Data Center Mechanical Lead: Cooling & Field Delivery

OpenAI, Inc.; United States; Remote; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

OpenAI, Inc. is seeking a Mechanical Lead to head field delivery for data center construction, overseeing cooling infrastructure, mechanical yards, piping and data hall fit-out.

You will coordinate with general contractors, installers and service providers to ensure safe installation and commissioning readiness. The role requires leadership of cross-disciplinary teams, strong knowledge of cooling and piping systems, and a hands-on approach to deliver on schedule and quality.

Qualifications

• Substantial mechanical construction, installation, field engineering or startup experience in data center cooling or comparable critical facilities.
• Demonstrated leadership of mechanical contractors or crews, including coordination across organizations without direct reporting authority.
• Practical knowledge of cooling, ventilation, hydronic and pumping systems, heat rejection, piping cleanliness and vendor startup requirements.
• Ability to review drawings, specifications, submittals, work methods and controls narratives for constructability and installation readiness.
• Experience coordinating inspection, pressure testing, flushing, cleaning, balancing prerequisites and controls checkout.

Responsibilities

• Manage mechanical contractors, equipment and piping installers, and general-contractor interfaces against approved scope, schedule and quality requirements.
• Oversee installation readiness and delivery of cooling plant, pumps, heat rejection equipment, air handling, piping and applicable liquid-cooling infrastructure.
• Coordinate equipment placement, pipe routing, supports, access and maintainability with structural, electrical, controls and hardware teams.
• Review contractor work plans, constructability, submittals, RFIs and change proposals; resolve field issues with the responsible engineering teams.
• Oversee pressure testing, flushing, cleaning and inspection records; verify completion, defect closure and commissioning readiness.
• Support commissioning specialists with mechanical startup and system tests, corrective work and complete as-built, operating and maintenance documentation.
• Set contractor priorities, review staffing and progress, identify constraints early and coordinate recovery actions with construction leadership.
• Maintain clear progress, risk and change reporting, with accountable handoffs between construction partners and OpenAI teams.

Skills

Mechanical construction

Field leadership

Data center cooling

Piping systems

Commissioning support

Education

Trade apprenticeship or technical prep

Job description

OpenAI, Inc. is seeking a Mechanical Lead to head field delivery for data center construction, overseeing cooling infrastructure, mechanical yards, piping and data hall fit-out.

You will coordinate with general contractors, installers and service providers to ensure safe installation and commissioning readiness. The role requires leadership of cross-disciplinary teams, strong knowledge of cooling and piping systems, and a hands-on approach to deliver on schedule and quality.