Join xAI as a Hardware Failure Analysis Engineer to enhance our data center operations through expert hardware diagnostics and vendor management.
SpaceXAI’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.
- Analyze firmware packages and hardware specifications for upcoming releases for compatibility, performance, and reliability in SpaceXAI's data center environment.
- Run security scanning and CVE / vulnerability analysis on firmware and related components.
- Flag safety issues (electrical, thermal, power-protection, fail-safe behavior) before the package hits the floor.
- Investigate and diagnose hardware failures, including "grey failures" (ambiguous or intermittent issues), proving them as true hardware defects through rigorous testing and data analysis.
- Manage vendor relationships, including initiating RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) claims, negotiating beyond standard processes when necessary, and holding vendors accountable for resolutions.
- Collaborate with Data Center Operations Technicians to troubleshoot, repair, and optimize hardware systems in real-time.
- Develop and implement monitoring tools, scripts, and processes to detect hardware anomalies early and minimize downtime.
- Document failure modes, RCAs, AFR / reliability models, RMA outcomes, and hardware evaluations into a team knowledge base.
- Participate in on-call rotations and incident response for hardware-related issues in the Memphis data center.
- Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
- 2+ years of experience in hardware reliability engineering, preferably in high-performance computing or data center environments.
- Proven expertise in firmware analysis, hardware specifications review, and release validation.
- Strong experience with RMA processes, including filing claims, vendor negotiations, and pushing for resolutions outside standard protocols.
- Demonstrated ability to diagnose and prove complex hardware failures, including grey or intermittent issues, using tools, logic analyzers, or diagnostic software.
- Familiarity with data center hardware components (e.g., servers, GPUs, networking equipment) and emerging technologies.
- Proficiency in scripting (Python, Bash) for automation and analysis, plus general experience in at least one systems language (C, C++, Java, Rust, or similar).
- Excellent problem-solving skills with a data-driven approach to reliability engineering.
- Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams, including operations technicians.