Barista - Memphis

SpaceXAI; Memphis (TN); On-site; USD 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, vision, dental coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Employee discounts

Job summary

SpaceXAI is seeking a Barista to join its Hospitality team in a fast-paced environment. You will prepare espresso and tea beverages, assist with daily food operations, and deliver friendly, accurate service to employees, clients, and visitors.

Ideal candidates have multiple years of barista experience, knowledge of espresso drinks, and a strong understanding of food safety. This on-site role emphasizes teamwork, reliability, and delivering a welcoming atmosphere aligned with SpaceXAI's mission.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalency required.
• 1+ years barista experience or 2+ years in a food-service role with beverage service.
• Able to lift up to 25 lbs and stand for long periods.
• Willingness to work all shifts, overtime, weekends and holidays as needed.
• Strong communication and teamwork required.

Responsibilities

• Set up, maintain, and clean workstations and dining areas for safety and cleanliness.
• Perform cleaning and maintenance on coffee stations and tools.
• Complete daily records, tasks, and opening/closing checklists.
• Meet leadership time and quality standards with urgency.
• Engage with customers and fulfill orders with accuracy and courtesy.
• Assist with catering and event requests as needed.
• Follow safety guidelines and food-safety practices.
• Interact professionally with guests, supervisors, and teammates.
• Prepare a range of coffee, espresso, tea beverages and food items.
• Operate espresso machines proficiently.

Skills

Customer service

Team player

Adaptability

Communication

Problem solving

Stamina

Food safety

Food safety practices

Shift flexibility

Lift 25 lbs

Education

High school diploma or equivalency certificate

Tools

Food safety equipment

Job description

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:

The SpaceXAI Hospitality team serves employees, customers, government partners, potential clients, and visitors with snacks, daily meals, and full-service events. The Barista is a team-oriented role for individuals passionate about coffee, espresso, and tea preparation and service. Ideally, this individual has several years of barista experience, hands‑on knowledge of espresso drinks, coffee flavor profiles, and coffee bar operations; knowledge of food operations and culinary arts is preferred. Candidates must understand basic customer service and food/beverage safety principles. The role involves using equipment like manual espresso machines, drip brewers, grinders, and serving utensils. Daily tasks include handling customer orders/inquiries, maintaining food service spaces, and setting up/working stations at various outlets per leadership specifications. This position supports SpaceXAI's mission by providing excellent customer service, quality beverage options, a welcoming atmosphere, and accurate order fulfillment to boost morale and productivity.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Set up, maintain, and clean workstations, surrounding areas, dining, work, and storage spaces to ensure safety and organization
• Perform cleaning and maintenance on departmental tools, equipment, and drip coffee stations
• Complete daily record keeping, tasks, and opening/closing checklists
• Meet time and quality standards set by leadership while working with urgency
• Engage customers, fulfill orders, and demonstrate strong customer service and communication skills (including menu changes)
• Assist with catering and event requests
• Adhere to proper safety guidelines and food safety/sanitation practices
• Interact professionally with guests, supervisors, and co‑workers
• Prepare a variety of coffee, espresso, tea beverages, and food products
• Operate espresso machines with high proficiency

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• 1+ years of barista experience or 2+ years in customer service in a food service environment that includes coffee and/or beverage services
• Ability to carry large, heavy items unassisted (up to 25lbs)
• Must have the ability to stand for long periods – up to 8-12 hours a day.
• Able to perform frequent bending, stooping, and lifting of objects through entire shift
• Must be able to work all shifts and available for overtime, weekends and holiday(s) as needed
• Adaptability, problem‑solving skills, and extreme attention to detail
• Team player with the ability to collaborate effectively, including but not limited to training of incoming team members
• Ability to work gracefully under pressure
• Must have or obtain the state Food Handlers card (training provided internally as needed)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 3+ years of barista experience
• Self‑motivated and takes initiative in a dynamic, fast‑paced environment
• Previous work experience in a high-volume output environment
• Previous work experience in team settings
• Effective interpersonal, oral and written communication skills
• Effective understanding of food safety and sanitation practices
• Basic computer skills (Microsoft Office primarily)
• Knowledge of barista equipment, tools and supplies

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Starting at $20.50 USD hourly.

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job‑related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of our total rewards package at SpaceXAI which includes comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short & long‑term disability insurance, life insurance, and various other discounts and perks.

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here .