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Data Center Controls Engineer (BMS / EPMS)

OpenAI · San Francisco

Posted Nov 2, 2026 · full time

Est. total comp~$178K–$272K

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From the posting

About the Team

OpenAI is building the infrastructure foundation for the next generation of AI. The Data Center Engineering team defines the strategy, reference architectures, technical requirements, and delivery standards for the large-scale data centers that support OpenAI research, products, and infrastructure partners.

As a Data Center Controls Engineer, you will program, configure, integrate, and commission the controls systems that support high-density AI data centers. You will work hands-on with mechanical or electrical controls, partnering with mechanical, electrical, IT/networking, security, commissioning, operations, and external delivery teams.

About the Role

We are seeking hands-on, early-career controls engineers with practical experience in building management systems (BMS) and mechanical controls, or electrical power monitoring systems (EPMS) and electrical controls. This role focuses on implementing and commissioning control systems, including PLCs, field devices, instrumentation, and sequences of operation, rather than owning OT/IT network or cybersecurity architecture.

The ideal candidate has day-to-day experience programming and commissioning controls, ideally with a controls systems integrator. We welcome depth in either BMS/mechanical or EPMS/electrical controls; expertise in both is not required. You will work with experienced engineers and delivery partners to turn design requirements into reliable, tested systems.

Key Responsibilities …

Excerpt from OpenAI's public job board. Read the full posting.

Job inventory

Required 7 items

Education: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Controls or Automation Engineering or a related field (or 4+ years of related experience)

Skills and tools: PLC, Instrumentation, Networking, Troubleshooting, Commissioning, Lockout/tagout

Preferred 3 items

Skills and tools: SCADA, HMI, Cybersecurity

Also in the posting: 50% travel

Get ready for this role

Crew department: Rover Ops

Skills this kind of role usually asks for:

PLCs
Controls and kinematics
Perception and sensor fusion
C++ and Python
Path planning

Train for it: the Rover Ops Track: Autonomy, Field Maintenance and Drones. 4 short modules, a quiz after each one and a final test. Pass it and you get the Mars Mining Certificate in Rover Operations Fundamentals, with its own public page you can link from your resume.

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I can do PLCs on the job, or have used it in a class or project I can do Controls and kinematics on the job, or have used it in a class or project I can do Perception and sensor fusion on the job, or have used it in a class or project I can do C++ and Python on the job, or have used it in a class or project I can do Path planning on the job, or have used it in a class or project I have a project or work sample I could show an interviewer My resume is tailored to this kind of role I've practiced answering interview questions for this kind of job

Free. The department comes from the job title and can be off. A Mars Mining certificate shows you studied and passed our test; it isn't a license or academic credit.

About this listing. Pulled automatically from OpenAI's public job board and refreshed daily; closed roles are removed. Mars Mining Co. is not the employer, does not take applications and does not screen candidates. Field and level labels come from the job title and can be wrong.

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