Accounting Lead, Hardware

OpenAI•San Francisco, CA

8d•$216,000 - $240,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Accounting Lead, Hardware will build and scale inventory accounting capabilities across OpenAI’s consumer hardware and robotics businesses. The role partners with Finance, Supply Chain, Manufacturing Operations, Technical Accounting, Strategic Finance, and Systems teams to establish scalable inventory and supply chain accounting processes and reporting infrastructure that support rapid growth and product launches. It combines strategic leadership with hands-on execution in a complex, evolving business, and requires strong accounting judgment, effective communication, and the ability to learn unfamiliar business models and accounting topics. The position is based in San Francisco, California, with a hybrid work model requiring three days in the office per week. Relocation assistance is offered to new employees. The role will help build the accounting infrastructure, systems, policies, controls, and operational processes supporting AI hardware products, scalable manufacturing, reliable financial reporting, and launch readiness.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
At least 8 years of progressive accounting experience, including ownership of complex accounting areas, close processes, or operational accounting.
Strong understanding of U.S. GAAP and ability to research unfamiliar accounting topics and apply sound judgment.
Ability to quickly learn new business models, systems, and operational processes and take ownership of unfamiliar accounting areas.
Experience building or improving accounting processes, reconciliations, controls, and reporting.
Strong systems aptitude and experience working with ERP systems and financial data.
Excellent analytical, communication, and cross-functional partnership skills.
Ability to influence stakeholders and execute effectively in ambiguous, fast-moving environments.

Nice To Haves

Experience in inventory, cost, manufacturing, or supply chain accounting, including inventory valuation, standard costing, manufacturing variances, overhead allocation, rebates, and buy/sell arrangements.
Accounting experience supporting hardware, infrastructure, data centers, electronics, robotics, semiconductors, or other capital-intensive operations.
Experience working with contract manufacturers, global supply chains, hardware product launches, or manufacturing scale-up.
Oracle Fusion experience, particularly in Costing and Inventory modules, or comparable ERP implementation and process improvement experience.
CPA and/or public accounting background.
Experience in a high-growth technology environment or building and leading accounting teams.

Responsibilities

Lead inventory and supply chain accounting across consumer hardware and robotics programs, including inventory valuation, sourcing arrangements, manufacturing variances, reserves, and close processes.
Partner with Supply Chain, Operations, and Strategic Finance on bill of materials accuracy, labor and overhead assumptions, supply chain strategies, and gross margin analysis.
Develop scalable accounting processes for new product introduction, prototyping, engineering builds, and mass production.
Own inventory accounting policies and controls, including capitalization, overhead allocation, LCNRV/NRV assessments, rebates, freight, tariffs, and inventory controls.
Serve as a finance lead for Oracle Fusion manufacturing costing and inventory implementations, enhancements, and process optimization.
Work with Systems, IT, and Operations to design scalable finance processes, controls, reporting structures, and operational workflows.
Define accounting requirements and guide ERP design for product costing, inventory transactions, and related reporting and controls.
Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual cost accounting close activities and improve reconciliations, reporting, and management review processes.
Partner with Strategic Finance on margin reporting, inventory analytics, and budget-versus-actual analysis.
Establish SOX-ready controls, support audits and technical accounting matters, and continuously improve close and reporting processes.
Act as a strategic partner to Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, and Program Management teams.
Translate ambiguous business needs into scalable accounting and operational frameworks.
Influence senior stakeholders through effective communication, executive presence, and data-driven recommendations.
Help build and scale the long-term roadmap for hardware controllership, manufacturing accounting, and operational finance infrastructure.