# Permitting Specialist (Data Centers)

**Company:** [xAI](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/xai)
**Location:** Memphis, TN
**Role:** Business Operations
**Skills:** Tdlr, Tceq, Ercot, Epa, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Nsr, Title V, Zoning, Building Permits, Air Emissions Modeling, Stormwater, Tax Incentives, Ercot Interconnection, Project Management
**Posted:** 2026-05-12

> Leads regulatory permitting for large-scale AI data centers and power infrastructure, focusing on Texas approvals while supporting Memphis operations. Navigates zoning, environmental, and energy permits with agencies like TDLR, TCEQ, and ERCOT.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities

- Lead preparation, submission, and tracking of all permitting applications for data center construction, expansion, and power systems, including TDLR project registrations, TCEQ air/water permits, zoning/SUP approvals, and building permits.
- Manage Texas-specific permitting processes such as qualifying data center certifications for tax incentives, ERCOT interconnection support, and environmental compliance (NSR, Title V, stormwater, etc.).
- Coordinate with internal teams (mechanical, electrical, thermal, gas pipeline) to compile technical documentation, drawings, and studies required for permit applications.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with regulatory agencies, municipalities, consultants, and stakeholders in Texas and Tennessee to expedite reviews and resolve issues.
- Conduct regulatory due diligence for new sites, perform gap analyses, and develop permitting strategies and timelines aligned with aggressive project schedules.
- Track permit conditions, compliance obligations, and renewal requirements; support audits, reporting, and ongoing operational permits.
- Monitor evolving regulations (e.g., Texas Senate Bill 6, air quality rules, water usage) and advise leadership on risks and mitigation strategies.
- Prepare presentations, respond to public comments, and support hearings or variance requests as needed.

## Basic Qualifications

- **Bachelor’s degree** in Environmental Science, Urban Planning, Engineering, Law, or a related field.

## Preferred Skills and Experience

- Experience supporting hyper-scale AI or HPC data center developments in Texas.
- Familiarity with on-site natural gas generation permitting, air emissions modeling, and power infrastructure approvals.
- Knowledge of federal regulations (EPA, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act) as they apply to data centers.
- Experience with environmental consultants, traffic studies, noise assessments, and community engagement.
- Experience in permitting for large-scale data centers, power generation, or industrial facilities, with direct, hands-on experience in Texas.
- **Strong knowledge** of Texas regulatory landscape: TDLR, TCEQ air/water permitting, local zoning/SUP processes, ERCOT, and data center-specific incentives.
- Proven track record managing complex, multi-agency permit packages under tight deadlines in fast-paced environments.
- Excellent project management and organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple work streams simultaneously.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for technical documentation and agency interactions.

## Additional Requirements

- Willingness to travel to other project locations as needed.
- Ability to work extended hours during critical permitting phases.
- Strong attention to detail and a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset in high-ambiguity settings.

## Similar roles

- [Procurement](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/7ddb257f-ecf5-4bf0-b655-b6c8fdc76f83) - ElevenLabs - Remote
- [Strategic Finance](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/e98718c0-e745-4ca4-8b70-5e46007bdfff) - Snowflake - Menlo Park, CA - $173k – $216k/yr
- [General Manager, Adventure Agency Lab](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/d6abda9d-9b54-41d2-b13b-04c30adb1ed9) - Fora - New York, NY - $160k – $180k/yr
- [Executive Operations, Growth](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/ef5b3ac2-3271-4570-88b7-8e6ea3d69529) - Mercor - San Francisco, CA - $130k – $180k/yr
- [Strategy & Execution Manager](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/639886f0-a1ef-4ddd-baec-3dbf4a6d0eb6) - Databricks - Mountain View, CA - $163k – $224k/yr

**Apply:** https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/6ec7fd0c-696d-4aa1-bb12-022b67e76d87
**Canonical:** https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/6ec7fd0c-696d-4aa1-bb12-022b67e76d87