As OpenAI seeks to reduce its dependence on Microsoft, the AI startup is ramping up efforts to hire professionals with expertise in data center development. A review of OpenAI's job listings by *Business Insider* revealed that over 20 of the roughly 300 open roles are directly tied to data center infrastructure. These positions focus on building and scaling the digital backbone required to support OpenAI’s growing computational needs.
This hiring push coincides with OpenAI’s shift toward greater independence from Microsoft, which has historically served as the company’s exclusive cloud provider. In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), OpenAI CEO Sam Altman emphasized the importance of this effort, urging experts in infrastructure and large-scale computing systems to join the company.
"If you're passionate about infrastructure and very large-scale computing systems, the scale of what's happening at OpenAI right now is extraordinary, and we’re tackling incredibly hard and fascinating challenges," Altman wrote. "Please consider joining us—we could really use your help!"
The open roles span various departments, including strategic finance, hardware, security, and scaling. One job description specifically references Stargate, OpenAI’s ambitious $500 billion data center project in collaboration with Oracle and SoftBank. Most of the data center-related roles are based in San Francisco, though some openings are available in Seattle and New York. Only two positions are listed as remote-friendly.
When contacted for comment, Liz Bourgeois, OpenAI’s head of policy communications, directed *Business Insider* to Altman’s post. Altman also highlighted the need for talent capable of optimizing system performance, adding, "In particular, if you’ve thought deeply about how to squeeze maximum performance out of a system, we'd love to talk to you."
OpenAI’s newfound financial resources have enabled this expansion. In October 2024, Microsoft disclosed in an SEC filing that it had invested $13 billion in the startup. With its latest funding round, which included investments from SoftBank, OpenAI is now valued at $300 billion. The company has been channeling these funds into securing GPU capacity from third-party providers and recruiting experts in data center design, construction, and capacity planning, according to TD Cowen analyst Michael Elias.
Building Data Center Expertise
Several of the roles OpenAI is hiring for involve the physical construction and operation of data centers. For example, the Stargate team is seeking a Site Selection and Enablement Leader to manage the process of identifying locations for new facilities, negotiating land and power agreements, and navigating regulatory hurdles with state and local governments.
Other key positions include a Data Center Design Engineer with experience in power and mechanical systems, and a Data Center Lead for Physical Operations and Logistics to oversee on-site security and day-to-day operations.
Between November 2024 and March 2025, OpenAI brought on board at least three senior leaders in data center development. These hires include a Director of Infrastructure, an Infrastructure Construction Lead, and a Strategy and Operations Leader, who previously worked at Meta, Equinix, and SandboxAQ—an AI and quantum computing startup spun out of Alphabet.
Earlier this year, Lane Dilg, a former advisor in President Joe Biden’s Department of Energy, transitioned from her role in global affairs at OpenAI to oversee infrastructure policy and partnerships, according to her LinkedIn profile.
Elias noted that these hires signal OpenAI’s potential to begin constructing its own data centers in the medium to long term. This move contrasts with Microsoft’s recent decisions to scale back its data center investments, including pausing construction projects and terminating leases with third-party providers.
As OpenAI continues to grow, its focus on building internal expertise in data center operations underscores its ambition to operate independently and sustain the massive computational demands of its AI models.
