Data Center Physical Security Systems Engineer

OpenAI

Data Center Security Systems Engineer defining and delivering physical security technology for AI data centers at OpenAI. Collaborating with teams to design scalable and resilient security architectures.

Posted 6/23/2026full-timeRemote • California, District of Columbia, New York, Washington • 🇺🇸 United StatesSeniorLead💰 $205,000 - $335,000 per yearWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

C++Cyber SecurityPMP

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Define and design the physical security technology architecture strategy for AI data center environments, establishing scalable and resilient security system designs aligned with OpenAI’s infrastructure risk profile
Define enterprise architecture standards and technical patterns for physical security capabilities, including access control, video surveillance, intrusion detection, identity-based access, integrated monitoring, and emerging security technologies.
Lead the architecture and governance of physical security systems and supporting platforms.
Define security standards and requirements across diverse infrastructure deployment models.
Define standards for secure deployment, operational resilience, maintenance, and lifecycle management of security technologies.
Partner with Security Operations, Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, Compliance, Legal, Procurement, and external providers to ensure physical security systems are integrated, operationally effective, and capable of supporting enterprise risk management objectives.
Provide technical leadership, design governance, and continuous improvement through architecture reviews, technology evaluations, deployment oversight, and the evolution of standards, reference architectures, and best practices across global AI infrastructure deployments.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Significant experience in physical security technology, security engineering, systems engineering, OT / ICS security, or adjacent cyber-physical infrastructure domains, and you can turn ambiguous problems into working technical systems.
15+ years of experience in physical security systems architecture, infrastructure security engineering, or security technology design.
Experience building or hardening systems in hyperscale infrastructure, critical infrastructure, large-scale data centers, or complex cyber-physical environments.
Experience designing physical security systems across multi-site or global infrastructure environments.
Experience moving from architecture into implementation: prototyping, integrating, commissioning, validating, and resolving hard field issues.
Experience partnering with engineering, construction, networking, cybersecurity, SOC/GSOC, compliance, procurement, and provider teams.
Strong judgment about where direct execution is required versus where a scalable partner or platform model is the right answer.
Strong ability to translate complex architecture decisions into operational security outcomes.
Strong experience with several of the following:
- Certified in enterprise access control systems
- Certified in video management systems and CCTV analytics
- Identity-driven access management
- Integrated security monitoring
- Physical security infrastructure management
- CPP, PMP, CSPM, CompTIA Security+, CISSP, and PMP certifications are not required but highly desirable.

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

physical security technologysecurity engineeringsystems engineeringOT securityICS securitysecurity technology designarchitecture standardsaccess controlvideo surveillanceintrusion detection

Soft Skills

technical leadershipjudgmentproblem-solvingcommunicationcollaborationtranslating architecture decisionscontinuous improvementgovernanceoversightpartnering

Certifications

CPPPMPCSPMCompTIA Security+CISSP