OpenAI
3P Systems Architect
Part remote, part office, you need to live within commuting distance of a named location.
Hybrid · San Francisco
Employer listed it 9 days ago · Added 5 days ago
First listed 9 days ago and still open.
Salary
Not stated
Location
Hybrid · San Francisco
Timezone
Not stated
Contract
Full-time
Experience
Mid
Category
Software
This employer didn't state pay. Jobs like this usually pay around $160k–$250k a year, a typical range taken from 595 mid-level software roles on Nomaders that do state pay. It's a guide, not an offer.
Remote flexibility
Hybrid
This role is only partly remote, the employer expects time in the office around San Francisco, Seattle, Hybrid, so you need to live within commuting distance.
What the employer says
- Source listing states candidate location: "San Francisco, Seattle, Hybrid"
- Listing mentions "Hybrid"
What Nomaders makes of it
- Not suitable if you plan to move between countries
The quotes above are the employer's own words; the reading is ours. Always check the original listing and employment terms before working from another country.
About the role
About the Team
OpenAI’s Hardware organization develops system and infrastructure solutions tailored to the demands of advanced AI workloads. We work across the full stack—from silicon to system integration—partnering closely with internal teams and external vendors to define and deliver next-generation AI infrastructure.
Our team focuses on defining scalable, high-performance system architectures and reference designs that balance performance, cost, and operational efficiency across rapidly evolving technologies.
About the Role
We are seeking a 3P Architect to define and drive rack- and cluster-level reference designs in collaboration with external partners. This role is responsible for translating workload requirements and system-level goals into concrete architectures, aligning partners on critical design attributes, and ensuring vendor roadmaps meet our infrastructure needs.
You will work closely with performance modeling and internal architecture teams to evaluate tradeoffs, while owning the end-to-end definition and execution of third-party system designs. This includes identifying gaps in current technologies, driving vendor development, and shaping future infrastructure capabilities.
This role requires strong system intuition, cross-functional leadership, and the ability to operate effectively across internal teams and external ecosystems.
This role is based in San Francisco, CA. We use a hybrid work model of 3 days in the office per week and offer relocation assistance.
Key Responsibilities
Define rack- and cluster-level reference architectures for AI infrastructure deployments.
Translate workload requirements into clear system design specifications and partner deliverables.
Collaborate with performance modeling teams to evaluate architectural tradeoffs and system behaviors.
Align internal stakeholders and external partners on critical system attributes (performance, cost, power, reliability, scalability).
Identify gaps in current technology offerings and drive vendors (ODM/JDM, silicon, networking) to close those gaps.
Influence and shape vendor roadmaps to meet future infrastructure needs.
Track emerging technologies and evaluate their applicability to AI systems.
Define and lead proof-of-concept (PoC) efforts to validate new architectures and technologies.
Act as a key interface between OpenAI and external partners, ensuring execution against design intent.
Qualifications
Have strong experience in system architecture for large-scale infrastructure or data center environments.
Understand AI workload characteristics and how they map to system-level design decisions.
Are comfortable working with performance modeling outputs to inform architectural direction.
Have experience working with or managing hardware vendors (ODM/JDM, silicon, networking).
Can drive alignment across multiple stakeholders with competing constraints.
Requirements
- ·Have strong experience in system architecture for large-scale infrastructure or data center environments.
- ·Understand AI workload characteristics and how they map to system-level design decisions.
- ·Are comfortable working with performance modeling outputs to inform architectural direction.
- ·Have experience working with or managing hardware vendors (ODM/JDM, silicon, networking).
- ·Can drive alignment across multiple stakeholders with competing constraints.
Benefits
No benefits package published with this listing. Ask about it at first interview.
How to apply
- 1Check the flexibility label above, hybrid, matches where you plan to live and work.
- 2Tailor your CV to the role at OpenAI, mentioning your remote working experience.
- 3Apply directly on the employer's careers page using the button below. Nomaders never handles your application.
Found 5d ago. Last checked 23 Sept. Always confirm the details on the original posting, salary and location can change after publication.
Listing sourced from Company boards.
Similar roles
Other open software roles with comparable remote rules.
Free to apply, no account needed.
Typically $160k to $250k per year · You'll be taken to the employer's careers page.