Project Manager, Construction

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: We’re seeking an experienced Construction Project Manager with a strong engineering background to lead mission-critical build efforts for our data center in Memphis, Tennessee. As a key on-site leader, you’ll bring technical credibility, engineering expertise, and steady leadership to fast-paced, high-impact projects. You’ll own site relationships, collaborate closely with technical, design, and construction teams, and report to central construction leadership, with potential shifts in reporting lines as projects evolve. This is a full-time, onsite role based in Memphis, Tennessee, with relocation required depending on additional construction locations within the US. RESPONSIBILITIES: Act as the senior construction representative for the Memphis data center, managing relationships with contractors, partners, and internal stakeholders. Oversee end-to-end project execution, from pre-construction and site development through commissioning and handover. Coordinate multiple vendors and trade partners, ensuring seamless communication between field teams, engineering disciplines, and technical stakeholders. Proactively identify and mitigate risks to ensure high-quality delivery, safety, schedule adherence, and operational readiness. Drive project progress, resolving roadblocks and keeping complex, multi-phase timelines on track. Create and align construction schedules and deliverables with xAI’s broader infrastructure and AI supercomputing goals through cross-functional collaboration. Partner with engineering and commissioning teams to guide technical integration and resolve issues efficiently. Deliver regular updates using well-designed KPIs, dashboards, and reports for internal and external stakeholders. Ensure the project meets technical, quality, and engineering standards outlined in the base design. Perform quantity take-offs, field verifications, and progress monitoring to support accurate forecasting and reporting. Manage change orders, identifying value-engineered solutions to minimize unnecessary changes and control costs. Lead site safety initiatives, fostering a consistent and effective safety culture. Adapt to evolving needs, supporting cross-functional partners as required, regardless of original job scope. BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, or related Engineering discipline (or equivalent experience). 5+ years of experience managing large-scale construction projects, with a focus on data centers, mission-critical facilities, or industrial infrastructure. Strong engineering background with proven ability to interpret drawings, specifications, and technical requirements across multiple disciplines. Demonstrated success leading on-site construction teams with authority and building trust with vendors, partners, and technical stakeholders. Experience managing large programs involving multiple vendors, dynamic priorities, and complex coordination. Excellent communication skills across disciplines, from field-level updates to technical escalations with engineering teams. Thrives in solving complex, real-time problems with adaptability, composure, and data-driven decision making. Ability to travel as needed. PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPER