Data Center Manager Jobs in California
Data Center Manager jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in cloud infrastructure, semiconductor manufacturing, enterprise IT, and colocation services, with openings ranging from first-time facility supervisors through senior directors overseeing multi-site operations. The largest hiring markets are San Jose, Los Angeles, and Sacramento, where companies like Google, Meta, and Equinix maintain major data center footprints and hire continuously. The most in-demand specialties are power and cooling systems management, network infrastructure oversight, and critical facilities operations. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 303+ Data Center Manager jobs
Scaling - San Francisco
About the Team
OpenAI is building the infrastructure foundation for the next generation of AI. The Data Center Engineering team defines the strategy, reference architectures, technical requirements, and delivery standards for the large-scale data centers that support OpenAI research, products, and infrastructure partners.
As a Data Center Controls Engineer, you will program, configure, integrate, and commission the controls systems that support high-density AI data centers. You will work hands-on with mechanical or electrical controls, partnering with mechanical, electrical, IT/networking, security, commissioning, operations, and external delivery teams.
About the Role
We are seeking hands-on, early-career controls engineers with practical experience in building management systems (BMS) and mechanical controls, or electrical power monitoring systems (EPMS) and electrical controls. This role focuses on implementing and commissioning control systems, including PLCs, field devices, instrumentation, and sequences of operation, rather than owning OT/IT network or cybersecurity architecture.
The ideal candidate has day-to-day experience programming and commissioning controls, ideally with a controls systems integrator. We welcome depth in either BMS/mechanical or EPMS/electrical controls; expertise in both is not required. You will work with experienced engineers and delivery partners to turn design requirements into reliable, tested systems.
Key Responsibilities
Program and configure PLCs and control systems for mechanical/BMS or electrical/EPMS applications in AI data center campuses.
Implement and test sequences of operation, control logic, alarms, and interlocks against approved functional requirements.
Review and maintain controls documentation, including control diagrams, I/O and point lists, instrumentation details, sequences of operation, and commissioning records.
Integrate field devices, sensors, instrumentation, equipment controllers, and supervisory systems; validate point mapping, communications, and data quality.
Maintain control programs, configuration backups, version history, change records, and rollback procedures to support safe commissioning and operations.
Partner with mechanical, electrical, IT/networking, cybersecurity, and operations teams to resolve integration issues and implement approved OT connectivity and security requirements.
Configure and troubleshoot relevant industrial communications, such as BACnet/IP, BACnet MS/TP, Modbus TCP/RTU, OPC UA, or IEC 61850, according to the system and controls discipline.
Work directly with controls integratorsance issues.
Execute and document factory and site acceptance testing, point-to-point checks, sequence verification, and integrated systems testing; troubleshoot control logic, instrumentation, alarms, and device communication failures.
Qualifications
Practical hands-on experience programming, configuring, integrating, or commissioning control systems in data centers, industrial automation, buildings, or other critical infrastructure environments.
Working knowledge of PLC programming and control logic, with the ability to implement and troubleshoot sequences of operation.
Experience in either BMS/mechanical controls or EPMS/electrical controls, with an understanding of the equipment and operating sequences in that discipline.
Experience configuring field devices and instrumentation, validating I/O and point mapping, and diagnosing control system behavior.
Working knowledge of relevant industrial communication protocols and basic OT networking needed to connect and troubleshoot control systems.
Ability to read control diagrams, equipment documentation, I/O lists, and functional specifications, and keep implementation records accurate.
Hands-on experience with functional testing, commissioning, and systematic troubleshooting using trends, alarms, logs, and field observations.
Ability to work closely with integrators, vendors, construction teams, and operations, communicate issues clearly, and follow safe work and change-control practices.
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Controls or Automation Engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
Preferred Skills
Experience at a controls systems integrator, with regular responsibility for programming, configuration, field integration, and commissioning.
Experience delivering BMS/mechanical or EPMS/electrical controls for data centers or other mission-critical facilities.
Familiarity with supervisory controls, HMI/SCADA configuration, telemetry, and historian integrations.
Familiarity with OT cybersecurity practices and working with networking or security specialists to implement approved access and connectivity requirements.
Experience with scripting, APIs, or automation tools that improve controls testing, integration, documentation, or troubleshooting.
Work Environment and Travel
This role requires periodic travel to data center campuses, vendors, labs, construction sites, commissioning activities, and controls/network cutovers.
The engineer should be comfortable working across office, lab, construction, and live data center environments, including PPE, lockout/tagout, cyber hygiene, and change-control requirements.
Work may include time-sensitive support during commissioning, startup, vendor testing, cutovers, network changes, telemetry issues, automation failures, and operational events.
Travel: 50%
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 the full spectrum of humanity.
We are an equal opportunity employeration, or other applicable legally protected characteristic.
Background checks for applicants will be administered in accordance with applicable lawation technology systems and related data security obligations.
