# Lab Operations Engineer, Systems Integration | Consumer Devices **Company:** [OpenAI](https://scaleengineer.com/companies/openai) As a Lab Operations Manager for OpenAI's Consumer Devices Systems Integration team, you'll own day-to-day operations of a large-scale AI consumer device test lab, managing hardware fleets, test environments, infrastructure, and inventory. This hands-on leadership role involves building the lab operating model from scratch—designing systems, standards, and workflows that support new category products from prototype through production launch. You'll partner with hardware engineers, QA technicians, and infrastructure teams to ensure reliable, scalable testing environments that validate AI-powered consumer devices at reliability and scale. **Role:** Lab Operations Manager **Seniority:** Manager **Locations:** San Francisco **Salary:** 230000–290000 USD [Apply](https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/openai/d727cc4b-f4b6-49a0-806c-390f8a053e2f) Canonical: https://scaleengineer.com/jobs/openai/lab-operations-engineer-systems-integration-consumer-devices --- ## Responsibilities - Device Fleet and Inventory Management: Own complete lifecycle management of large-scale consumer device and test equipment fleets including configuration, deployment, tracking, asset documentation, receiving, storage, checkout, shipping, transfers, spare inventory, and secure disposal to ensure accurate inventory records and compliant asset handling. - Lab Infrastructure Operations: Maintain and operate physical test infrastructure including racks, benches, test rigs, cabling, power distribution, networking, peripherals, and shared equipment; diagnose technical issues and coordinate repairs, replacements, and preventive maintenance schedules. - Device Provisioning and Configuration: Prepare devices for testing environments by performing firmware flashing, provisioning, factory resets, configuration, labeling, and assignment to appropriate test environments and validation stations. - Testing and Diagnostics Support: Partner with engineering and QA teams on large-scale test automation setups, failure reproduction procedures, diagnostics data collection, log capture management, and environment resets to support development and release validation cycles. - Lab Readiness and Capacity Planning: Track fleet health metrics, rig availability, utilization rates, and forecast upcoming test requirements; identify infrastructure constraints and resource bottlenecks before they impact testing schedules and project timelines. - Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work collaboratively with hardware engineering, systems integration, QA, reliability, IT, and infrastructure teams to ensure the lab remains optimized for development activities, validation testing, and release readiness. - Lab Operations Documentation and Standards: Establish and maintain comprehensive documentation for lab procedures, maintenance records, asset tracking systems, and operational workflows; create scalable standards and best practices that support lab growth and consistency. ## Requirements ### education - {"name":"Technical Certification or Associate Degree","description":"Preferred: Electronics technician certification, IT operations certification, or associate degree in engineering, computer science, or related technical field; equivalent hands-on professional experience may substitute."} - {"name":"Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Familiarity","description":"Optional but advantageous: Basic familiarity with CAD tools or engineering design documentation helpful for understanding device architecture and test rig design specifications."} ### technical - {"name":"Consumer Electronics and Embedded Device Management","description":"Demonstrated expertise managing fleets of consumer electronics, embedded devices, prototypes, or connected hardware with hands-on experience in device provisioning, configuration, lifecycle tracking, and hardware refresh cycles."} - {"name":"Hardware Test Lab Operations","description":"Proven track record operating, supporting, or managing hardware, electronics, reliability, manufacturing, or QA test laboratories with experience in test environment design, maintenance, and scaling."} - {"name":"Device Connectivity and Protocols","description":"Hands-on proficiency setting up, configuring, and troubleshooting device connectivity across USB, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, power delivery systems, and device-to-host communication protocols."} - {"name":"Test Equipment and Lab Infrastructure","description":"Experience with test rigs, networking infrastructure, power systems, cabling management, and peripheral device management in lab environments; ability to diagnose and troubleshoot hardware and connectivity issues."} - {"name":"Asset Management and Inventory Systems","description":"Experience managing asset tracking, inventory documentation, lifecycle management systems, and maintaining accurate records for distributed hardware fleets at scale."} ### experience - {"name":"Hardware Lab Operations Leadership","description":"Demonstrated experience in hands-on operations roles supporting complex hardware development, with evidence of managing device fleets, test environments, or lab infrastructure at scale."