Program Manager - Data Center Construction
No salary listed
Expert
Bachelor's
Memphis, TN, USA+1 moreMore locations: Southaven, MS, USA
In PersonPrimarily onsite in the Memphis area, with travel to additional project sites across the US.
Architecture & Civil EngineeringConstruction Management
About the job
Requirements
- A bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
- At least 10 years of progressive construction project or program management experience, focused on data centers, hyperscale facilities, mission-critical infrastructure, or large industrial projects.
- At least 5 years of direct people-management experience leading teams of Project Managers, Superintendents, or similar roles.
- A proven track record of delivering complex programs on aggressive schedules and within budget in fast-paced environments.
- Strong technical knowledge across civil/site, structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP), controls, and commissioning disciplines, with the ability to interpret drawings, specifications, and technical requirements.
- Proficiency with construction management tools such as Procore, Primavera P6, Bluebeam, and Microsoft Project, and ability to make data-driven decisions.
- Ability to travel as needed and work flexible hours to support site operations.
- Ability to work in active construction site environments, including noise and outdoor exposure, and ability to lift 25 pounds or more.
- Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as project needs dictate.
- Ability to undergo pre-employment and random drug and alcohol testing and background checks.
Responsibilities
- Provide strategic leadership and direct management to a team of Construction Project Managers.
- Oversee end-to-end execution of multiple large-scale construction programs, including pre-construction planning, site development, procurement, construction, commissioning, and handover for data centers and supporting infrastructure.
- Align program deliverables with the broader infrastructure roadmap, AI compute requirements, and timelines through collaboration with engineering, design, commissioning, operations, and executive teams.
- Manage program-level budgets, schedules, resources, and risks; develop and maintain master schedules, forecasts, and contingency plans to support on-time, on-budget delivery.
- Act as a senior owner's representative and manage relationships with general contractors, subcontractors, vendors, permitting authorities, and internal stakeholders.
- Drive standardized processes, best practices, and performance metrics, including key performance indicators, dashboards, and reporting, across projects.
- Identify and implement value engineering, cost-saving opportunities, and innovations in construction means and methods.
- Ensure safety, quality, and compliance standards, including applicable codes, environmental regulations, and reliability requirements for mission-critical facilities.
- Proactively identify and resolve cross-project issues, escalate appropriately, and lead recovery efforts when needed.
- Mentor teams, conduct lessons-learned reviews, and contribute to the construction program management framework.
- Adapt to evolving priorities in a dynamic, high-growth organization.
Desired Qualifications
- Experience with data center or hyperscale construction, including ground-up builds, MEP-intensive facilities, liquid cooling, or power infrastructure.
- Professional certifications such as Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Construction Manager (CCM), Professional Engineer (PE), or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).
- Familiarity with Memphis/Shelby County or similar regional permitting, codes, and construction practices.
- Background in high-growth technology or industrial environments focused on speed, innovation, and operational readiness.
- Demonstrated ability to build high-performing teams and implement program governance in matrixed organizations.
About the company
xAI builds Grok, a generative AI chatbot with a Hitchhiker's Guide-inspired persona that uses real-time data from X to produce current, culturally aware responses. Grok is accessible to premium subscribers on X, via a standalone website, mobile apps, and through an API for developers. The company also develops large-scale AI infrastructure, such as the Colossus supercomputer, to train and run its models. Its goal is to pursue truth-seeking AGI research and grow a capital-intensive platform that could support a major public offering in the future.
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
Series E
Total Funding
$42.1B
Headquarters
Palo Alto, California
Founded
2023
Get referred to xAI
See people who can refer or advise you
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- On October 2, 2026, the Eighth Circuit paused Minnesota's anti-nudification law.
- Grok 4.7 reached Cursor, Grok Build, and the Grok API on September 21.
- January 2026's $20 billion round and public SpaceXAI listing funded massive expansion.
What critics are saying
- The NAACP and SELC keep suing over unpermitted Colossus turbines and toxic emissions.
- A June 2026 lawsuit alleges xAI fired engineer Devin Kim for safety complaints.
- Colossus 2 depends on giant power, networking, and chip deliveries; delays starve Grok.
What makes xAI unique
- Grok plugs into X's live feed, giving real-time social context competitors still lack.
- Musk's October 2026 Colossus 2 buildout targets 1.21 million Nvidia GPUs by year-end.
- xAI ships rapidly: Grok 4.5, 4.6, and 4.7 all landed in 2026.
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Benefits
- Health Insurance
- Remote Work Options