Wireless Regulatory Engineer - SAR
Regulatory Engineer · Senior · Full Time
Opens OpenAI's application page
Role
What you'll do.
This role involves developing and executing RF exposure compliance strategies for OpenAI's consumer wireless hardware products. As a Wireless Regulatory Engineer specializing in SAR (Specific Absorption Rate), you'll partner with RF, antenna, hardware, and software teams to ensure products meet global regulatory requirements while maintaining optimal performance. The position requires deep expertise in RF fundamentals, wireless regulatory testing, and the ability to translate complex compliance requirements into practical engineering solutions throughout the product development lifecycle.
Responsibilities
- RF Exposure Test Strategy Development: Develop and execute comprehensive RF exposure test and validation strategies for consumer wireless products, ensuring compliance with FCC, CE, and other global regulatory standards while meeting SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) requirements.
- Design Risk Evaluation: Partner with RF, antenna, and hardware engineering teams to evaluate product designs, identify potential RF exposure compliance risks early in the development cycle, and provide corrective guidance before prototype stages.
- RF Measurement and Analysis: Perform hands-on RF exposure measurements, analyze complex measurement data using specialized equipment and software, and communicate findings clearly to cross-functional engineering teams with actionable recommendations.
- Product Development Support: Support the complete product lifecycle from early-stage prototypes through validation testing, certification approval, and mass production, ensuring regulatory compliance is maintained across all development phases.
- External Laboratory Coordination: Coordinate and manage testing activities with external certification laboratories, review comprehensive test results and supporting documentation, and ensure all regulatory requirements are properly addressed in certification packages.
- Regulatory Requirements Translation: Translate complex applicable regulatory requirements from FCC, CE, ISED, and other global regulatory bodies into practical engineering guidance and product design specifications that align with business objectives.
- RF and Antenna Collaboration: Work closely with RF and antenna design teams to balance regulatory compliance requirements with product performance optimization, ensuring designs meet both safety standards and user experience expectations.
- Testing Tools and Workflow Development: Develop automation tools, workflows, and data analysis scripts that improve testing efficiency, consistency, and traceability, reducing time-to-certification while maintaining rigorous quality standards.
- Issue Investigation and Resolution: Investigate RF exposure compliance issues, identify root causes through systematic analysis and testing, and collaborate with engineering teams to develop and validate effective solutions.
- Global Regulatory Certification: Support global regulatory certification activities for wireless consumer products across multiple international markets, managing documentation, timelines, and stakeholder communication with regulatory agencies.
Qualifications
What we look for.
Technical
SAR and RF Exposure Testing
Deep, hands-on experience with Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) testing, RF exposure measurement methodologies, and understanding of how to optimize designs to meet exposure limits while maintaining wireless performance.
RF Fundamentals and Measurement Techniques
Strong command of RF theory, electromagnetic field principles, antenna characteristics, transmission line theory, impedance matching, and proficiency with RF measurement equipment including spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, and SAR probes.
Wireless Regulatory Standards and Compliance
Comprehensive knowledge of global wireless regulatory standards including FCC Title 47 Part 1 and 2, CE directives, ISED regulations, and understanding of how standards apply across product categories and frequency bands.
Wireless Systems Architecture
Strong understanding of multi-radio wireless systems including cellular technologies (4G/LTE, 5G), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and other connectivity standards; experience with products incorporating multiple simultaneous radios.
Hardware Prototyping and Testing
Hands-on experience with consumer hardware development, prototype assembly, and systematic troubleshooting of hardware systems from component-level through full system integration.
Certification and Compliance Documentation
Expertise in preparing comprehensive certification packages, test reports, technical specifications, and regulatory submissions; experience managing certification timelines and regulatory agency interactions.
Education
Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering or Related Field
Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, Computer Engineering, or closely related discipline, providing theoretical foundation for RF concepts, wireless system design, and regulatory compliance principles.
Equivalent Professional Experience
Alternatively, equivalent professional experience (typically 8+ years) in wireless regulatory engineering, RF design, or related fields can substitute for graduate degree, with demonstrated expertise in compliance and testing methodologies.
