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Data Center Design Engineer, Electrical - Industrial Compute

openai

Híbrido San Francisco
Data Traffic Manager

Job Score

100 pts
Hybrid model (+80) Data (+10) Traffic Manager (+10)

About the Team

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. From site selection to the buildout process, this team sits at the intersection of commercial, technical, strategy, and operations, interacting with teams and executives inside and outside of OpenAI. 

About the Role

We are seeking experienced Data Center Mechanical and Electrical/Power 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. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical background, operational leadership experience, and a proven ability to collaborate with external vendors on critical infrastructure. This role offers the opportunity to lead transformative data center projects with high visibility and impact. If you are passionate about delivering cutting-edge infrastructure solutions, we encourage you to apply.

Key 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.

Qualifications

  • 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.

  • Familiarity with building construction and architecture concepts, as well as best practices in data center design.

  • Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related fields; advanced degree preferred.

  • Professional engineering certificate and other similar certificates required

Preferred Skills

  • 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.

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.

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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 Traffic Manager

The Traffic Manager is the professional responsible for planning, executing, and optimizing paid media campaigns across various digital platforms. With the competitiveness of the digital market, paid traffic professionals are essential for generating qualified leads and maximizing return on advertising investment.

Key skills include campaign management on Google Ads, Meta Ads, LinkedIn Ads, and TikTok Ads, media planning, metrics analysis (ROAS, CPA, CPC, CTR), A/B testing, remarketing, and landing page creation. Tools like Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, Hotjar, and automation platforms are essential.

Traffic managers in technology companies are highly valued, especially those who master performance marketing, conversion funnel optimization, and scaling strategies. The field offers opportunities from media analyst to head of performance, with a focus on growth, budget efficiency, and return on investment.

Discover Other Areas

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

About Business Analysis

The Business Analyst (BA) is the professional responsible for identifying problems, opportunities, and solutions in organizational processes, acting as a bridge between business areas and the technology development team. They gather and specify requirements, map value streams, design future processes, and help ensure that software deliveries align with the company's strategic goals.

About Product Manager

The Product Manager (PM) is the professional responsible for defining the strategy, vision, and roadmap of a digital product. They work at the intersection of technology, business, and user experience (UX), leading the discovery and delivery of solutions that solve real problems in a viable way for the company.

Key skills include product discovery, data and metrics analysis (AARRR, NPS, LTV), user research, go-to-market strategy, roadmapping, strategic prioritization, and leadership by influence. Tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, Hotjar, Jira, and Notion are fundamental.

Product Managers play a central role in the growth of startups, scale-ups, and large technology companies, with career progression opportunities to Product Leader, Head of Product, and Chief Product Officer (CPO).

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.

About Graphic Designer

The Graphic Designer is the professional responsible for creating visual pieces for print and digital communication, from visual identity and logos to marketing materials and packaging. They combine creativity with technique to convey messages visually and impactfully.

Key skills include Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, CorelDRAW, visual identity design, typography, color theory, packaging design, and motion graphics. Knowledge of vector illustration, offset/digital printing, and print production is a differentiator.

Graphic Designers in technology companies are highly valued, especially those who master social media design, infographics, and can create materials that strengthen brand visual identity. The field offers opportunities from junior graphic designer to art director and design director.

About Technical Support

Technical Support is essential to ensure customer satisfaction and retention. Support professionals resolve technical issues, document solutions, and identify patterns that can lead to product improvements.

Key skills include troubleshooting, customer service, technical documentation, ITIL knowledge, and ticketing tools (Zendesk, Freshdesk, Intercom).

Technical support has evolved from a reactive to a proactive function, with high-level professionals working in Customer Engineering and Support Engineering.

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

Data Science, Data Engineering, BI, Machine Learning, and AI. From training to the job market.

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Product Career Guide

Product Management, Product Ownership, Agile, Scrum, and OKRs. From strategy to execution.

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Tech & Remote Glossary

Stop getting lost in interviews and job descriptions

The job market, especially within tech and global companies, has developed its own dialect. Not understanding these acronyms can make you lose valuable opportunities or poorly negotiate your contract. To end this problem, we created the Definitive Glossary for the Remote Professional.

🏢 Work Models & Routine

Async (Asynchronous Work)
A communication model where responses don't need to be immediate. Instead of back-to-back meetings, the team relies on well-structured documents, threads, and messages. It's the gold standard for global companies spanning multiple time zones.
Sync (Synchronous Work)
The opposite of Async. It requires the team to be online and available at the same time for meetings, live chats, and real-time collaboration.
Daily / Stand-up
A quick daily meeting (usually 15 minutes) common in Agile (Scrum) methodologies. The team answers three questions: What did I do yesterday? What will I do today? Are there any blockers?
All-Hands / Town Hall
A company-wide meeting involving all employees. Usually led by the founders (C-Levels) to present results, new goals, and answer team questions.
1:1 (One-on-One)
A recurring individual meeting between a professional and their direct manager. It is used for career alignment, feedback, and problem-solving, not just for project status updates.

