Site Operations 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 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 the Datacenter Technician Lead at xAI Memphis, you will oversee the health and performance of our server and network infrastructure across data centers and global points of presence. You will lead a team of technicians, ensuring optimal operations and continuous improvement in our two most critical metrics: mean time to detect (MTTD) and mean time to repair (MTTR). Your role encompasses hands-on technical leadership, process optimization, and cross-functional collaboration to maintain and enhance our data center operations. RESPONSIBILITIES: Lead and mentor a team of data center technicians, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement. Oversee the installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of server and network infrastructure. Manage and optimize data center operations, including power supply cabling, fiber/optics labeling, and hardware decommissioning. Develop and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs) and ensure adherence to safety protocols. Coordinate with engineering and provisioning teams to ensure seamless hardware intake and repair processes. Utilize internal applications for inventory and asset management, ensuring accurate tracking and reporting. Manage data center operations tickets via Jira, ensuring timely resolution and documentation. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design and implement network layouts and solutions. Lead initiatives to improve operational efficiency and reduce downtime. Provide on-call support and respond to critical events as needed. BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: High school diploma or equivalency certificate. 6+ years of experience working with server, storage, compute, and network hardware. 6+ years of experience troubleshooting and repairing servers and networking infrastructure. 5+ years of experience in inventory management, including ordering, receiving, and shipping server and network equipment. Proven leadership experience in a data center or technical operations environment. PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: Strong Linux skills, including navigating system directories, manipulating files in the Linux shell, user permission configuration, and package installation. Experience with Python, Bash or other scripting languages. Experience leading data center infrastructure projects. Familiarity with structured cabling (copper/fiber) and power and cooling concepts inside the data center. Excellent prioritization and time management skills. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and maintain attention to detail. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Position is subject to pre-employment and annual post-employment background checks. Ability to lift up to 35 lbs. unassisted. Comfortable working at elevated heights (up to 50 feet) with appropriate safety gear. 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. For details on data processing, view our Recruitment Privacy Notice .