Technical Commodity Manager - Robotics

OpenAI • San Francisco, CA

2d • $157,000 - $196,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

We're a growing hardware company. As we scale, we also need a supply chain that evolves and stays nimble to the changing shape and direction our engineers designs. Today we need someone who understands the iterative process of R&D but is also ready to expand into new product introduction (NPI), and after that, high-volume manufacturing. We're hiring for where we're headed, not just where we are today.
This role prioritizes judgment, adaptability, and analytical ability over years of experience alone. A strong candidate will be able to reason from first principles, quickly develop expertise in new commodities, and identify potential commercial or technical issues before they affect the program. While extensive tenure is not required, this is not an entry-level position; candidates should have a solid foundation in strategic sourcing, supplier management, and hardware manufacturing.
Over time, you'll help us build out a full supply chain organization: buyers, global supply managers (GSMs), contract manufacturing leads, and specialists across categories like precision machining, gears and mechanical components, EMS/PCBA, electrical components, and contract/JDM manufacturing. Where this role goes - into a specific commodity, into people management, into ops - will depend on where you're strongest and where the business needs you most.
This role is based in San Francisco, CA and requires in-person presence 4 days a week and up to 30% travel to vendor sites.

Requirements

• Strong reasoning ability and intellectual curiosity. You should be comfortable digging into a new commodity or technology you don't know well and getting up to speed fast.
• Solid grounding in supply chain fundamentals - purchasing, negotiation, supplier management, basic understanding of manufacturing processes, even if your total years of experience are modest.
• Comfort with ambiguity. Early-stage supply chain work means incomplete data, shifting priorities, and building the plane while flying it.
• Direct, clear communication with engineers, with suppliers, and with leadership.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical field, or equivalent hands-on experience working with technical hardware, components, manufacturing processes, and technical supplier decisions.

Nice To Haves

• Some exposure to the hardware supply chain is required; deep specialization is not. Any of the following is a plus, not a prerequisite: precision machining, gears/mechanical components, EMS (electronics manufacturing services), PCBA, electrical/electronic components, contract manufacturing or JDM relationships.

Responsibilities

• Partner directly with engineering during R&D to source components, qualify vendors, and get quotes and samples turned around quickly, without waiting on a fully built-out process.
• Build supplier relationships from scratch in categories that matter to us today (and be willing to pick up new ones as our needs shift).
• Evaluate quotes, lead times, and vendor capabilities well enough to make a sound call even when the data is incomplete.
• Be a cross functional partner that is able to work with legal, finance, and the leadership team to gather approvals and remove roadblocks.
• Help stand up the processes, tools, and vendor scorecards a growing supply chain org actually needs. You won't be inheriting a mature system, you'll be helping build it.
• As we move into NPI, work with engineering and quality to get designs ready for production: DFM feedback, first-article inspection, pilot builds.
• As we scale into high-volume manufacturing, help transition sourcing relationships and processes from prototype-friendly vendors to production-grade suppliers and contract manufacturers.
• Flag risk early — single-source dependencies, long-lead components, supplier financial or quality issues — and bring solutions, not just problems.

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.

What This Job Offers

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