Mechanical Commissioning Engineer

OpenAI • San Francisco, CA

101d

About The Position

OpenAI is on a bold mission to build the world’s most advanced AI infrastructure. We are seeking a Data Center Commissioning Engineer with 10+ years of experience commissioning mission-critical power and cooling systems. In this role, you will be responsible for ensuring that all critical systems in OpenAI’s hyperscale data centers are rigorously tested, validated, and transitioned to operations at the highest standards of quality, safety, and performance, fully aligned with design intent. The Data Center Engineering team is at the core of this mission, defining infrastructure strategy, driving technical innovation, collaborating with research to establish performance benchmarks, and developing reference designs that enable rapid, scalable global deployment. As part of this team, you will lead the commissioning and delivery of next-generation data center infrastructure optimized for AI workloads. You will partner closely with stakeholders across research, site selection, design, construction, hardware engineering, deployment, operations, and global partners to bring OpenAI’s infrastructure vision to life.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in commissioning or operating large-scale, mission-critical electrical systems (hyperscale, AI, or cloud data centers preferred).
• Strong technical expertise in electrical distribution, emergency power, and load management.
• Proven ability to manage commissioning activities from planning through operational turnover.
• Experience interpreting electrical schematics, specifications, and QA/QC documentation.
• Willingness to travel frequently to global project sites.

Nice To Haves

• Professional Engineer (PE) license or equivalent.
• Familiarity with advanced testing methodologies, load bank testing, and integrated systems testing for high-density AI workloads.
• Strong communication skills for cross-functional coordination and vendor management.
• Experience developing commissioning standards or programs at a global scale.

Responsibilities

• Lead OpenAI’s data center commissioning strategy in partnership with engineering and construction teams.
• Develop and enforce commissioning standards, test scripts, and quality assurance protocols to ensure consistent, predictable delivery.
• Drive resolution of design and field issues during commissioning to achieve operational readiness targets.
• Collaborate with design engineers, construction teams, and vendors to capture lessons learned and apply them to future projects.
• Support accelerated commissioning schedules while upholding the highest standards of safety and reliability.
• Provide technical expertise during integrated systems testing and oversee the transition to steady-state operations.
• Produce and manage detailed commissioning reports, including performance metrics, issue tracking, and resolution status.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees