About this role
The Data Center Engineering team at OpenAI builds advanced AI infrastructure to support large-scale deployments globally. Specialists in this group define infrastructure strategies, create reference designs, and collaborate across disciplines to optimize facilities for heavy AI workloads.
Physical Network and Structured Cabling Engineers own the design, implementation, and quality assurance of physical network infrastructure across the global data center footprint. Professionals in this role bridge design, construction, and operations by translating logical network requirements into scalable physical topologies like fiber trunks and copper patching.
Ideal candidates bring extensive experience managing large-scale data center infrastructure projects and guiding external vendors through construction and commissioning. Someone who thrives in a cross-functional environment and pays meticulous attention to installation standards will succeed in keeping these critical systems reliable and ready for deployment.
What you will do
- Design and specify physical network infrastructure across data center buildings and campuses, including cabling, network rooms, and rack layouts.
- Develop standards, reference designs, and installation guidelines for structured cabling and physical network deployments.
- Translate logical network architectures and hardware connectivity requirements into scalable physical designs in partnership with engineering teams.
- Provide technical direction to design consultants, cabling vendors, and installation contractors to ensure constructibility and adherence to requirements.
- Define installation quality and acceptance criteria while overseeing inspection, testing, commissioning, and turnover of structured cabling systems.
- Troubleshoot and resolve issues during build, commissioning, and handover phases to guarantee network readiness.
- Develop and maintain comprehensive physical network documentation including drawings, port maps, cable schedules, and bills of materials.
What you need
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
- Ten or more years of experience designing and delivering physical network infrastructure and structured cabling systems for large-scale data centers.
- Strong understanding of data center network topologies and high-speed optical connectivity principles.
- Expertise in industry standards such as ANSI/TIA and BICSI.
- Proven ability to coordinate with cross-functional teams and external vendors on large-scale projects.
- Strong skills in reviewing and interpreting technical drawings, cable schedules, and documentation management.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills for engaging technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Willingness to travel frequently to global data center sites.
Nice to have
- Master's degree in Engineering, or relevant certifications such as BICSI, RCDD, or equivalent.
- Experience with hyperscale cloud, AI, or high-performance computing environments.
- Proficiency in 2D and 3D engineering tools like CAD and Revit for infrastructure design and clash detection analysis.
- Experience with structured connectivity data and automation for generating and validating port maps, cable schedules, bills of materials, and labels.
- Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills for physical layer systems and issues.
Benefits
- Offers Equity
Skills and tech stack
Questions candidates ask
What is the compensation for this role?
The salary ranges from $257K to $327K and includes offers of equity.
Where is the position located?
The role is based in San Francisco, with a requirement for frequent travel to global data center sites.
What qualifications are required for the position?
Applicants need a bachelor's degree in Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related field, or equivalent experience, alongside 10+ years of experience designing and delivering physical network infrastructure for large-scale data centers.
What tools and standards are used on the team?
The work involves industry standards such as ANSI/TIA and BICSI, and preferred qualifications include proficiency in 2D and 3D engineering tools like CAD and Revit.