Global Data Center Network & Cabling Architect

Candidate; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

OpenAI seeks a Physical Network & Structured Cabling Engineer to own the design, implementation, and QA of cabling and physical network infrastructure across its global data center footprint. You will translate requirements into scalable designs, collaborating with construction, operations, and network teams to ensure reliability and performance for AI workloads.

With 10+ years in data center networks and structured cabling, you will lead standards, reviews, and site inspections, guiding vendors

Qualifications

• 10+ years designing and delivering physical network infrastructure for large data centers.
• Strong understanding of data center topologies and high-speed optical connectivity.
• Experience with ANSI/TIA, BICSI standards and guidelines.
• Ability to coordinate with cross-functional teams and external vendors.
• Excellent interpretation of drawings, cable schedules, and documentation.

Responsibilities

• Design and specify physical network infrastructure across data center buildings and campuses, including fiber and copper cabling, network rooms, rack layouts, cable trays, and duct bank pathways.
• Develop standards, reference designs, and installation guidelines for structured cabling and physical network deployments.
• Translate logical network architectures into scalable physical designs, including fiber topology, port connectivity, patching, redundancy, and capacity planning.
• Provide technical direction to design consultants, cabling vendors, and installers; resolve gaps and ensure constructible designs.
• Define installation quality and acceptance criteria; oversee testing, commissioning, and turnover of structured cabling systems.
• Lead physical network design reviews; coordinate clash detection and site inspections for conformance.
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues during build, commissioning, and handover phases.
• Develop and maintain physical network documentation (designs, drawings, port maps, cable schedules, BOMs, labeling, as-built records).
• Offer feedback to improve physical network standards and processes.

Skills

Data Center Networking

Structured Cabling

Fiber Cabling

BICSI & ANSI/TIA

Cross-functional coordination

Stakeholder communication

Travel frequently

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

CAD

Revit

Job description

OpenAI seeks a Physical Network & Structured Cabling Engineer to own the design, implementation, and QA of cabling and physical network infrastructure across its global data center footprint. You will translate requirements into scalable designs, collaborating with construction, operations, and network teams to ensure reliability and performance for AI workloads.

With 10+ years in data center networks and structured cabling, you will lead standards, reviews, and site inspections, guiding vendors