Network Engineer (xAI Battery Storage)

ABOUT THE ROLE:

Join the High Power Engineering team supporting xAI to design, build, operate, and maintain electrical infrastructure for AI training campuses. As a Network Engineer on the Battery Storage team, 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.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Own the operational technology network the storage fleet runs on: packs, inverters, medium-voltage collection, and the plant controller must talk deterministically, redundantly, and securely.
• Own site network architecture: topology, redundancy, switch selection and configuration, VLAN and subnet design, and IP addressing across the fleet.
• Own the fiber and copper physical plant: single-mode and multimode runs, splice plans, patch panel layout, labeling, OTDR acceptance testing, and pathway coordination.
• Own industrial protocol integration across Modbus TCP, DNP3, and IEC 61850 including GOOSE, plus mapping between pack controllers, PCS, plant controller, and EMS.
• Own precision time distribution using PTP per IEEE 1588 and IRIG-B for sequence-of-events and disturbance analysis.
• Own OT cybersecurity for the storage plant: segmentation per IEC 62443, firewall rules, remote access, patch and firmware management, and applicable NERC CIP evidence.
• Specify and commission industrial switches, media converters, gateways, protocol converters, terminal servers, and time sources; own configuration backup and change management.
• Support commissioning with network validation, latency and packet-loss testing, failover testing, and pack-level communications troubleshooting.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, or a related technical discipline, or 6+ years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree.
• 3+ years of industrial, utility, or operational technology network engineering.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Hands-on configuration of managed industrial switches and routers.
• Experience with at least one industrial protocol stack: Modbus TCP, DNP3, or IEC 61850.
• Hands-on fiber optic termination, testing, and troubleshooting.
• BESS, solar, or substation automation network experience.
• IEC 61850 station and process bus design including GOOSE performance requirements.
• IEC 62443 or NERC CIP program experience.
• Cisco, Hirschmann, Moxa, RuggedCom, or comparable industrial platform experience.
• Familiarity with industrial communications protocols and networking: Modbus, IEEE C37.115, IEEE C37.111, DNP3, etc.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Perform hands-on work in all environments (heat, cold, rain), in tight quarters or at heights.
• Work extended hours and weekends as needed to support construction, energization, and operations.
• Remain focused in hazardous environments while wearing appropriate PPE.
• Lift up to 25 lbs. unassisted.
• Provide 24/7 on-call support for emergencies.
• Willing to work on-site in Memphis, TN. This is not a remote or hybrid role.
• Travel up to 25% for factory witness testing, vendor and OEM engagement, and supporting other sites.
• Valid driver's license.