CPU/Storage/PoP-WAN Program Manager

Details

OpenAI’s Infrastructure organization builds the systems that power frontier AI workloads at global scale. The CPU / Storage / PoP / WAN team is responsible for server and cluster activation, storage platforms, Points of Presence (PoPs), backbone connectivity, and global network expansion across first-party facilities, colocation environments, and strategic cloud partners.

The highly technical Program Manager will lead execution across CPU, Storage, PoP, and WAN infrastructure programs that unlock next-generation compute capacity. The role owns complex cross-functional programs spanning compute cluster activation, storage deployment, PoP bring-up, and backbone expansion, coordinating hardware readiness, site readiness, network pathing, storage availability, vendor execution, and engineering dependencies.

This role is based in San Francisco, California, with travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end execution of CPU/GPU cluster activation programs across OpenAI’s global infrastructure footprint.
• Drive readiness to convert contracted compute capacity into schedulable production clusters.
• Own deployment programs for new PoPs, backbone nodes, WAN expansion, and interconnection initiatives.
• Build integrated schedules covering procurement, logistics, installation, storage readiness, network turn-up, testing, and production handoff.
• Coordinate BOM readiness, server delivery, racks, optics, cabling, storage hardware, and vendor milestones.
• Partner with engineering teams to align compute, storage, and networking dependencies before cluster activation.
• Manage storage system deployments supporting training and inference workloads, including readiness, validation, performance checks, and scaling plans.
• Coordinate backbone capacity expansion, cross-connects, inter-region pathing, and cloud interconnect readiness with Azure and third-party providers.
• Lead physical deployment execution, including rack-and-stack, hardware bring-up, L1 validation, and site acceptance criteria.
• Build repeatable deployment playbooks, dashboards, governance cadences, and operating mechanisms for scale.
• Identify risks across supply chain, site readiness, technical constraints, and vendor execution, and drive mitigation plans.
• Communicate milestones, escalations, and capacity forecasts to senior leadership.

Requirements

• 8+ years of experience in technical program management, infrastructure deployment, network deployment, or data center operations.
• Strong experience delivering programs involving compute, storage, networking, or large-scale infrastructure systems.
• Working knowledge of servers, clusters, storage arrays, routers, switches, optics, and structured cabling.
• Experience owning cross-functional programs across engineering, operations, supply chain, and external vendors.
• Strong understanding of deployment lifecycles from planning and procurement through production handoff.
• Ability to reason across physical infrastructure execution and logical systems architecture dependencies.
• Proven ability to build integrated schedules and drive accountability across multiple stakeholders.
• Strong executive communication skills, including experience managing critical escalations and leadership updates.
• Comfort operating in fast-moving environments with aggressive timelines and evolving priorities.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and execution skills.

Preferred Skills

• Experience at a hyperscaler, cloud provider, AI infrastructure company, or global network operator.
• Experience deploying GPU clusters, HPC systems, or large training environments.
• Familiarity with distributed storage systems and high-performance data infrastructure.
• Experience with PoP deployments, WAN backbone expansion, or global network buildouts.
• Experience working across first-party, colocation, and cloud environments.
• Experience building repeatable infrastructure deployment systems in high-growth environments.

Benefits

• Equity, performance-related bonuses for eligible employees, and comprehensive benefits.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, with employer contributions to Health Savings Accounts.
• Pre-tax accounts for health, dependent care, and commuter expenses.
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match.
• Paid parental, medical, and caregiver leave.
• Paid time off, company holidays, office closures, and paid sick or safe time.
• Mental health and wellness support.
• Employer-paid basic life and disability coverage.
• Annual learning and development stipend.
• Daily office meals and eligible meal delivery credits.
• Relocation support for eligible employees.
• Additional benefits may include charitable donation matching and wellness stipends.

OpenAI is an equal opportunity employer committed to reasonable accommodations and compliance with applicable employment laws.