Datacenter Infrastructure Engineer Lead

About xAI

xAI’s mission is to create AI systems that can accurately understand the universe and aid humanity in its pursuit of knowledge.

Our team is small, highly motivated, and focused on engineering excellence. This organization is for individuals who appreciate challenging themselves and thrive on curiosity.

We operate with a flat organizational structure. All employees are expected to be hands-on and to contribute directly to the company’s mission. Leadership is given to those who show initiative and consistently deliver excellence. Work ethic and strong prioritization skills are important.

All engineers and researchers are expected to have strong communication skills. They should be able to concisely and accurately share knowledge with their teammates.

About the Role

xAI’s mission is to create AI systems that can accurately understand the universe and aid humanity in its pursuit of knowledge. Our team is small, highly motivated, and focused on engineering excellence. This organization is for individuals who appreciate challenging themselves and thrive on curiosity. Engineers are encouraged to work across multiple areas of the company, and as a result, all engineers and researchers share the title "Member of Technical Staff." We operate with a flat organizational structure.

All employees are expected to be hands-on and to contribute directly to the company’s mission. Leadership is given to those who show initiative and consistently deliver excellence. Work ethic and strong prioritization skills are important. All engineers and researchers are expected to have strong communication skills. They should be able to concisely and accurately share knowledge with their teammates.

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Datacenter Infrastructure Engineer to lead and oversee the design, deployment, and maintenance of our state-of-the-art data center infrastructure. This role will be pivotal in ensuring the reliability, scalability, and efficiency of our data center operations, supporting xAI’s mission to drive innovation and excellence.

The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of data center engineering, including power, cooling, and networking systems, and demonstrate strong leadership capabilities to guide a team of infrastructure engineers. This position will require close collaboration with cross-functional teams, including IT, construction, facilities, and operations, to ensure seamless integration and alignment with company objectives.

Requirements:

• Infrastructure Design & Planning:

  • Lead the design and planning of electrical and HVAC systems for new data center builds and expansions.
  • Conduct feasibility studies and develop detailed specifications for system components.

• System Implementation:

  • Oversee the installation of high-capacity power distribution units (PDUs), UPS systems, cooling units, and other critical infrastructure.
  • Ensure compliance with industry standards (like Uptime Institute Tier Standards), safety regulations, and company policies.

• Operations & Maintenance:

  • Manage the maintenance schedule and ensure all electrical and HVAC systems are operating at optimal efficiency.
  • Lead troubleshooting efforts for power and cooling issues, minimizing downtime and enhancing system reliability.

• Capacity Management:

  • Analyze and forecast power and cooling needs based on current and projected IT loads.
  • Implement strategies for energy efficiency and cost reduction.

• Team Leadership:

  • Supervise a team of engineers and technicians, providing guidance, training, and performance evaluations.
  • Foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within the team.

• Project Management:

  • Act as project manager for major infrastructure projects, from conception through to commissioning.
  • Coordinate with external vendors, contractors, and internal departments to ensure project timelines are met.

• Compliance & Safety:

  • Ensure all work complies with local, state, and federal regulations concerning electrical and HVAC systems.
  • Promote a safe working environment, adhering to all safety protocols.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field. Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in data center operations, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Professional Engineer (PE) certification is highly desirable.
• Expertise in data center electrical systems (transformers, switchgear, generators, UPS systems) and HVAC systems (CRAC units, cooling towers, chilled water systems).
• Proficient with CAD tools like AutoCAD or Revit for design documentation.
• Strong project management skills with a track record of managing large-scale data center projects.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and team management skills.
• Certifications like CDCP (Certified Data Center Professional) or similar are a plus.

Additional Requirements

• Position is subject to pre-employment drug and random drug and alcohol testing.
• Position is subject to pre-employment and annual post-employment background checks. 
• Comfortable working in an environment requiring exposure to noise.
• Available to work evenings and weekends, as the schedule varies depending on site operational needs; flexibility is required.

xAI is an equal opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate based on race, color, religion, ethnicity, ancestry, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, medical conditions, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other applicable legally protected characteristics. 

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the California Fair Chance Act. 

For Los Angeles County (unincorporated) Candidates:

xAI reasonably believes that criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship on the following job duties, potentially resulting in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment: 

• Access to information technology systems and confidential information, including proprietary and trade secret information, and/or user data;
• Interacting with internal and/or external clients and colleagues; and
• Exercising sound judgment.

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