SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.
DIRECTOR, DATACENTER OPERATIONS
We are seeking an exceptional Director, Datacenter Operations to lead both the engineering and operations of xAI’s hyperscale AI compute facilities. This role will own the full lifecycle of mission-critical infrastructure — from design and development through construction, commissioning, and ongoing operations — including structural, civil, electrical, mechanical, liquid cooling, power generation, power distribution, controls, and high-capacity fiber optic networks.
You will build and lead high-performing multidisciplinary engineering and operations teams, drive technical strategy and operational excellence, and ensure world-class reliability, efficiency, and scalability for the infrastructure powering xAI’s AI training clusters. This high-impact position requires deep expertise in hyperscale data center or industrial infrastructure, strong leadership across both engineering and operations disciplines, and the ability to deliver at unprecedented speed and scale. This is a full-time, primarily onsite role with significant travel to project sites and vendor locations.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Own the operations and performance of the physical infrastructure for xAI’s data centers and compute facilities, including electrical systems, mechanical systems, liquid cooling, power generation, power distribution, controls, and fiber networks.
- Build and lead operations teams across electrical, mechanical, controls, power generation, and critical infrastructure areas.
- Set and maintain operational standards and procedures for power usage, cooling performance, uptime, efficiency, and reliability.
- Run day-to-day facility operations, including power generation, electrical and mechanical systems, preventive maintenance, and response to issues.
- Improve facility operations over time by focusing on better reliability, efficiency, and cost control.
- Work with construction, hardware, and procurement teams to bring new facilities from construction into steady operations.
- Identify and implement improvements to cooling systems, power delivery, controls, and maintenance practices to support large AI clusters.
- Manage operational budgets, vendor relationships, and resource planning.
- Maintain safety, quality, and compliance standards across all operations.
- Report on facility performance and provide updates and recommendations to leadership.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline or 8+ years of experience in a production/military/industrial/data center environment.
- 4+ years of direct people leadership experience managing engineering and/or operations teams.
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Deep knowledge of electrical, mechanical, and power systems, liquid cooling, controls/BMS, fiber optic networks, and 24/7 critical facilities operations.
- Demonstrated ability to deliver high reliability and operational excellence under aggressive growth timelines.
- Direct experience in AI or hyperscale data center environments, including liquid cooling systems and high-power GPU/accelerator infrastructure.
- Strong background in both design/engineering and operations of power generation assets (gas turbines, reciprocating engines, etc.).
- Experience building or scaling fiber infrastructure for low-latency, high-bandwidth interconnects between compute clusters.
- Track record of leading multidisciplinary teams through the full project lifecycle (design through operations) on fast-track schedules.
- Familiarity with Uptime Institute Tier standards, ASHRAE guidelines, IEEE, NFPA, IBC, TIA-942, and relevant power generation standards.
- Experience with automation, predictive maintenance, and data-driven operational improvements.
- Master’s degree in engineering or related field; Professional Engineer (PE) license is a plus.
- Hands-on experience with relevant tools and platforms (AutoCAD, Revit, ETAP, BIM, CMMS, monitoring systems).
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- This role is primarily onsite at key project locations (e.g., Memphis area) and will require relocation if not local.
- Willingness to travel to other sites and vendor locations as needed (up to 20%).
- Ability to work in industrial/data center environments and lead teams during high-pressure phases, including extended hours when required.
- Must be comfortable with on-call responsibilities for critical infrastructure.
ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
- To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.
SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [email protected].
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline OR 8+ years experience in a production/military/industrial/data center environment
- 4+ years direct people leadership experience managing engineering and/or operations teams
- Primarily onsite at key project locations (e.g., Memphis area); relocation required if not local
- Willingness to travel to other sites and vendor locations as needed (up to 20%)
- Ability to work in industrial/data center environments and lead teams during high-pressure phases, including extended hours when required
- Comfortable with on-call responsibilities for critical infrastructure
- ITAR eligibility: must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card), refugee, asylee, or eligible to obtain required Department of State authorizations
- Deep knowledge of electrical, mechanical, and power systems, liquid cooling, controls/BMS, fiber optic networks, and 24/7 critical facilities operations
- Direct experience in AI or hyperscale data center environments, including liquid cooling systems and high-power GPU/accelerator infrastructure
- Experience with power generation assets (gas turbines, reciprocating engines)
- Experience building or scaling fiber infrastructure for low-latency, high-bandwidth interconnects
- Familiarity with Uptime Institute Tier standards, ASHRAE guidelines, IEEE, NFPA, IBC, TIA-942, and relevant power generation standards
- Experience with automation, predictive maintenance, and data-driven operational improvements
- Master's degree in engineering or related field; Professional Engineer (PE) license is a plus
- Hands-on experience with AutoCAD, Revit, ETAP, BIM, CMMS, and monitoring systems
SpaceX Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about SpaceX and has not been reviewed or approved by SpaceX.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Equity grants are a core part of total compensation, with periodic company-run tender offers that create liquidity before any public listing. These mechanisms can make the equity component feel materially valuable in practice.
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Healthcare Strength — The package includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, with on-site clinics and health resources at major sites. This breadth of coverage is presented as a strong element of the offering.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Major locations feature on-site amenities such as fitness facilities, food/coffee, clinics, and other conveniences. These lifestyle perks enhance day-to-day value alongside cash and equity.
SpaceX Insights
What We Do
SpaceX designs, manufactures and launches the world’s most advanced rockets and spacecraft. The company was founded in 2002 by Elon Musk to revolutionize space transportation, with the ultimate goal of making life multiplanetary. SpaceX has gained worldwide attention for a series of historic milestones. It is the only private company ever to return a spacecraft from low-Earth orbit, which it first accomplished in December 2010. The company made history again in May 2012 when its Dragon spacecraft attached to the International Space Station, exchanged cargo payloads, and returned safely to Earth — a technically challenging feat previously accomplished only by governments. Since then Dragon has delivered cargo to and from the space station multiple times, providing regular cargo resupply missions for NASA.
