Senior Data Center & Colocation Counsel

OpenAI, Inc.; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 230,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

OpenAI, Inc. is seeking a senior commercial infrastructure lawyer to lead legal work across our data center development and colocation portfolio. You will advise on complex, high-value transactions, including new data center sites, power, construction, and related infrastructure arrangements.

This role requires deep knowledge of data center development and the ability to coordinate with infrastructure, finance, and operations teams. San Francisco is preferred, with occasional travel.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of commercial legal experience.
• Deep experience drafting, negotiating, and advising on data center and colocation agreements.
• Experience with data center builds, construction/EPC, power arrangements, raw-land development, build-to-suit, or leasebacks.
• JD and license to practice in California.

Responsibilities

• Lead commercial legal strategy and risk management for data center development and colocation transactions.
• Draft, negotiate, and advise on colocation and data center agreements and related contracts.
• Support first-party projects involving land, site and power rights, EPC models, build-to-suit structures, and leasebacks.
• Collaborate with infrastructure, finance, procurement, operations and outside counsel on fast-moving projects.
• Develop scalable legal playbooks and contracting approaches for a growing data center portfolio.

Skills

12+ years legal

Colocation agreements

Data center deals

In-house + law firm

Autonomy & judgment

Education

J.D. and CA license

Job description

OpenAI, Inc. is seeking a senior commercial infrastructure lawyer to lead legal work across our data center development and colocation portfolio. You will advise on complex, high-value transactions, including new data center sites, power, construction, and related infrastructure arrangements.

This role requires deep knowledge of data center development and the ability to coordinate with infrastructure, finance, and operations teams. San Francisco is preferred, with occasional travel.