Data Center Physical Security Systems Engineer

About the Role

OpenAI is seeking a Data Center Physical Security Systems Engineer to define and deliver the physical security technology architecture that protects the infrastructure powering advanced AI systems. As OpenAI’s global compute footprint continues to expand, this role will partner closely with infrastructure engineering, hardware operations, networking, and regional operations teams to design and deploy scalable security architectures across a diverse portfolio of data center environments.

The role is responsible for establishing architecture standards, technical requirements, and system designs that address security, operational, and compliance needs while supporting the rapid growth of OpenAI’s global infrastructure. This is not a purely advisory architecture position. The successful candidate will actively prototype, integrate, troubleshoot, and drive technical solutions through implementation, helping transform security requirements into resilient, operational capabilities.

The ideal candidate combines deep expertise in physical security systems with the ability to design scalable, integrated, and reliable security architectures that support critical infrastructure at global scale.

Ability to travel approximately 25% globally to support design reviews, deployments, and site assessments.

In this role, you will:

• Define and design the physical security technology architecture strategy for AI data center environments, establishing scalable and resilient security system designs aligned with OpenAI’s infrastructure risk profile

• Define enterprise architecture standards and technical patterns for physical security capabilities, including access control, video surveillance, intrusion detection, identity-based access, integrated monitoring, and emerging security technologies.

• Lead the architecture and governance of physical security systems and supporting platforms.

• Define security standards and requirements across diverse infrastructure deployment models.

• Define standards for secure deployment, operational resilience, maintenance, and lifecycle management of security technologies.

• Partner with Security Operations, Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, Compliance, Legal, Procurement, and external providers to ensure physical security systems are integrated, operationally effective, and capable of supporting enterprise risk management objectives.

• Provide technical leadership, design governance, and continuous improvement through architecture reviews, technology evaluations