Senior Manager, Export Controls

About the Role

We’re hiring a Senior Manager, Export Controls to lead OpenAI’s export controls strategy and operating model. This is a senior role with broad scope across advanced computing, semiconductors, software, hardware, manufacturing, and high technology partnerships.

You will refine how OpenAI classifies controlled technology, software, and hardware, structures access-controlled environments, manages licensing and supplier commitments, and scales export-control operations in a way that supports the company’s pace of innovation. You will also shape how OpenAI applies AI and agentic workflows to policy-heavy operational work, building systems that make complex rules easier to navigate and easier to execute.

In this role, you will

• Refine the strategy and operating model for OpenAI’s export controls program across advanced computing, semiconductors, software, hardware, manufacturing, and high technology partnerships.
• Own export classification and licensing strategy for controlled technical data, software, hardware, and research environments.
• Lead the design and operation of compliant controlled environments and related governance processes.
• Partner with Research and Infrastructure to support efficient researcher access while maintaining clear control boundaries.
• Partner with technical teams to develop durable classification and control models.
• Partner cross-functionally to translate policy into documented technical controls, logging, evidence, access boundaries, and exception handling.
• Lead supplier-facing compliance processes, including onboarding requirements, certifications, and relevant contractual controls.
• Build and administer Technology Control Plan processes, including briefings, acknowledgements, operating materials, completion tracking, and escalation paths.
• Develop service levels, metrics, and reporting that improve access velocity, supplier onboarding, and decision quality.
• Build internal tooling and an AI- and agent-enabled operating model.

You might thrive in this role if you

• A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience in engineering, computer science, physics, international trade, law, public policy, or a related field. Advanced technical, legal, or policy training is valuable.
• Significant experience leading export controls, trade compliance, or a closely related function in advanced computing, semiconductors, electronics, or other high-technology domains.
• Deep expertise in export controls, including classification, licensing, deemed exports, end-use and end-user restrictions, and controls on technical data and software.
• Direct experience working on advanced computing and advanced semiconductor controls.
• Strong leadership judgment and a track record of building and scaling programs in fast-moving technology companies and complex multinational environments.
• Experience translating policy into workflows, systems requirements, service levels, operating guidance, and measurable business outcomes.
• The ability to work credibly with researchers, infrastructure engineers, hardware engineers, chip-design teams, Security, and Legal.
• Experience managing service providers, and cross-functional programs that require speed, discretion, and strong execution.
• Strong writing and communication skills, with the ability to turn complex requirements into clear process documentation and guidance for technical and business audiences.
• Experience building AI-enabled workflows, internal tools, knowledge systems, or agentic processes for policy-heavy or operational work.