Senior Manager, Export Controls

OpenAI•San Francisco, CA

About The Position

The Tax and Trade team at OpenAI focuses on integrating tax, export control, customs, and cross-border considerations into the company's business strategy, operations, and scaling efforts. They aim to identify risks and opportunities early and assist teams in making informed decisions during the transition from strategy to execution. The team builds scalable support services using advanced technology, including governed AI and automation, to enhance efficiency and manage complex regulated work. This role involves leading OpenAI's export controls strategy and operating model, with a broad scope covering advanced computing, semiconductors, software, hardware, manufacturing, and high-technology partnerships. The successful candidate will refine how OpenAI classifies controlled technology, software, and hardware, establish access-controlled environments, manage licensing and supplier commitments, and scale export-control operations to match the company's innovation pace. A key aspect of the role is shaping the application of AI and agentic workflows to policy-heavy operational tasks, creating systems that simplify navigation and execution of complex regulations.

Requirements

A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience in engineering, computer science, physics, international trade, law, public policy, or a related field.
Significant experience leading export controls, trade compliance, or a closely related function in advanced computing, semiconductors, electronics, or other high-technology domains.
Deep expertise in export controls, including classification, licensing, deemed exports, end-use and end-user restrictions, and controls on technical data and software.
Direct experience working on advanced computing and advanced semiconductor controls.
Strong leadership judgment and a track record of building and scaling programs in fast-moving technology companies and complex multinational environments.
Experience translating policy into workflows, systems requirements, service levels, operating guidance, and measurable business outcomes.
The ability to work credibly with researchers, infrastructure engineers, hardware engineers, chip-design teams, Security, and Legal.
Experience managing service providers, and cross-functional programs that require speed, discretion, and strong execution.
Strong writing and communication skills, with the ability to turn complex requirements into clear process documentation and guidance for technical and business audiences.
Experience building AI-enabled workflows, internal tools, knowledge systems, or agentic processes for policy-heavy or operational work.

Nice To Haves

Advanced technical, legal, or policy training is valuable.

Responsibilities

Refine the strategy and operating model for OpenAI’s export controls program across advanced computing, semiconductors, software, hardware, manufacturing, and high technology partnerships.
Own export classification and licensing strategy for controlled technical data, software, hardware, and research environments.
Lead the design and operation of compliant controlled environments and related governance processes.
Partner with Research and Infrastructure to support efficient researcher access while maintaining clear control boundaries.
Partner with technical teams to develop durable classification and control models.
Partner cross-functionally to translate policy into documented technical controls, logging, evidence, access boundaries, and exception handling.
Lead supplier-facing compliance processes, including onboarding requirements, certifications, and relevant contractual controls.
Build and administer Technology Control Plan processes, including briefings, acknowledgements, operating materials, completion tracking, and escalation paths.
Develop service levels, metrics, and reporting that improve access velocity, supplier onboarding, and decision quality.
Build internal tooling and an AI- and agent-enabled operating model.