Manager, Critical Facilities Operations - Memphis

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.
ABOUT THE ROLE:
As the Critical Facilities Operations Manager at SpaceXAI Memphis, you will own the reliability, performance, and continuous improvement of critical data center infrastructure, including power, cooling, and environmental systems. You will lead and develop a team of Facilities Operations Supervisors and Technicians, driving hands-on technical excellence, strategic operational planning, process optimization, vendor management, and cross-functional collaboration. This role emphasizes building a high-performance, team-first culture while ensuring maximum uptime, safety, and efficiency across the site.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Facilities Operations Supervisors and Technicians, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Own the overall maintenance, monitoring, troubleshooting, and performance of data center infrastructure, including HVAC, power distribution, UPS, generators, and environmental systems.
Develop, implement, and continuously optimize preventive and predictive maintenance programs, equipment calibration strategies, and system performance KPIs.
Create, refine, and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs), emergency response plans, and change management processes to drive operational consistency and excellence.
Ensure full compliance with safety regulations, industry standards, and internal policies; champion a strong safety culture across the facilities team.
Partner closely with engineering, procurement, construction, and operations teams to streamline equipment intake, installation, commissioning, and lifecycle management.
Oversee inventory, asset management, and spare parts strategy using internal applications, ensuring accurate tracking, forecasting, and cost control.
Manage critical equipment maintenance, repairs, and capital projects, ensuring timely resolution, rigorous documentation, and root-cause analysis.
Lead cross-functional initiatives to enhance operational efficiency, reduce downtime, and improve energy and resource utilization.
Own vendor relationships, service contracts, and performance management for critical facilities support.
Provide 24/7 on-call leadership and drive rapid, effective response to critical facilities incidents.
Develop and manage operational budgets, forecasts, and resource planning for the facilities team.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or a related engineering field (relevant experience may substitute for degree).
7+ years of experience managing critical facilities systems, including power, cooling, and environmental controls in data center or mission-critical environments.
5+ years of people leadership experience in critical facilities or technical operations environments, including direct management of supervisors or technical teams.
In-depth knowledge of electrical, mechanical, and HVAC systems in data centers.
Proven track record of leading facilities infrastructure projects from planning through execution.
Proficiency with building management systems (BMS), environmental monitoring tools, and computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS).
Strong prioritization, time management, and decision-making skills under pressure.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment while maintaining rigorous attention to detail.
Must pass pre-employment and annual post-employment background checks.
Physical Requirements:
Ability to lift up to 35 lbs. unassisted.
Comfortable working at heights up to 50 feet with appropriate safety gear.
Ability to work in environments with exposure to noise.
Physical dexterity to perform job functions in confined spaces.
Availability to work evenings and weekends based on site operational needs; flexibility is required.
Valid driver’s license.
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
Experience programming or deeply configuring PLC-based control systems and advanced Building Management Systems.
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent.
EPA Universal Refrigerant Certification (EPA 608 Technician).
Experience managing operational budgets and capital expenditure projects in a data center environment.
Prior experience scaling facilities operations in a high-growth technology or mission-critical setting.
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