Mechanical Lead (Data Center)

Location: US - Remote

Salary: $177K–$285K annually, plus equity, performance-related bonuses, and benefits.

Company

OpenAI is an AI research and deployment company developing and deploying general-purpose artificial intelligence systems.

What you will do

• Lead mechanical field delivery for data center cooling infrastructure, mechanical yards, piping, and data hall fit-out.
• Manage mechanical contractors, equipment and piping installers, general-contractor interfaces, staffing, priorities, schedules, quality, and recovery actions.
• Oversee installation readiness for cooling plants, pumps, heat rejection equipment, air handling, piping, and applicable liquid-cooling systems.
• Coordinate equipment placement, pipe routing, supports, access, maintainability, and interfaces with structural, electrical, controls, and hardware teams.
• Review work plans, constructability, submittals, RFIs, change proposals, and field issues with engineering teams.
• Oversee pressure testing, flushing, cleaning, inspections, commissioning support, corrective work, defect closure, progress reporting, and operational handover documentation.

Requirements

• Substantial mechanical construction, installation, field engineering, or startup experience in data center cooling or comparable critical facilities.
• Demonstrated leadership of mechanical contractors or crews, including cross-organizational coordination without direct reporting authority.
• Practical knowledge of cooling, ventilation, hydronic and pumping systems, heat rejection, piping cleanliness, and vendor startup requirements.
• Ability to review drawings, specifications, submittals, work methods, and controls narratives for constructability and installation readiness.
• Experience coordinating inspections, pressure testing, flushing, cleaning, balancing prerequisites, and controls checkout.
• Ability to interpret test results and deficiency records with commissioning specialists and coordinate corrective work, retesting, and turnover evidence.
• Clear communication and sound judgment when coordinating power, controls, startup, and testing dependencies or escalating safety and delivery risks.
• Relevant trade, apprenticeship, technical, or degree-based preparation, or equivalent practical experience.

Nice to have

• Owner-side or specialist-contractor experience with high-density data center cooling, liquid cooling, or phased cooling-system startup.
• Experience with integrated systems testing, factory or site acceptance activities, and digital commissioning or field-reporting tools.
• Relevant mechanical trade, controls, balancing, or commissioning qualifications, or professional engineering credentials.

Culture & Benefits

• Remote role with relocation support available for eligible employees.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and families, with employer contributions to Health Savings Accounts.
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match, paid parental and medical leave, paid time off, company holidays, and paid sick or safe time.
• Mental health and wellness support, employer-paid basic life and disability coverage, and an annual learning and development stipend.
• Office meals, eligible meal delivery credits, charitable donation matching, and wellness stipends may be provided.

Hiring process

• More detailed benefits information is provided during the hiring process.
• Background checks are administered in accordance with applicable law for US-based candidates.