Data Center Engineer

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 are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Data Center Engineer to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for designing, implementing, and constructing mechanical and fiber connectivity systems that support our data centers. You will work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure the reliability, efficiency, and scalability of our data center infrastructure.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and design mechanical systems, including HVAC, cooling systems, and piping systems, tailored to the unique requirements of data centers.
• Lead and assist on new data center designs and integrate new technology advancements to increase the velocity of usable compute.
• Develop rack elevations, build architectures, and for server racks. Work with OEMs to increase the velocity of deployment
• Develop and design network connectivity for large RDMA and Infiniband network architectures.
• Oversee the installation, maintenance, and optimization of mechanical systems to ensure maximum efficiency and uptime.
• Development of commissioning scripts for mechanical systems supporting data centers.
• Monitor and analyze the performance of mechanical systems, using data to drive improvements and troubleshoot issues.
• Manage projects from concept through completion, coordinating with vendors, contractors, and internal teams to deliver on-time and within budget.
• Work with the operations team to plan and implement capacity expansions, ensuring that mechanical systems can scale with demand.
• Develop and implement emergency response plans for mechanical system failures, ensuring minimal disruption to data center operations.
• Maintain detailed documentation of all mechanical systems, including design specifications, maintenance records, and operational procedures.
• Manage and organize cabling infrastructure to ensure efficient and reliable connectivity.
• Collaborate with network architects on the design of new scalable data centers.
• Increase the reliability and performance of the existing connectivity in data centers.
• Create, maintain, and plan program scopes, develop SOWs, and level bids for construction and data center improvement projects
• Plan and procure materials from manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers for large scale construction and network connectivity upgrades/enhancements.
• Responsible for connectivity activities within construction, projects onsite including tracking and reporting actual progress in relation to scheduled expectations.
• Design and plan data center infrastructure deployments, including power, cooling, network, and hardware configurations.
• Perform testing and validation of all deployed systems to ensure optimal performance and compliance with design specifications.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in mechanical engineering, with at least 3 years specifically in data center environments.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Proficiency in mechanical design software (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit), knowledge of HVAC systems, cooling technologies, and an understanding of electrical and control systems as they relate to mechanical engineering.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license is preferred. Certifications in HVAC or data center operations (e.g., ASHRAE, BICSI) are a plus.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to troubleshoot complex mechanical systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams.
• Strong attention to detail, with a focus on quality and accuracy in all aspects of work.

Additional Requirements

• 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