Technical Program Manager, Data Acquisition

Details

About the Team

OpenAI's Research Data Team exists to accelerate the evaluation, safety and capabilities of our models and products. Made up of technical operators and software engineers, we design the methods in which we acquire and create data.

About the Role

As a Technical Program Manager (TPM), Data Acquisition, you will partner with research, engineering, and operations to design and implement pragmatic solutions for acquiring data. You will be a key interface between our research roadmap and external data offerings.

This role is based in our San Francisco HQ and will be part of a team of TPMs pushing the frontier of data acquisition.

Responsibilities

• Partner deeply with research: Work with researchers to scope data needs, define success criteria, and translate priorities into clear execution plans.
• Shape the data acquisition pipeline: Identify, evaluate, and advance high impact data opportunities - balancing research value, feasibility, quality, and responsible execution.
• Unblock yourself: Move work forward even when the path is unclear — using technical judgement, creative problem solving, and scrappy execution to make progress while longer-term solutions are still forming.
• Build lightweight systems and visibility: Use SQL, Python, dashboards, and simple tooling to track performance, quality, and blockers.
• Drive technical roadmaps: Collaborate with engineers to enhance data platforms, resolve blockers, and ensure security best practices such as access management.
• Scale your impact: Equip vendors and internal teams with the context, standards, and operating rhythms needed to focus on the most important problems.

Requirements

• Are proficient in SQL and Python for analysing datasets, querying databases, building dashboards, and generating actionable insights.
• Are comfortable using APIs, automation, and AI tools such as Codex to accelerate workflows, remove manual overhead, and upskill quickly in unfamiliar technical areas. Experience sourcing, evaluating, or working with startups, founder and vendors.
• Are excited to understand the technicalities of cutting-edge AI research and work alongside researchers from instantiation to launch.
• Can move fluidly between research context, commercial execution, and data operations.
• Want to get your hands dirty; grit and creative problem solving will be required daily.
• Learn technical concepts exceptionally quickly, seeking out knowledge to become proficient in areas that are new to you.
• Operate with high horsepower, are adept at frequent context switching and working on multiple projects at once with expansive ownership, and ruthless prioritization.
• Thrive in dynamic environments and can navigate ambiguity with ease.

Benefits

In addition to the salary range listed above, total compensation also includes generous equity, performance-related bonus(es) for eligible employees, and:

• 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.

More details about our benefits are available to candidates during the hiring process.