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Technical Program Manager, Data Acquisition

openai

San Francisco
Data Project Management

Job Score

90 pts
On-site model (+70) Data (+10) Project Management (+10)

About the Team
OpenAI's Research Data Team exists to accelerate the evaluation, safety and capabilities of our models and products. Made up of technical operators and software engineers, we design the methods in which we acquire and create data.

About the Role
As a Technical Program Manager (TPM), Data Acquisition, you will partner with research, engineering, and operations to design and implement pragmatic solutions for acquiring data. You will be a key interface between our research roadmap and external data offerings.

This role is based in our San Francisco HQ and will be part of a team of TPMs pushing the frontier of data acquisition.

In this role, you will:

  • Partner deeply with research: Work with researchers to scope data needs, define success criteria, and translate priorities into clear execution plans.

  • Shape the data acquisition pipeline: Identify, evaluate, and advance high impact data opportunities - balancing research value, feasibility, quality, and responsible execution.

  • Unblock yourself: Move work forward even when the path is unclear — using technical judgement, creative problem solving, and scrappy execution to make progress while longer-term solutions are still forming.

  • Build lightweight systems and visibility: Use SQL, Python, dashboards, and simple tooling to track performance, quality, and blockers.

  • Drive technical roadmaps: Collaborate with engineers to enhance data platforms, resolve blockers, and ensure security best practices such as access management.

  • Scale your impact: Equip vendors and internal teams with the context, standards, and operating rhythms needed to focus on the most important problems.

You’ll thrive in this role if you:

  • Are proficient in SQL and Python for analysing datasets, querying databases, building dashboards, and generating actionable insights.

  • Are comfortable using APIs, automation, and AI tools such as Codex to accelerate workflows, remove manual overhead, and upskill quickly in unfamiliar technical areas.Experience sourcing, evaluating, or working with startups, founder and vendors

  • Are excited to understand the technicalities of cutting-edge AI research and work alongside researchers from instantiation to launch.

  • Can move fluidly between research context, commercial execution, and data operations.

  • Want to get your hands dirty; grit and creative problem solving will be required daily

  • Learn technical concepts exceptionally quickly, seeking out knowledge to become proficient in areas that are new to you

  • Operate with high horsepower, are adept at frequent context switching and working on multiple projects at once with expansive ownership, and ruthless prioritization

  • Thrive in dynamic environments and can navigate ambiguity with ease



About OpenAI

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.

For additional information, please see OpenAI’s Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement.

Background checks for applicants will be administered in accordance with applicable law, and qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment consistent with those laws, including the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the California Fair Chance Act, for US-based candidates. For unincorporated Los Angeles County workers: we reasonably believe that criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship with the following job duties, potentially resulting in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment: protect computer hardware entrusted to you from theft, loss or damage; return all computer hardware in your possession (including the data contained therein) upon termination of employment or end of assignment; and maintain the confidentiality of proprietary, confidential, and non-public information. In addition, job duties require access to secure and protected information technology systems and related data security obligations.

To notify OpenAI that you believe this job posting is non-compliant, please submit a report through this form. No response will be provided to inquiries unrelated to job posting compliance.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, and requests can be made via this link.

OpenAI Global Applicant Privacy Policy

At OpenAI, we believe artificial intelligence has the potential to help people solve immense global challenges, and we want the upside of AI to be widely shared. Join us in shaping the future of technology.

About Data

The Data field has undergone a radical transformation with the rise of Generative AI. Data professionals are fundamental for evidence-based decision-making across all industries.

Key specializations include Data Engineering, Data Science, Business Intelligence, Machine Learning Engineering, and Analytics. Tools like SQL, Python, Spark, dbt, and cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure) are essential.

The data market continues with high demand and salaries among the most competitive in the technology sector, with many remote work opportunities.

About Project Management

Project Management is essential to ensure strategic initiatives are delivered on time, within scope, and with quality. PM professionals coordinate teams, manage risks, and communicate with stakeholders.

Key methodologies include PMBOK, PRINCE2, Scrum, and Kanban. Tools like Jira, Asana, Monday, and MS Project are widely used in daily work.

Certifications like PMP and PgMP are important differentiators in the market, with growing demand in technology and consulting companies.

Discover Other Areas

Understand the scope of work, key skills, and tools used in different career areas.

About SEO Analyst

The SEO Analyst is the professional responsible for optimizing websites for search engines, increasing organic visibility and qualified traffic. With the growing importance of digital marketing, SEO professionals are fundamental to any online presence strategy.

Key skills include on-page and off-page SEO, technical SEO, keyword research, SEO audits, link building, optimized content creation, and metrics analysis. Tools like Google Search Console, Google Analytics, Ahrefs, Semrush, Moz, and Screaming Frog are essential for daily work.

SEO analysts in technology companies are highly valued, especially those who master technical SEO, Core Web Vitals, and data-driven content strategies. The field offers opportunities from junior analyst to head of SEO, with a focus on organic growth, domain authority, and return on investment.

About Public Relations

The Public Relations (PR) area focuses on managing the reputation, image, and communication of an organization with its various stakeholders (such as clients, investors, employees, media, and the community). PR professionals develop corporate communication strategies, manage media relations (press relations), organize institutional events, and work in image crisis prevention and management.

About Communications

The Communications area is strategic for building and maintaining a company's institutional image. It encompasses corporate, internal, and external communication, public relations, press office, and reputation management. Communications professionals are responsible for delivering consistent messages that strengthen the employer brand and market positioning.

