Data Scientist, Time Series Forecasting

About the Team

The Strategic Finance team is responsible for some of the largest investment categories at OpenAI. We play a critical role in maximizing OpenAI’s long-term value by partnering across the business to allocate and deploy resources for the highest-impact outcomes. We work cross-functionally with Finance, Product, Engineering, and Go-To-Market teams to deliver actionable insights and support strategic decision-making.

About the Role

As a founding member of our Strategic Finance Data Science team focusing on Time Series Forecasting, you will lead the development of scalable and interpretable forecasting models that drive critical business decisions. Your models will predict key metrics such as user growth, LTV, revenue, compute utilization, and profit margins. Collaborating with cross-functional teams across finance, applied research, go-to-market strategies, and other data science units, your work will accelerate our growth and optimize resource allocation.

This role requires deep expertise in time series forecasting, predictive modeling,, and the ability to surface insights to support high-stakes decision-making.

This role is based in our San Francisco HQ. We use a hybrid work model of three days in the office per week and offer relocation assistance to new employees.

In this role, you will: 

• Establish yourself as the thought partner on all strategic forecasting initiatives within the company. Lead cross-functional data science projects focusing on revenue, usage, and other core business metrics.

• Drive the full end-to-end lifecycle of time series forecasting projects, from scoping, methodology development, model building to integrating results into operational workflows.

• Build scalable, interpretable models for revenue, user growth, LTV, compute consumption, and related dynamics.

• Become an expert in our data and systems. Partner with Data Engineering, Finance, and other business teams to access and analyze underlying data, deriving actionable insights to inform forecasting models.

You might thrive in this role if you have:

• MS or PhD in a quantitative field, with 7+ years of experience in a highly quantitative role, ideally as an early data scientist at a hyper-growth company or research organization.

• Expertise with different time series forecasting models, including trade-offs and how to build them for scale 

• Proficiency in Python, SQL, Tableau, and other analytical tools.

• Strong analytical skills and experience working with large, complex data sets.

• Proven ability to distill complex data into actionable insights for leadership.

• Ability to independently initiate and complete projects, owning them end-to-end.

• Excellent communication and storytelling skills when presenting data insights.

• Exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy.

You could be an especially great fit if:

• You’re an enthusiastic self-starter who thrives in fast-paced, dynamic environments.

• You’re a phenomenal teammate and communicator, able to explain complex topics with clarity and keep stakeholders proactively informed.

• You’re passionate about technology and artificial intelligence.

• You use first-principles thinking to design solutions from the ground up based on user needs and operational realities.

About OpenAI

OpenAI is an AI research and deployment company dedicated to ensuring that general-purpose artificial intelligence benefits all of humanity. We push the boundaries of the capabilities of AI systems and seek to safely deploy them to the world through our products. AI is an extremely powerful tool that must be created with safety and human needs at its core, and to achieve our mission, we must encompass and value the many different perspectives, voices, and experiences that form the full spectrum of humanity. 

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status. 

For US Based Candidates: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, and requests can be made via this  link .

At OpenAI, we believe artificial intelligence has the potential to help people solve immense global challenges, and we want the upside of AI to be widely shared. Join us in shaping the future of technology.

Compensation

$255K – $405K • Offers Equity

The base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

In addition to the salary range listed above, total compensation also includes generous equity and benefits.

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your family

• Mental health and wellness support

• 401(k) plan with 50% matching

• Generous time off, many company holidays, and multiple coordinated company office closures throughout the year for focus and recharge.

• Paid parental leave (24 weeks paid birth-parent leave & 20-week paid parental leave) and family-planning support

• Annual learning & development stipend ($1,500 per year)