DAQ Station Engineer

About the Team

The OpenAI Robotics team is focused on unlocking general-purpose robotics and pushing towards AGI-level intelligence in dynamic real-world settings. Working across the entire model stack we integrate cutting-edge hardware and software to explore a broad range of robotic form factors. We strive to seamlessly blend high-level AI capabilities with the constraints of physical systems to improve peoples lives.

About the Role

Were looking for a DAQ Station Hardware Engineer to develop and improve the physical hardware that goes into OpenAIs robotic data collection stations. This role will design prototype validate and deploy station hardware such as fixtures mounts operator interfaces workcell equipment safety mechanisms and other electromechanical systems that support reliable daily operation.

You will work closely with Robotics Engineering Research Software and Operations to translate evolving needs into practical hardware solutions that are robust serviceable and scalable across an expanding DAQ footprint.

What Youll Do

• Design and develop station hardware and electromechanical subsystems including fixtures equipment mounts operator-facing hardware sensing support structures enclosures and safety-related components.

• Translate program and operational needs into clear hardware requirements prototypes and production-ready designs.

• Support hardware through the full lifecycle: concept detailed design build test deployment issue resolution and iteration.

• Partner with cross-functional teams to ensure station hardware integrates cleanly with robotics platforms software data collection workflows and operator use cases.

• Improve station reliability usability and serviceability by diagnosing field issues and driving durable engineering fixes.

• Work with vendors machine shops and fabrication partners to produce custom hardware and manage technical build quality.

• Contribute to design standards documentation and validation practices that support repeatable station deployments.

You Might Thrive in This Role If You

• Have strong experience developing mechanical or electromechanical hardware for complex physical systems.

• Have designed equipment fixtures workcells test systems automation hardware or similar operator-facing environments.

• Are comfortable moving from ambiguous requirements to hands-on prototypes and robust released designs.

• Bring sound judgment around mechanical design DFM/DFA serviceability durability ergonomics and real-world use conditions.

• Work effectively across engineering and operations teams and enjoy solving problems that show up in live physical environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in robotics automation advanced manufacturing test systems or high-complexity hardware environments.

• Familiarity with CAD prototyping fabrication methods design documentation and issue tracking.

• Experience developing hardware intended for repeated daily use in operational settings.

• Experience working with external suppliers machine shops or contract fabricators.

Workplace & Location

This role is based in San Francisco CA and will require substantial in-person presence to support hardware development validation and deployment.

About OpenAI

OpenAI is an AI research and deployment company dedicated to ensuring that general-purpose artificial intelligence benefits all of humanity. We push the boundaries of the capabilities of AI systems and seek to safely deploy them to the world through our products. AI is an extremely powerful tool that must be created with safety and human needs at its core and to achieve our mission we must encompass and value the many different perspectives voices and experiences that form the full spectrum of humanity.

We are an equal opportunity employer and we do not discriminate on the basis of race religion color national origin sex sexual orientation age veteran status disability genetic information or other applicable legally protected characteristic.

For additional information please see OpenAIs Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement.

Background checks for applicants will be administered in accordance with applicable law and qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment consistent with those laws including the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act for US-based candidates. For unincorporated Los Angeles County workers: we reasonably believe that criminal history may have a direct adverse and negative relationship with the following job duties potentially resulting in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment: protect computer hardware entrusted to you from theft loss or damage; return all computer hardware in your possession (including the data contained therein) upon termination of employment or end of assignment; and maintain the confidentiality of proprietary confidential and non-public addition job duties require access to secure and protected information technology systems and related data security obligations.

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Required Experience:

IC