Mechanical Lead

OpenAI

5d • $177,000 - $285,000

About The Position

The Mechanical Lead leads mechanical field delivery for data center construction, including cooling infrastructure, mechanical yards, piping and data hall fit-out. The role oversees general contractors, specialist installers and service providers, applying practical mechanical expertise and hands-on field leadership to ensure safe installation, contractor performance, coordinated interfaces and complete evidence for commissioning and operational handover.

Requirements

• Substantial mechanical construction, installation, field engineering or startup experience in data center cooling or comparable critical facilities.
• Demonstrated leadership of mechanical contractors or crews, including coordination across organizations without relying on direct reporting authority.
• Practical knowledge of cooling, ventilation, hydronic and pumping systems, heat rejection, piping cleanliness and vendor startup requirements.
• Ability to review drawings, specifications, submittals, work methods and controls narratives for constructability and installation readiness.
• Experience coordinating inspection, pressure testing, flushing, cleaning, balancing prerequisites and controls checkout.
• Ability to interpret test results and deficiency records with commissioning specialists and coordinate corrective work, retesting and turnover evidence.
• Clear communication and sound judgment when coordinating power, controls, startup and testing dependencies or escalating safety and delivery risks.
• Relevant trade, apprenticeship, technical or degree-based preparation, or equivalent practical experience.

Nice To Haves

• Owner-side or specialist-contractor experience with high-density data center cooling, liquid cooling or phased cooling-system startup.
• Experience with integrated systems testing, factory or site acceptance activities, and digital commissioning or field-reporting tools.
• Relevant mechanical trade, controls, balancing or commissioning qualifications, or professional engineering credentials.

Responsibilities

• Manage mechanical contractors, equipment and piping installers, and general-contractor interfaces against approved scope, schedule and quality requirements.
• Oversee installation readiness and delivery of cooling plant, pumps, heat rejection equipment, air handling, piping and applicable liquid-cooling infrastructure.
• Coordinate equipment placement, pipe routing, supports, access and maintainability with structural, electrical, controls and hardware teams.
• Review contractor work plans, constructability, submittals, RFIs and change proposals; resolve field issues with the responsible engineering teams.
• Oversee pressure testing, flushing, cleaning and inspection records; verify completion, defect closure and commissioning readiness.
• Support commissioning specialists with mechanical startup and system tests, corrective work and complete as-built, operating and maintenance documentation.
• Set contractor priorities, review staffing and progress, identify constraints early and coordinate recovery actions with construction leadership.
• Maintain clear progress, risk and change reporting, with accountable handoffs between construction partners and OpenAI teams.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed