Optical Network Engineer

Details

About the Team

OpenAI’s Hardware organization develops silicon and system-level solutions designed for the unique demands of advanced AI workloads. The team builds AI-native silicon and works with software and research partners to co-design hardware tightly integrated with AI models. In addition to delivering production-grade silicon for OpenAI’s supercomputing infrastructure, the team creates custom design tools and methodologies that accelerate innovation and enable hardware optimized specifically for AI.

About the Role

We’re looking for an Optical Network Engineer to help validate and scale high-speed optical links across large, distributed computing environments. This person will shape how optics are integrated across silicon, racks, switches, and systems at hyperscale. You will work closely with hardware engineers, system architects, and external partners to evaluate technologies, define product specifications, and guide end-to-end system design.

This role requires a detailed understanding of the optical technology stack — from pluggables to co-packaged optics — and the ability to evaluate system-level tradeoffs across reliability, energy efficiency, and cost.

Responsibilities

• Characterize and validate optical modules and links using TP1–TP4 testing metrics and workflows.
• Work with IM/DD pluggable optics (FRO and LPO), NPO and CPO optical form factors, single-mode and multi-mode systems, and perform practical link simulation and design.
• Troubleshoot live network optical issues and drive continuous improvement in large-scale environments.
• Automate testing and data workflows (Python preferred; AI tools welcome).
• Support fiber plant setup, lab routing, patch panels, and network rollout — hands-on with fiber handling.
• Specify switches, transceivers, and optical components for OpenAI deployments across multiple data center environments and geographies.
• Interface with vendors, researchers, and internal stakeholders to assess technology readiness and drive component and system-level evaluations.
• Develop, lead, and execute internal testing strategies to qualify optics in production environments, including CWDM and DWDM systems.
• Contribute to cross-functional architectural efforts involving custom silicon, high-performance interconnects, and global-scale networks.

Requirements

• 7+ years of experience in large-scale optical networking or photonic systems design and deployment, including hands-on involvement with system design.
• Ph.D. in Optical Fiber Communication or related field.
• Familiarity with coherent optical technology.
• Experience with CMIS-based module management and SONiC.
• Experience with high-density optical modules or interconnect architectures.
• Experience working in small, high-ownership engineering teams that operate across hardware and systems boundaries.
• Strong communication and technical leadership skills with a collaborative, pragmatic approach.

Benefits

• Competitive base pay (see salary range). Offers equity and potential performance-related bonuses for eligible employees.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with employer contributions to Health Savings Accounts.
• Pre-tax accounts for Health FSA, Dependent Care FSA, and commuter expenses.
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match.
• Paid parental leave, paid medical and caregiver leave.
• Paid time off (flexible PTO for exempt employees; up to 15 days annually for non-exempt employees).
• 13+ paid company holidays and additional coordinated office closures.
• Mental health and wellness support.
• Employer-paid basic life and disability coverage.
• Annual learning and development stipend.
• Daily meals in offices and meal delivery credits as eligible.
• Relocation support for eligible employees.
• Additional taxable fringe benefits, such as charitable donation matching and wellness stipends.

About OpenAI

OpenAI is an AI research and deployment company dedicated to ensuring that general-purpose artificial intelligence benefits all of humanity. We seek to safely deploy AI systems through our products and value diverse perspectives, voices, and experiences. OpenAI is an equal opportunity employer and provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.