Mechanical Commissioning Lead at xAI

<div class="content-intro"><h3><strong><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">ABOUT xAI</span></strong></h3> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">xAI’s mission is to create AI systems that can accurately understand the universe and aid humanity in its pursuit of knowledge. </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Our team is small, highly motivated, and focused on engineering excellence. This organization is for individuals who appreciate challenging themselves and thrive on curiosity. </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">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. </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">All employees are expected to have strong communication skills. They should be able to concisely and accurately share knowledge with their teammates.</span></p></div><h3 data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><strong><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">ABOUT THE ROLE:</span></strong></h3> <p>We are seeking an experienced <strong>Mechanical Commissioning Lead</strong> to lead the buildout, startup, and handover of mechanical systems for xAI’s high-performance data centers. In this senior hands-on leadership role, you will direct commissioning, testing, troubleshooting, and turnover of critical cooling, air handling, and fluid distribution systems that support next-generation AI supercomputing infrastructure.</p> <p>You will lead a team of commissioning technicians while working closely with construction, engineering, operations, EPC contractors, and OEM vendors to deliver safe, reliable, and high-quality mechanical systems. This is a full-time, onsite role with extensive travel to xAI data center construction sites across the United States.</p> <h3><strong><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">RESPONSIBILITIES:</span></strong></h3> <ul> <li>Lead and execute all mechanical commissioning activities for HVAC systems, chillers, cooling towers, CRAC/CRAH units, pumps, heat exchangers, piping systems, hydronic loops, and associated controls in hyperscale data center environments.</li> <li>Direct functional performance testing, airflow/water flow verification, system balancing, integrated system testing, and system turnover to operations.</li> <li>Oversee troubleshooting and resolution of complex mechanical, controls, and process issues during pre-commissioning, commissioning, and startup phases.</li> <li>Develop, review, and approve detailed commissioning test procedures, scripts, checklists, and documentation in alignment with project specifications, industry standards, and xAI requirements.</li> <li>Lead coordination with EPC contractors, OEM vendors, design engineers, and xAI stakeholders for system energization, startup sequences, and integrated system validation.</li> <li>Mentor, supervise, and provide technical direction to Mechanical Commissioning Technicians and other field personnel; conduct performance feedback and support their development.</li> <li>Champion safety by enforcing strict adherence to LOTO, NFPA, OSHA, and xAI safety protocols; lead daily safety briefings and job hazard analyses.</li> <li>Maintain comprehensive as-built documentation, test records, issue logs, and final commissioning reports; present readiness reports to senior leadership.</li> <li>Support and deliver training programs for operations and maintenance teams on commissioned systems.</li> <li>Participate in constructability reviews, design feedback sessions, and lessons-learned meetings to continuously improve installation quality and future project execution.</li> <li>Manage commissioning schedules, resources, and punch-list resolution to meet aggressive project timelines.</li> </ul> <h3><strong><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:</span></strong></h3> <ul> <li>7+ years of progressive hands-on mechanical commissioning experience in data centers, power plants, semiconductor facilities, or other mission-critical industrial environments, with at least 3 years in a lead or supervisory capacity.</li> <li>Deep expertise in data center cooling systems including large-scale chillers, cooling towers, CRAC/CRAH units, precision air handling, chilled water plants, and high-density liquid cooling technologies.</li> <li>Strong working knowledge of commissioning test equipment (manometers, anemometers, ultrasonic flow meters, pressure/temperature calibrators, power analyzers, etc.).</li> <li>Thorough familiarity with relevant codes and standards (ASHRAE, SMACNA, NFPA, ASME, IMC, LEED, Uptime Institute).</li> <li>Proven ability to read, interpret, and redline mechanical drawings, P&amp;IDs, control schematics, and sequence of operations.</li> <li>Demonstrated leadership experience coordinating multi-discipline teams and managing contractors/vendors in fast-paced construction environments.</li> <li>Current OSHA 30 certification (or equivalent) and strong safety leadership track record.</li> <li>Willingness to travel extensively and work extended hours, nights, and weekends during critical commissioning and startup windows.</li> </ul> <h3><strong><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:</span></strong></h3> <ul> <li>Prior leadership on multiple hyperscale data center or mission-critical commissioning projects (100+ MW scale preferred).</li> <li>NEBB, AABC, or equivalent Certification in Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing (TAB).</li> <li>Hands-on experience with BMS/BAS controls troubleshooting and integration (BACnet, Modbus, LON, etc.).</li> <li>Knowledge of refrigerant systems, direct liquid cooling, and advanced heat rejection technologies.</li> <li>Proficiency with commissioning management platforms (CxPro, Procore, PlanGrid, or similar).</li> <li>Technical degree or trade school certification in Mechanical Engineering Technology, HVAC, or a related field.</li> <li>Experience implementing Integrated Systems Testing (IST) and Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR) verification.</li> </ul> <h3><strong>ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:</strong></h3> <ul> <li>Ability to travel extensively to xAI construction sites and remain onsite for extended periods during peak commissioning phases.</li> <li>Physical capability to work in industrial environments, climb ladders/stairs, lift moderate loads (up to 50 lbs), and wear full PPE for long durations.</li> <li>Valid driver’s license and ability to meet xAI’s driver eligibility requirements.</li> </ul><div class="content-conclusion"><p><em>xAI is an equal opportunity employer. For details on data processing, view our&nbsp;</em><em><a href="https://x.ai/legal/recruitment-privacy-notice" target="_blank">Recruitment Privacy Notice</a>.</em></p></div>