About this role
Translating workload requirements and system goals into concrete architectures takes center stage in the daily routine of the hardware team. Collaborating closely with external partners, this professional defines and drives rack- and cluster-level reference designs for advanced AI infrastructure deployments.
The hardware organization at OpenAI builds system and infrastructure solutions tailored to demanding workloads across the full stack from silicon to system integration. Daily responsibilities include evaluating architectural tradeoffs with performance modeling teams, identifying gaps in current technology offerings, and guiding vendor development to meet future infrastructure needs. Success in the position requires strong system intuition and cross-functional leadership to manage third-party system designs from definition to execution.
What you will do
- Define rack- and cluster-level reference architectures for AI infrastructure deployments.
- Translate workload requirements into clear system design specifications and partner deliverables.
- Collaborate with performance modeling teams to evaluate architectural tradeoffs and system behaviors.
- Align internal stakeholders and external partners on critical system attributes including performance, cost, power, reliability, and scalability.
- Identify gaps in current technology offerings and drive vendors across ODM, JDM, silicon, and networking to close those gaps.
- Influence and shape vendor roadmaps to meet future infrastructure needs.
- Track emerging technologies and evaluate their applicability to AI systems.
- Define and lead proof-of-concept efforts to validate new architectures and technologies.
What you need
- Have strong experience in system architecture for large-scale infrastructure or data center environments.
- Understand AI workload characteristics and how they map to system-level design decisions.
- Demonstrate comfort working with performance modeling outputs to inform architectural direction.
- Possess experience working with or managing hardware vendors including ODM, JDM, silicon, and networking.
- Drive alignment across multiple stakeholders with competing constraints.
- Maintain a track record of turning ambiguous requirements into clear, executable system designs.
Nice to have
- Experience defining rack- or cluster-level systems for hyperscale or AI workloads
- Familiarity with accelerators like GPUs and ASICs, interconnects, and data center networking architectures
- Experience influencing vendor roadmaps and reference designs
- Background in infrastructure deployment, hardware engineering, or systems integration
- Experience leading PoCs or early-stage hardware validation efforts
Benefits
- Offers Equity
- Relocation assistance
Skills and tech stack
Questions candidates ask
What is the remote work policy?
This role is based in San Francisco, CA. The company uses a hybrid work model of 3 days in the office per week.
What is the compensation for this role?
The salary ranges from $342K to $555K and offers equity.
Are there relocation benefits available?
Relocation assistance is offered for this position.