OpenAI is hiring: Optical Network Engineer in Los Angeles
OpenAI, Los Angeles, CA, United States
About the Team
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.
About the Role
We’re looking for an Optical Network Engineer to help validate and scale high-speed optical links across large, distributed computing environments. This person will play a critical role in shaping how optics are integrated across our silicon, racks, switches, and systems at hyperscale. You’ll work closely with hardware engineers, system architects, and external partners to evaluate technologies, define product specifications, and guide end-to-end system design.
This role requires both a detailed understanding of the optical technology stack—from pluggables to co-packaged optics—and the ability to evaluate system-level tradeoffs across reliability, energy efficiency, and cost.
In this role, you will:
Characterize and validate optical modules and links using TP1–TP4 testing metrics and workflows.
Work with IM/DD pluggable optics (FRO and LPO), NPO and CPO optical form factors, single-mode and multi-mode systems, and perform practical link simulation and design.
Troubleshoot live network optical issues and drive continuous improvement in large-scale environments.
Automate testing and data workflows (Python preferred; AI tools welcome).
Support fiber plant setup, lab routing, patch panels, and network rollout — hands‑on with fiber handling.
Specify switches, transceivers, and optical components for OpenAI deployments across multiple data center environments and geographies.
Interface with vendors, researchers, and internal stakeholders to assess technology readiness and drive component and system‑level evaluations.
Develop, lead and execute on internal testing strategies to qualify optics in production environments, including CWDM and DWDM systems.
Contribute to cross‑functional architectural efforts involving custom silicon, high‑performance interconnects, and global‑scale networks.
You might thrive in this role if you have:
7+ years of experience in large‑scale optical networking or photonic systems design and deployment, including hands‑on involvement with system design.
Ph.D. in Optical Fiber Communication or related field.
Familiar with coherent optical technology.
Experience with CMIS-based module management and SONiC.
Experience with high‑density optical modules or interconnect architectures.
Experience working in small, high‑ownership engineering teams that operate across hardware and systems boundaries.
Strong communication and technical leadership skills with a collaborative, pragmatic approach.
About OpenAI
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, and to achieve our mission, we must encompass and value the many different perspectives, voices, and experiences that form the full spectrum of humanity.
We are an equal opportunity employer, and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other applicable legally protected characteristic.
Background checks for applicants will be administered in accordance with applicable law, and qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment consistent with those laws, including the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the California Fair Chance Act, for US‑based candidates. For unincorporated Los Angeles County workers: we reasonably believe that criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship with the following job duties, potentially resulting in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment: protect computer hardware entrusted to you from theft, loss or damage; return all computer hardware in your possession (including the data contained therein) upon termination of employment or end of assignment; and maintain the confidentiality of proprietary, confidential, and non‑public information. In addition, job duties require access to secure and protected information technology systems and related data security obligations.
To notify OpenAI that you believe this job posting is non‑compliant, please submit a report through this form . No response will be provided to inquiries unrelated to job posting compliance.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, and requests can be made via this link .
At OpenAI, we believe artificial intelligence has the potential to help people solve immense global challenges, and we want the upside of AI to be widely shared. Join us in shaping the future of technology.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
In Summary: 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 . This person will play a critical role in shaping how optics are integrated across our silicon, racks, switches, and systems at hyperscale .
En Español: El equipo es responsable de construir la próxima generación de silicio nativo AI mientras trabaja en estrecha colaboración con software y socios de investigación para co-diseñar hardware estrictamente integrado con modelos de IA. Además de entregar silicio de grado de producción para la infraestructura de supercomputación de OpenAI, el equipo también crea herramientas y metodologías de diseño personalizadas que aceleren la innovación y permiten un hardware optimizado específicamente para AI. Trabajará en estrecha colaboración con ingenieros de hardware, arquitectos de sistemas y socios externos para evaluar tecnologías, definir especificaciones del producto TP1TP4 y orientar el diseño integral del sistema. Este papel requiere tanto una comprensión detallada de la tecnología óptica desde los pluggables hasta las opticas co-empaquetadas como la capacidad de evaluar compromisos a nivel de sistema en términos de fiabilidad, eficiencia energética y coste. En este rol: Caracterizar y validar módulos y vínculos ópticos utilizando métricas y flujos de trabajo de prueba TP1-TP4.Trabajar con óptica colgable/DD (FRO y LPO), NPO y CPO factores de forma óptica, ensayos