Datacenter Networking Technician, AI Compute Deployment

OpenAI

full-time

Posted on: 9/24/2025

Origin: • 🇺🇸 United States

✨ AI Apply

💰 $144,000 - $228,000 per year

SeniorLead

AnsibleLinuxPythonSaltStackSwitching

About the role

Serve as OpenAI’s technical lead technician during the current campus build, partnering with internal engineers and external contractors on design reviews, installation plans, and acceptance criteria
Spend significant time on the data-center floor performing inspections, assisting with cable routing/termination when needed, conducting fiber testing (OTDR, power levels, continuity), and resolving installation challenges in real time
Troubleshoot and optimize cabling routes, patching, and equipment turn-up to ensure clean, reliable handoff to network operations
Contribute to design discussions and peer reviews for structured cabling and physical network layouts, providing practical field feedback to engineering teams
Develop repeatable engineering standards, as-built documentation, and deployment playbooks to accelerate future OpenAI campuses
Transition to hands-on design and deployment leadership for upcoming OpenAI data center expansions, owning network physical-layer deployment from design through commissioning

7+ years of experience in large-scale datacenter network deployment, structured cabling, or physical-layer installation
Deep knowledge of fiber/copper plant design, cabling standards, and hyperscale network best practices
Ability to sit onsite in Abilene, Texas 5 days per week during initial phase
Hands-on field work skills: inspections, cable routing/termination, fiber testing (OTDR, power levels, continuity)
Troubleshooting and optimizing cabling routes, patching, and equipment turn-up
Ability to contribute to design discussions and peer reviews for structured cabling and physical network layouts
Experience developing engineering standards, as-built documentation, and deployment playbooks
Willingness to travel to future OpenAI data center projects and be based at partner campus during initial build
Preferred: Exposure to automation tools (Ansible, SaltStack) or scripting (Python, Shell)
Preferred: Experience with hyperscale Clos fabrics or large-scale network design
Preferred: Familiarity with routing and switching concepts (BGP, OSPF, EVPN/VXLAN) and basic Linux/network troubleshooting
Preferred: Industry certifications such as BICSI, CCNA/CCNP, or equivalent