What are the responsibilities and job description for the Facilities Operations Manager position at xai?
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 engineers are expected to have strong communication skills. They should be able to concisely and accurately share knowledge with their teammates.
About the Role
The xAI team is seeking a driven Facilities Operations Manager to join us and ensure the relentless performance of our data center infrastructure. This role is critical to maintaining the uptime and efficiency of the systems powering our AI breakthroughs. You’ll lead teams, oversee cutting-edge facilities, and solve complex problems in real time to keep our mission on track. We need someone who can own the operation of power, cooling, and monitoring systems at scale, bringing technical depth and a no-excuses mindset to our facility.
Responsibilities
- Manage all aspects of data center critical infrastructure—switchgear, generators, UPS systems, chillers, liquid cooling, and building monitoring—ensuring 99.999% uptime.
- Lead 24x7 teams of facility technicians and vendors, driving safety, execution, and a culture of accountability.
- Troubleshoot and resolve facility emergencies using root cause analysis, acting as the go-to escalation point.
- Spearhead optimization projects, collaborating with engineers to integrate next-gen tech and cut operational costs.
- Own the operations budget, balancing efficiency with performance under tight deadlines.
- Enforce compliance with safety and operational protocols, anticipating regulatory shifts.
- Coordinate with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality outcomes and boost team morale.
- Support multi-site operations and new facility build-outs as xAI scales.
Required Qualifications
- Minimum of 5 years in data center operations or facility management, ideally with hyperscaler or industrial systems.
- Strong grasp of critical infrastructure—power, cooling, and monitoring systems.
- Proven ability to lead teams and manage projects under pressure.
- Sharp analytical and communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- B.S. in Engineering, Facilities Management, or related field; advanced degree a plus.
- Experience with GPU clusters or AI-driven data center environments.
- Methodical troubleshooting and technical leadership chops.
- Familiarity with Southaven, MS area regulations and practices is a bonus.
- Comfort with Excel, Word, and operational tools; CAD or monitoring software knowledge is a plus.
Additional Requirements
- Ability to work for extended periods of time standing, when needed
- Work is often performed in tight quarters and physical dexterity is necessary to perform job functions
- Comfortable working in an environment requiring exposure to noise
- Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed
- Ability to lift or carry maximum of 25lbs
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