Compute Optimization Researcher – Engineer

OpenAI

. Build optimization models for compute allocation, workload scheduling, and cluster utilization.

Posted 4/28/2026full-timeSan Francisco • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $293,000 - $455,000 per yearWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

CloudPandasPythonSparkSQL

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Build optimization models for compute allocation, workload scheduling, and cluster utilization.
Develop planning systems that balance supply, demand, cost, latency, and reliability constraints.
Create forecasting frameworks for GPU demand, infrastructure growth, and capacity needs.
Design decision tools for allocating compute across internal teams, products, and strategic priorities.
Partner with architecture, infrastructure engineering, finance, and operations teams to translate business needs into mathematical models.
Integrate multiple operational data sources into planning systems and optimization workflows.
Improve utilization of GPUs, networking, power, cooling, and storage infrastructure.
Analyze tradeoffs across first-party data centers, cloud providers, and hybrid environments.
Build dashboards, metrics, and operational tooling for capacity decision-making.
Lead ambiguous, cross-functional initiatives that improve infrastructure efficiency at scale.
Present recommendations clearly to technical leaders and executives.
Continuously refine models based on changing workloads, supply constraints, and business priorities.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Doctorate degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Operations Research, Economics, or related field
5+ years of experience in optimization, planning, infrastructure analytics, or systems engineering
Strong experience with linear programming, mixed-integer optimization, convex optimization, simulation, or forecasting methods
Proficiency in Python and data tooling (SQL, Pandas, Spark, etc.)
Experience translating real-world business constraints into scalable optimization systems
Strong analytical problem-solving skills with comfort operating in ambiguous environments
Ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders without formal authority
Excellent communication skills with both technical and non-technical audiences.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience with large-scale infrastructure, cloud capacity planning, or data center operations
Familiarity with tools such as Gurobi, CPLEX, CVXPY, Pyomo, or similar solvers
Experience optimizing GPU fleets, networking systems, or distributed compute environments
Background in supply-demand planning, logistics, marketplace optimization, or resource scheduling
Experience working in fast-scaling technology environments.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your family, with employer contributions to Health Savings Accounts
Pre-tax accounts for Health FSA, Dependent Care FSA, and commuter expenses (parking and transit)
401(k) retirement plan with employer match
Paid parental leave (up to 24 weeks for birth parents and 20 weeks for non-birthing parents), plus paid medical and caregiver leave (up to 8 weeks)
Paid time off: flexible PTO for exempt employees and up to 15 days annually for non-exempt employees
13+ paid company holidays, and multiple paid coordinated company office closures throughout the year for focus and recharge, plus paid sick or safe time (1 hour per 30 hours worked, or more, as required by applicable state or local law)
Mental health and wellness support
Employer-paid basic life and disability coverage
Annual learning and development stipend to fuel your professional growth
Daily meals in our offices, and meal delivery credits as eligible
Relocation support for eligible employees
Additional taxable fringe benefits, such as charitable donation matching and wellness stipends, may also be provided.

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

optimization modelsworkload schedulingcluster utilizationlinear programmingmixed-integer optimizationconvex optimizationsimulationforecasting methodsPythondata tooling

Soft Skills

analytical problem-solvinginfluence cross-functional stakeholderscommunication skillsoperating in ambiguous environments

Certifications

Doctorate degree in Computer ScienceDoctorate degree in EngineeringDoctorate degree in MathematicsDoctorate degree in Operations ResearchDoctorate degree in Economics