Physical Security Systems Engineer

About the Team
The Physical Security Technology group at OpenAI is a critical part of our Corporate Security organization. We’re responsible for deploying advanced security technologies that protect our people, corporate spaces, and events around the world. The team works closely with Real Estate and Workplace, IT, and other internal partners to ensure a secure and resilient environment across OpenAI’s global footprint.

About the Role
As a Physical Security Systems Engineer, you’ll play a key role in shaping the security landscape at OpenAI as we continue to expand globally. You’ll design, optimize, and maintain advanced physical security systems across a growing portfolio of offices and specialized spaces. The ideal candidate has deep technical expertise in physical security systems, thrives in fast-paced environments, and is comfortable integrating technologies across multiple remote sites. Please note: Genetec Enterprise Technical Certification is required for this role.

This position is based in San Francisco, CA, with a hybrid work model (3 days per week in office). Some domestic and international travel may be required.

In this role, you will:

• Design and implement advanced physical security systems using Genetec Security Center and emerging technologies (e.g., Alcatraz, Dedrone, Sunflower Labs).

• Act as a trusted technical partner to IT Infrastructure, Real Estate and Workplace, and other OpenAI teams.

• Configure and maintain access control, video surveillance, and intrusion detection systems.

• Ensure seamless integration of security systems with IT infrastructure.

• Oversee junior operators during system maintenance and troubleshooting.

• Respond to and resolve complex technical issues, sometimes outside of regular business hours.

• Lead preventative maintenance programs, ensuring timely security patching and updates.

• Select, evaluate, and manage security technology vendors and their deliverables.

• Support audit activities by coordinating with site teams and third-party auditors.

• Maintain and analyze security drawings and site documentation.

• Uphold quality control standards during deployments and recommend improvements.

• Mentor junior administrators and end users to build operational excellence.

• Leverage OpenAI technology to streamline workflows and increase efficiency.

You may be a fit for this role if you have:

• Extensive experience with advanced physical security technologies, including access control systems, CCTV, and intrusion detection platforms.

• Genetec Enterprise Technical Certification (required).

• Proven track record of successfully building out new office spaces.

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with a high degree of discretion.

• Experience working cross-functionally to coordinate security installations.

• Willingness to respond to urgent needs outside of standard hours.

• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as needed.

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 OpenAI’s Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement.

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable law, including the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the California Fair Chance Act. 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 information. In addition, job duties require access to secure and protected information technology systems and related data security obligations.

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