Mechanical Lead

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Oversee mechanical field execution for data center construction, which includes cooling systems, mechanical yards, piping, and data hall fit-out.

• Supervise mechanical contractors, equipment and piping installers, and general-contractor interactions in alignment with approved scope, schedule, and quality standards.

• Manage the installation readiness and delivery of cooling plants, pumps, heat rejection systems, air handling units, piping, and relevant liquid-cooling infrastructure.

• Coordinate the placement of equipment, pipe routing, supports, access, and maintainability in collaboration with structural, electrical, controls, and hardware teams.

• Evaluate contractor work plans, constructability, submittals, RFIs, and change proposals; address field issues with the responsible engineering teams.

• Supervise pressure testing, flushing, cleaning, and inspection documentation; confirm completion, defect resolution, and commissioning readiness.

• Assist commissioning specialists with mechanical start-up and system testing, corrective actions, and final as-built, operating, and maintenance documentation.

• Establish contractor priorities, assess staffing and progress, identify constraints early, and facilitate recovery actions with construction leadership.

• Maintain progress, risk, and change reporting, ensuring accountable transitions between construction partners and OpenAI teams.

⛳️ Requirements

• Significant mechanical construction, installation, field engineering, or startup experience in data center cooling or similar critical facilities.

• Proven leadership of mechanical contractors or teams, including cross-organizational coordination without direct reporting authority.

• Practical expertise in cooling, ventilation, hydronic and pumping systems, heat rejection, piping cleanliness, and vendor startup requirements.

• Capability to assess drawings, specifications, submittals, work methods, and controls narratives for constructability and readiness for installation.

• Experience in coordinating inspection, pressure testing, flushing, cleaning, balancing prerequisites, and controls checkout.

• Ability to interpret test results and deficiency records with commissioning specialists and manage corrective actions, retesting, and turnover documentation.

• Excellent communication skills and sound judgment when managing power, controls, startup, and testing dependencies or escalating safety and delivery risks.

• Relevant trade, apprenticeship, technical qualifications, or equivalent practical experience.

• Experience on the owner-side or as a specialist contractor in high-density data center cooling, liquid cooling, or phased cooling-system startup.

• Background in integrated systems testing, factory or site acceptance activities, and digital commissioning or field-reporting tools.

• Relevant mechanical trade qualifications, controls, balancing, or commissioning credentials, or professional engineering licenses.

🏝️ Benefits

• 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 matching.

• Paid parental leave (up to 24 weeks for birth parents and 20 weeks for non-birthing parents).

• 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.

• Multiple paid coordinated company office closures throughout the year for focus and recharge.

• Paid sick or safe time.

• Mental health and wellness support.

• Employer-paid basic life and disability coverage.

• Annual learning and development stipend.

• Daily meals in offices and meal delivery credits as applicable.

• Relocation assistance for eligible employees.

• Charitable donation matching and wellness stipends may also be available.

• Generous equity offerings.

• Performance-related bonuses for eligible employees.