To notify OpenAI that you believe this job posting is non-compliant. No response will be provided to inquiries unrelated to job posting compliance.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.
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.
Compensation
$177K – $285K + Offers Equity
The base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factorsance-related bonus(es) for eligible employees, and the following benefits.
Medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your family, with employer contributions to Health Savings Accounts
Pre-tax accounts for Health FSA, Dependent Care FSA, and commuter expenses (parking and transit)
401(k) retirement plan with employer match
Paid parental leave (up to 24 weeks for birth parents and 20 weeks for non-birthing parents), plus paid medical and caregiver leave (up to 8 weeks)
Paid time off: flexible PTO for exempt employees and up to 15 days annually for non-exempt employees
13+ paid company holidays, and multiple paid coordinated company office closures throughout the year for focus and recharge, plus paid sick or safe time (1 hour per 30 hours worked, or more, as required by applicable state or local law)
Mental health and wellness support
Employer-paid basic life and disability coverage
Annual learning and development stipend to fuel your professional growth
Daily meals in our offices, and meal delivery credits as eligible
Relocation support for eligible employees
Additional taxable fringe benefits, such as charitable donation matching and wellness stipends, may also be provided.
More details about our benefits are available to candidates during the hiring process.
This role is at-will and OpenAI reserves the right to modify base pay and other compensation components at any time based on individual performance, team or company results, or market conditions.
Scaling - San Francisco
About the Team
OpenAI is building the infrastructure foundation for the next generation of AI. The Data Center Engineering team defines the strategy, reference architectures, technical requirements, and delivery standards for the large-scale data centers that support OpenAI research, products, and infrastructure partners.
As a Data Center Controls Engineer, you will program, configure, integrate, and commission the controls systems that support high-density AI data centers. You will work hands-on with mechanical or electrical controls, partnering with mechanical, electrical, IT/networking, security, commissioning, operations, and external delivery teams.
About the Role
We are seeking hands-on, early-career controls engineers with practical experience in building management systems (BMS) and mechanical controls, or electrical power monitoring systems (EPMS) and electrical controls. This role focuses on implementing and commissioning control systems, including PLCs, field devices, instrumentation, and sequences of operation, rather than owning OT/IT network or cybersecurity architecture.
The ideal candidate has day-to-day experience programming and commissioning controls, ideally with a controls systems integrator. We welcome depth in either BMS/mechanical or EPMS/electrical controls; expertise in both is not required. You will work with experienced engineers and delivery partners to turn design requirements into reliable, tested systems.
Key Responsibilities
Program and configure PLCs and control systems for mechanical/BMS or electrical/EPMS applications in AI data center campuses.
Implement and test sequences of operation, control logic, alarms, and interlocks against approved functional requirements.
Review and maintain controls documentation, including control diagrams, I/O and point lists, instrumentation details, sequences of operation, and commissioning records.
Integrate field devices, sensors, instrumentation, equipment controllers, and supervisory systems; validate point mapping, communications, and data quality.
Maintain control programs, configuration backups, version history, change records, and rollback procedures to support safe commissioning and operations.
Partner with mechanical, electrical, IT/networking, cybersecurity, and operations teams to resolve integration issues and implement approved OT connectivity and security requirements.
Configure and troubleshoot relevant industrial communications, such as BACnet/IP, BACnet MS/TP, Modbus TCP/RTU, OPC UA, or IEC 61850, according to the system and controls discipline.
Work directly with controls integratorsance issues.
Execute and document factory and site acceptance testing, point-to-point checks, sequence verification, and integrated systems testing; troubleshoot control logic, instrumentation, alarms, and device communication failures.
Qualifications
Practical hands-on experience programming, configuring, integrating, or commissioning control systems in data centers, industrial automation, buildings, or other critical infrastructure environments.
Working knowledge of PLC programming and control logic, with the ability to implement and troubleshoot sequences of operation.
Experience in either BMS/mechanical controls or EPMS/electrical controls, with an understanding of the equipment and operating sequences in that discipline.
Experience configuring field devices and instrumentation, validating I/O and point mapping, and diagnosing control system behavior.
Working knowledge of relevant industrial communication protocols and basic OT networking needed to connect and troubleshoot control systems.
Ability to read control diagrams, equipment documentation, I/O lists, and functional specifications, and keep implementation records accurate.
Hands-on experience with functional testing, commissioning, and systematic troubleshooting using trends, alarms, logs, and field observations.
Ability to work closely with integrators, vendors, construction teams, and operations, communicate issues clearly, and follow safe work and change-control practices.
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Controls or Automation Engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
Preferred Skills
Experience at a controls systems integrator, with regular responsibility for programming, configuration, field integration, and commissioning.
Experience delivering BMS/mechanical or EPMS/electrical controls for data centers or other mission-critical facilities.
Familiarity with supervisory controls, HMI/SCADA configuration, telemetry, and historian integrations.
Familiarity with OT cybersecurity practices and working with networking or security specialists to implement approved access and connectivity requirements.
Experience with scripting, APIs, or automation tools that improve controls testing, integration, documentation, or troubleshooting.
Work Environment and Travel
This role requires periodic travel to data center campuses, vendors, labs, construction sites, commissioning activities, and controls/network cutovers.
The engineer should be comfortable working across office, lab, construction, and live data center environments, including PPE, lockout/tagout, cyber hygiene, and change-control requirements.
Work may include time-sensitive support during commissioning, startup, vendor testing, cutovers, network changes, telemetry issues, automation failures, and operational events.
Travel: 50%
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 the full spectrum of humanity.
We are an equal opportunity employeration, or other applicable legally protected characteristic.
Background checks for applicants will be administered in accordance with applicable lawation technology systems and related data security obligations.
To notify OpenAI that you believe this job posting is non-compliant. No response will be provided to inquiries unrelated to job posting compliance.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.
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.
Compensation
$177K – $285K + Offers Equity
The base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factorsance-related bonus(es) for eligible employees, and the following benefits.
Medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your family, with employer contributions to Health Savings Accounts
Pre-tax accounts for Health FSA, Dependent Care FSA, and commuter expenses (parking and transit)
401(k) retirement plan with employer match
Paid parental leave (up to 24 weeks for birth parents and 20 weeks for non-birthing parents), plus paid medical and caregiver leave (up to 8 weeks)
Paid time off: flexible PTO for exempt employees and up to 15 days annually for non-exempt employees
13+ paid company holidays, and multiple paid coordinated company office closures throughout the year for focus and recharge, plus paid sick or safe time (1 hour per 30 hours worked, or more, as required by applicable state or local law)
Mental health and wellness support
Employer-paid basic life and disability coverage
Annual learning and development stipend to fuel your professional growth
Daily meals in our offices, and meal delivery credits as eligible
Relocation support for eligible employees
Additional taxable fringe benefits, such as charitable donation matching and wellness stipends, may also be provided.
More details about our benefits are available to candidates during the hiring process.
This role is at-will and OpenAI reserves the right to modify base pay and other compensation components at any time based on individual performance, team or company results, or market conditions.
See All 303+ Data Center Manager Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Data Center Manager JobsData Center Manager Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Data Center Manager Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Meta32
- Google14
- Qualcomm13
- Turner & Townsend Pty Limited12
- AMD11
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software14
- Electronics & Hardware10
- Consulting & Professional Services6
- Science & Research5
- Staffing & Recruiting2
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in data center manager jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in information technology, computer science, or electrical engineering
- Certified Data Centre Professional (CDCP) or equivalent credential recognized in California
- Five or more years of hands-on data center operations or facilities management experience
- Demonstrated expertise managing power distribution, HVAC, and critical infrastructure systems
- Experience with DCIM software platforms and capacity planning tools
- Familiarity with OSHA safety standards and California Title 24 energy compliance requirements
Data Center Manager Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a data center manager in California?
Most data center managers in California start with a bachelor's degree in information technology, electrical engineering, or a related field and build several years of hands-on experience in data center operations or facilities roles. California does not issue a state license for this position, but employers consistently prioritize industry credentials such as the Certified Data Centre Professional or the Data Center Management Advanced certification. Gaining experience at California colocation providers or large enterprise IT departments is the most direct hiring path.
How much do data center managers make in California?
Data center managers in California earn a median of about $123,780 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $71,260 for the lowest 10% to over $208,420 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire data center managers in California?
Employers hiring data center managers in California right now include Meta, Google, and Qualcomm, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's dense concentration of hyperscale cloud operators, colocation providers, and large enterprise technology headquarters means hiring activity stays consistent throughout the year across the state.
Which California cities have the most data center manager jobs?
San Francisco, Santa Clara, and San Jose have the most data center manager openings in California. The San Jose and broader Bay Area concentration reflects the region's hyperscale cloud campuses and enterprise technology headquarters, while Los Angeles and Sacramento draw demand from media and entertainment infrastructure, state government systems, and regional colocation facilities serving Southern and Central California.
Are there remote data center manager jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Data center management is fundamentally a hands-on, on-site role requiring physical oversight of power, cooling, and hardware systems, so fully remote positions are uncommon. About 49% of data center manager openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those arrangements typically apply to strategic or multi-site oversight roles rather than day-to-day facility operations.
How can I get hired as a data center manager in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving into a data center technician or critical facilities coordinator role at a California colocation provider or enterprise IT department, then building toward management. Companies like Equinix and Digital Realty, both with large California footprints, regularly hire entry-level operations technicians and offer internal advancement tracks. Earning the Certified Data Centre Professional credential early and gaining experience with DCIM platforms and OSHA safety protocols gives candidates a clear edge when applying for supervisory openings.
Where can I find and apply to data center manager jobs in California?
You can find and apply to data center manager jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 303+ Data Center Manager Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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