Experience
SAR and RF Exposure Compliance
Minimum 5+ years of direct experience in SAR testing, RF exposure compliance, or wireless regulatory engineering roles, with demonstrated success in navigating regulatory requirements and achieving certifications.
Consumer Hardware Production
Proven experience taking consumer hardware products from prototype development through mass production, including participation in multiple product launches and understanding of manufacturing constraints and requirements.
Multi-Radio Wireless Products
Substantial experience with consumer wireless products incorporating multiple radios and connectivity technologies such as cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC operating simultaneously.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Demonstrated ability to work effectively across engineering disciplines including RF, antenna design, firmware, software, manufacturing operations, and product teams in dynamic development environments.
Test Laboratory Coordination
Hands-on experience coordinating with external test laboratories, interpreting complex test results, and managing certification timelines and deliverables.
Skills
Required
SAR Testing and RF Exposure Measurement
Expert-level proficiency in SAR measurement methodologies, RF probe calibration, exposure assessment protocols, and interpretation of measurement results according to regulatory standards.
RF Theory and Electromagnetics
Deep understanding of electromagnetic field theory, propagation mechanisms, near-field and far-field effects, antenna fundamentals, and how RF design choices impact exposure characteristics.
Wireless Regulatory Standards
Comprehensive knowledge of FCC regulations, CE directives, ISED requirements, and other applicable global standards; ability to interpret and apply regulatory language to engineering decisions.
Measurement Equipment Operation
Proficiency with RF measurement instruments including spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, power meters, RF probes, and specialized SAR measurement systems and associated software.
Technical Communication
Ability to translate complex RF and regulatory concepts into clear, actionable engineering guidance; proficiency in preparing technical documentation, test reports, and regulatory submissions.
Problem Solving and Troubleshooting
Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills for investigating compliance issues, identifying root causes, and developing effective solutions with limited information in early-stage development.
Preferred
Test Automation and Data Analysis
Nice to haveExperience developing test automation scripts, data analysis tools, or measurement workflow automation using Python, MATLAB, or similar languages to improve testing efficiency and consistency.
Multi-Market Regulatory Approvals
Nice to haveExperience managing regulatory certification processes across multiple global markets simultaneously, including interaction with international regulatory bodies and understanding regional compliance variations.
Hardware-Firmware-Software Integration
Nice to haveUnderstanding of how firmware and software configurations impact RF performance and exposure characteristics; experience working with cross-functional teams on integrated hardware-software design trade-offs.
5G and Advanced Wireless Technologies
Nice to haveExperience with emerging wireless technologies including 5G, advanced antenna systems, MIMO arrays, and understanding of how new technologies introduce novel RF exposure compliance challenges.
Antenna Design Collaboration
Nice to haveCollaborative experience with antenna design teams; understanding of antenna design parameters and how design choices impact SAR performance and regulatory compliance.
Tech stack
Languages
Tools
Other
Compensation
Pay and benefits.
Base·USD 318,000 – 423,000
Equity·Stock options
Benefits
Comprehensive Health Insurance
Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, with OpenAI covering a significant portion of premiums.
Retirement Planning
401(k) retirement savings plan with company matching contributions to help build long-term financial security.
Equity and Stock Options
Participation in OpenAI's equity program with stock options as part of total compensation package, providing upside opportunity in company growth.
Unlimited PTO
Flexible paid time off policy allowing employees to manage work-life balance with reasonable vacation and personal time.
Parental Leave
Paid parental leave benefits for new parents, supporting family planning and work-life integration.
Professional Development
Opportunities for continuous learning, technical training, conference attendance, and professional certification programs to advance your expertise.
Relocation Assistance
Comprehensive relocation package for new employees relocating to the Mountain View, California area, including moving expenses and temporary housing support.
Hybrid Work Model
Four days per week in the Mountain View office with flexibility for one remote day, balancing in-person collaboration with remote work benefits.
