Manager, Operations Engineering (Physical Infrastructure)

Job Application for Manager, Operations Engineering (Physical Infrastructure) at xAI

Back to jobs New Manager, Operations Engineering (Physical Infrastructure) Memphis, TN; Southaven, MS

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

ABOUT THE ROLE:

As a Manager, Operations Engineering (Physical Infrastructure) on the xAI infrastructure team, you will lead the design, build, activation, and continuous optimization of the world’s most technically advanced data centers and AI compute facilities. You will own end-to-end operational excellence for physical infrastructure, driving process improvements, metrics-driven decision making, and cross-functional alignment to ensure maximum uptime, efficiency, and scalability. This role will report directly to the department head (or equivalent senior leader) and serve as a key leader org-wide, managing a team of operations engineers and analysts while acting as a strategic partner to site directors, construction, maintenance, and facilities teams. If you thrive on strategic planning, leading continuous improvement initiatives, building high-performing teams, and operating in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, this role is for you!

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Lead and develop a team of Operations Engineers and analysts focused on physical infrastructure optimization for xAI’s hyperscale data centers

Define and own department-level visual standards, JIRA workflows, PowerBI dashboards, and operational processes; drive adoption and continuous refinement across the organization

Champion department-wide continuous improvement projects, including new process rollouts, standardization, and lean/six sigma initiatives

Partner with all levels of the business to map current workflows, identify systemic gaps, and implement scalable solutions

Establish and evolve department-level metrics & dashboards that quantify operational health, drive data-informed decisions, and demonstrate impact to leadership

Conduct in-depth analyses using SQL, Python, Excel, and other tools to uncover trends, mitigate risks, and recommend optimizations

Develop and implement automation, tools, and reports that reduce business risk, improve efficiencies, and enhance communication with facility and site directors

Lead department-wide operations audits to streamline repair, maintenance, and construction engineering workflows

Own maintenance program enhancements, focusing resources on critical hardware health while descoping low-value work

Evaluate, select, and implement construction management, maintenance, and facilities tools (software/hardware) to minimize waste and maximize technician/engineer productivity

Perform site services analysis for contracts (custodial, utilities, waste, power, cooling, fiber, etc.), negotiate improvements, and build roadmaps for cost optimization and reliability

Standardize material libraries and procurement processes to reduce lead times and support rapid scaling across sites

Drive alignment and best-practice sharing with maintenance and construction teams at other xAI sites nationwide to eliminate duplication and accelerate execution

Build and mentor high-performing cross-functional teams while fostering a culture of operational excellence and accountability

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline, operations research, industrial engineering, management science, or related field

5+ years of experience in operations, process improvement, or facilities management (with progressive leadership experience managing teams or projects)

Demonstrated experience with Excel, SQL, Python, Power BI, JIRA, or similar tools for data analysis, visualization, and workflow management

Proven track record leading cross-functional initiatives in fast-paced environments

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

Previous experience in data centers, hyperscale infrastructure, manufacturing, supply chain, or production environments

Strong proficiency in statistics, data analysis, data visualization, cost-benefit analysis, and operational excellence frameworks (Lean, Six Sigma, etc.)

Hands-on experience with CAD, ArcGIS, Archibus, BMS/SCADA, ERP systems, inventory/capacity planning, or critical infrastructure (MEP systems)

Experience contributing to or leading multi-disciplinary teams in construction, commissioning, or facilities operations

Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels

Ability to thrive in a dynamic environment with extended hours/weekends as needed and occasional short-notice travel

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must be able to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed, including occasional short-notice domestic travel

xAI is an equal opportunity employer. For details on data processing, view our Recruitment Privacy Notice .

Create a Job Alert Interested in building your career at xAI? Get future opportunities sent straight to your email. Create alert

Apply for this job

*

indicates a required field

Quick Apply with MyGreenhouse

First Name *

Last Name *

Preferred First Name

Email *

Phone Country *

Phone *

Location (City) *

Locate me Resume/CV * Attach Attach

Dropbox Google Drive Enter manually Enter manually

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Cover Letter Attach Attach

Dropbox Google Drive Enter manually Enter manually

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Education

School Select...

Degree Select...

Discipline Select...

Add another Full Legal Name *

Full Legal Name in Native Language (e.g. Chinese Characters, Cyrillic, Farsi etc) *

Website

LinkedIn Profile

X Profile

Your Location *

If working in the US, will you now, or in the future, require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H-1B visa) to legally work...