} - {"name":"Consumer Device or IoT Product Experience","description":"Background working with consumer electronics, IoT devices, connected hardware, or connected consumer products from development through production phases."} - {"name":"QA and Validation Testing","description":"Exposure to quality assurance processes, validation testing methodologies, test automation support, or reliability testing for hardware and embedded systems."} - {"name":"Cross-Functional Technical Collaboration","description":"Experience working effectively with engineering teams, technical specialists, vendors, and support staff to resolve technical challenges and coordinate complex operations."} ## Skills ### required - {"name":"Technical Troubleshooting and Diagnostics","description":"Strong problem-solving ability to diagnose hardware failures, connectivity issues, and test environment problems; comfortable with systematic troubleshooting of electronics, networking, and device provisioning."} - {"name":"Organizational and Documentation Management","description":"Excellent organizational capabilities for managing competing requests, maintaining comprehensive inventory records, asset documentation, maintenance logs, and lab operational procedures."} - {"name":"Cross-Functional Technical Communication","description":"Clear communication skills with engineers, QA teams, vendors, technicians, and management; ability to articulate technical issues concisely, escalate problems with supporting information, and facilitate coordination."} - {"name":"Device Provisioning and Firmware Management","description":"Hands-on technical competency following procedures for firmware flashing, device provisioning, factory resets, diagnostics collection, configuration, and test environment setup."} - {"name":"Physical Lab Operations and Maintenance","description":"Practical capability to maintain and troubleshoot physical infrastructure including cabling, power distribution, networking equipment, test rigs, and connected peripherals."} - {"name":"Inventory and Asset Lifecycle Management","description":"Proficiency in tracking, documenting, and managing hardware asset lifecycles including procurement, deployment, maintenance, reallocation, and secure disposition."} ### preferred - {"name":"Operations Automation and Tooling","description":"Experience developing automation scripts, tools, or processes to improve lab efficiency, fleet management, or testing workflows; familiarity with scripting languages like Python or shell scripting."} - {"name":"Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) Testing","description":"Prior experience with hardware-in-the-loop testing environments, test automation platforms, or continuous integration systems for hardware validation."} - {"name":"Consumer Electronics Manufacturing","description":"Background in consumer electronics manufacturing, supply chain, production validation, or bringing products from prototype to mass production."} - {"name":"Systems Engineering Fundamentals","description":"Understanding of systems integration principles, hardware-software integration testing, or working within systems engineering teams on complex product development."} - {"name":"IT Operations and Infrastructure","description":"Experience with IT operations, datacenter environment management, infrastructure provisioning, or network operations that translates to lab environment management."} - {"name":"CAD and Engineering Documentation","description":"Familiarity with CAD tools, engineering drawings, technical documentation, or ability to interpret hardware specifications and design documentation."} ## Tech stack ### tools - {"name":"Device Provisioning Tools","description":"Experience with firmware flashing utilities, device provisioning platforms, OTA update systems, or factory reset tools for consumer electronics and embedded devices."} - {"name":"Network Diagnostic Tools","description":"Proficiency with network analysis tools, packet capture utilities, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth diagnostic tools, and connectivity troubleshooting for wireless and wired communications."} - {"name":"Asset Tracking and Inventory Systems","description":"Hands-on experience with asset management software, barcode/RFID tracking systems, spreadsheet management, or custom inventory databases."} - {"name":"Serial Console and Debugging Tools","description":"Comfortable using serial console applications, UART debugging interfaces, and diagnostic tools for embedded device troubleshooting and log capture."} - {"name":"CAD and Design Software","description":"Basic familiarity with CAD applications, technical documentation tools, or design visualization software for understanding lab layout and test rig architecture."} ### others - {"name":"Consumer Device Ecosystems","description":"Working knowledge of modern consumer device platforms, operating systems, connectivity standards, and the hardware-software integration challenges unique to consumer electronics."} - {"name":"Reliability and Failure Analysis Methodologies","description":"Understanding of MTBF, failure modes, root cause analysis, and reliability testing methodologies applicable to consumer devices and test lab operations."