Mechanical Commissioning Engineer
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 employees are expected to have strong communication skills. They should be able to concisely and accurately share knowledge with their teammates.
ABOUT THE ROLE:
We are seeking an experienced Mechanical Commissioning Engineer to join our infrastructure team. In this role, you will lead and execute the commissioning, testing, and handover of critical mechanical systems supporting xAI's AI supercomputing facilities. Your scope includes chiller plants, HVAC, water treatment, liquid cooling, and related infrastructure. You will ensure systems are fully operational, reliable, and compliant with design intent, safety standards, and performance requirements before transitioning to operations. This hands-on position combines strategic commissioning planning with on-site execution to minimize risks, validate performance, and enable rapid scaling of high-density compute environments.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive commissioning plans, protocols, test procedures, checklists, and scripts for mechanical systems with related control systems
- Lead functional, integrated systems, and performance testing (including factory acceptance testing (FAT), site acceptance testing (SAT), and integrated system testing) to verify system readiness and compliance with specifications
- Coordinate with design engineers, construction teams, vendors, and operations to resolve issues, perform troubleshooting, and execute corrective actions during commissioning phases
- Conduct thorough documentation of test results, deficiencies, punch lists, and as-built conditions; prepare commissioning reports and turnover packages for operations handover
- Perform quality assurance reviews of system installations, calibrations, sequences of operations, and safety interlocks
- Support startup and initial operations of chillers, HVAC, liquid cooling, CRAC/CRAH units, or other datacenter critical mechanical infrastructure
- Identify risks and opportunities for improvement in commissioning processes; recommend enhancements to standards, tools, and workflows
- Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure seamless integration of bespoke AI infrastructure systems (e.g., advanced cooling, monitoring/BMS)
- Maintain a strong focus on safety, compliance with industry codes and standards (ASHRAE, NFPA, etc.), and xAI's operational excellence standards in fast-paced, high-stakes environments
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field (or equivalent practical experience)
- Proficient in commissioning tools and processes (e.g., test plan development, data logging, fault simulation, and integrated systems testing)
- Experienced with mechanical systems (HVAC, chilled water plants, CRAC/CRAH, liquid cooling, water treatment)
- Detail-oriented with excellent analytical, problem-solving, and troubleshooting skills under tight deadlines
- Strong communicator capable of working effectively with multidisciplinary teams, contractors, and stakeholders
- Comfortable in a dynamic, fast-moving environment with evolving priorities and ambitious timelines
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- 5+ years of hands-on commissioning experience in mission-critical facilities (data centers, industrial plants, or similar high-reliability environments), with strong focus on mechanical systems
- Experience commissioning datacenter infrastructure, liquid cooling systems, or AI/high-performance compute facilities
- Familiarity with tools like BMS/EPMS, Navisworks, or commissioning management software
- Knowledge of redundancy architectures (N+1, 2N), energy efficiency metrics (PUE), and safety protocols in mechanical systems
- Previous owner-side or client-facing commissioning role
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