Senior Electrical Engineer, Data Center Power Generation

OpenAI, Inc.; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

OpenAI is seeking an Electrical Engineer to design and integrate on-site power-generation systems for large AI data center campuses in San Francisco. You will work on generation, substations, MV/HV distribution, protection, and data center loads, taking designs from concept through commissioning.

You will evaluate technology, establish technical requirements, and ensure operation validation, with a 50% travel expectation.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of electrical engineering experience on power generation, utility, industrial, microgrid, or mission-critical projects.
• Deep knowledge of generators, transformers, switchgear, protection and controls, grounding, auxiliary power, and electrical system studies.
• Experience with grid-connected and islanded generation, synchronization, load sharing, and black-start or restoration concepts.
• Ability to interpret OEM data, operating scenarios, failure modes, and data center load requirements.
• Experience carrying designs through construction, commissioning, and operational validation.
• Knowledge of NEC, NFPA, IEEE, NERC, and utility requirements.
• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Develop electrical architectures, one-lines, design criteria, specifications, and studies for generation plants and campus interconnections.
• Design and review generator or alternator interfaces, transformers, MV and HV switchgear, protection, synchronization, grounding, station service, DC systems, and black-start capability.
• Perform or review load flow, short circuit, arc flash, protection coordination, transient, motor-starting, grounding, and reliability studies.
• Coordinate generation controls, microgrid or islanding behavior, utility interconnection, data center load characteristics, and operating modes.
• Evaluate OEM and EPC proposals, equipment ratings, test plans, failure modes, maintenance strategies, and lifecycle tradeoffs.
• Support procurement, factory acceptance testing, construction, energization, commissioning, performance testing, and root-cause investigations.
• Resolve cross-discipline interfaces with mechanical, controls, CSA, fuel, utility, and data center electrical teams.
• Create repeatable electrical reference designs and standards for future generation deployments.

Skills

Electrical design

Power systems

Microgrid

Protection & controls

Load studies

Education

Bachelors in Electrical Engineering

Tools

ETAP

PSCAD

PSS/E

SKM

EasyPower

Job description

OpenAI is seeking an Electrical Engineer to design and integrate on-site power-generation systems for large AI data center campuses in San Francisco. You will work on generation, substations, MV/HV distribution, protection, and data center loads, taking designs from concept through commissioning.

You will evaluate technology, establish technical requirements, and ensure operation validation, with a 50% travel expectation.