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OpenAI's Hardware organization is seeking an Optical Interconnect System Engineer to design, qualify, and deploy scalable optical connectivity solutions for large-scale AI infrastructure. This role bridges fiber-system architecture, optical-mechanical integration, validation, reliability, deployment, and serviceability—working across optical, mechanical, electrical, networking, manufacturing, reliability, and data-center teams.
Key responsibilities include defining optical interconnect architectures and requirements across hardware platforms and rack-level systems; designing high-density fiber systems optimized for performance, density, reliability, installation, and serviceability; leading optical-mechanical integration and cross-functional design reviews; developing comprehensive test and qualification plans for optical components, modules, switching platforms, and integrated systems; owning optical loss budgets, routing guidelines, handling requirements, and serviceability criteria; supporting system bring-up, deployment, troubleshooting, failure analysis, and reliability improvement; and creating reusable design guidelines, interface requirements, and qualification methodologies.
Ideal candidates bring hands-on experience designing and deploying large-scale optical systems with cross-rack integration; expertise in high-density fiber architecture including routing, installation, testing, and troubleshooting; optical-mechanical design and system-integration experience; proven ability to qualify fiber assemblies and optical interconnect systems for performance and reliability; validation experience across optical modules, switching platforms, and integrated hardware systems; and strong system-level problem-solving with excellent cross-functional communication skills.
Preferred qualifications include experience developing optical connectivity for large-scale compute or network systems, scalable fiber infrastructure and modular interconnect design, knowledge of network architecture and topology, and experience developing reusable optical-interconnect standards and qualification methods. This is a hands-on role for someone who can connect design decisions with installation, qualification, troubleshooting, and long-term operational performance.
