Senior Data Center Electrical Design Engineer

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

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