CPU/Storage/PoP-WAN Program Manager

About the TeamOpenAI’s Infrastructure organization builds the systems that power frontier AI workloads at global scale. As compute demand accelerates, our ability to rapidly convert infrastructure investments into usable production capacity has become mission critical.The CPU / Storage / PoP / WAN team is responsible for the end-to-end infrastructure layers required to bring compute online: server and cluster activation, storage platforms, Points of Presence (PoPs), backbone connectivity, and global network expansion. We operate across first-party facilities, colocation environments, and strategic cloud partners to ensure OpenAI can scale reliably and quickly.About the RoleWe are seeking a highly technical Program Manager to lead execution across CPU, Storage, PoP, and WAN infrastructure programs that directly unlock OpenAI’s next generation compute capacity.In this role, you will own complex cross-functional programs spanning compute cluster activation, storage deployment, PoP bring-up, and backbone expansion. You will coordinate hardware readiness, site readiness, network pathing, storage availability, vendor execution, and engineering dependencies required to turn contracted infrastructure into live training and inference capacity.This role requires strong technical fluency across hardware systems, network infrastructure, storage architecture, and deployment execution. You should be comfortable operating from rack-level implementation details through executive-level capacity planning discussions.This role is based in San Francisco, CA, with travel as needed.Key ResponsibilitiesLead end-to-end execution of CPU / GPU cluster activation programs across OpenAI’s global infrastructure footprintDrive readiness to convert contracted compute capacity into schedulable production clustersOwn deployment programs for new PoPs, backbone nodes, WAN expansion, and interconnection initiativesBuild integrated schedules spanning procurement, logistics, installation, storage readiness, network turn-up, testing, and production handoffCoordinate BOM readiness, server delivery, racks, optics, cabling, storage hardware, and vendor milestonesPartner with engineering teams to align compute, storage, and networking dependencies before cluster activationManage deployment of storage systems supporting training and inference workloads, including readiness, validation, performance checks, and scaling plansCoordinate backbone capacity expansion, cross-connects, inter-region pathing, and cloud interconnect readiness with Azure and third-party providersLead physical deployment execution including rack-and-stack, hardware bring-up, L1 validation, and site acceptance criteriaBuild repeatable deployment playbooks, dashboards, governance cadences, and operating mechanisms for scaleIdentify risks early across supply chain, site readiness, technical constraints, and vendor execution, then drive mitigation plansCommunicate milestones, escalations, and capacity forecasts to senior leadershipQualifications8+ years of experience in technical program management, infrastructure deployment, network deployment, or data center operationsStrong experience delivering programs involving compute, storage, networking, or large-scale infrastructure systemsWorking knowledge of servers, clusters, storage arrays, routers, switches, optics, and structured cablingExperience owning cross-functional programs across engineering, operations, supply chain, and external vendorsStrong understanding of deployment lifecycles from planning and procurement through production handoffAbility to reason across physical infrastructure execution and logical systems architecture dependenciesProven ability to build integrated schedules and drive accountability across multiple stakeholdersStrong executive communication skills with experience managing critical escalations and leadership updatesComfortable operating in fast-moving environments with aggressive timelines and evolving prioritiesHighly analytical with strong problem-solving and execution instinctsPreferred SkillsExperience at a hyperscaler, cloud provider, AI infrastructure company, or global network operatorExperience deploying GPU clusters, HPC systems, or large training environmentsFamiliarity with distributed storage systems and high-performance data infrastructureExperience with PoP deployments, WAN backbone expansion, or global network buildoutsExperience working across first-party, colo, and cloud environmentsExperience building repeatable infrastructure deployment systems in high-growth environmentsAbout OpenAIOpenAI is an AI research and deployment company dedicated to ensuring that general-purpose artificial intelligence benefits all of humanity. We push the boundaries of the capabilities of AI systems and seek to safely deploy them to the world through our products. AI is an extremely powerful tool that must be created with safety and human needs at its core, and to achieve our mission, we must encompass and value the many different perspectives, voices, and experiences that form the full spectrum of humanity. We are an equal opportunity employer, and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other applicable legally protected characteristic. For additional information, please see OpenAI’s Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement.Background checks for applicants will be administered in accordance with applicable law, and qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment consistent with those laws, including the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the California Fair Chance Act, for US-based candidates. For unincorporated Los Angeles County workers: we reasonably believe that criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship with the following job duties, potentially resulting in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment: protect computer hardware entrusted to you from theft, loss or damage; return all computer hardware in your possession (including the data contained therein) upon termination of employment or end of assignment; and maintain the confidentiality of proprietary, confidential, and non-public information. In addition, job duties require access to secure and protected information technology systems and related data security obligations.To notify OpenAI that you believe this job posting is non-compliant, please submit a report through this form. No response will be provided to inquiries unrelated to job posting compliance.We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, and requests can be made via this link.OpenAI Global Applicant Privacy PolicyAt OpenAI, we believe artificial intelligence has the potential to help people solve immense global challenges, and we want the upside of AI to be widely shared. Join us in shaping the future of technology.Compensation Range: $226K - $285KLocationSan Francisco; SeattleEmployment TypeFull timeLocation TypeHybridDepartmentScalingCompensation$226K – $285K • Offers EquityThe base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. If the role is non-exempt, overtime pay will be provided consistent with applicable laws. In addition to the salary range listed above, total compensation also includes generous equity, performance-related bonus(es) for eligible employees, and the following benefits.Medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your family, with employer contributions to Health Savings AccountsPre-tax accounts for Health FSA, Dependent Care FSA, and commuter expenses (parking and transit)401(k) retirement plan with employer matchPaid 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 employees13+ 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 supportEmployer-paid basic life and disability coverageAnnual learning and development stipend to fuel your professional growthDaily meals in our offices, and meal delivery credits as eligibleRelocation support for eligible employeesAdditional 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.This role is at-will and OpenAI reserves the right to modify base pay and other compensation components at any time based on individual performance, team or company results, or market conditions.