Director – Laboratory and Test Operations

Job Type: Full-time | Location: Remote, US | Department: Innovation | Reporting to: Vice President, Next Generation Data Center Architecture | Work Location: #remote

IREN is a vertically integrated AI Cloud provider, delivering large-scale data centers and GPU clusters for AI training and inference. IREN’s platform is underpinned by its expansive portfolio of grid-connected land and power in renewable-rich regions across North America, Europe and APAC. 

The Director, Laboratory and Test Operations will build and run the operating organization for IREN's power and thermal test asset at Childress, Texas, where every claim the architecture function makes is either demonstrated or remains an opinion. The position owns the campaign schedule, the calibration regime, the safety case for energized high-power and pressurized liquid work, the configuration control that makes a result reproducible, the capital case for each extension of the laboratory's envelope, and a resident team of nine. Asset time is allocated against the function's gate calendar, which means refusing it to people more senior than the Director.

Responsibilities

• Operate the asset as a facility: campaign schedule, plant configuration, availability, and the state the laboratory is left in between campaigns.
• Allocate asset time across the Director groups, the peer functions and the module program against the gate calendar.
• Own the calibration regime for every instrument that produces reportable data: interval, standard and record.
• Own the laboratory safety case for energized high-power work, pressurized liquid systems and stored energy, the qualification of the people who perform it, and the authority to stop a test.
• Own configuration control of every test article so that a result can be reproduced from the record of what was built and what was changed.
• Hire, develop and qualify the laboratory team of nine across test engineering, modeling and simulation, instrumentation, mechanical trades, safety, data, laboratory operations and facility maintenance.
• Own facility capability planning: what the asset can test today, what it cannot, and the capital case for each extension of its envelope.
• Run the security validation of the laboratory configuration before each energized campaign with the Director, Facility and OT Security.

Other important requirements 

• Pre-employment screening, including background check and substance testing may be required according to company policies.
• Must provide own steel-toed work boots; other PPE will be supplied.
• Must be able to reliably commute to the work site daily or have plans to relocate before starting work.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or a closely related technical field, or equivalent professional experience (four years of directly relevant experience substitutes for the degree).
• Ten or more years in test laboratory, commissioning or high-power test operations, including three or more years managing a laboratory crew and its calibration, safety and scheduling regime.
• Direct management of a test laboratory, engineering test facility or commissioning organization, where you owned the schedule, the safety case and the people.
• Energized high-power or high-energy test experience, including the authority to stop a test and at least one occasion on which you used it.
• Calibration and measurement traceability practice at the level where you can defend a reported figure against somebody who wants to dispute it.
• Management of trades and technicians as well as engineers, including qualification records and shift coverage.
• Configuration control of a test article, and the experience of a result that could not be reproduced because the record was inadequate.
• Preferred: ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory management or assessor experience; accredited laboratory experience; power electronics, battery or thermal test experience. NFPA 70E qualified-person training is required before supervising energized work and is completed in the first ninety days.

Benefits

At IREN, we offer a comprehensive, market-competitive total rewards package designed to support employees’ well-being, career advancement, and financial wealth. Our offerings reflect our commitment to Proceed with Purpose while rewarding high performance and long-term growth. 

Compensation 

• Actual compensation will be determined based on factors such as experience, qualifications.
• Relocation and Living-out-allowance (as applicable and based on successful candidate circumstances)

Health & Wellness 

• 100% company paid health insurance premiums (medical, dental, and vision) for employees, 75% company paid coverage for dependents
• Company-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Voluntary life, critical illness, and accident coverage available
• Health Savings Accounts (HSA) – when combined with the High-Deductible Health Plan
• Employee Assistance Program and wellness resources

Retirement & Financial Wealth 

• 401(k)  retirement plan with company match
• Paid professional development and access to financial planning and legal services

Time Off & Leave Programs 

• Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays

Growth & Development 

• Professional development to support certifications, continuing education, or role related training

Community & Culture 

• Company events and team-building activities

We value diverse perspectives and believe that skills can be developed. If you’re passionate about this role, we want to hear from you — whether you meet every criteria or not. Your unique experiences might be exactly what we need!   

IE US Operations Inc., the employing entity and proud member of the IREN group is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to creating an inclusive workplace. We are committed to evaluating qualified applicants and do not discriminate against protected characteristics under applicable legislation. 

IE US Operations, Inc. “IREN” participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States. 

By applying for this position and submitting your resume and application materials, you consent to the processing of your personal information in accordance with our Job Applicant Privacy Statement available on our website at www.iren.com.