Role Overview

OpenAI is at the forefront of artificial intelligence innovation, and our Scaling team is pivotal in designing AI supercomputers that power the next generation of deep learning models. As an Electrical Engineer - Systems, you'll dive deep into the intersection of cutting-edge deep learning, hardware systems, and data center design. This hybrid role in San Francisco requires 3 days in the office per week, with relocation assistance available.

The team collaborates with top partners to optimize hardware for our unique workloads, identifies promising deep learning accelerators, and brings them to production at scale. If you have deep expertise in electrical design and system-level architecture, this is your chance to shape AI infrastructure that will redefine computing.

With a focus on data center applications, you'll tackle challenges from workload modeling to rack-level integration, ensuring our systems are efficient, reliable, and ready for massive AI deployments. OpenAI's mission to ensure AGI benefits all of humanity starts with hardware like what you'll build here.

Key Responsibilities

In this senior Electrical Engineer role, you'll lead complex projects end-to-end. Here's what your day-to-day will look like:

• Craft ML/AI hardware systems solutions for current and future data center deployments.
• Collaborate on test vehicles, board design, and evaluate system trade-offs with hardware teams.
• Lead circuit-level EE design, integrating with power, thermal, and mechanical engineering.
• Align with product teams to meet system goals and verify features with ASIC/FPGA, software, and validation teams.
• Partner with manufacturing for production-ready designs and support field deployments.
• Gather requirements, architect systems, design hardware, and validate products.
• Drive bring-up, NPI, deployment, and sustaining engineering for hardware.
• Foster cross-functional partnerships across hardware, software, mechanical, thermal, validation, manufacturing, and vendors.
• Manage full system development lifecycle from concept to production.
• Lead debugging and root cause analysis for deployed data center systems.
• Influence accelerator designs through partnerships and workload modeling.
• Optimize systems for deep learning accelerators in high-scale environments.
• Ensure manufacturability and scalability for volume AI supercomputer production.

Expect a fast-paced environment where your technical leadership directly impacts OpenAI's AI capabilities.

Qualifications

To excel as a senior Electrical Engineer - Systems at OpenAI, you need proven expertise:

• 10+ years in data center hardware systems design, including EE circuits, CPU/GPU/TPU systems.
• Master's in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or equivalent.
• Hands-on with board bring-up, integration, and system-level design from chip to data center.
• Strong action bias, persistence, and comfort in ambiguous, dynamic settings.
• Experience across mechanical, power, thermal, and product design domains.
• Passion for learning and concise knowledge-sharing.
• Track record leading cross-functional teams in NPI and deployment.
• Familiarity with AI/ML workloads and accelerator optimization.

OpenAI values builders who thrive in high-impact, innovative environments.

Salary & Benefits

Competitive total compensation for senior Electrical Engineers at OpenAI in San Francisco ranges from $250,000 to $450,000 USD yearly, including base salary, equity, and bonuses (exact figures depend on experience).

• Full medical, dental, vision coverage for family.
• Mental health support.
• 401(k) with 4% match.
• Unlimited PTO + 18+ holidays.
• 20 weeks paid parental leave + family planning.
• $1,500 annual L&D stipend.
• Hybrid model + relocation help.
• Equity in OpenAI's future.

Why Join OpenAI?

Work on world-changing AI hardware at OpenAI. Be part of the team building supercomputers that train models like GPT. Enjoy unparalleled perks, growth, and impact in San Francisco's tech hub. Your work will accelerate safe AGI development.

With a hybrid model, top-tier benefits, and a mission-driven culture, OpenAI offers more than a job—it's a career-defining opportunity in AI systems engineering.

How to Apply

Ready to design AI supercomputers? Submit your resume and a cover letter highlighting your data center hardware experience. OpenAI hiring team reviews applications promptly. Equal opportunity employer.