Datacenter Hardware Operations Lead - Stargate

OpenAI OpenAI · AI Frontier · San Francisco, CA · Scaling

This role is for a Data Center Hardware Operations Lead responsible for managing the physical operations, hardware maintenance, and logistics of AI data centers. It involves designing scalable repair and logistics systems, managing vendors, and ensuring coordination across facilities, supply chain, and engineering. The role requires extensive experience in mission-critical data center environments and operational excellence at scale.

What you'd actually do

  1. Collaborate with internal and external teams to establish the hardware operations strategy, critical metrics and SLAs.
  2. Lead daily physical operations for data center campuses, from commissioning through ongoing maintenance.
  3. Design and implement robust logistics systems for material movement, repairs, and operational workflows.
  4. Collaborate with engineering, construction, supply chain, and operations teams to streamline processes and resolve bottlenecks.
  5. Develop tools and practices for improved traceability, throughput, and vendor coordination.

Skills

Required

  • Physical operations and logistics for mission-critical infrastructure and data centers
  • Complex logistics systems management
  • Cross-disciplinary coordination
  • Large-scale facility operational processes (maintenance, construction support, warehousing)
  • Leading cross-functional initiatives
  • Third-party vendor management

Nice to have

  • Global-scale data center operations and logistics
  • Supply chain logistics and systems implementation for hyperscale environments
  • Leadership in dynamic, high-pressure settings with evolving technical needs

What the JD emphasized

  • 15+ years of experience in physical operations and logistics for mission-critical infrastructure and data centers.
  • Proven ability to manage complex logistics systems and coordinate across disciplines.
  • Deep understanding of operational processes for large-scale facilities including maintenance, construction support, and warehousing.
  • Experience leading cross-functional initiatives and working with third-party vendors.