Infrastructure Operations Lead – Sustainability

OpenAI

. Develop and maintain a comprehensive sustainability strategy for OpenAI’s global compute infrastructure .

Posted 9/17/2026full-timeUnited StatesSenior💰 $223,000 - $385,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in developing and implementing sustainability strategies for infrastructure, with a strong focus on carbon management, resource efficiency, and lifecycle considerations. Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders while managing complex operational programs in fast-paced environments.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Sustainability Strategy DevelopmentInfrastructure Operations ManagementCross-Functional LeadershipEnvironmental Impact AssessmentData Center Infrastructure Expertise

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Sustainability Metrics DevelopmentLifecycle AssessmentCarbon ManagementWater StewardshipCircular Economy PracticesEnvironmental Disclosure FrameworksOperational Performance ImprovementSupplier Lifecycle StrategiesConstruction Impact AnalysisEmerging Technology Evaluation

Soft Skills

Excellent CommunicationInfluencing Senior StakeholdersAdaptability in Fast-Moving EnvironmentsStrategic Decision-MakingCollaboration with External Partners

Industry Keywords

Data Center DesignSustainable Construction MaterialsHyperscale Data CentersEnergy ProcurementUtility PolicyEnvironmental StrategyBuilt EnvironmentOperational Improvement ProgramsInfrastructure Development LifecyclesRegulatory Engagement

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Cloud

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Develop and maintain a comprehensive sustainability strategy for OpenAI’s global compute infrastructure
Translate sustainability objectives into requirements for site selection, design, construction, procurement, commissioning, and operations
Establish decision frameworks balancing environmental impact with reliability, deployment speed, cost, and scalability
Develop strategies addressing operational and embodied carbon, water stewardship, materials, construction impacts, waste, circularity, and equipment lifecycle management
Partner with data center engineering and operations teams to improve infrastructure efficiency, resource use, resilience, and operational performance
Incorporate sustainability into self-build, colocation, cloud, and strategic infrastructure-partner decisions
Establish goals, metrics, dashboards, and governance for infrastructure sustainability programs
Improve the quality, consistency, and auditability of environmental and operational data
Develop supplier requirements and lifecycle strategies for infrastructure equipment with hardware, manufacturing, and supply chain teams
Evaluate emerging technologies, design approaches, and operating practices for scaled deployment
Develop business cases communicating environmental impact, implementation requirements, cost, schedule, and operational tradeoffs
Partner with Public Policy and Government Affairs on sustainability positions, regulatory developments, and external engagement
Represent OpenAI with infrastructure partners, industry organizations, policymakers, community stakeholders, and other external parties
Provide executive leadership with assessments of progress, risks, strategic choices, and recommended actions
Build repeatable sustainability playbooks across sites, geographies, partners, and technology generations

Requirements

What you’ll need

12+ years of experience in sustainability, infrastructure operations, environmental strategy, data center infrastructure, the built environment, or a related field
Experience leading sustainability or operational-improvement programs across a large, complex, geographically distributed organization
Ability to translate environmental objectives into engineering, procurement, construction, and operational requirements
Strong understanding of carbon, water, materials, waste, circularity, and lifecycle considerations within physical infrastructure
Experience building metrics, governance systems, and executive reporting for complex operational programs
Ability to evaluate technical, financial, environmental, regulatory, and reputational tradeoffs together
Strong cross-functional leadership and ability to influence senior stakeholders without direct authority
Experience working with external partners, suppliers, regulators, policymakers, or industry organizations
Excellent written and verbal communication
Comfort operating in a fast-moving environment with incomplete information, changing priorities, and significant external scrutiny
Preferred: experience with hyperscale data centers, cloud infrastructure, industrial facilities, or power- and resource-intensive operating environments
Preferred: familiarity with data center design, construction, facilities operations, hardware supply chains, and infrastructure-development lifecycles
Preferred: experience with embodied-carbon reduction, sustainable construction materials, water-positive programs, equipment circularity, or infrastructure-efficiency initiatives
Preferred: knowledge of greenhouse-gas accounting, environmental disclosure frameworks, lifecycle assessment, and sustainability-related data systems
Preferred: experience developing external partnerships or industry initiatives with measurable operational outcomes
Preferred: familiarity with energy procurement and utility policy
Preferred: experience leading multidisciplinary sustainability and infrastructure programs through rapid organizational growth
Must be able to work in the US; application asks whether the applicant can work from a US office three days per week

Benefits

Comp & perks

Equity
Performance-related bonus(es) for eligible employees
Medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your family, with employer contributions to Health Savings Accounts
Pre-tax accounts for Health FSA, Dependent Care FSA, and commuter expenses (parking and transit)
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
Multiple paid coordinated company office closures throughout the year
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 and meal delivery credits as eligible
Relocation support for eligible employees
Charitable donation matching
Wellness stipends
Reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities
Immigration and sponsorship support may be provided based on individual circumstances