} - {"name":"Agile and Cross-Functional Collaboration","description":"Experience working in agile environments, supporting distributed development teams, and coordinating with multiple technical stakeholders on evolving lab requirements."} - {"name":"Security and Access Control","description":"Familiarity with secure device handling, data security protocols, asset tracking for compliance, and maintaining confidentiality of hardware and firmware in lab environments."} ### databases - {"name":"Asset Management Databases","description":"Working knowledge of asset management, inventory tracking, or CMDB systems for maintaining device fleet records, maintenance history, and operational metrics."} - {"name":"Logging and Telemetry Systems","description":"Familiarity with log aggregation, time-series databases, or telemetry collection systems for capturing device diagnostics and lab environment metrics."} ### languages - {"name":"Python","description":"Valuable for developing automation scripts and tools to streamline device provisioning, fleet management, test execution, log analysis, and laboratory operations workflows."} - {"name":"Bash/Shell Scripting","description":"Useful for creating operational scripts related to device configuration, test environment setup, data collection, and system administration tasks in lab environments."} ### frameworks - {"name":"Test Automation Frameworks","description":"Familiarity with hardware test automation platforms, continuous integration systems, or test orchestration frameworks used in large-scale device validation environments."} - {"name":"Fleet Management Systems","description":"Experience with device fleet management platforms, asset tracking systems, or IoT device management platforms for provisioning, monitoring, and lifecycle management."} ## Benefits ### benefits - {"name":"Health and Wellness Benefits","description":"Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage; mental health and wellness programs; fitness benefits and employee assistance programs."} - {"name":"Retirement and Financial Security","description":"401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions; financial planning resources; life insurance and disability coverage."} - {"name":"Flexible Work Environment","description":"Flexible work arrangements where applicable; collaborative office space; access to cutting-edge technology and lab equipment."} - {"name":"Professional Development","description":"Learning and development opportunities; access to technical training; professional certification support; mentorship from world-class engineers and operators."} - {"name":"Equity Participation","description":"Opportunity to participate in company success through equity compensation; potential for financial upside aligned with OpenAI's mission-driven growth."} - {"name":"Inclusive Workplace Culture","description":"Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; equal opportunity employment; reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities; supportive team environment."} - {"name":"Meaningful Impact","description":"Opportunity to contribute to building next-generation AI consumer products; work on zero-to-one challenges that shape how people experience AI; direct impact on products used by millions."} ## Compensation - **max:** 180000 - **min:** 120000 - **currency:** USD - **stockOptions:** true ## Interview process ### steps - {"name":"Initial Screening and Technical Assessment","description":"Preliminary discussion with recruitment team to assess background, experience with hardware labs, device management, and alignment with role requirements. Technical screening may include practical questions about device provisioning, lab infrastructure, or asset management scenarios."} - {"name":"Technical Deep-Dive Interview","description":"Conversation with Lab Operations leadership and Systems Integration team members to explore hands-on experience, troubleshooting approach, device provisioning knowledge, and practical problem-solving in lab environments."} - {"name":"Operational and Cross-Functional Interview","description":"Discussion with engineering, QA, and infrastructure team members to assess collaboration skills, communication effectiveness, and understanding of how lab operations supports product development and validation workflows."} - {"name":"Leadership and Systems Thinking Interview","description":"Conversation focused on building scalable lab operating models, process documentation, inventory management strategies, and vision for improving lab efficiency and reliability at scale."} - {"name":"Final Executive Interview","description":"Meeting with senior leadership to discuss strategic priorities, organizational fit, approach to building the lab from scratch, and long-term vision for supporting OpenAI's consumer device products."} - {"name":"Background Verification and Offer Stage","description":"Standard background check process including criminal history review consistent with applicable fair chance ordinances; data security and confidentiality verification given access to sensitive hardware and information systems."