About the role
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
You will oversee mechanical contractors and crews building the advanced mechanical infrastructure for xAI’s Memphis Data Center — including large-scale HVAC and cooling systems, chilled water plants, condenser water systems, process piping, pumps, CRAC/CRAH units, cooling towers, and fire protection systems. If you thrive on hands-on leadership, complex industrial mechanical construction, and contributing to high-impact AI infrastructure, join us to help deliver one of the most advanced and efficient data centers in the world.
This is a full-time, onsite role based in Memphis, Tennessee, with relocation required depending on additional construction locations within the US.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Oversee and coordinate mechanical installations during night shift hours, including chilled water piping, condenser systems, HVAC equipment, cooling towers, pumps, heat exchangers, ductwork, CRAC/CRAH units, and fire suppression systems for xAI Data Centers.
- Manage and schedule mechanical contractors, subcontractors, and on-site crews to deliver project milestones on time and to xAI’s exacting quality and reliability standards.
- Ensure all contractors adhere to mechanical scope, delivering high-integrity cooling and process systems critical to data center uptime, efficiency, and thermal management.
- Monitor daily night-shift progress of mechanical construction, maintaining detailed logs, red-line drawings, and as-built documentation for all mechanical infrastructure.
- Develop and enforce aggressive construction schedules while keeping the project on time and within budget.
- Champion and enforce xAI’s safety program, building a zero-incident culture across all teams working around heavy mechanical equipment, pressurized systems, and elevated work during night operations.
- Lead, train, and supervise foremen and mechanical crews, fostering teamwork and accountability in a high-stakes mission-critical environment.
- Proactively resolve on-site challenges — material delays, technical conflicts, sequencing issues, and coordination with electrical/civil trades — with a strong focus on mechanical system reliability and code compliance.
- Conduct regular night-shift site inspections to verify compliance with local regulations, mechanical codes, safety protocols, and xAI’s stringent quality standards.
- Prepare and present clear progress reports, mechanical construction metrics, and risk updates to senior leadership.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 3+ years managing mechanical construction teams with strong emphasis on large-scale industrial or mission-critical mechanical projects.
- 3+ years of direct hands-on experience in mechanical installations including process piping, HVAC systems, chilled water plants, pumps, and cooling infrastructure — ideally on data centers, industrial processes, or heavy mechanical projects.
- High school diploma or equivalency certificate.
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
- Postsecondary diploma or degree in construction management, mechanical engineering, or related field.
- Proven track record supervising mechanical construction for data centers, hyperscale facilities, or similar mission-critical environments.
- Familiarity with Memphis-area building codes, mechanical regulations (IMC, ASME, NFPA), and industrial permitting.
- Experience with construction management software (Procore, AutoCAD, Bluebeam, MS Project, etc.) on complex infrastructure projects.
- Deep knowledge of mechanical construction critical paths, sequencing, and coordination with electrical/civil trades through commissioning and startup.
- Strong understanding of data center mechanical specifications, redundancy requirements (N+1, 2N), energy efficiency, and cooling systems designed for 24/7 operation.
- Demonstrated ability to lead diverse crews under tight deadlines while maintaining collaboration and safety.
- Expert-level commitment to mechanical safety (pressure systems, LOTO, confined space) and history of building strong safety cultures on regulated sites.
- Excellent problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills for technically complex mechanical scenarios.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Teams, Project) for reporting and scheduling.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- Subject to pre-employment drug screening and random drug and alcohol testing.
- Subject to pre-employment and annual post-employment background checks.
- Comfortable working in industrial environments with exposure to noise, heavy equipment, excavations, and mechanical systems.
- Available to work night shift as the primary schedule, with flexibility for evenings and weekends as site operational needs dictate.
- Ability to lift 25+ lbs and perform physically demanding tasks in outdoor/tight conditions.
If you are a hands-on mechanical construction leader who excels in high-stakes, mission-critical environments and is ready to own the night shift on groundbreaking AI infrastructure, we encourage you to apply.
xAI is an equal opportunity employer. For details on data processing, view our Recruitment Privacy Notice.