Optical Interconnect System Engineer

Location: San Francisco • Hybrid • Full time

About the role

OpenAI’s Hardware organization develops silicon and system-level solutions designed for the unique demands of advanced AI workloads. The team is responsible for building the next generation of AI-native silicon while working closely with software and research partners to co-design hardware tightly integrated with AI models. In addition to delivering production-grade silicon for OpenAI’s supercomputing infrastructure, the team also creates custom design tools and methodologies that accelerate innovation and enable hardware optimized specifically for AI.

We're looking for an Optical Interconnect System Engineer to design, qualify, and deploy scalable optical connectivity for large-scale AI infrastructure. This role spans fiber-system architecture, optical-mechanical integration, validation, reliability, deployment, and serviceability. You will work with optical, mechanical, electrical, networking, manufacturing, reliability, and data-center teams to translate system needs into practical interconnect solutions. This is a hands-on role for someone who can connect design decisions with installation, qualification, troubleshooting, and long-term operational performance.

Responsibilities

• Define optical interconnect architectures and requirements across hardware platforms and rack-level systems.
• Design high-density fiber systems for performance, density, reliability, installation, and serviceability.
• Lead optical-mechanical integration and cross-functional design reviews.
• Develop test and qualification plans for optical components, modules, switching platforms, and integrated systems.
• Own optical loss budgets, routing guidelines, handling requirements, and serviceability criteria.
• Support system bring-up, deployment, troubleshooting, failure analysis, and reliability improvement.
• Create reusable design guidelines, interface requirements, and qualification methods.

Requirements

You might thrive in this role if you have:

• Experience designing and deploying large-scale optical systems, including cross-rack integration.
• Experience with high-density fiber architecture, routing, installation, testing, and troubleshooting.
• Hands-on optical-mechanical design and system-integration experience.
• Experience qualifying fiber assemblies and optical interconnect systems for performance and reliability.
• Validation experience across optical modules, switching platforms, and integrated hardware systems.
• Strong system-level problem solving and cross-functional communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing optical connectivity for large-scale compute or network systems.
• Experience with scalable fiber infrastructure and modular interconnect design.
• Knowledge of network architecture and topology.
• Experience developing reusable optical-interconnect standards and qualification methods.

Compensation

The 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.

• Base salary: $342,000 – $445,000
• Generous equity
• Performance-related bonus(es) for eligible employees

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 match
• Paid 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 employees
• 13+ 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 support
• Employer-paid basic life and disability coverage
• Annual learning and development stipend to fuel your professional growth
• Daily meals in our offices, and meal delivery credits as eligible
• Relocation support for eligible employees
• Additional taxable fringe benefits, such as charitable donation matching and wellness stipends