Tech Lead, Deployment & Operations — Custom Infrastructure

About the Role

As a tech lead, you will be responsible for building the operational processes, technical workflows, tooling, and cross-functional alignment required to deploy and operate custom AI hardware reliably. This includes defining deployment processes, operational playbooks, and technical readiness criteria, as well as driving cross-functional execution across lab bring-up, rack/system integration, and data center deployment.

The role is part of Openai's Hardware organization, which develops silicon and system-level solutions for 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.

What You Will Do

• Lead a team responsible for deployment and operations of custom silicon and systems in data center environments
• Own the path from hardware bring-up and validation through production deployment, operational readiness, and sustained fleet support
• Partner closely with silicon, systems, software, infrastructure, networking, data center, supply chain, and external partner teams to ensure successful deployment at scale
• Define deployment processes, operational playbooks, technical readiness criteria, escalation paths, and reliability practices for new hardware platforms
• Drive cross-functional execution across lab bring-up, rack/system integration, data center deployment, fleet monitoring, debugging, and issue resolution
• Stay hands-on technically through architecture reviews, deployment planning, failure analysis, operational debugging, and critical system-level decision-making
• Identify gaps in tooling, observability, automation, validation coverage, and operational processes, and build plans to close them
• Establish clear metrics for deployment readiness, reliability, performance, maintainability, and operational health
• Build a strong engineering culture grounded in ownership, technical rigor, operational excellence, and high-velocity execution

What We Are Looking For

• Strong technical leadership and experience in deployment and operations of custom hardware systems
• Expertise in silicon, systems, infrastructure, data center operations, and software
• Ability to drive cross-functional collaboration and execution
• Experience with Excel and other relevant tools
• Strong judgment around deployment sequencing, technical risk, operational readiness, and escalation
• Excellent communication and technical skills
• Ability to operate in ambiguous, fast-moving environments

Nice to Have

• Experience with AI-native silicon and systems
• Knowledge of co-design principles and practices
• Familiarity with data center operations and infrastructure

Benefits and Perks

• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge AI hardware and systems
• Collaborative and dynamic work environment
• Professional development and growth opportunities
• Competitive compensation and benefits package
• Remote work options and flexible scheduling
• Access to cutting-edge technologies and tools
• Opportunity to contribute to the development of AI-native silicon and systems

• To stand out, highlight your experience with custom hardware systems and deployment operations in your application.
• Be prepared to discuss your technical expertise in silicon, systems, and infrastructure during the interview process.
• Show a willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies and processes, as the field of AI-native silicon is rapidly evolving.
• Emphasize your ability to drive cross-functional collaboration and execution, as this is critical to success in this role.
• Prepare to discuss your experience with Excel and other relevant tools, and be ready to provide examples of how you have used them in previous roles.
• Research Openai's culture and values, and be prepared to discuss how you align with them.