Lead Engineer (Battery Storage)

<div class="content-intro"><p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">SpaceXAI’s mission is to create AI systems that can accurately understand the universe and aid humanity in its pursuit of knowledge. </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Our team is small, highly motivated, and focused on engineering excellence. This organization is for individuals who appreciate challenging themselves and thrive on curiosity. </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">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. </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">All employees are expected to have strong communication skills. They should be able to concisely and accurately share knowledge with their teammates.</span></p></div><h3>ABOUT THE ROLE:</h3> <p>Join the High Power Engineering team supporting SpaceXAI to design, build, operate, and maintain electrical infrastructure for AI training campuses. As a Lead Engineer for Battery Storage, you will work with a small on-site team to scale high-capacity power systems on a schedule set by compute demand. The position is based in Memphis, TN, with potential travel to other sites.</p> <h3>RESPONSIBILITIES:</h3> <ul> <li>Own the storage fleet as a power plant, not as an accessory: architecture, sizing, controls, safety case, and grid-forming behavior that lets the campus ride through compute step loads and generation contingencies.</li> <li>Own BESS architecture: pack-to-MV-transformer grouping, string composition, medium-voltage collection topology, string-level protection, and physical block layout including spacing per NFPA 855.</li> <li>Own sizing; translate compute duty cycles — step loads, training-job ramps, actual-versus-nameplate utilization — into power and energy requirements.</li> <li>Own inverter control strategy: grid-forming versus grid-following, droop and virtual inertia, fault-current contribution, ride-through, and coordination with generation governors and excitation.</li> <li>Own the plant controller and EMS functional specification: dispatch, state-of-charge management, peak shaving, spinning-reserve emulation, islanding, and black-start participation.</li> <li>Own the fire and life-safety case: UL 9540 and 9540A basis, thermal runaway propagation, deflagration venting, water supply, emergency response plan, and AHJ engagement.</li> <li>Own the OEM relationship: technical requirements, factory testing, performance guarantees, and degradation and augmentation planning.</li> <li>Direct Design, Commissioning, Ops/Build, Network, Civil, and Program Manager seats on Battery Storage as those seats fill.</li> </ul> <h3>BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:</h3> <ul> <li>Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, physics, or another engineering discipline.</li> <li>8+ years in power systems engineering.</li> <li>4+ years directly on utility-scale or large commercial and industrial battery energy storage.</li> </ul> <h3>PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES:</h3> <ul> <li>Experience sizing storage against a real duty cycle rather than a rule of thumb.</li> <li>Working knowledge of NFPA 855, UL 9540 and 9540A, IEEE 1547, and IEEE 2800.</li> <li>Utility-scale BESS fleet experience at large pack counts.</li> <li>Deep understanding of grid-forming inverter control and its interaction with synchronous machines.</li> <li>PSCAD or other EMT modeling of inverter-based resources.</li> <li>Professional Engineering license or intention to actively seek a PE license.</li> <li>Experience building and leading an engineering team from the first hire.</li> </ul> <h3>ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:</h3> <ul> <li>Perform hands-on work in all environments (heat, cold, rain), in tight quarters or at heights.</li> <li>Work extended hours and weekends as needed to support construction, energization, and operations.</li> <li>Remain focused in hazardous environments while wearing appropriate PPE.</li> <li>Lift up to 25 lbs. unassisted.</li> <li>Provide 24/7 on-call support for emergencies.</li> <li>Willing to work on-site in Memphis, TN. This is not a remote or hybrid role.</li> <li>Travel up to 25% for factory witness testing, vendor and OEM engagement, and supporting other sites.</li> <li>Valid driver's license.</li> </ul><div class="content-conclusion"><p><em>SpaceXAI is an equal opportunity employer. For details on data processing, view our </em><em><a href="https://x.ai/legal/recruitment-privacy-notice" target="_blank">Recruitment Privacy Notice</a>.</em></p></div>