Data Center Research & Development Engineer, Mechanical

Responsibilities

• Oversee electrical, mechanical, controls, and telemetry design and operations for large-scale data centers
• Review building and MEP drawings from concept design through construction and commissioning
• Develop, test, and implement operational procedures and workflows
• Perform validation testing of critical equipment and hardware with vendors and ODMs
• Lead the buildout of R&D labs, including equipment selection and test infrastructure for liquid-cooled racks
• Select and manage engineering tools such as CAD, CFD, PLM, and PDM
• Collaborate with external vendors to procure critical infrastructure like UPS, generators, and chillers
• Ensure seamless integration of power, cooling, controls, and networking systems
• Provide technical direction to teams and vendors to ensure safety and regulatory compliance

Requirements

• 20+ years of experience in data center design, operations, and critical systems maintenance
• Proven leadership in design, commissioning, and operation of large-scale data center campuses
• Deep expertise in infrastructure systems including power, cooling, controls, and networking
• Hands-on experience with critical infrastructure equipment and testing protocols
• Track record in lab development and facility operations
• Proficiency with engineering tools like CAD, CFD, and PLM
• Experience navigating regulatory environments and government agencies
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced engineering degree
• Professional Engineer (PE) certification
• Expertise in equipment design, agency certification, and validation testing
• Experience in global, matrixed organizations and multi-site operations
• Skills in vendor negotiations and supply chain management
• Knowledge of sustainable and energy-efficient data center design principles

About the Company

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.