Software Engineer, Data Center - Memphis
xAI is hiring a Software Engineer, Data Center - Memphis. Level rates it ; you can apply on xAI.
Level's read on this job
- Works on AI ●●●○ is how Level rates this software engineer role: the daily work is on AI products, without building the model.
- The posting mentions Python, Linux and SQL among its tools and skills.
- Level classes it as a mid-level role.
- xAI has 296 other open roles on Level.
AI in this role
Build internal software stacks and operational tools for data centers powering frontier AI training and inference.
SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today, SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of making life multiplanetary and expanding consciousness to the stars.
SpaceXSI is building Super Intelligence to help humanity understand the universe. Our teams are building the full Super Intelligence stack: from our Colossus supercomputers, to Grok models, to our suite of applications, including Grok Bot, Grok Build, Grok Imagine, Grok Voice, and X. We're creating a powerful flywheel where more compute trains better models, better models power more useful products, and what we learn from people using those products shapes what we build next.
ABOUT THE ROLE:
The Data Center Engineering team builds the internal systems and platforms that keep our data centers running at the scale and reliability required for frontier AI training and inference. We partner closely with datacenter operations, research, and infrastructure teams to deliver high-leverage tools that turn raw operational data into clear insight and action.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Build and operate the software stacks that make site operations scalable, auditable, and fast — including repair trackers, vendor turnback workflows, operational dashboards, and their integrations. Your users are the technicians, managers, NOC operators, and leadership who run the fleet.
- Design, build, and operate multi-service production systems (UI, APIs, data pipelines, auth, and on-call) for systems such as SRT-style repair/maintenance trackers and vendor turnover/turnback state machines.
- Own correctness of operational state: node state accuracy, queue ownership, and audit trails — the data that decides what work happens on the floor.
- Build and maintain integrations with ticketing, inventory/rack systems, telemetry stores, and vendor portals.
- Keep the tools themselves reliable: uptime, data integrity, reconciliation, access control, and safe deploys.
- Embed with SiteOps and NOC users; measure workflow adoption, not just feature delivery.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related fields.
- 3+ years building and operating production software (backend and/or full-stack).
- Strong fundamental knowledge of computer science - data structures, algorithms, operating systems and networking.
- Strong proficiency in at least one programming language e.g. Rust, Python, JavaScript, Java, C++, etc.
- Experience designing and developing RESTful APIs for mission-critical applications.
- Experience working with at least one database like Postgres, MongoDB, MySQL, DynamoDB, etc.
- Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams.
- Experience working in cloud platforms like GCP, Microsoft Azure, AWS, OCI or similar.
- Experience using observability tools and dashboards like New Relic, Splunk, Grafana, etc.
- Experience writing unit tests and integration tests.
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Full-stack or backend + data experience, especially with workflow and state-machine systems.
- Experience automating deployments using CI/CD tools like Azure Devops, ArgoCD, Jenkins, GitHub Actions, etc.
- Experience building high-correctness operational UIs where a wrong value can dispatch a human to the wrong rack.
- On-call discipline and a track record of treating internal platforms with production rigor.
- Experience designing and shipping multi-service systems (APIs, data stores, and at least one of: UI, pipelines, or auth).
- Experience delivering high-quality internal tools in rapidly changing environments (as a tech lead, former founder, etc.).
- Proven ownership of correctness-sensitive systems — state machines, workflows, or operational data where inaccurate state has real-world impact.
- Experience integrating with external systems via APIs (e.g. ticketing, inventory, telemetry, or vendor portals).
- MS in Computer Science or related field.
- Experience collaborating closely with operations, NOC, and infrastructure teams.
- Experience working with performance load testing tools like BlazeMeter, k6, etc.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- The role is fully onsite in Memphis, TN or Southhaven, MS. Candidates are expected to be located near the area or open to relocation.
SpaceXSI is an equal opportunity employer. For details on data processing, view our Recruitment Privacy Notice.
How we rate this
Software Engineer, Data Center - Memphis at xAI rates 65 out of 100 for how much of the daily work is AI. That makes it Works on AI (AI Level 3 of 4). The level is about AI in the job, not seniority.
Works on AI. The daily work is on AI products, without building the model.
- ●●●● Builds AI80 to 100
- ●●●○ Works on AI60 to 79
- ●●○○ Uses AI40 to 59
- ●○○○ Little AI0 to 39
Levels come from how often the tools, models and workflows of the role are named in the posting itself. Read the description and count the AI tools, models and workflows it names.
Prepare for this job
Built from this posting and from similar jobs on Level.
Skills and AI tools this role asks for
Also common in software engineer jobs at this level
Pay
- Typical software engineer job
- $168k
This posting doesn't list pay. Use the typical software engineer figure when pay comes up. See software engineer jobs
Questions you could be asked
- Tell me about a project where backend was part of your work. What did you do?
- Tell me about a project where full stack was part of your work. What did you do?
- Tell me about a project where distributed systems was part of your work. What did you do?
- Tell me about a project where infrastructure was part of your work. What did you do?
- Walk me through how you've used Python in your day-to-day work.
Adapt your resume
- List these exact terms on your resume: Backend, Full Stack, Distributed Systems, Infrastructure, and Python. An applicant tracking system matches the wording, not the idea.
- Attach one line of real, concrete experience to at least one of them. A tool named with nothing behind it rarely survives a human read.
- Show where AI is part of your daily process, not a one-off project. This role expects it to be a running habit.
Want an expert to read your CV for this job?
Free. Send your CV and the role you want next. We reply by email within 2 to 4 business days.
Get new software engineer jobs (Works on AI ●●●○ or higher) by email
One email a week with the new software engineer jobs (Works on AI ●●●○ or higher), each rated for how much AI is in the work. No recruiter spam, unsubscribe in one click.
Free. One email a week. Unsubscribe in one click.
Similar roles
Software Engineering roles that work on AI, at other companies.
What kind of AI work fits you?
Answer 12 practical questions in about three minutes. Get a simple profile, the work it points to, and live roles to explore next.
Find my next step