Manufacturing Quality Engineer – Datacenter Infrastructure

Description:

About the Team

OpenAI, in partnership with our capital and technology partners, is building a global network of advanced datacenters to support the most demanding AI workloads. The Infrastructure Quality team ensures that all datacenter systems are manufactured, delivered, and commissioned to the highest standards of quality, reliability, and performance.

We work closely with manufacturing partners, general contractors, engineering teams, and operations staff to ensure that every component is delivered ready for installation, startup, and long-term service. Our work spans from vendor qualification through commissioning, ensuring operational readiness across our global portfolio.

We are seeking an experienced Manufacturing Quality Engineer (MQE) to establish, implement, and manage a manufacturing-focused quality program for datacenter infrastructure. This role will be responsible for vendor oversight, quality assurance, process improvement, and issue resolution for all critical systems.

You will lead vendor audits, monitor performance metrics, and coordinate corrective actions to ensure predictable delivery schedules, reduced risks, and operational reliability. By partnering with vendors, construction teams, and internal stakeholders, you will help ensure OpenAI’s datacenters are delivered on time and built to the highest operational standards.

• Domestic and international travel as needed (estimated 40–60%) to manufacturing sites, datacenter locations, and partner facilities.

• Conduct manufacturing evaluation, audits, and improve vendor performance across production, inspection, testing, and delivery phases.
• Develop and track quality metrics to assess manufacturing performance and identify trends.
• Partner with vendors to refine processes, training, and quality controls to mitigate risks before shipment.

• Develop and maintain a datacenter-focused manufacturing quality program that supports global deployment schedules.
• Integrate manufacturing quality requirements into sourcing, design, and construction processes.
• Establish effective cross-functional communication between manufacturing sites, construction teams, and operations.

• Provide guidance to vendor and contractor quality teams, ensuring adherence to OpenAI’s standards and specifications.
• Collaborate with engineering, sourcing, construction, and operations to align quality processes with project goals.
• Mentor vendor teams and provide structured feedback to drive continuous improvement.

• Audit quality activities at vendor and project sites to verify compliance with requirements.
• Lead corrective and preventive action plans for audit findings and quality nonconformances.
• Facilitate root cause analysis for recurring manufacturing issues and drive systemic process improvements.

• Monitor manufacturing schedules to ensure on-time delivery to datacenter sites.
• Ensure testing and inspection documentation is complete, accurate, and aligned with project milestones.
• Participate in project quality, commissioning, and operational readiness meetings.

• 10+ years in manufacturing quality management, supplier quality engineering, process improvement, or datacenter engineering/operations.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, manufacturing, construction management, or related field (or equivalent work experience).
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data, solve problems, and improve manufacturing processes.
• Proven track record managing deliverables for complex projects or supplier programs.
• Strong communication skills with experience influencing both technical and executive audiences.

• Technical knowledge of datacenter infrastructure systems, including mechanical, electrical, and controls components.
• Experience in supplier performance management for mission-critical facilities.
• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer, Quality Manager, or Quality Auditor.
• PMP or equivalent project management certification.
• Experience in industrial or high-volume…