💰 Contracts, Benefits & Compensation

PTO (Paid Time Off)
Instead of strict, categorized leave policies, modern US companies usually offer a flexible pool of days (e.g., 20 days of PTO, or even "Unlimited PTO") that you can use for vacations, sick days, or personal matters, while receiving your regular compensation.
Equity / Stock Options
Company ownership. The startup offers you the right to buy shares at a heavily discounted strike price in the future. If the company grows, goes public, or is acquired, these shares can be highly lucrative.
Vesting (Vesting Schedule)
The rule that controls your Equity. It usually lasts 4 years. You don't get all the shares on day one; you "earn" them gradually as you stay with the company. A "1-year Cliff" means you must stay for at least one year to receive your first batch of shares.
RSUs (Restricted Stock Units)
Unlike Stock Options (where you have the right to buy the stock), RSUs are actual shares the company grants you as a bonus or part of your compensation package, following a strict Vesting schedule.
Independent Contractor (1099 / B2B)
The most common international hiring model for global talent working for US companies. You act as a service provider (business-to-business), receiving the gross salary (often six-figure compensation) without standard local payroll tax deductions at the source.

🤖 Recruitment & Hiring Process

ATS (Applicant Tracking System)
The "robot" that reads your resume. Software like Greenhouse, Ashby, and Workday are used to filter candidates by keywords before a human even looks at the document. (Pro tip: this is why your resume must be clean, semantic, and have the right keywords).
JD (Job Description)
The document that lists the responsibilities, technical requirements, and benefits of the open position.
Cultural Fit
The interview stage that evaluates if your core values, communication style, and worldview align with the company's culture. This is the ultimate test of your Soft Skills.
Onboarding
The integration process. It's the period of your first few weeks at the company, where you get your access credentials, learn about the culture, study the internal documentation, and understand how the product works.

🚀 How to use this to your advantage?

The secret isn't just knowing what these acronyms mean, but using them actively. If during an interview for a premium tech role you ask, "How does your PTO policy and Vesting schedule work?", the recruiter will immediately perceive you as a high-level professional, familiar with the global market standards.

The remote job market requires preparation. And having the right vocabulary is the first big step to securing six-figure proposals and standing out among thousands of applicants.

Expert Tip

Why the Data Era Has Never Been More Profitable

Discover how BI professionals are shaping the corporate future, driving strategic decision-making, and landing the best global remote jobs in the market.

Reading time: 5 minutes | Category: Data / BI

The Data Market Explosion

A decade ago, oil was considered the world's most valuable resource; today, that title indisputably belongs to data. However, raw data without interpretation is just noise. It is exactly at this turning point that the Business Intelligence (BI) market exploded in demand and financial valuation.

Companies of all sizes, from agile startups to global unicorns, have realized they can no longer base their decisions on guesswork. The BI professional has become the architect of financial and operational predictability. According to Gartner, in its annual reports on the Magic Quadrant for Analytics and BI, adopting business intelligence platforms is no longer a competitive advantage, but a matter of corporate survival.

The Required Profile: Way Beyond the Dashboard

The biggest mistake professionals make when trying to transition into Business Intelligence is believing the job comes down to creating pretty visual panels (Dashboards). Today's market, especially international companies paying six-figure salaries, requires a deep analytical mindset combined with solid technical skills.

Tech Recruiters are configuring their ATS systems (like Greenhouse and Ashby) to filter candidates who master the following verticals:

  • Data Modeling and ETL: The ability to Extract, Transform, and Load data from multiple sources into a Data Warehouse or Data Lake.
  • Query Languages: Advanced proficiency in SQL remains the backbone of any data operation.
  • Advanced Visualization: Tools like Microsoft Power BI (with deep knowledge in DAX), Tableau, and Looker are mandatory requirements.
  • Critical Thinking & Business Acumen: As highlighted by the Harvard Business Review, data professionals must translate technical complexity into clear answers for C-Level executives.

Compensation and the Global Job Route (US Remote)

The Business Intelligence market is perfectly adaptable to the Remote Worldwide model. Because the work essentially deals with cloud infrastructure and logical analysis, geographical barriers have been completely eliminated.

"The ability to analyze massive volumes of data and extract actionable insights is the most valued skill in the new digital economy. The global market is literally buying intelligence."

For global professionals, this represents a golden opportunity. North American and European startups are actively seeking Senior BI talent to work remotely, offering compensation in strong currencies (USD and EUR) through B2B contracts. Base salaries that easily surpass the $80,000 to $120,000+ range (six-figure compensation) are a common reality for Mid-level and Senior analysts who have fluent English and a robust analytical portfolio.

How to Stand Out in the Technical Interview

To break through the technical interview barrier for premium BI positions, candidates must prepare a problem-oriented portfolio. Instead of presenting a generic sales dashboard, showcase a documented case study. Show the data source, how the SQL was structured for cleansing, which predictive or statistical models were applied, and, most importantly, what was the financial impact (ROI) of that analysis.