Mental Health and Wellness
Employee assistance programs, mental health resources, fitness benefits, and wellness initiatives supporting overall well-being.
Commuter Benefits
Pre-tax commuter transit benefits and parking support for employees working at the Mountain View headquarters.
Process
Interview steps.
- 01
Screening Call with Recruiter
Initial 30-minute call with OpenAI recruiter to discuss background, experience with RF exposure and wireless regulatory compliance, career goals, and role expectations. Prepare to discuss specific SAR testing projects and regulatory successes.
- 02
Technical Assessment with Hiring Manager
60-90 minute conversation with the Wireless Regulatory Engineering Manager to discuss technical depth in RF fundamentals, SAR measurement methodologies, regulatory knowledge, and approach to solving compliance challenges. Expect questions on specific tools, standards, and past certifications.
- 03
RF and Cross-Functional Team Discussion
Panel conversation with RF engineers, antenna designers, and hardware team members to evaluate collaboration skills, ability to balance competing requirements between compliance and performance, and communication effectiveness with non-regulatory audiences.
- 04
Product Development Case Study
Technical deep-dive on a realistic product scenario involving multi-radio consumer device compliance challenges. Demonstrate how you would approach RF exposure strategy, identify risks, coordinate testing, and manage certification timeline.
- 05
OpenAI Leadership Interview
Final conversation with OpenAI leadership to discuss alignment with company values, perspective on safety and reliability in consumer hardware, and vision for regulatory engineering in the context of advancing AI-powered devices.
Full posting
Original listing.
Wireless Regulatory Engineer – SAR
About the Team
The Consumer Devices team at OpenAI builds products that bring advanced AI capabilities into thoughtfully designed consumer experiences. We work across hardware, software, design, and research to develop reliable products from early exploration through production.
About the Role
We’re looking for a Wireless Regulatory Engineer to support RF exposure compliance for consumer hardware. You’ll work closely with RF, antenna, hardware, software, and regulatory teams throughout the product development lifecycle, helping ensure products meet applicable requirements while maintaining a high bar for performance and user experience.
This role is based in Mountain View, CA. We use a hybrid work model of four days in the office per week and offer relocation assistance to new employees.
In this role, you will:
Develop and execute RF exposure test and validation strategies for consumer wireless products.
Partner with engineering teams to evaluate product designs and identify potential compliance risks throughout development.
Perform and analyze RF exposure measurements and communicate findings clearly to cross-functional teams.
Support product development from early prototypes through validation, certification, and production.
Coordinate testing with external laboratories and review results and supporting documentation.
Translate applicable regulatory requirements into practical engineering guidance.
Partner with RF and antenna teams to balance regulatory requirements with product performance.
Develop tools and workflows that improve testing efficiency, consistency, and data analysis.
Investigate issues, identify root causes, and work with engineering teams to develop effective solutions.
Support global regulatory certification activities for wireless consumer products.
You might thrive in this role if you:
Have a Master’s degree or equivalent experience in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, RF Engineering, or a related technical field.
Bring deep experience with SAR, RF exposure, or wireless regulatory testing.
Have a strong understanding of RF fundamentals, measurement techniques, and wireless systems.
Have experience translating regulatory requirements into engineering and product decisions.
Are comfortable performing hands-on testing, analyzing complex measurement data, and troubleshooting hardware systems.
Have experience working with external test laboratories and supporting product certification.
Collaborate effectively across RF, antenna, hardware, software, manufacturing, and operations teams.
Are comfortable working in fast-moving, ambiguous product development environments.
Minimum Qualifications
Experience in SAR, RF exposure, wireless regulatory engineering, or a closely related field.
Experience supporting consumer hardware from prototype through mass production.
Experience with wireless products incorporating multiple radios and connectivity technologies.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience developing test automation or data-analysis tools.
Experience supporting regulatory approvals across multiple global markets.
Experience working on products that integrate hardware, firmware, and software.
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.
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.
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.
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We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, and requests can be made via this link.
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