} ## Full description **About the Team** OpenAI Consumer Devices is building the next generation of products that bring powerful AI into people’s everyday lives. Guided by OpenAI’s mission to ensure AGI benefits all of humanity, our team combines world-class researchers, engineers, designers, and operators who care deeply about creating useful, intuitive, and responsible technology. You’ll have the opportunity to work alongside exceptional people on ambitious, zero-to-one challenges at the intersection of hardware, software, and AI. This is a chance to help define an entirely new category of products—and shape how people experience AI in the future. The **Systems Integration team** is critical in this mission, turning complex hardware-software development into reliable product signals. Lab Operations is the physical backbone of that work: we build and maintain the device fleets, test environments, and hardware-in-the-loop labs that let teams test repeatably, understand failures, and ship with confidence. **About the Role** As a **Lab Operations Manager, Systems Integration**, you will own the day-to-day operation of a large-scale consumer device test lab. This is a hands-on operations leadership role: you’ll keep device fleets, test rigs, lab infrastructure, inventory, provisioning, maintenance, and logistics running smoothly so engineers and QA technicians have reliable environments for validation and release testing. We’re looking for someone who is highly organized, technically hands-on, comfortable with consumer electronics and lab equipment, and experienced operating complex physical test environments at scale. Because this is a new category of devices, you’ll have the opportunity to build the lab operating model early—shaping the systems, standards, and workflows that support products from prototype through launch. **In this role, you will:** * **Own device fleet and inventory:** Manage configuration, deployment, tracking, lifecycle, and accurate asset records for a large fleet of consumer devices and test equipment; coordinate receiving, storage, checkout, shipping, transfers, spares, and secure disposal**.** * **Operate and maintain the lab:** Keep racks, benches, test rigs, cabling, power, networking, peripherals, and shared equipment reliable and organized; diagnose issues and coordinate repairs, replacements, and preventive maintenance**.** * **Prepare devices for testing:** Flash, provision, reset, configure, label, and assign devices to test environments**.** * **Support testing and diagnostics:** Partner with engineering and QA on large-scale test automation setups, failure reproduction, diagnostics collection, log capture, and environment resets**.** * **Plan lab readiness and capacity:** Track fleet health, rig availability, utilization, and upcoming test needs; identify constraints before they block testing**.** * **Partner across teams:** Work with hardware, systems, QA, reliability, IT, and infrastructure teams to keep the lab ready for development and release activities**.** **Minimum Qualifications** * Proven track-record of operating or supporting a hardware, electronics, reliability, manufacturing, or QA test lab. * Hands-on experience managing fleets of consumer electronics, embedded devices, prototypes, or connected hardware. * Comfortable setting up, configuring, troubleshooting, and maintaining devices, test rigs, networking, power systems, and peripherals across USB, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, power, and device connectivity. **You might thrive in this role if you:** * Have strong organizational skills and can manage competing requests while keeping inventory, asset tracking, maintenance records, lab logistics, and shared spaces documented and operational. * Are comfortable following technical procedures for provisioning, firmware installation, resets, diagnostics collection, and test setup. * Communicate clearly with engineers, QA teams, vendors, and technicians and are comfortable escalating issues with concise supporting information. * Enjoy improving the reliability, scalability, and efficiency of physical lab operations. * Basic CAD familiarity is a plus. **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](https://cdn.openai.com/policies/eeo-policy-statement.pdf). 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 information. In addition, job duties require access to secure and protected information technology systems and related data security obligations. To notify OpenAI that you believe this job posting is non-compliant, please submit a report through [this form](https://form.asana.com/?d=57018692298241&k=5MqR40fZd7jlxVUh5J-UeA). No response will be provided to inquiries unrelated to job posting compliance. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, and requests can be made via this [link](https://form.asana.com/?k=bQ7w9h3iexRlicUdWRiwvg&d=57018692298241). [OpenAI Global Applicant Privacy Policy](https://cdn.openai.com/policies/global-employee-and-contractor-privacy-policy.pdf) At OpenAI, we believe artificial intelligence has the potential to help people solve immense global challenges, and we want the upside of AI to be widely shared. Join us in shaping the future of technology.