Manufacturing Quality Engineer – Datacenter Infrastructure

OpenAI • San Francisco, CA

3d • $230,000 - $355,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

OpenAI is building a global network of advanced datacenters to support demanding AI workloads. The Infrastructure Quality team ensures all datacenter systems are manufactured, delivered, and commissioned to the highest standards of quality, reliability, and performance. This role is for an experienced Manufacturing Quality Engineer (MQE) to establish, implement, and manage a manufacturing-focused quality program for datacenter infrastructure. The MQE will be responsible for vendor oversight, quality assurance, process improvement, and issue resolution for all critical systems. This includes leading vendor audits, monitoring performance metrics, and coordinating corrective actions to ensure predictable delivery schedules, reduced risks, and operational reliability. The role requires partnering with vendors, construction teams, and internal stakeholders to ensure datacenters are delivered on time and built to the highest operational standards. The position involves domestic and international travel as needed (estimated 40–60%) to manufacturing sites, datacenter locations, and partner facilities.

Requirements

• 10+ years in manufacturing quality management, supplier quality engineering, process improvement, or datacenter engineering/operations.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, manufacturing, construction management, or related field (or equivalent work experience).
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data, solve problems, and improve manufacturing processes.
• Proven track record managing deliverables for complex projects or supplier programs.
• Strong communication skills with experience influencing both technical and executive audiences.

Nice To Haves

• Technical knowledge of datacenter infrastructure systems, including mechanical, electrical, and controls components.
• Experience in supplier performance management for mission-critical facilities.
• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer, Quality Manager, or Quality Auditor.
• PMP or equivalent project management certification.
• Experience in industrial or high-volume manufacturing environments.

Responsibilities

• Conduct manufacturing evaluation, audits, and improve vendor performance across production, inspection, testing, and delivery phases.
• Develop and track quality metrics to assess manufacturing performance and identify trends.
• Partner with vendors to refine processes, training, and quality controls to mitigate risks before shipment.
• Develop and maintain a datacenter-focused manufacturing quality program that supports global deployment schedules.
• Integrate manufacturing quality requirements into sourcing, design, and construction processes.
• Establish effective cross-functional communication between manufacturing sites, construction teams, and operations.
• Provide guidance to vendor and contractor quality teams, ensuring adherence to OpenAI’s standards and specifications.
• Collaborate with engineering, sourcing, construction, and operations to align quality processes with project goals.
• Mentor vendor teams and provide structured feedback to drive continuous improvement.
• Audit quality activities at vendor and project sites to verify compliance with requirements.
• Lead corrective and preventive action plans for audit findings and quality nonconformances.
• Facilitate root cause analysis for recurring manufacturing issues and drive systemic process improvements.
• Monitor manufacturing schedules to ensure on-time delivery to datacenter sites.
• Ensure testing and inspection documentation is complete, accurate, and aligned with project milestones.
• Participate in project quality, commissioning, and operational readiness meetings.

Benefits

• OpenAI is an equal opportunity employer, and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other applicable legally protected characteristic.
• Background checks for applicants will be administered in accordance with applicable law, and qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment consistent with those laws, including the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the California Fair Chance Act, for US-based candidates.
• We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, and requests can be made via this link.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior