Data Engineer Jobs in San Francisco, CA
Data Engineer jobs in San Francisco are concentrated in SoMa, Mission Bay, and the Financial District, driven by demand across fintech, enterprise software, and biotech. Employers actively hiring include Anthropic, OpenAI, and MERCOR. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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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.
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Find Data Engineer JobsData Engineer Job Market in San Francisco
Who's Hiring
- Anthropic49
- OpenAI29
- MERCOR24
- DoorDash20
- RNB Consultancy20R
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software39
- Science & Research15
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals15
- Banking & Financial Services10
- Healthcare & Medical Services10
Data Engineer Jobs in San Francisco: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a data engineer job in San Francisco?
Focus your search on SoMa and Mission Bay, where fintech firms, enterprise software companies, and biotech startups cluster most densely. Employers in San Francisco tend to prioritize hands-on experience with cloud data platforms, real-time pipeline engineering, and tools like Spark, dbt, and Snowflake. Candidates who can demonstrate end-to-end pipeline ownership and cross-functional collaboration with analytics and product teams consistently stand out in this market.
Which companies hire data engineers in San Francisco?
Companies currently hiring data engineers in San Francisco include Anthropic, OpenAI, and MERCOR, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. San Francisco's employer mix runs from publicly traded tech and financial services firms to well-funded Series B and Series C startups, giving candidates options across company size and engineering maturity.
Are there remote data engineer jobs in San Francisco?
Yes, though remote availability is higher for analytics-heavy and platform engineering roles than for positions tied to on-site infrastructure or embedded product teams. About 79% of data engineer openings tied to San Francisco are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the desk-based nature of most pipeline and modeling work. Roles at larger fintech and enterprise software employers in the city are most likely to offer structured hybrid arrangements.
How can I get a data engineer job in San Francisco with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in San Francisco is through a junior or associate data analyst role at a mid-size startup, then transitioning once you have pipeline and SQL experience. San Francisco's dense startup ecosystem means many early-stage companies hire generalist data hires who grow into engineering work. Building a portfolio of public projects on GitHub, contributing to open-source data tooling, and targeting Series A companies in SoMa or Mission Bay gives entry-level candidates a concrete local advantage.
Which industries hire the most data engineers in San Francisco?
Most data engineer openings in San Francisco sit in Technology & Software, Science & Research, and Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. San Francisco's concentration of payments companies, digital health platforms, and enterprise SaaS firms creates sustained demand for engineers who can build and maintain production-grade data infrastructure at scale.
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