Component and Product Quality Engineer, Interconnects · OpenAI

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 18:26:03 GMT
Engineering

OpenAI · San Francisco · $123K – $285K · hybrid

Component and Product Quality Engineer, Interconnects

About the Team

OpenAI's Hardware organization develops silicon and system-level solutions designed for the unique demands of advanced AI workloads. The team is responsible for building the next generation of AI-native silicon while working closely with software and research partners to co-design hardware tightly integrated with AI models. In addition to delivering production-grade silicon for OpenAI's supercomputing infrastructure, the team also creates custom design tools and methodologies that accelerate innovation and enable hardware optimized specifically for AI.

About the Role

OpenAI's Hardware organization builds supercompute platforms from silicon and boards to full rack-scale systems to power advanced AI workloads. This role owns end-to-end quality for high-speed interconnect hardware across the product lifecycle: early design influence, supplier/contract manufacturer readiness, qualification, ramp, and fleet quality in lab and data center environments.

You will be the quality lead for advanced interconnect components and assemblies, including high-speed copper cables, cable cartridges, patch panels, backplane/cable-backplane solutions, high-speed connectors, and related electro-mechanical interfaces. You will partner closely with electrical, mechanical, SI/PI, systems, reliability, operations, and external vendors to prevent escapes and drive rapid, data-driven containment and corrective action.

Responsibilities

Own quality for advanced interconnect components and assemblies: high-speed connectors, high-speed copper cables, cable cartridges (e.g., ultra-pass / cable cassette style assemblies), patch panels & optics, and backplane/cable-backplane interconnect solutions.

Drive quality-by-design: participate in design reviews, DFM/DFx, tolerance stacks, material and plating selections, connector mating strategy, strain relief, and assembly methods to reduce variation and field failures.

Define and track quality and reliability metrics (DPPM, yield, escapes, RMA/FRACAS trends, Cpk/Ppk where applicable) for interconnects across NPI and mass production.

Build and execute qualification strategies for cables/connectors/patch panels (mechanical, environmental, electrical, and reliability), including test coverage, sample plans, clear pass/fail criteria, defining installation criteria and processes, optics termination quality management and setting fiber standards criteria.

Partner with engineering and operations to drive smooth ramp: risk assessments, pilot build learnings, change control, and readiness reviews (EVT/DVT/PVT/MP or equivalent phases).

Own supplier and CM performance management: scorecards, audits (process and quality system), and follow-up to close findings with verified effectiveness

Work with suppliers to improve manufacturing throughput, stability, and yields for cable and connector assembly processes (e.g., wire prep, welding/crimping, overmolding/injection molding, plating, and assembly fixturing).

Lead rapid containment and root-cause investigations for failures found during bring-up, system integration tests, reliability testing, and fleet deployments.

Own the end-to-end corrective action process (8D, 5-Whys, Ishikawa, DOE as needed): define problem statements, isolate variables, validate root cause, implement fixes, and verify effectiveness.

Partner with SI/PI and test teams to correlate electrical performance issues (e.g., link margin, BER, eye closure, impedance discontinuities, PAM4, TDR and VNA) with manufacturing and mechanical drivers (connector wear, plating, contamination, misalignment, cable routing, assembly variation).

Support integration and deployment of OpenAI supercompute racks in lab and data center environments; identify quality risks tied to shipping, handling, installation, and service operations.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field.

5+ years of experience in quality engineering, with a focus on high-speed interconnects and electro-mechanical assemblies.

Strong understanding of quality principles, including Six Sigma, Lean, and Design for Manufacturability (DFM).

Experience with quality management systems, such as ISO 9001, and regulatory requirements, such as IEC 62368.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze complex data and identify root causes.

Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.

Experience with test and measurement equipment, such as oscilloscopes, signal generators, and network analyzers.

Familiarity with simulation tools, such as ANSYS and COMSOL.

Experience with data analysis and visualization tools, such as Excel, Python, and Tableau.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field.

8+ years of experience in quality engineering, with a focus on high-speed interconnects and electro-mechanical assemblies.

Experience with advanced quality tools, such as Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and Design of Experiments (DOE).

Familiarity with artificial intelligence and machine learning concepts and applications.

Experience with cloud-based quality management systems, such as Salesforce and ServiceNow.

Salary and Benefits

Salary: $123K – $285K

Offers Equity

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), plus paid medical and caregiver leave (up to 8 weeks)

Paid time off: flexible PTO for exempt employees and up to 15 days annually for non-exempt employees

13+ paid company holidays, and multiple paid coordinated company office closures throughout the year for focus and recharge, plus paid sick or safe time (1 hour per 30 hours worked, or more, as required by applicable state or local law)

Mental health and wellness support

Employer-paid basic life and disability coverage

Annual learning and development stipend to fuel your professional growth

Daily meals in our offices, and meal delivery credits as eligible

Relocation support for eligible employees

Additional taxable fringe benefits, such as charitable donation matching and wellness stipends, may also be provided.