# Mechanical Engineer, Power Generation at OpenAI

- Company: OpenAI
- What the company does: Backed by Greylock, Insight and Khosla.
- Company website: https://openai.com/
- Type: Startups (AI role)
- Level: Mid level
- Location: San Francisco
- Work setup: On-site
- Pay: $257K to $327K base salary per year (USD)
- Posted: 2026-11-06
- Apply by: 2026-12-21
- Apply: https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/openai/015de5ce-8210-418d-abc6-f8b8712f0dbd?utm_source=1752vc&utm_medium=careers
- Page: https://www.1752.vc/careers/jobs/openai-mechanical-engineer-power-generation/

## About the role

We are seeking a Mechanical Engineer to design and integrate power-generation and balance-of-plant systems for large AI data center campuses. You will work across prime movers, fuel systems, exhaust, ventilation, cooling, water treatment, heat recovery, acoustics, fire interfaces, and plant auxiliaries. The role combines first-principles engineering with practical vendor and field execution to deliver systems that are safe, efficient, maintainable, and ready for demanding operating profiles. Found on 1752vc Careers, the job board for startup and VC roles.

## What they're looking for

- 8+ years of mechanical engineering experience on power generation, oil and gas, industrial utilities, central plants, or mission-critical projects
- Strong knowledge of rotating equipment, piping, heat transfer, fluid systems, thermal performance, ventilation, and mechanical auxiliaries
- Experience with combined heat and power, heat recovery, modular generation, or microgrids
- Experience with gas turbines, reciprocating engines, generators, or comparable large industrial equipment
- Ability to evaluate vendor data, equipment curves, operating scenarios, failure modes, and maintenance constraints
- Experience carrying designs through construction, startup, commissioning, and performance validation

Tags: Scaling

Source: 1752vc Careers, https://www.1752.vc/careers/jobs/openai-mechanical-engineer-power-generation/