChatGPT and OpenAI APIs. In a fast-moving environment where ownership matters, you will ship features, solve real problems, and experience how world-class AI products are built responsibly and at scale.

What OpenAI Internship really offer you?

This is not a passive internship. You will work end-to-end on customer-facing systems, collaborating with engineers, researchers, designers, and product managers. The program runs for 15 weeks during Fall 2026 and offers competitive compensation at $60 per hour. Beyond pay, you gain direct exposure to scalable AI infrastructure, safety-focused development practices, and rapid product iteration cycles. You will understand how reliability, performance, and ethical safeguards are integrated into real-world AI tools used globally. The learning curve is steep—but so is the growth. Additionally, you’ll get medical, dental, and vision insurance (with HSA contributions), paid parental, medical, and caregiver leave, flexible paid time off, 13+ paid company holidays and office-wide recharge breaks. 

Who should apply for OpenAI Internship 2026?

You should currently be pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a closely related field, with at least one academic semester remaining after the internship. Strong proficiency in JavaScript and React is expected, along with familiarity in backend development (Python preferred). Experience with relational databases such as Postgres or MySQL is important. Prior AI experience is not mandatory, but a genuine interest in artificial intelligence and scalable systems is essential. If you enjoy solving evolving problems in fast-paced environments, you are the right fit.

How to apply for OpenAI Software Engineer Internship 2026? 

Your application must be submitted through the official OpenAI careers portal. You will need a well-prepared resume, cover letter, and academic transcript. Focus on demonstrating real projects, technical depth, and impact rather than listing tools without context. If shortlisted, expect technical interviews and collaborative discussions that assess both your engineering fundamentals and problem-solving mindset. Apply early to allow time for preparation and interview readiness.

Key details at a glance

Detail	Information
Internship name	Software Engineer Internship / Co-op (Applied Emerging Talent)
Organization	OpenAI
Location	San Francisco, California (on-site)
Duration	15 weeks
Internship term	Fall 2026
Compensation	$60 per hour
Eligible level	Bachelor’s & Master’s students
Documents required	Resume, cover letter, transcript

If you want to help shape AI products used globally while gaining elite industry experience, this internship is built for you. Prepare your documents and apply for the OpenAI Software Engineer Internship 2026 to take your skills to the next level.

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