de modo único y multi-modo y realizar simulaciones y pruebas prácticas entre centros de datos. Los interesados deben analizar problemas ópticos en vivo e impulsar mejoras continuas en entornos de gran escala. en Comunicación de fibra óptica o campo relacionado. Familiar con la tecnología óptica coherente. Experiencia en gestión de módulos basados en CMIS y SONiC. experiencia con módulos ópticos de alta densidad o arquitecturas de interconexión. experiencia trabajando en pequeños equipos de ingeniería de gran propiedad que operan a través de las fronteras del hardware y los sistemas. Fuertes habilidades de comunicación y liderazgo técnico con un enfoque colaborativo, pragmático. Sobre OpenAI OpenAI es una empresa de investigación e implementación de IA dedicada a garantizar que la inteligencia artificial para uso general beneficie a toda la humanidad. La IA es una herramienta extremadamente poderosa que debe ser creada con seguridad y necesidades humanas en su núcleo, y para lograr nuestra misión, debemos abarcar y valorar las muchas perspectivas, voces y experiencias diferentes que forman todo el espectro de la humanidad. Somos un empleador de igualdad de oportunidades y no discriminamos sobre la base de raza, religión, color, origen nacional, sexo, orientación sexual, edad, estatus de veterano, discapacidad, información genética u otra característica legalmente protegida aplicable. Las comprobaciones de antecedentes para los solicitantes se administrarán de acuerdo a la ley vigente, y los candidatos calificados con arresto o condena serán considerados para obtener empleo conforme a esas leyes, incluida la Ordenanza Fair Chance del Condado de San Francisco, la Ordem Fair Chance de Los Ángeles para Empleadores, y la Ley de California Fair Chance, para tener relaciones penales basadas. Para el retiro sin garantía, creemos que el Condado contiene datos criminales: podemos tener como resultado una pérdida directa de acceso al trabajo informático, así como la posible confidencialidad de los trabajadores (incluyendo la posesión de cualquier tipo de responsabilidad personal) y la posibilidad de protegerse de los derechos laborales contra daños y perjuicios derivados de sus cargos; Además, las tareas laborales requieren acceso a sistemas de tecnología de la información seguros y protegidos y obligaciones relacionadas con la seguridad de los datos. Para notificar OpenAI que cree que este puesto de trabajo no es conforme, envíe un informe a través de este formulario . No se proporcionará respuesta a consultas no relacionadas con el cumplimiento del puesto de empleo. Nos comprometemos a proporcionar acomodamientos razonables a los solicitantes con discapacidades, y las solicitudes pueden hacerse a través del enlace. En OpenAI creemos que la inteligencia artificial tiene el potencial para ayudar a las personas a resolver inmensos desafíos globales, y queremos que la ventaja de la IA sea ampliamente compartida. Únete a nosotros para dar forma al futuro de la tecnología. #J-18808-Ljbffr
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.
About the Role
We’re looking for an Optical Network Engineer to help validate and scale high-speed optical links across large, distributed computing environments. This person will play a critical role in shaping how optics are integrated across our silicon, racks, switches, and systems at hyperscale. You’ll work closely with hardware engineers, system architects, and external partners to evaluate technologies, define product specifications, and guide end-to-end system design.
This role requires both a detailed understanding of the optical technology stack—from pluggables to co-packaged optics—and the ability to evaluate system-level tradeoffs across reliability, energy efficiency, and cost.
In this role, you will:
Characterize and validate optical modules and links using TP1–TP4 testing metrics and workflows.
Work with IM/DD pluggable optics (FRO and LPO), NPO and CPO optical form factors, single-mode and multi-mode systems, and perform practical link simulation and design.
Troubleshoot live network optical issues and drive continuous improvement in large-scale environments.
Automate testing and data workflows (Python preferred; AI tools welcome).
Support fiber plant setup, lab routing, patch panels, and network rollout — hands‑on with fiber handling.
Specify switches, transceivers, and optical components for OpenAI deployments across multiple data center environments and geographies.
Interface with vendors, researchers, and internal stakeholders to assess technology readiness and drive component and system‑level evaluations.
Develop, lead and execute on internal testing strategies to qualify optics in production environments, including CWDM and DWDM systems.
Contribute to cross‑functional architectural efforts involving custom silicon, high‑performance interconnects, and global‑scale networks.
You might thrive in this role if you have:
7+ years of experience in large‑scale optical networking or photonic systems design and deployment, including hands‑on involvement with system design.
Ph.D. in Optical Fiber Communication or related field.
Familiar with coherent optical technology.
Experience with CMIS-based module management and SONiC.
Experience with high‑density optical modules or interconnect architectures.
Experience working in small, high‑ownership engineering teams that operate across hardware and systems boundaries.
Strong communication and technical leadership skills with a collaborative, pragmatic approach.
About OpenAI
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, and to achieve our mission, we must encompass and value the many different perspectives, voices, and experiences that form the full spectrum of humanity.
We are an equal opportunity employer, and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other applicable legally protected characteristic.
