Software Engineer (AI)

TL;DR

Software Engineer (AI): Build and scale robust, high-performance backend systems powering AI-driven multi-modal media experiences for millions of users. Focus on designing scalable infrastructure, real-time media processing, and large-scale data pipelines with an accent on performance, reliability, and seamless integration with AI models and frontend layers. Focus on building production-grade, maintainable solutions that enable immersive consumer AI features.

Location: Palo Alto, CA, United States (onsite)

Salary: $180,000 - $440,000 USD annually

Company

xAI is a mission-driven AI company focused on creating systems that understand the universe and aid humanity's pursuit of knowledge, operating with a flat structure and emphasizing engineering excellence and strong communication.

What you will do

• Design and implement scalable, high-performance backend systems for AI-driven media experiences.
• Architect infrastructure for real-time multi-modal interactions including generation, processing, and integration.
• Build and optimize large-scale data pipelines for multi-modal data ingestion and analysis.
• Collaborate with frontend engineers, AI researchers, and product teams to deliver media-rich features.
• Own full development lifecycle from design to deployment, monitoring, and refinement.
• Deliver production-ready, maintainable code powering features for hundreds of millions of users.

Requirements

• Location: Must be based in or able to work onsite in Palo Alto, CA, United States
• Proficiency in Python or Rust with experience writing scalable, maintainable code.
• Experience building consumer-facing systems with high performance and reliability.
• Hands-on expertise in large-scale data infrastructure and pipelines for multi-modal AI applications.
• Proven ability to deliver production-grade solutions at scale with high uptime.
• Strong problem-solving skills and passion for AI and media technologies.

Nice to have

• Experience with real-time systems, inference serving, or multi-modal data processing at scale.
• Familiarity with distributed systems, Kubernetes, observability tools, and performance tuning.
• Background in AI-driven consumer products or media generation technologies.
• Experience collaborating across engineering, research, and product teams.

Culture & Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage.
• Equity and 401(k) retirement plan.
• Short and long-term disability and life insurance.
• Flat organizational structure with leadership based on initiative and delivery.
• Focus on engineering excellence and strong communication skills.