# Manager, Operations

**Company:** [xAI](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/xai)
**Location:** Memphis, TN
**Role:** Other
**Experience:** 5+ years
**Skills:** Data Center Operations, Power Generation, Fiber Optic Networks, Mep Systems, Bms/Scada, Liquid Cooling, Cmms, Gas Turbines, Predictive Maintenance, Automation
**Posted:** 2026-04-30

> Leads facilities operations, power generation, and fiber teams for xAI's hyperscale AI compute facilities, ensuring 24/7 uptime, efficiency, and reliability of critical infrastructure. Requires 5+ years in data center operations with management experience and deep expertise in power systems and networking.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities
- Lead and scale the facilities operations and power generation teams responsible for the reliable operation, maintenance, monitoring, and optimization of critical infrastructure including on-site power generation assets, electrical systems, mechanical/HVAC, liquid cooling, power distribution, UPS, generators, and building management systems.
- Direct the fiber teams overseeing the design, deployment, maintenance, and expansion of high-speed fiber optic networks, dark fiber, and connectivity infrastructure supporting AI compute clusters and data center interconnects.
- Own key performance metrics such as uptime (targeting 99.999%+), mean time to detect/repair (MTTD/MTTR), power usage effectiveness (PUE), water usage effectiveness (WUE), power generation efficiency, and overall infrastructure availability.
- Develop and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs), preventive maintenance programs, incident response protocols, and continuous improvement processes for both facilities and power generation assets to minimize downtime and maximize efficiency.
- Build, mentor, and grow multidisciplinary teams of operations technicians, power generation engineers and controls specialists while fostering a culture of ownership, safety, and excellence.
- Partner closely with engineering, construction, procurement, and AI hardware teams to support new facility builds, expansions, commissioning, power integration, and smooth handovers from project to operations.
- Manage operational budgets, vendor relationships (maintenance contractors, fiber providers, power generation OEMs, fuel suppliers), spare parts inventory, and risk mitigation strategies in a high-velocity environment.
- Drive innovation in operational practices, automation, predictive maintenance, power generation optimization, and sustainability initiatives to support the extreme power and cooling demands of next-generation AI systems.
- Provide regular performance reporting, root cause analyses, lessons learned, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.

## Basic Qualifications
- 5+ years of progressive experience in data center facilities operations, power generation operations, hyperscale infrastructure management, or mission-critical industrial operations, with at least 2+ years in a management or supervisor role.
- Proven track record leading large-scale operations teams supporting high-density compute environments with significant on-site or dedicated power generation (AI, HPC, or hyperscaler data centers strongly preferred).
- Strong experience managing fiber optic networks, dark fiber deployments, or high-bandwidth connectivity infrastructure in large-scale technical environments.
- Deep knowledge of power generation systems (**gas turbines**, **reciprocating engines**, **cogeneration**), **MEP** (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) systems, **BMS/SCADA**, **liquid cooling**, power redundancy topologies, and 24/7 operations best practices.
- Demonstrated success delivering high reliability, rapid incident resolution, and operational excellence under aggressive scaling timelines.
- Hands-on leadership style with the ability to roll up sleeves while effectively managing teams, budgets, and cross-functional stakeholders.
- Proficiency with operations tools, **CMMS** (computerized maintenance management systems), monitoring platforms, and data-driven decision making.

## Preferred Skills and Experience
- Direct background in AI or hyperscale data center operations, including **liquid cooling** systems, high-power GPU/accelerator environments, and on-site power generation.
- Experience building or scaling fiber infrastructure for low-latency, high-bandwidth interconnects between compute clusters or sites.
- Familiarity with **Uptime Institute Tier** standards, **ASHRAE** guidelines, power generation standards (e.g., **IEEE**, **NFPA**), OSHA/EPA compliance, and sustainability practices in critical facilities.
- Track record of implementing **automation**, **predictive analytics**, or process improvements that significantly enhanced operational performance and power reliability.

## Similar roles

- [Advisor Engagement & Enablement Manager](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/763cac27-9b28-4428-a844-df69cb695e18) - Fora - New York, NY - $90k – $130k/yr
- [Internal Audit and SOX Compliance Manager](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/60d44c0a-aa38-428a-9d88-5c3c73cf4fea) - Cohere - Remote - $135k – $250k/yr
- [MEP Engineer](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/903e3e07-1b0f-4f77-b630-b10004c6df4c) - Atomicsemi - San Francisco, CA - $105k – $125k/yr
- [Program Manager, Operations Enablement](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/e476c584-f56a-4387-958a-7543eb3fc9ba) - Thatch - Austin, TX - $130k – $150k/yr
- [Compliance Analyst](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/63f34a53-c8e0-4a7b-a3e4-25f0b17abc62) - SmithRx - Remote - $89k – $126k/yr

**Apply:** https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/fc1b208e-0053-477a-92fe-d8ff2eba009f
**Canonical:** https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/fc1b208e-0053-477a-92fe-d8ff2eba009f