Data Center Design Engineer at OpenAI

San Francisco, California, United States

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$360,000 – $530,000Compensation

Senior (5 to 8 years), Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Technology, Data Centers, AI InfrastructureIndustries

Requirements

10+ years of experience in data center design, operation, and maintenance
Proven track record of leading operational and technical activities in large-scale data centers
Extensive expertise in MEP design, operation, and maintenance, including critical infrastructure systems
Comprehensive knowledge of data center buildings, equipment, and operational workflows
Deep understanding of power, cooling, networking, and construction systems
Hands-on experience with critical equipment (generators, UPS, chillers, CDUs) and vendor management
Proven ability to work with external vendors for equipment selection and installation and bring up
Working experience with local and governmental regulatory agencies and compliance with data center design standards and requirements
Strong communication and collaboration skills with internal teams and stakeholders
Familiarity with building construction and architecture concepts, as well as best practices in data center design
Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related fields; advanced degree preferred
Professional engineering certificate and other similar certificates required
Preferred: 15+ years of experience in managing

Responsibilities

Oversee building and MEP design, operation, and maintenance, including reviewing building and MEP drawings and proposals across all project phases
Lead operational activities for large-scale data center campuses, from early design phases through delivery and daily operation
Operate and maintain critical data center facilities and equipment, ensuring reliability and performance
Collaborate with external vendors to select, procure, and manage critical equipment, such as generators, UPS, chillers, and CDUs
Provide technical expertise on all aspects of data center building, equipment, and operational systems, ensuring alignment with best practices
Ensure seamless integration of power, cooling, networking, and construction systems into overall data center design and operation
Contribute to developing data center operational workflows from design requirements through commissioning, pilot testing, and deployment readiness
Contribute to data center operations projects (hardware and software readiness) from planning through deployment
Provide technical direction to teams and vendors, ensuring alignment with industry best practices and standards
Select and manage external contractors and consultants and foster strong vendor relationships
Oversee quality assurance and resolve risks to meet safety and operational standards

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Data Center DesignMEP SystemsMechanical DesignElectrical DesignPower SystemsChillersUPSGeneratorsCDUsVendor ManagementFacility OperationsCritical Infrastructure

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the salary range for the Data Center Design Engineer position?

The salary range is $360K - $530K.

Is this a remote, hybrid, or on-site role?

This is a hybrid position.

What experience is required for this role?

Candidates need 10+ years of experience in data center design, operation, and maintenance, with a proven track record of leading operational and technical activities in large-scale data centers. Expertise in designing, operating, and maintaining MEP systems and critical equipment is essential.

What is the team like at OpenAI for this role?

The team is central to building the world’s most advanced AI infrastructure ecosystem, collaborating closely with capital partners and interacting with teams and executives inside and outside of OpenAI across commercial, technical, strategy, and operations.

What makes a strong candidate for this Data Center Design Engineer role?

A strong candidate has 10+ years in data center design and operations, experience leading MEP systems and critical equipment management, operational leadership, and the ability to collaborate with external vendors.

OpenAI

Develops safe and beneficial AI technologies

About OpenAI

OpenAI develops and deploys artificial intelligence technologies aimed at benefiting humanity. The company creates advanced AI models capable of performing various tasks, such as automating processes and enhancing creativity. OpenAI's products, like Sora, allow users to generate videos from text descriptions, showcasing the versatility of its AI applications. Unlike many competitors, OpenAI operates under a capped profit model, which limits the profits it can make and ensures that excess earnings are redistributed to maximize the social benefits of AI. This commitment to safety and ethical considerations is central to its mission of ensuring that artificial general intelligence (AGI) serves all of humanity.

San Francisco, CaliforniaHeadquarters

2015Year Founded

$18,433.2MTotal Funding

LATE_VCCompany Stage

AI & Machine LearningIndustries

1,001-5,000Employees

Benefits

Health insurance

Dental and vision insurance

Flexible spending account for healthcare and dependent care

Mental healthcare service

Fertility treatment coverage

401(k) with generous matching

20-week paid parental leave

Life insurance (complimentary)

AD&D insurance (complimentary)

Short-term/long-term disability insurance (complimentary)

Optional buy-up life insurance

Flexible work hours and unlimited paid time off (we encourage 4+ weeks per year)

Annual learning & development stipend

Regular team happy hours and outings

Daily catered lunch and dinner

Travel to domestic conferences

Risks

Elon Musk's legal battle may pose financial and reputational challenges for OpenAI.

Customizable ChatGPT personas could lead to privacy and ethical concerns.

Competitors like Anthropic raising capital may intensify market competition.

Differentiation

OpenAI's capped profit model prioritizes ethical AI development over unlimited profit.

OpenAI's AI models, like Sora, offer unique video creation from text descriptions.

OpenAI's focus on AGI aims to create AI systems smarter than humans.

Upsides

OpenAI's $6.6 billion funding boosts its AI research and computational capacity.

Customizable ChatGPT personas enhance user engagement and satisfaction.

OpenAI's 'Operator' AI agent could revolutionize workforce automation by 2025.

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