Data Center Design Engineer, Electrical - Industrial Compute

OpenAI; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 360,000 - 530,000; Full time

Job summary

OpenAI in San Francisco seeks a Data Center Design Engineer (Electrical) to lead the design, operation, and commissioning of large-scale data center campuses. You will oversee MEP systems, power, cooling, and critical infrastructure, coordinating with vendors and internal teams to meet reliability and efficiency goals.

The role requires a strong background in electrical design for data centers, vendor management, and governance with regulators, delivering high-visibility projects from design

Qualifications

• 10+ years of data center design and operations experience.
• Experience leading large-scale data center projects.
• Expertise in MEP design and critical infrastructure.
• Knowledge of power, cooling, networking, and construction systems.
• Proven vendor management and cross-functional collaboration.
• Regulatory compliance experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering; PE preferred.
• Certificates relevant to data center design.

Responsibilities

• Oversee building and MEP design, reviews across project phases.
• Lead operational activities for large data center campuses.
• Operate and maintain critical facilities and equipment.
• Collaborate with vendors for equipment selection and installation.
• Ensure integration of power, cooling, networking, and construction systems.
• Develop operational workflows from design to commissioning.
• Provide technical direction to teams and vendors.
• Manage external contractors and foster vendor relationships.
• Oversee QA and meet safety standards.

Skills

Data center design

MEP design

Vendor management

Power & cooling

Regulatory compliance

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Professional engineering certificate

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Data Center Design Engineer, Electrical - Industrial Compute

Scaling - San Francisco

About the Team

OpenAI, in close collaboration with our capital partners, is embarking on a journey to build the world’s most advanced AI infrastructure ecosystem. This team is central to this mission, setting the core infra strategy and implementing this vision. From site selection to the buildout process, this team sits at the intersection of commercial, technical, strategy, and operations, interacting with teams and executives inside and outside of OpenAI.

About the Role

We are seeking experienced Data Center Mechanical and Electrical/Power Design Engineers with expertise in designing, operating, and maintaining large‑scale data center campuses. The ideal candidate will have extensive background in design and managing critical equipment and facilities, design and operation of MEP systems, and overseeing operational activities from initial phases through delivery and ongoing maintenance. The role offers the opportunity to lead transformative data center projects with high visibility and impact. If you are passionate about delivering cutting‑edge infrastructure solutions, we encourage you to apply.

Key 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.

Qualifications

• 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 Skills

• Experience in global, matrixed organizations and vendor negotiations.
• Experience managing global, multi‑site data center operations.
• Expertise in logistics and supply chain management for large‑scale operations.
• Familiarity with sustainability and energy‑efficient data center designs.

Compensation

$360K – $530K + Offers Equity

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

OpenAI is an equal opportunity employer, and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other applicable legally protected characteristic.

Reasonable Accommodation

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