Lead Engineer (Battery Storage)

Location: On-site in Memphis, Tennessee, United States; not a remote or hybrid role. Travel up to 25% may be required for factory testing, OEM engagement, and support at other sites.

Company

xAI develops AI systems designed to understand the universe and support humanity's pursuit of knowledge.

What you will do

• Design, size, operate, and maintain the battery storage fleet supporting high-capacity AI training campuses.
• Own BESS architecture, including pack-to-medium-voltage transformer grouping, string composition, protection, collection topology, and physical layout.
• Translate compute duty cycles, step loads, training-job ramps, and utilization into power and energy requirements.
• Define inverter control strategies, including grid-forming behavior, droop, virtual inertia, fault-current contribution, ride-through, and coordination with generation systems.
• Specify plant controller and EMS functions for dispatch, state-of-charge management, peak shaving, reserve emulation, islanding, and black-start participation.
• Lead fire and life-safety planning, OEM requirements, factory testing, performance guarantees, degradation planning, and coordination across design, commissioning, operations, network, civil, and program teams.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, physics, or another engineering discipline.
• 8+ years of power systems engineering experience.
• 4+ years of direct experience with utility-scale or large commercial and industrial battery energy storage.
• Working knowledge of NFPA 855, UL 9540, UL 9540A, IEEE 1547, and IEEE 2800.
• Ability to perform hands-on work in hazardous environments, including heat, cold, rain, tight quarters, and elevated areas; lift up to 25 lbs. unassisted.
• Willingness to work on-site in Memphis, provide 24/7 emergency on-call support, and work extended hours or weekends as needed. A valid driver's license is required.

Nice to have

• Experience sizing storage against real duty cycles and managing large utility-scale BESS fleets.
• Deep understanding of grid-forming inverter control and interaction with synchronous machines.
• PSCAD or other EMT modeling experience for inverter-based resources.
• Professional Engineering license or intention to actively seek a PE license.
• Experience building and leading an engineering team from the first hire.

Culture & Benefits

• Small, highly motivated team focused on engineering excellence and curiosity.
• Flat organizational structure with hands-on contribution expected from all employees.
• Leadership opportunities based on initiative and consistent delivery of excellent work.
• Work supports the construction, energization, and operation of AI training-campus power infrastructure.