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 employees are expected to have strong communication skills. They should be able to concisely and accurately share knowledge with their teammates.
ABOUT THE ROLE:
xAI is seeking an exceptional Civil Engineer to lead the civil and site development design and delivery of our next-generation mission-critical data center campuses and co-located power generation facilities. You will architect resilient, high-performance civil infrastructure systems capable of supporting massive AI compute loads, ultra-dense power infrastructure, and rapid deployment timelines that set new industry benchmarks.
This is a high-impact, high-ownership role for an exceptional engineer who excels in fast-paced, technically demanding environments. You will combine deep expertise in land development, hydrology & hydraulics, and environmental systems with exceptional speed of execution, while seamlessly collaborating across structural, MEP, geotechnical, and construction teams to deliver facilities that power the future of AI.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Own end-to-end civil and land development engineering for hyperscale data center campuses, power generation sites, turbine support areas, transformer yards, and industrial infrastructure — delivering complete site grading, stormwater management, underground utilities, and environmental compliance solutions on aggressive schedules.
Lead detailed hydrology and hydraulics (H&H) analysis, floodplain modeling & analysis, stormwater design, retention/detention systems, and flood mitigation strategies for large-scale industrial sites.
Design and optimize land development plans, including earthwork calculations, site grading, erosion/sediment control, cut/fill balancing, and foundation preparation for heavy industrial loads in data centers, power plants, and related environments.
Perform advanced floodplain modeling, environmental assessments, regulatory permitting, and sustainability evaluations to ensure resilient and compliant site infrastructure.
Drive cross-functional multidisciplinary coordination with structural, mechanical, electrical, geotechnical, and construction teams to integrate civil systems with foundations, power distribution, turbine infrastructure, underground utilities, and overall campus layouts.
Provide expert civil input during site selection, geotechnical investigations, feasibility studies, and due diligence for data center and power generation projects, with particular focus on environmental constraints, floodplain risks, underground utilities, and industrial site challenges.
Deliver rapid, high-quality responses to RFIs, submittals, and field inquiries while maintaining rigorous documentation and design intent.
Conduct site visits and construction observations to verify earthwork, grading, drainage installation, underground utility placement, erosion control measures, and overall quality.
Identify and implement innovative solutions in sustainable land development, low-impact development, advanced H&H modeling, floodplain resilience, and efficient underground utility networks to support xAI’s aggressive growth trajectory.
Mentor junior engineers and contribute to the continuous improvement of xAI’s civil design standards and best practices for mission-critical facilities.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Civil Engineering or related field.
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
Licensed Professional Engineer (PE); additional certifications (e.g., Certified Floodplain Manager) a plus.
Strong owner-side or AE firm experience on hyperscale or industrial projects.
Track record of mentoring teams and driving process improvements in mission-critical facility delivery.
5+ years of progressive, high-quality civil engineering experience with a proven track record on data centers, semiconductor fabs, power plants, heavy industrial, or mission-critical facilities.
Experience in land development, hydrology & hydraulics (H&H), floodplain modeling & analysis, stormwater management, underground utilities, and environmental compliance for large-scale industrial projects.
Experience in cross-functional multidisciplinary coordination in fast-paced industrial environments.
Experience delivering complex projects with exceptional speed and uncompromising quality in fast-moving environments.
Proficiency with Civil 3D, AutoCAD, HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS, SWMM, ArcGIS, and related BIM/GIS workflows. Experience with advanced floodplain and hydraulic modeling is required.
Knowledge of IBC, ASCE, EPA, local stormwater regulations, floodplain management standards, and industry best practices for data centers and power generation infrastructure.
Proven cross-functional collaboration skills with structural, mechanical, electrical, geotechnical, and construction teams.
Willingness to travel to project sites as required.
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