Key skills include strategic writing, communication planning, crisis management, media relations, corporate content production, event organization, and digital communication. Knowledge of communication CRMs, press release distribution platforms, and media monitoring tools (Meltwater, Cision) is a differentiator.

Corporate communicators in technology companies are highly valued, especially those who master change communication, employee engagement, and digital communication. The field offers opportunities in startups, scale-ups, and large corporations, with a focus on storytelling, organizational culture, and innovation communication.

About Blockchain

The Blockchain area involves the development and implementation of secure and distributed transaction ledgers. Professionals in this field work with smart contract development, cryptography, consensus algorithms, and platforms such as Ethereum, Hyperledger, and Solana, ensuring security and decentralization for various types of applications.

About Project Manager

The Project Manager is the professional responsible for planning, executing, and controlling projects end-to-end, ensuring they are delivered on time, within budget, and with the expected quality. With the growing complexity of businesses, project management professionals are fundamental to organizational success.

Key skills include planning and scheduling, scope, cost, risk, quality, and resource management, stakeholder communication, cross-functional team leadership, and use of agile and traditional methodologies. Certifications like PMP, PRINCE2, and Six Sigma are important differentiators.

Project Managers in technology companies are highly valued, especially those who master agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban), tools like Jira and MS Project, and can deliver complex projects efficiently. The field offers opportunities from project analyst to head of PMO, with a focus on execution, governance, and business value.

Career Guides

Technology Career Guide

Planning, skills, interviews, and professional growth in IT, Data Science, DevOps, and Product.

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Design Career Guide

UX/UI, Graphic Design, Product Design. Portfolio, tools, interviews, and growth in the Design field.

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Marketing Career Guide

SEO, Paid Media, Growth, Content Marketing. Certifications, tools, and strategies to grow in Digital Marketing.

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Finance Career Guide

Financial market, investments, corporate finance, certifications, and strategies to grow in the financial field.

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Communication Career Guide

Journalism, PR, Corporate Communication, Content Marketing, and Multimedia Production.

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Administration Career Guide

Business Management, HR, Logistics, Consulting, Project Management, and Entrepreneurship.

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Data Career Guide

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Product Career Guide

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Expert Tip

Generative Design and AI as a Co-pilot

If the last decade in digital design was defined by mobile standardization and UX/UI becoming the core of product development, 2026 marks the dawn of a new era. We are no longer designing just for flat glass screens; we are building intelligent ecosystems, three-dimensional environments, and autonomous algorithms.

For designers looking to stand out and secure the best six-figure remote opportunities in the US tech market, understanding where the industry is heading is no longer a "nice-to-have" differential—it's a matter of professional survival. Below, we break down the four major trends that will dictate hiring and compensation in the 2026 design landscape.

1. Generative Design and AI as a Co-pilot (Not a Replacement)

The fear of Artificial Intelligence replacing designers is officially in the past. In 2026, generative AI is deeply and natively integrated into industry-standard tools like Figma, Adobe, and Framer. The most valued skill by top-tier tech companies is no longer speed in aligning components, but rather algorithmic art direction and prompt design.

  • UI Automation: Wireframing, component variations, and complex design systems can now be generated with a few text prompts.
  • The Designer's New Role: Professionals are shifting from operational executors to curators and strategists, ensuring that AI-generated outputs align with user psychology and core business objectives.

2. Spatial Design and Spatial Computing

With the maturation of mixed reality devices (such as the Apple Vision Pro and Meta's advanced lineups), Spatial Design has evolved from an experimental niche to a mandatory department in Big Tech and forward-thinking startups.

Designing for spatial computing requires a complete paradigm shift: designers must understand Z-axis depth, visual ergonomics, spatial audio, and interactions based on eye-tracking and hand gestures. Roles like AR/VR Product Designer and 3D Interaction Designer are seeing an exponential jump in job listings, often paired with premium compensation packages.

3. Conversation Design and Invisible Interfaces (Zero-UI)

Driven by the omnipresence of Large Language Models (LLMs), the way users interact with systems has fundamentally changed. In 2026, many of the best interfaces don't rely on buttons or hamburger menus; they are conversational. UX Writing and Conversation Design have taken center stage.

  • The Challenge: How do you design the "personality" and flow of a virtual assistant so it feels natural, empathetic, and on-brand, rather than like a rigid robot?
  • The Opportunity: Designers who know how to map complex decision trees, create logical flows for voice and text, and train the empathy of AI models are being heavily scouted by top US startups.

4. Digital Sustainability and Eco-Design

The ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) agenda has finally reached the product design tables. The internet consumes a massive amount of energy, and in 2026, tech companies are being strictly held accountable for their digital carbon footprint.

Enter the demand for Digital Eco-Design. This involves creating lighter interfaces, optimizing user flows to reduce screen time (saving battery life and server processing power), and adopting color palettes and assets (like SVGs instead of heavy raster images) that require less energy to render. Being a sustainable designer has become a powerful B2B selling point for agencies and freelancers alike.

Conclusion: The Evolution of Talent

The 2026 design market is highly rewarding for those who embrace complexity. The barrier to entry for making "pretty screens" has dropped significantly, but the demand for professionals who can solve intricate business problems through empathy, strategy, and the mastery of new technologies has never been higher.

If you want to stay ahead of the curve and get direct access to the remote jobs that are actively looking for these specific skills, make sure to follow Mondywork's daily curation. The future of design is hybrid, remote, and full of opportunities.