IT Lead

About xAI 

xAI’s mission is to create AI systems that can accurately understand the universe and aid humanity in its pursuit of knowledge. Our team is small, highly motivated, and focused on engineering excellence. This organization is for individuals who appreciate challenging themselves and thrive on curiosity. 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. All engineers are expected to have strong communication skills. They should be able to concisely and accurately share knowledge with their teammates. 

About the Role 

As the Senior Manager of IT, you will lead xAI’s IT team, overseeing the strategy, implementation, and maintenance of corporate IT infrastructure and systems. You will drive the design and optimization of secure, scalable IT environments to support our rapidly growing organization and enable teams to focus on accelerating human scientific discovery through AI. This hands-on leadership role involves managing a team of IT professionals, collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders, and ensuring operational excellence in a dynamic, high-performance culture. 

Responsibilities 

• Lead and manage the IT team, including hiring, mentoring, performance management, and fostering a culture of initiative and excellence. 
• Develop and execute IT strategy, including roadmap planning, budgeting, and alignment with company objectives for infrastructure scalability and reliability. 
• Oversee the design, implementation, and maintenance of enterprise IT systems, including endpoints, networks, servers, identity management, and productivity tools. ● Ensure robust security practices, compliance, and risk management across IT operations, including vulnerability assessments and incident response. 
• Manage vendor relationships, procurement, and contracts for hardware, software, and services to optimize costs and performance. 
• Drive IT projects, system upgrades, and process improvements, collaborating with engineering, operations, and other teams.
• Establish and monitor key performance metrics for IT service delivery, uptime, and user satisfaction. 
• Provide escalation support for complex issues and ensure effective end-user training and communication. 
• Maintain comprehensive documentation of IT assets, policies, procedures, and knowledge base. 
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies and recommend innovations to enhance IT efficiency and support xAI’s mission. 

Basic Qualifications 

• Leadership Experience: Proven track record of leading and managing IT teams in a fast-paced environment, with at least 5 years in a managerial role. 
• Technical Expertise: Deep knowledge of Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems; networking (TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VPN); identity and access management (e.g., Active Directory, Okta); and endpoint management. 
• Infrastructure Management: Experience with cloud services (e.g., AWS, Azure), virtualization, and hybrid environments. 
• Security and Compliance: Strong understanding of IT security best practices, risk assessment, and regulatory compliance. 
• Problem-Solving and Communication: Exceptional troubleshooting skills, strategic thinking, and ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders. 
• Project Management: Demonstrated ability to prioritize, manage multiple projects, and deliver results under tight deadlines. 

Preferred Skills and Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field. 
• 8+ years of progressive experience in IT operations and management, preferably in a tech or AI-focused company. 
• Relevant certifications such as CISSP, CISM, ITIL, or PMP. 
• Experience scaling IT infrastructure in high-growth environments, including data centers or large-scale compute support. 
• Proficiency in scripting and automation (e.g., PowerShell, Python, Bash) for operational efficiency. 
• Familiarity with ticketing systems (e.g., Jira, ServiceNow) and monitoring tools. Additional Requirements
• Ability to occasionally lift and move IT equipment (up to 50 lbs) and work in office or data center environments. 
• Willingness to travel between xAI locations (e.g., Memphis, Palo Alto) as needed. ● Comfortable with on-call responsibilities for critical incidents. 

Benefits

Base salary is just one part of our total rewards package at xAI, which also includes equity, comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short & long-term disability insurance, life insurance, and various other discounts and perks.