At a Glance
- Tasks: Troubleshoot and manage physical security systems for OpenAI's facilities.
- Company: Join a leading AI company focused on innovative security solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on collaboration and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Be part of a team ensuring safety and reliability in cutting-edge environments.
- Qualifications: Experience in systems engineering and strong problem-solving skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
About the Team
The Physical Security Engineering team designs, deploys, and sustains the systems that protect OpenAI’s people, facilities, and critical infrastructure. We work across global office campuses, warehouses, labs and data centers, partnering with IT, Facilities, Construction, and Security Operations to ensure all environments meet stringent safety, reliability, and compliance requirements. Our team owns security architecture from early site due‑diligence through construction, commissioning, and long‑term lifecycle management.
About the Role
OpenAI’s physical security technology environment is growing quickly, and the Corporate Security Technology Group needs a hands‑on systems engineer who can keep the stack stable, responsive, and scalable day to day. This role is a hybrid of physical security infrastructure engineering, operational systems support, stakeholder coordination, and vendor management. This person will support the systems that power OpenAI’s access control, video surveillance, GSOC workflows, and physical security operations. They will troubleshoot technical issues, manage operational tickets and escalations, coordinate remediation with integrators, support system programming and audits, and partner closely with IT/NetEng and Workplace to keep systems reliable as OpenAI expands.
In this role, you will:
- Troubleshoot complex physical security system issues across access control, video management, GSOC workflows, and supporting infrastructure.
- Manage operational tickets and escalations with strong follow‑through, documentation, and root‑cause thinking.
- Coordinate service requests, remediation work, and quality control with security integrators and vendors.
- Support GSOC workflows, including system access management, auditing, feature requests, and security systems programming.
- Partner with networking and infrastructure teams on VLANs, firewall policies, IP schemas, switch configurations, IoT device connectivity, Windows Server, and database dependencies.
- Improve operational consistency across offices by reducing manual work, documenting repeatable processes, and identifying automation opportunities.
What’s success?
Security Operations, GSOC, Workplace, IT, and CorpSec partners can rely on stable, accurate, and well‑supported physical security systems. Issues are triaged quickly, escalations have clear ownership, vendors receive precise direction, and recurring problems turn into better documentation, process, or automation. The hire helps the team support rapid office growth without letting reliability or operational quality drift.
Non‑negotiable outcomes:
- Physical security systems issues are handled with clear triage, strong technical reasoning, and complete follow‑through.
- GSOC and Security Operations can depend on accurate access management, auditing, system programming, and support workflows.
- Integrator and vendor work is coordinated tightly, with clear accountability and reduced back‑and‑forth.
- Networking, server, database, and device dependencies are understood well enough to diagnose issues across the full stack.
- Operational toil and vendor dependency decrease through better documentation, process improvements, and automation opportunities.
Equity statement: 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.
Accommodations: We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, and requests can be made via our accommodations portal.
Physical Security Systems Engineer employer: OpenAI
OpenAI is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, particularly within the Physical Security Engineering team. Employees benefit from a dynamic environment that prioritises professional growth, offering opportunities to engage with cutting-edge technology while ensuring the safety and reliability of critical infrastructure. With a commitment to diversity and inclusion, OpenAI provides a supportive atmosphere where every team member can thrive and contribute meaningfully to the company's mission.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Physical Security Systems Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend events, and connect with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got a portfolio or examples of past projects, bring them along to interviews. Demonstrating your hands-on experience with physical security systems can really set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to chat about problem-solving! Prepare some examples of how you've tackled complex issues in the past. This role is all about troubleshooting, so showing us your thought process will make a great impression.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at OpenAI.
We think you need these skills to ace Physical Security Systems Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with physical security systems. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant projects or achievements!
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, give us examples of how you've tackled complex issues in the past. We love candidates who can demonstrate strong technical reasoning and follow-through, so share those stories that show you can troubleshoot like a pro!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and avoid jargon unless it's relevant. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read and get straight to the point.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised on our end!
How to prepare for a job interview at OpenAI
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the physical security systems mentioned in the job description. Brush up on access control, video management, and GSOC workflows. Being able to discuss specific technologies and how they integrate will show you’re ready for the hands-on nature of the role.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to share examples of how you've troubleshot complex issues in the past. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. This will help you illustrate your technical reasoning and follow-through, which are crucial for this position.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
This role involves a lot of coordination with various teams and vendors. Be ready to talk about your experience working collaboratively. Highlight instances where you’ve successfully managed service requests or coordinated with integrators to solve problems.
✨Think Automation and Efficiency
The job mentions improving operational consistency and reducing manual work. Come prepared with ideas on how you could document processes or identify automation opportunities. This shows you’re proactive and focused on continuous improvement, which is key for success in this role.
