Global Network Infrastructure Lead - Stargate

Job Overview

We're seeking an experienced Global Network Infrastructure Lead to join our team at OpenAI. This high-impact role spans technical execution and commercial strategy, focusing on building the WAN backbone that powers OpenAI's next generation of compute infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities

Network Strategy & Architecture

• Translate research and product requirements into actionable network strategies, balancing performance, reliability, and cost at global scale
• Architect and deliver large-scale data center and backbone network infrastructure, spanning self-built sites, colocation, and cloud environments

Commercial Partnerships & Negotiations

• Structure and negotiate high-value agreements for network colocation, dark fiber, wavelengths, peering, and edge connectivity
• Partner with infrastructure finance and legal to ensure technical and business objectives align in sourcing and investment decisions
• Lead supplier identification, RFPs, proposal evaluation, and commercial negotiations to secure cost-effective, resilient capacity

Stakeholder Management

• Build and manage relationships with carriers, fiber providers, colocation partners, and interconnection platforms to expand and diversify OpenAI's network footprint
• Monitor project performance and risks across cost, capacity, and timelines, proactively driving resolution to meet commitments

Requirements

Technical Expertise

• Extensive experience building and scaling backbone and data center networks at hyperscale, cloud, or large enterprise environments
• Understanding of the technical, operational, and commercial aspects of dark fiber, wavelengths, colocation, and interconnection

Professional Skills

• Skilled at structuring and negotiating complex commercial agreements with carriers, fiber providers, and colo partners
• Excel at working cross-functionally with engineering, finance, and legal teams to balance trade-offs and deliver results
• Comfortable operating in ambiguous, fast-moving environments and bringing clarity and structure to complex challenges
• Track record of leading high-stakes projects from design through execution, managing multiple competing priorities

About the Company

OpenAI 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.

Benefits & Work Environment

Location & Flexibility

• Based in San Francisco, CA with hybrid work model (3 days in office per week)
• Relocation assistance available for new employees

Company Culture

• Equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion
• Focus on solving global challenges through artificial intelligence

Compensation

Competitive compensation package ranging from $260K to $385K annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications.