Description
Compensation
The base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The salary range for this position is $260K – $385K, with generous equity, performance-related bonuses for eligible employees, and the following benefits:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your family, with employer contributions to Health Savings Accounts
- Pre-tax accounts for Health FSA, Dependent Care FSA, and commuter expenses (parking and transit)
- 401(k) retirement plan with employer match
- Paid parental leave (up to 24 weeks for birth parents and 20 weeks for non-birthing parents), plus paid medical and caregiver leave (up to 8 weeks)
- Paid time off: flexible PTO for exempt employees and up to 15 days annually for non-exempt employees
- 13+ paid company holidays, and multiple paid coordinated company office closures throughout the year for focus and recharge, plus paid sick or safe time (1 hour per 30 hours worked, or more, as required by applicable state or local law)
- Mental health and wellness support
- Employer-paid basic life and disability coverage
- Annual learning and development stipend to fuel your professional growth
- Daily meals in our offices, and meal delivery credits as eligible
- Relocation support for eligible employees
- Additional taxable fringe benefits, such as charitable donation matching and wellness stipends, may also be provided.
About the Team:
OpenAI, in close collaboration with our capital partners, is building the world’s most advanced AI infrastructure ecosystem. The Data Center Engineering team is at the core of this mission, setting the infrastructure strategy, developing cutting-edge engineering solutions, partnering with research teams to define infrastructure performance requirements, and creating reference designs to enable rapid global expansion.
About the Role:
We’re seeking a data center R&D engineer with extensive experience in designing, performing validation testing, commissioning, and operating large-scale power, cooling, and high-performance computing systems. This role focuses on developing and validating new infrastructure and hardware, including high-voltage rectifiers, UPS systems, battery storage, transformers, DC to DC converters, and power supplies.
Key Responsibilities:
- Oversee electrical, mechanical, controls, and telemetry design and operations for large-scale data centers
- Develop, test, and implement operational procedures and workflows from design through commissioning and deployment
- Perform validation testing of all critical equipment and hardware in partnership with equipment vendors and ODMs
- Lead buildout of R&D lab, including equipment selection, test infrastructure for high-density liquid-cooled racks, and staffing plans
- Select and manage engineering tools (CAD, CFD, PLM, PDM, electrical, mechanical, power/network management)
- Collaborate with external vendors to select, procure, and manage critical infrastructure equipment
- Ensure seamless integration of power, cooling, controls, networking, and construction systems into facility design
- Provide technical direction to teams and vendors, ensuring safety, quality, and compliance with local codes, standards, and regulations
- Manage vendor relationships and ensure adherence to safety, performance, and operational standards
Qualifications:
- 20+ years of experience in data center design, operations, and critical systems maintenance
- Proven leadership across design, commissioning, and operation of large-scale data center campuses
- Deep expertise in infrastructure systems (power, cooling, controls, networking) and operational workflows
- Hands-on experience with critical infrastructure equipment and testing protocols
- Strong track record in lab development, equipment selection, and facility operations
- Familiarity with engineering tools (CAD, CFD, PLM, etc.) and their integration across teams
- Experience navigating regulatory environments and working with government agencies
- Excellent cross-functional communication and stakeholder collaboration
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering required; advanced degree and PE certification preferred
Preferred Skills:
- Expertise in equipment design, agency certification, and validation testing
- Experience in global, matrixed organizations and multi-site operations
- Skilled in vendor negotiations and supply chain management
- Familiarity with sustainable and energy-efficient data center design principles