Job description
About the Role:
OpenAI is seeking a Data Center Structural Engineer with over 10 years of experience to join our team.
This role is crucial for our mission to build advanced AI infrastructure, focusing on designing and implementing optimized structural solutions for mission-critical buildings and large electrical and mechanical equipment.
The Data Center Engineering team spearheads our infrastructure strategy, drives technical innovation, and collaborates with research to establish performance benchmarks.
We also develop reference designs for rapid, scalable global deployment.
As a member of this team, you will be instrumental in designing and delivering next-generation data center infrastructure, specifically optimized for AI workloads.
Your collaboration will extend across various teams including research, site selection, design, construction, commissioning, hardware engineering, deployment, operations, and global partners, all working to realize OpenAI’s infrastructure vision.
Role Summary
As a Structural Engineer, you will be responsible for the structural design of OpenAI’s data centers from early concept through delivery, while also providing ongoing engineering support to operations.
You will develop reference design standards, Owner’s Project Requirements (OPRs), and Basis of Design (BODs), oversee design partners, and ensure that our facilities meet business, technical, and resiliency requirements.
The ideal candidate brings deep experience designing large-scale data centers or manufacturing facilities, applying modern construction technologies and methods across both brownfield and greenfield campuses.
You should be skilled in building and evaluating TCO models and budgets, performing test-fit studies, developing 3D models, coordinating multidisciplinary services, and managing design documentation.
This is a high-visibility role with the opportunity to lead transformative projects that will shape the next generation of AI infrastructure.
Key Responsibilities
Develop and maintain structural design standards, specifications, templates, and reference models for hyperscale AI data centers.
Lead structural analysis and design for new builds, expansions, and retrofits, ensuring compliance with global codes and internal standards.
Align structural design with mechanical, electrical, and architectural systems through close collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
Perform structural load analysis to support high-density AI computing environments.
Review and approve design deliverables, calculations, and construction documents for accuracy and constructability.
Provide field engineering support during construction and commissioning, resolving issues and validating as-built conditions.
Oversee building and campus structural design, reviewing specification requirements, submittal drawings, shop drawings and proposals across all project phases.
Serve as the primary structural engineering lead and provide technical support for hyperscale partner projects.
Translate operational requirements into design criteria from concept through delivery and daily operation.
Review and validate structural integration of critical data center systems and prefabricated equipment skids to ensure reliability and performance.
Evaluate building envelope solutions and vendor proposals for quality, cost, and constructability.
Assess and guide the use of structural and engineering software tools.
Collaborate with vendors to select, procure, and manage key materials (e.g., precast panels, structural precast, steel, roofing, and other systems).
Ensure seamless integration of structural elements with power, cooling, fire suppression, and cabling infrastructure.
Contribute to the development of operational workflows from design requirements through commissioning, pilot testing, and deployment.
Provide technical direction to design teams, contractors, and vendors ensuring compliance with codes, standards, and best practices.
Oversee quality assurance processes, mitigate risks, and ensure adherence to safety and operational standards.
Capture lessons learned and integrate them into future reference designs to improve cost, efficiency, and performance.
Support site evaluations during land acquisition and early planning to identify structural risks and opportunities.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Structural Engineering.
10+ years of experience in structural design for data centers and large industrial projects.
Strong knowledge of building codes, seismic design, and high-load structural systems.
Proficiency with structural analysis software
Proven ability to coordinate across multiple engineering disciplines and manage external partners.
Willingness to travel to global project sites for design coordination and field validation.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree in Structural Engineering.
Professional Engineer (PE) license.
Experience in hyperscale data center design or high-density industrial environments.
Familiarity with fast-track design-build project delivery models.
Strong communication and documentation skills for effective multi-stakeholder alignment.
Required Skill Profession
Computer Occupations