Development Lead

OpenAI

. Own the stage-gate path from exclusivity and commercial terms through desktop diligence, confirmatory diligence, site closing, and handoff into design, construction, and operations .

Posted 9/16/2026full-timeUnited StatesSenior💰 $225,000 - $385,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in managing the stage-gate process for land and infrastructure development, with a focus on power validation, project delivery, and stakeholder coordination. Proficient in translating complex project requirements into actionable plans and executive recommendations.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Land DevelopmentInfrastructure DevelopmentPower ValidationProject DeliveryDiligence Management

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Electrical EngineeringMechanical EngineeringCivil EngineeringEnvironmental EngineeringProject SchedulingBudget ManagementRisk ManagementAction List DevelopmentClosure Criteria DefinitionSite Closing

Soft Skills

Stakeholder CoordinationExecutive CommunicationDecision-Making

Tools & Technologies

Dependency TrackerRisk RegisterMitigation Plan

Industry Keywords

Energy-Project DevelopmentData Center DevelopmentUtility InterconnectionEnvironmental StudiesGeotechnical Reports

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Own the stage-gate path from exclusivity and commercial terms through desktop diligence, confirmatory diligence, site closing, and handoff into design, construction, and operations
Validate power pathways with Power and utility partners, including service options, interconnection and delivery sequencing, readiness assumptions, schedule exposure, cost implications, and decision points
Turn each development phase into an action list with owners, deadlines, closure criteria, open evidence, and escalation paths
Translate power, land, civil, environmental, access, entitlement, and permitting constraints into a building-level deployment plan
Coordinate site access, exclusivity, LOI, commercial terms, financing assumptions, and closing requirements with partner teams
Define desktop diligence scope, 15–30 day deliverables, and go/no-go criteria; govern the 90–120 day confirmatory diligence plan
Set and track ECDs for easements, offsite improvements, well and pipeline locating, environmental studies, water-well testing, geotechnical reports, additional land, incentives, and other site-specific workstreams
Scope and manage diligence vendors and consultants
Maintain the integrated development schedule, budget implications, dependency tracker, risk register, mitigation plan, and executive escalation cadence
Deliver executive-ready advance, defer, or stop recommendations and prepare the readiness package for transition into design, construction, and operations

Requirements

What you’ll need

6+ years in land development, infrastructure development, data center development, energy-project development, electrical, mechanical, civil or environmental engineering, or related project delivery
Experience advancing large-scale facility programs through early planning, power validation, phased development, site closing, and readiness handoff
Strong ability to evaluate power pathways and translate utility, interconnection, and delivery findings into schedule, cost, and deployment implications
Ability to convert ambiguous diligence into owner-based action lists, closure criteria, critical paths, and executive decisions

Benefits

Comp & perks

Equity
Performance-related bonus(es) for eligible employees
Medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your family
Employer contributions to Health Savings Accounts
Pre-tax accounts for Health FSA, Dependent Care FSA, and commuter expenses
401(k) retirement plan with employer match
Paid parental leave up to 24 weeks for birth parents and 20 weeks for non-birthing parents
Paid medical and caregiver leave up to 8 weeks
Flexible PTO for exempt employees and up to 15 days annually for non-exempt employees
13+ paid company holidays
Paid coordinated company office closures
Paid sick or safe time
Mental health and wellness support
Employer-paid basic life and disability coverage
Annual learning and development stipend
Daily meals in offices
Meal delivery credits as eligible
Relocation support for eligible employees
Charitable donation matching
Wellness stipends