Background checks for applicants will be administered in accordance with applicable law, and qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment consistent with those laws, including the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the California Fair Chance Act, for US‑based candidates. For unincorporated Los Angeles County workers: we reasonably believe that criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship with the following job duties, potentially resulting in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment: protect computer hardware entrusted to you from theft, loss or damage; return all computer hardware in your possession (including the data contained therein) upon termination of employment or end of assignment; and maintain the confidentiality of proprietary, confidential, and non‑public information. In addition, job duties require access to secure and protected information technology systems and related data security obligations.
To notify OpenAI that you believe this job posting is non‑compliant, please submit a report through this form . No response will be provided to inquiries unrelated to job posting compliance.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, and requests can be made via this link .
At OpenAI, we believe artificial intelligence has the potential to help people solve immense global challenges, and we want the upside of AI to be widely shared. Join us in shaping the future of technology.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
In Summary: 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 . This person will play a critical role in shaping how optics are integrated across our silicon, racks, switches, and systems at hyperscale .
En Español: El equipo es responsable de construir la próxima generación de silicio nativo AI mientras trabaja en estrecha colaboración con software y socios de investigación para co-diseñar hardware estrictamente integrado con modelos de IA. Además de entregar silicio de grado de producción para la infraestructura de supercomputación de OpenAI, el equipo también crea herramientas y metodologías de diseño personalizadas que aceleren la innovación y permiten un hardware optimizado específicamente para AI. Trabajará en estrecha colaboración con ingenieros de hardware, arquitectos de sistemas y socios externos para evaluar tecnologías, definir especificaciones del producto TP1TP4 y orientar el diseño integral del sistema. Este papel requiere tanto una comprensión detallada de la tecnología óptica desde los pluggables hasta las opticas co-empaquetadas como la capacidad de evaluar compromisos a nivel de sistema en términos de fiabilidad, eficiencia energética y coste. En este rol: Caracterizar y validar módulos y vínculos ópticos utilizando métricas y flujos de trabajo de prueba TP1-TP4.Trabajar con óptica colgable/DD (FRO y LPO), NPO y CPO factores de forma óptica, ensayos de modo único y multi-modo y realizar simulaciones y pruebas prácticas entre centros de datos. Los interesados deben analizar problemas ópticos en vivo e impulsar mejoras continuas en entornos de gran escala. en Comunicación de fibra óptica o campo relacionado. Familiar con la tecnología óptica coherente. Experiencia en gestión de módulos basados en CMIS y SONiC. experiencia con módulos ópticos de alta densidad o arquitecturas de interconexión. experiencia trabajando en pequeños equipos de ingeniería de gran propiedad que operan a través de las fronteras del hardware y los sistemas. Fuertes habilidades de comunicación y liderazgo técnico con un enfoque colaborativo, pragmático. Sobre OpenAI OpenAI es una empresa de investigación e implementación de IA dedicada a garantizar que la inteligencia artificial para uso general beneficie a toda la humanidad. La IA es una herramienta extremadamente poderosa que debe ser creada con seguridad y necesidades humanas en su núcleo, y para lograr nuestra misión, debemos abarcar y valorar las muchas perspectivas, voces y experiencias diferentes que forman todo el espectro de la humanidad. Somos un empleador de igualdad de oportunidades y no discriminamos sobre la base de raza, religión, color, origen nacional, sexo, orientación sexual, edad, estatus de veterano, discapacidad, información genética u otra característica legalmente protegida aplicable. Las comprobaciones de antecedentes para los solicitantes se administrarán de acuerdo a la ley vigente, y los candidatos calificados con arresto o condena serán considerados para obtener empleo conforme a esas leyes, incluida la Ordenanza Fair Chance del Condado de San Francisco, la Ordem Fair Chance de Los Ángeles para Empleadores, y la Ley de California Fair Chance, para tener relaciones penales basadas. Para el retiro sin garantía, creemos que el Condado contiene datos criminales: podemos tener como resultado una pérdida directa de acceso al trabajo informático, así como la posible confidencialidad de los trabajadores (incluyendo la posesión de cualquier tipo de responsabilidad personal) y la posibilidad de protegerse de los derechos laborales contra daños y perjuicios derivados de sus cargos; Además, las tareas laborales requieren acceso a sistemas de tecnología de la información seguros y protegidos y obligaciones relacionadas con la seguridad de los datos. Para notificar OpenAI que cree que este puesto de trabajo no es conforme, envíe un informe a través de este formulario . No se proporcionará respuesta a consultas no relacionadas con el cumplimiento del puesto de empleo. Nos comprometemos a proporcionar acomodamientos razonables a los solicitantes con discapacidades, y las solicitudes pueden hacerse a través del enlace. En OpenAI creemos que la inteligencia artificial tiene el potencial para ayudar a las personas a resolver inmensos desafíos globales, y queremos que la ventaja de la IA sea ampliamente compartida. Únete a nosotros para dar forma al futuro de la tecnología. #J-18808-Ljbffr