Director, Datacenter Operations

About the role

SpaceX is seeking a Director of Datacenter Operations to manage the engineering and maintenance of hyperscale AI compute facilities for xAI in Memphis, Tennessee. The successful candidate will own the entire lifecycle of critical infrastructure, including initial design, construction, and ongoing performance optimization. This role requires direct oversight of physical systems such as electrical, mechanical, liquid cooling, power generation, and fiber optic networks. The hire will recruit and supervise multidisciplinary teams dedicated to electrical, mechanical, and controls operations. Establishing and enforcing rigorous operational benchmarks for uptime, cooling efficiency, and power consumption will be a core responsibility. The Director will coordinate closely with construction and hardware procurement to ensure smooth transition of new sites into active production. Strategic performance reporting and recommendations will be provided to executive leadership to drive continuous improvement. This position demands availability for extended hours and on-call support to maintain critical infrastructure reliability.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Direct the performance of physical infrastructure, including electrical, mechanical, liquid cooling, power generation, and fiber optic networks.
• Recruit and supervise multidisciplinary teams focused on electrical, mechanical, and controls systems.
• Establish and enforce operational benchmarks for uptime, cooling efficiency, and power consumption.
• Oversee daily facility maintenance, including preventive care and incident response.
• Coordinate with construction and hardware procurement departments to transition new sites into active production.
• Manage operational budgets, vendor contracts, and resource allocation.
• Ensure all facility activities meet safety, quality, and regulatory compliance standards.
• Provide performance reports and strategic recommendations to executive leadership.
• Utilize advanced tools such as AutoCAD, Revit, ETAP, BIM, CMMS, and facility monitoring software for operational oversight.
• Implement data-driven strategies to optimize efficiency and reliability across datacenter environments.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration to resolve complex infrastructure challenges at scale.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance scalability and performance of hyperscale compute clusters.
• Support the deployment of cutting-edge hardware configurations, including GPU-heavy infrastructure and liquid cooling systems.
• Maintain strict adherence to industry standards and best practices for high-availability operations.

Requirements

• Bachelor degree in an engineering field or 8+ years of experience in industrial, military, or data center environments.
• 4+ years of experience leading engineering or operations teams.
• Ability to work onsite in the Memphis area and relocate if necessary.
• Availability for up to 20% travel to vendor sites and project locations.
• Capacity to work extended hours and maintain on-call availability for critical infrastructure needs.
• Must meet ITAR requirements as a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex operational workflows in high-pressure environments.
• Strong understanding of electrical distribution and mechanical systems essential for datacenter environments.
• Proven experience with facility monitoring and control systems to ensure operational integrity.
• Commitment to safety protocols and quality standards in all aspects of facility management.
• Willingness to adhere to strict compliance requirements related to export control laws.
• Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to troubleshoot critical infrastructure issues.
• Effective communication skills to coordinate with cross-functional teams and leadership.

Nice to have

• Master degree in engineering or a Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Expertise in hyperscale data center operations, including liquid cooling and GPU-heavy infrastructure.
• Background in managing power generation assets like gas turbines or reciprocating engines.
• Experience scaling fiber infrastructure for high-bandwidth, low-latency compute clusters.
• Knowledge of industry standards including Uptime Institute Tiers, ASHRAE, IEEE, NFPA, IBC, and TIA-942.
• Familiarity with predictive maintenance, automation, and data-driven operational strategies.

Practical notes

• This position requires compliance with U.S. export control laws.
• SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants needing reasonable accommodations for the hiring process may contact EEOCompliance@spacex.com.
• The role is full-time and primarily onsite in Memphis, Tennessee.
• Travel may be required for up to 20% of the role, including visits to vendor sites and project locations.
• Extended hours and on-call availability are necessary to address critical infrastructure needs.
• Candidates must meet ITAR requirements and provide appropriate documentation during the hiring process.
• This position is subject to SpaceX employment policies and equal opportunity guidelines.
• Applicants are encouraged to highlight relevant experience in datacenter operations and infrastructure management.
• The role involves close collaboration with engineering, construction, and procurement teams to ensure operational success.
• Professional development opportunities may be available to support growth in specialized areas such as liquid cooling and power generation.
• The position demands a high level of responsibility and ownership over mission-critical infrastructure.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to work independently are essential for this role.
• The Director, Datacenter Operations will play a key role in supporting xAI's compute infrastructure needs.
• This is a strategic leadership position focused on driving efficiency, reliability, and scalability across datacenter facilities.