Network Infrastructure Engineer, Global Network Infra (WAN)

Details

About the Team

OpenAI's Global Network Infrastructure team builds and operates the global network backbone connecting its compute infrastructure. The team enables reliable, high-performance connectivity across data centers, cloud service providers, and network points of presence (PoPs), supporting the infrastructure behind OpenAI's research and products.

The team works across physical network design, carrier connectivity, network deployment, and operational troubleshooting to deliver resilient infrastructure at scale.

About the Role

This hands-on role focuses on designing, deploying, activating, and operating OpenAI's global wide area network (WAN) infrastructure. The engineer will own the process of bringing new network connectivity online, working with fiber providers, cloud service providers, and internal infrastructure teams to establish reliable connectivity across the global backbone.

Responsibilities span physical network design, circuit provisioning, and troubleshooting complex connectivity issues across Layer 1, Layer 2, and Layer 3. The role also involves expanding the network footprint, bringing new PoPs online, and applying an automation-first mindset to network operations.

Responsibilities

• Design, deploy, and support WAN infrastructure across data centers, network PoPs, and cloud connectivity environments.
• Own the end-to-end activation and turn-up of network circuits with fiber carriers and cloud service providers.
• Troubleshoot complex network issues across physical, Layer 2, and Layer 3 infrastructure, including optical signal problems, FEC errors, routing issues, and connectivity failures.
• Diagnose and isolate failures across carrier, cloud provider, and internal infrastructure boundaries, driving issues through resolution.
• Contribute to physical network infrastructure design, including port mappings, fiber and cable layouts, optical distribution frames (ODFs), and connectivity planning.
• Monitor network health, circuit utilization, and performance to identify capacity constraints and reliability risks.
• Build automation and tooling for network provisioning, deployment validation, troubleshooting, and operational workflows.
• Collaborate with network engineering, data center infrastructure, and external service providers to expand OpenAI's global backbone.
• Participate in an on-call rotation to maintain the reliability and availability of critical network infrastructure.

Requirements

• Hands-on experience deploying, activating, and troubleshooting WAN circuits with telecommunications carriers, fiber providers, or cloud service providers.
• Strong understanding of optical networking, Ethernet, TCP/IP, BGP, and Layer 2/3 connectivity.
• Ability to debug issues across multiple layers, from physical fiber connectivity and optical errors to routing and traffic forwarding.
• Experience with data center networking, carrier infrastructure, cloud interconnects, or large-scale WAN environments.
• Understanding of fiber cabling, port mappings, optical distribution frames, and network equipment connectivity.
• Ability to independently investigate ambiguous connectivity problems, isolate root causes, and work across internal and external teams to restore service.
• Experience with scripting or automation tools and an interest in reducing manual work through repeatable, scalable processes.
• Ability to own technical problems from initial deployment through operational resolution.
• Comfort working in a fast-moving environment where infrastructure requirements evolve rapidly.

Nice to Have

• Experience building or operating large-scale backbone networks, hyperscale data center networks, or cloud provider interconnect infrastructure.
• Familiarity with optical transport technologies, network telemetry, and advanced troubleshooting of physical network links.
• Experience automating network operations using Python, Go, or infrastructure automation frameworks.
• Experience deploying new network PoPs or supporting large-scale network expansion projects.
• Experience collaborating with carriers, colocation providers, and cloud networking teams on complex connectivity deployments.

Benefits

• Base salary of $347,000–$445,000 per year.
• Equity and performance-related bonuses for eligible employees.
• 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, and office closures.
• 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.

OpenAI is an equal opportunity employer and provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Background checks are administered in accordance with applicable law.