Data Acquisition Research Program Lead

OpenAI; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 239,000 - 328,000; Full time

Job summary

OpenAI seeks a Research Program Manager for Data Acquisition in San Francisco to partner with research, engineering, and operations. You will design pragmatic data acquisition solutions and act as a key interface between research roadmap and external data offerings.

This role sits within a team of RPMs advancing data acquisition and will involve building lightweight systems and dashboards to track performance and quality.

Qualifications

• Proficient in SQL and Python for analysing datasets, querying databases, building dashboards, and generating actionable insights.
• Comfortable using APIs, automation, and AI tools such as Codex to accelerate workflows, remove manual overhead, and upskill quickly in unfamiliar technical areas.
• Experience sourcing, evaluating, or working with startups, founders, and vendors.
• Excited to understand the technicalities of cutting‑edge AI research and work alongside researchers from instantiation to launch.

Responsibilities

• Partner deeply with research: Scope data needs, define success criteria, and translate priorities into execution plans.
• Shape the data acquisition pipeline: Identify, evaluate, and advance high‑impact data opportunities balancing value, feasibility, quality, and responsible execution.
• Unblock yourself: Move work forward even when the path is unclear using technical judgement and creative problem solving.
• Build lightweight systems and visibility: Use SQL, Python, dashboards, and simple tooling to track performance, quality, and blockers.
• Drive technical roadmaps: Collaborate with engineers to enhance data platforms, resolve blockers, and ensure security practices like access management.
• Scale your impact: Equip vendors and internal teams with context, standards, and operating rhythms.

Skills

SQL

Python

APIs

Automation

Codex

Startup experience

Tools

Codex

Job description

OpenAI seeks a Research Program Manager for Data Acquisition in San Francisco to partner with research, engineering, and operations. You will design pragmatic data acquisition solutions and act as a key interface between research roadmap and external data offerings.

This role sits within a team of RPMs advancing data acquisition and will involve building lightweight systems and dashboards to track performance and quality.