Network Infrastructure Lead

Details

About the Role

Lead OpenAI’s site network infrastructure delivery, coordinating the physical installation and readiness of network systems with the central network team and contracted installation providers.

This senior site delivery role is accountable for physical network infrastructure construction and deployment. It involves directing general contractors, specialist contractors, and service providers; managing contracted support; and delivering safe, high-quality work in line with the integrated construction plan.

The role reports to the Site Construction Manager and maintains functional alignment with the Network Infrastructure leader and central network engineering team. It owns day-to-day discipline execution and contractor performance within the assigned site scope and delegated authority. Site assignment, duration, shared coverage, and on-site requirements depend on project phase, workload, and staffing plans, with effective on-site coverage required during critical activities.

Responsibilities

• Manage structured-cabling contractors, fiber installers, network installation partners, and other service providers against the site delivery plan.
• Translate approved network designs into executable field packages and coordinate bills of materials, material availability, and installation sequencing with the central network team.
• Oversee pathways, duct banks, building-entry interfaces, fiber and copper cabling, racks, patching, labeling, and network-equipment installation as applicable.
• Direct fiber and cabling quality assurance, review test results and traceability, and drive correction of defective or incomplete installations.
• Coordinate power, cooling, space, and physical-access readiness with electrical, mechanical, CSLA, and hardware deployment teams.
• Coordinate network provisioning, connectivity validation, and handover with authorized network engineering and operations teams.
• Maintain accurate installation and as-built records, including port maps and test evidence.
• Set contractor deliverables and work priorities; review staffing, progress, and quality; identify constraints; and drive recovery actions through the Site Construction Manager.
• Provide progress and risk reporting, evaluate field impacts of proposed changes, and maintain accountable handoffs between construction partners and OpenAI teams.

Requirements

• Typically 8–10 years of large-scale data center network deployment, structured cabling, physical-layer installation, or infrastructure delivery experience, with demonstrated field and contractor leadership. Equivalent practical delivery experience will be considered.
• Strong understanding of physical data center network topologies, network components, bills of materials, rack constraints, and installation sequencing.
• Deep practical knowledge of fiber and copper plant installation, trunks, panels, terminations, cleaning, labeling, cable administration, routing diversity, and pathway separation.
• Ability to oversee and assess port-to-port verification, continuity, optical power, and optical time-domain reflectometer (OTDR) testing; troubleshoot installation and mapping discrepancies; and verify remediation.
• Experience defining contractor work packages and statements of work, evaluating delivery requirements, forecasting labor needs, and tracking quality, throughput, cost drivers, and schedule performance.
• Experience coordinating deployment prerequisites with engineering and construction teams and completing formal operations handover with as-builts, port maps, test evidence, and clear ownership transfer.
• Familiarity with ticket-based execution, change control, incident escalation, and documentation workflows that make network installation repeatable and auditable.
• Demonstrated ability to lead contractors and service providers through changing site conditions, establish deliverables and acceptance criteria, and resolve performance gaps across organizations without direct reporting authority.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including maintaining field records, action and decision logs, and explaining technical risks, schedule impacts, and recovery options.
• Sound judgment when information is incomplete, including identifying assumptions and prerequisites, determining what work can proceed within approved authority, and escalating unresolved risks.
• Relevant trade, apprenticeship, technical, or degree-based preparation, or equivalent practical experience.

Benefits

• Base salary of $177,000–$285,000 per year.
• Equity and performance-related bonuses for eligible employees.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, with employer contributions to Health Savings Accounts.
• Pre-tax FSA, dependent-care FSA, and commuter accounts.
• 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 as required by law.
• 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 taxable fringe benefits may include charitable donation matching and wellness stipends.