Hardware Operations Technical Program Manager

OpenAI

. Drive end-to-end Hardware Operations readiness programs across AI infrastructure systems, including servers, racks, networking hardware, power and cooling interfaces, and related data center infrastructure.

Posted 4/30/2026full-timeSan Francisco • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesSeniorLead💰 $225,000 - $335,000 per yearWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Cloud

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Drive end-to-end Hardware Operations readiness programs across AI infrastructure systems, including servers, racks, networking hardware, power and cooling interfaces, and related data center infrastructure.
Develop and operationalize scalable hardware operations processes, workflows, and support models spanning deployment, repair operations, diagnostics, break/fix, escalation management, and sustaining operations.
Lead cross-functional execution of Hardware Operations readiness initiatives, ensuring operational capabilities, tooling, documentation, staffing models, and workflows are established prior to production deployment and operational handoff.
Partner across Hardware Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Data Center Operations, Network Operations, Deployment, Reliability Engineering, and external suppliers to ensure alignment on operational requirements, supportability, and readiness milestones.
Develop operational scorecards, reporting frameworks, and metric algorithms to measure hardware operational health, repair performance, deployment quality, readiness status, and execution efficiency.
Identify operational, technical, supplier, tooling, and process risks early; drive mitigation plans, cross-functional alignment, and executive-level communication.
Lead cross-functional issue resolution efforts during hardware deployment, validation, operational ramp, and sustaining operations, ensuring rapid containment, corrective action development, and long-term process improvement.
Create and mature operational governance models, including standardized readiness reviews, action tracking, escalation management, performance reviews, and operational business rhythms.
Ensure operational knowledge sharing and alignment across internal teams, external suppliers, and infrastructure partners to improve execution consistency, issue resolution efficiency, and operational maturity.

Requirements

What you’ll need

7+ years of experience in technical program management, hardware operations, manufacturing operations, infrastructure deployment, or related technical execution roles.
Experience supporting hardware systems at scale, ideally including servers, racks, networking hardware, data center infrastructure, or high-performance compute environments.
Strong understanding of hardware development and deployment lifecycle, including NPI, qualification, manufacturing ramp, logistics, installation, validation, and operational support.
Demonstrated ability to manage complex cross-functional schedules, dependencies, risks, and executive communications.
Strong technical fluency across hardware systems, rack integration, manufacturing readiness, and infrastructure deployment.
Proven ability to operate in ambiguous environments and create scalable execution mechanisms.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Experience with AI infrastructure, hyperscale data centers, cloud infrastructure, or high-density compute systems is a plus.
Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, operations, supply chain, or equivalent practical experience.

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

✓ Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools

hardware operationsinfrastructure deploymentdata center infrastructurehardware development lifecycleNPImanufacturing ramplogisticsinstallationvalidationoperational support

Soft Skills

cross-functional managementrisk managementexecutive communicationinfluenceproblem-solvingprocess improvementoperational governanceknowledge sharingissue resolutionadaptability

Certifications

Bachelor’s degree in engineeringBachelor’s degree in computer scienceBachelor’s degree in operationsBachelor’s degree in supply chain