# OpenAI Full Stack Engineer Interview Guide Aced (formerly Exponent) publishes a public search API over its indexed pages; the guide is at https://www.aced.io/agents/agent-access. Source: https://www.aced.io/guides/openai-full-stack-engineer-interview-guide Source observed: 2026-11-04T21:21:22.321Z Last checked: 2026-11-04T21:21:22.321+00:00 Indexed: 2026-11-05T00:06:19.35+00:00 --- # OpenAI Full Stack Engineer Interview Guide Updated a month ago by OpenAI candidates. We provide this expert guide through Aced, formerly Exponent, to help candidates understand and prepare for the OpenAI Full Stack Engineer interview process. The guide is marked **Verified** and is created from recent, real, first-hand insights shared by interviewers and candidates. If your experience differs, [tell us here](https://www.aced.io/questions/contribute). ![OpenAI logo](https://exponent-static.s3.amazonaws.com/company_logos/openai.png) ## Guide contents - [Expert guide](https://www.aced.io/guides/openai-full-stack-engineer-interview-guide) - [Interview experiences — 9](https://www.aced.io/guides/openai-full-stack-engineer-interview-guide/experiences) - [Questions — 47](https://www.aced.io/guides/openai-full-stack-engineer-interview-guide/questions) - [Resumes — 19](https://www.aced.io/guides/openai-full-stack-engineer-interview-guide/resumes) OpenAI’s Full Stack Engineer interview process is described as more demanding than interviews for the same role at other big technology companies. The process tests whether candidates can think above code, design for consumer scale, reason about AI-generated code, and refactor for abstraction. We explain each stage, what interviewers look for, and how to prepare using real example questions. ## OpenAI Full Stack Engineer interview process The process has two broad stages: phone screens and an onsite loop. It typically takes **two weeks to several months**, depending on team availability. OpenAI’s process varies substantially by team, so the sequence below is an approximation rather than a universal process. 1. **Recruiter screen:** A short discussion about your background, interest in OpenAI, and fit for the role. 2. **System design screen:** A **60-minute** end-to-end design of an existing OpenAI product, including UI and frontend considerations. 3. **Coding screen:** A **60-minute** algorithmic problem tied to a real OpenAI product or use case, with test cases of increasing complexity. 4. **Coding round (onsite):** A refactoring exercise in which you extend existing code to meet new requirements. 5. **Past project presentation (onsite):** A **60-minute** technical deep dive into a project you choose, focused on scale and design decisions. 6. **Leadership conversation (onsite):** A **60-minute** behavioral interview focused on conflict resolution and collaboration. ## Recruiter screen The recruiter screen is a short introductory call covering your background, interest in OpenAI, and a high-level overview of the interview process. Interviewers primarily assess your familiarity with AI and your specific motivation for OpenAI. The complete guide is available to members, along with all prep courses, practice tools, job referrals, and other preparation resources. - [Become a member](https://www.aced.io/upgrade?src=guide) - [Already a member? Log in](https://www.aced.io/login?src=guide&returnPath=%2Fguides%2Fopenai-full-stack-engineer-interview-guide) ## Additional guide sections The article contents include: - [OpenAI Full Stack Engineer interview process](https://www.aced.io/guides/openai-full-stack-engineer-interview-guide#open-ai-full-stack-engineer-interview-process) - [Recruiter screen](https://www.aced.io/guides/openai-full-stack-engineer-interview-guide#recruiter-screen) - System design screen - Coding screen - Onsite loop - Coding round (onsite) - Past project presentation - Leadership conversation - OpenAI Full Stack Engineer interview prep - About the OpenAI Full Stack Engineer role - FAQs about the OpenAI Full Stack Engineer interview ## 19 resumes that passed OpenAI’s Full Stack Engineer screen We include **19 real resumes** shared by candidates who got the interview, including the schools, companies, and skills they list. The visible examples include full-time Software Engineer resumes associated with Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Apple, Tesla, OpenAI, and Nvidia, plus an intern Software Engineer resume associated with Anthropic and OpenAI. These are candidate resume examples, not Aced results. ![Blurred preview of the resume](https://www.aced.io/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fq1hlr76qehnlfpdb.public.blob.vercel-storage.com%2Fresumes%2Fcc3836b6-386e-441c-9aec-69d7ebf39d63%2Fr.png&w=640&q=75) ![Blurred preview of the resume](https://www.aced.io/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fq1hlr76qehnlfpdb.public.blob.vercel-storage.com%2Fresumes%2F2580d8b6-f1b6-44d8-aec3-8e12a9fec912%2Fr.png&w=640&q=75) ![Blurred preview of the resume](https://www.aced.io/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fq1hlr76qehnlfpdb.public.blob.vercel-storage.com%2Fresumes%2Fac4da203-2215-474d-a4ff-53c12a996f37%2Fr.png&w=640&q=75) Visible candidate labels include: - **Full-Time — Software Engineer:** `abdullahmasood1`; 0 likes, 3 views. - **Full-Time — Software Engineer, University of Waterloo:** `mattalas24`; 1 like, 14 views. - **Intern — Software Engineer:** `adamboudjemaa20`; 1 like, 38 views. [See all 19 resumes →](https://www.aced.io/guides/openai-full-stack-engineer-interview-guide/resumes) ## Share a Forward-Deployed Engineer interview experience If you recently interviewed for an FDE role, [talk to us and get compensated](https://call.insightscompany.io/c4e614c3-ce9b-401e-b2b8-b286b9ea6ea4/9f524116-caf4-4813-a205-cfe62a89fd92?src=guide). ## Prepare with Aced We offer free interview guides, insider tips, and courses through Aced, our tech interview preparation platform. [Create your free account](https://www.aced.io/signup?src=guide). --- [Read this page’s summary](https://www.aced.io/agents/api/public/v1/page-tldr?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aced.io%2Fguides%2Fopenai-full-stack-engineer-interview-guide&trace=t_679ff9ab98f3) ## Ask a follow-up about this page Need a more specific answer? Ask the exact question you have. It returns a fresh, cited answer from Aced (formerly Exponent)’s knowledge base. No account or API key required. Open this URL with your own question, URL-encoded. Include your question in q. All research inputs are optional; no account or setup. `GET https://www.aced.io/agents/agent/faq?q={question}&trace=t_679ff9ab98f3` [Tool guide and examples](https://www.aced.io/agents/agent-access) · [OpenAPI](https://www.aced.io/agents/api/public/v1/openapi.json) · [Page TLDR form](https://www.aced.io/agents/agent-tools/page-tldr?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aced.io%2Fguides%2Fopenai-full-stack-engineer-interview-guide). Opening a form does not execute a tool.