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Site Operations Lead

OpenAIOpenAI·Artificial Intelligence

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~7 min

Ashby

Posted

110 days

01

About the role

About Team

Our Robotics team is focused on unlocking general-purpose robotics and advancing toward AGI-level intelligence in dynamic, real-world environments. Working across the full model and systems 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 physical constraints of real-world systems to improve people’s lives.

About the Role

As the Site Operations Lead for Robotics, you will own the build-out and day-to-day execution of a production-like facility that enables robotics development, testing, and manufacturing work. This role is responsible for getting the site stood up and running smoothly: coordinating activities during construction and ramp, establishing the operating system for the space, and ensuring daily execution across manufacturing lines, warehousing, internal material movement, and overall site readiness.

This is an on-the-ground leadership role with high ownership of execution, safety, and site reliability. The Site Operations Lead partners closely with Facilities, Safety, Engineering, and Operations teams, and coordinates contractor teams to keep work moving at speed with strong operational control.

This role is based in the San Francisco Bay Area, CA and requires in-person presence 5 days a week to support physical operations.

In this role you will:

  • Manage the onsite build-out day to day, coordinating daily activities with ongoing construction, contractors, and internal stakeholders

  • Stand up site operating rhythms (daily readiness checks, shift/startup routines, issue triage, and escalation paths) to ensure stable operations during ramp and steady state

  • Own daily site readiness and execution across manufacturing lines, work areas, and warehouse/stockroom spaces

  • Coordinate closely with factory floor operations to align on priorities, line needs, staffing readiness, and execution plans

  • Partner with and coordinate contractor workforces on-site (tasking, standards, safety expectations, performance follow-up, and escalation)

  • Own internal material movement and transport inside the facility (staging runs, line-side replenishment, internal transfers), ensuring flow and safety

  • Maintain clear standards for storage, labeling, staging lanes, workspace organization, and visual controls (5S or similar)

  • Coordinate day-to-day facility operations: access, work orders, basic maintenance scheduling, supply replenishment, space planning, and issue triage/escalation

  • Track and resolve operational issues that affect uptime or flow; drive root cause resolution across Facilities, Safety, Engineering, and Ops

  • Build and maintain SOPs for site operations workflows; train team members/contractors on standard work and safety expectations

  • Partner with Safety, Facilities, Engineering, and Ops teams to maintain a safe, compliant, and reliable operating environment

You might thrive in this role if you:

  • Have experience standing up and running day-to-day operations in a factory, lab, warehouse, or production-like facility

  • Are highly organized and proactive about keeping environments clean, safe, and execution-ready

  • Can coordinate multiple workflows (build-out, lines, warehousing, internal movement, facilities needs) without losing detail

  • Communicate clearly with frontline teams, contractors, and cross-functional partners and follow through on issues

  • Like improving systems and standard work, not just reacting to problems

  • Are comfortable operating with urgency during ramp while building durable processes for long-term stability

  • Remain calm under pressure, make decisions amid ambiguity, and stay focused on execution

  • Enjoy taking messy, early-stage systems and turning them into reliable,

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Aplyr's read

OpenAI is a pioneering AI research organization focused on developing AGI to benefit humanity, attracting talent keen on ethical and innovative AI solutions.

Synthesized from recent postings & public sources

What's promising

  • OpenAI is at the forefront of AI research, driving innovation in artificial general intelligence.
  • The company emphasizes ethical AI development, appealing to those passionate about responsible technology.
  • OpenAI offers diverse roles across engineering, sales, and creative fields, indicating a dynamic work environment.

What to watch

  • OpenAI's rapid growth may lead to organizational challenges and resource strain.
  • The focus on AGI poses inherent risks and ethical dilemmas that require careful navigation.
  • Limited public information about internal culture and work-life balance may concern potential applicants.

Why OpenAI

  • OpenAI's mission to ensure AGI benefits all of humanity sets it apart in the tech industry.
  • The organization combines cutting-edge research with a strong emphasis on ethical AI practices.
  • OpenAI's diverse hiring across global markets reflects its commitment to international impact and collaboration.

Aplyr’s read is generated by AI from public sources. Was it useful?

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About OpenAI

OpenAI is an artificial intelligence research organization that aims to ensure that artificial general intelligence (AGI) benefits all of humanity. They develop advanced AI technologies and promote safe and responsible AI practices.

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