Data Center Design Engineer, Electrical

About the Position

Data Center Design Engineer, Electrical

OpenAI, in close collaboration with our capital partners, is embarking on a journey to build the world’s most advanced AI infrastructure ecosystem. This team is central to this mission, setting the core infra strategy and implementing this vision. We are seeking experienced Data Center Electrical Design Engineers with expertise in designing, operating, and maintaining large-scale data center campuses. The ideal candidate for this role will have extensive background and experience in design and managing critical equipment and facilities, design and operation of MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) systems, and overseeing operational activities from initial phases of Data Center build through delivery and ongoing maintenance.

Location

San Francisco, California, United States

Employment Type

Full time

Compensation

• $257K – $327K • Offers Equity

The base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition to the salary range listed above, total compensation also includes generous equity, performance-related bonus(es) for eligible employees, and the following benefits.

Responsibilities

• Oversee building and MEP design, operation, and maintenance, including reviewing building and MEP drawings and proposals across all project phases.
• Lead operational activities for large-scale data center campuses, from early design phases through delivery and daily operation.
• Operate and maintain critical data center facilities and equipment, ensuring reliability and performance.
• Collaborate with external vendors to select, procure, and manage critical equipment, such as generators, UPS, chillers, and CDUs.
• Provide technical expertise on all aspects of data center building, equipment, and operational systems, ensuring alignment with best practices.
• Ensure seamless integration of power, cooling, networking, and construction systems into overall data center design and operation.
• Contribute to developing data center operational workflows from design requirements through commissioning, pilot testing, and deployment readiness.
• Contribute to data center operations projects (hardware and software readiness) from planning through deployment.
• Provide technical direction to teams and vendors, ensuring alignment with industry best practices and standards.
• Select and manage external contractors and consultants and foster strong vendor relationships.
• Oversee quality assurance and resolve risks to meet safety and operational standards.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in data center design, operation, and maintenance.
• Proven track record of leading operational and technical activities in large-scale data centers.
• Extensive expertise in MEP design, operation, and maintenance, including critical infrastructure systems.
• Comprehensive knowledge of data center buildings, equipment, and operational workflows.
• Deep understanding of power, cooling, networking, and construction systems.
• Hands-on experience with critical equipment (generators, UPS, chillers, CDUs) and vendor management.
• Proven ability to work with external vendors for equipment selection and installation and bring up.
• Working experience with local and governmental regulatory agencies and compliance with data center design standards and requirements.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills with internal teams and stakeholders.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related fields; advanced degree preferred.
• Professional engineering certificate and other similar certificates required.

Nice to Have

• Experience in global, matrixed organizations and vendor negotiations.
• Experience managing global, multi-site data center operations.
• Expertise in logistics and supply chain management for large-scale operations.
• Familiarity with sustainability and energy-efficient data center designs.

We Offer

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your family, with employer contributions to Health Savings Accounts.
• Pre-tax accounts for Health FSA, Dependent Care FSA, and commuter expenses (parking and transit).
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match.
• Paid parental leave (up to 24 weeks for birth parents and 20 weeks for non-birthing parents), plus paid medical and caregiver leave (up to 8 weeks).
• Paid time off: flexible PTO for exempt employees and up to 15 days annually for non-exempt employees.
• 13+ paid company holidays, and multiple paid coordinated company office closures throughout the year for focus and recharge, plus paid sick or safe time (1 hour per 30 hours worked, or more, as required by applicable state or local law).
• Mental health and wellness support.
• Employer-paid basic life and disability coverage.
• Annual learning and development stipend to fuel your professional growth.
• Daily meals in our offices, and meal delivery credits as eligible.
• Relocation support for eligible employees.
• Additional taxable fringe benefits, such as charitable donation matching and wellness stipends, may also be provided.

About the Company

OpenAI is an AI research and deployment company dedicated to ensuring that general-purpose artificial intelligence benefits all of humanity. We push the boundaries of the capabilities of AI systems and seek to safely deploy them to the world through our products. AI is an extremely powerful tool that must be created with safety and human needs at its core, and to achieve our mission, we must encompass and value the many different perspectives, voices, and experiences that form the full spectrum of humanity.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other applicable legally protected characteristic.