The opportunity
OpenAI’s Hardware organization develops silicon and system-level solutions designed for the unique demands of advanced AI workloads. The team builds next-generation AI-native silicon and systems while working closely with software, research, and manufacturing partners to…
What you'll do
Develop and execute a comprehensive sourcing strategy for fiber and optical: interconnect components supporting high-bandwidth AI systems and infrastructure.
Own sourcing across optical fiber cable assemblies, internal optical: harnesses, fiber shuffles, optical backplane assemblies, standalone passive optical assemblies, FAUs, fiber-to-chip interfaces, detachable connectors, and optical routingDevelop a deep understanding of the optical supply chain, including critical raw materials, fiber and cable manufacturing, connector ecosystems, component manufacturing, assembly and test capacity, and key sub-tier dependencies.
Identify, evaluate, qualify, and manage suppliers across the fiber and: optical interconnect ecosystem, including fiber manufacturers, cable and assembly suppliers, connector manufacturers, optical component suppliers, fiber suppliers, connector/ferrule suppliers, FAU suppliers,manufacturing partners.
Lead RFIs, RFPs, and RFQs; establish evaluation criteria; coordinate: technical and commercial assessments; and recommend sourcing decisions aligned with performance, cost, supply security, quality, capacity, and scalability requirements.
Partner with engineering teams to evaluate supplier capabilities across: optical performance, insertion loss, return loss, signal integrity, bandwidth, power consumption, reliability, thermal performance, mechanical robustness, manufacturability, and production readiness.
Partner with engineering to understand technology roadmaps and translate: next-generation system requirements into sourcing strategies, supplier development plans, and long-term capacity requirements.
What they're looking for
- Negotiate supplier agreements covering pricing, engineering support,: nonrecurring engineering, tooling, manufacturing and test capacity, lead times, quality requirements, intellectual property, warranties, service levels, and long-term supply commitments.
- Develop and maintain detailed cost models and pricing frameworks covering: fiber, connectors, cable and assembly content, optical and electronic components, manufacturing, testing, yield, logistics, supplier margins, and total cost of ownership.
- Drive competitive cost structures through should-cost analysis, open-book: pricing, benchmarking, volume agreements, value engineering, supplier competition, and multiyear cost-reduction roadmaps.
- Collaborate with engineering and manufacturing teams to support supplier: qualification, design reviews, component selection, validation, pilot builds, system bring-up, production readiness, and ramp to volume.
