Lead Engineer, Transmission & Distribution - Memphis

x; Memphis (TN); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceXSI is seeking a Lead Engineer for Transmission & Distribution to design, build, operate, and maintain electrical infrastructure for AI training campuses in Memphis, TN. Lead a small on-site team to scale high-capacity power systems on a schedule driven by compute demand.

You will own HV switchyards, interconnection processes, and the studies model for load flow and protection. This role requires 10+ years in high-power engineering and a PE license is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or related field
• 10+ years in transmission, substation, or generation interconnection engineering
• Experience carrying a project through utility or ISO interconnection to energization

Responsibilities

• Own generation terminals through interconnection to energization
• Design and manage high-voltage switchyard architecture
• Lead interconnection studies with utility and balancing authority
• Oversee campus protection philosophy and settings database
• Manage campus power systems studies: load flow, short circuit, coordination
• Direct Design, Ops/Build, Protection & Controls, and Power System Engineer seats on the T&D team

Skills

Leadership

Team leadership

Independent work

Thrives under pressure

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Professional Engineering (PE) license - preferred

Tools

ETAP

SKM

PSS/E

PSCAD

MATLAB

ASPEN

Job description

Memphis, TN

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today, SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of making life multiplanetary and expanding consciousness to the stars.

SpaceXSI is building Super Intelligence to help humanity understand the universe. Our teams are building the full Super Intelligence stack: from our Colossus supercomputers, to Grok models, to our suite of applications, including Grok Bot, Grok Build, Grok Imagine, Grok Voice, and X. We're creating a powerful flywheel where more compute trains better models, better models power more useful products, and what we learn from people using those products shapes what we build next.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

Join the High Power Engineering team supporting SpaceXSI to design, build, operate, and maintain electrical infrastructure for AI training campuses. As a Lead Engineer for Transmission & Distribution, 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 everything from generation terminals and the point of interconnection down to the medium-voltage bus: high-voltage switchyards, collector transmission, main power transformers, and the utility relationship that determines whether the campus energizes on schedule.
• Own high-voltage switchyard architecture: bus configuration, GIS versus AIS tradeoffs, bus sectionalizing, and fault-current management.
• Lead the interconnection process with the local distributor and balancing authority, including application, system impact and facilities studies, protection philosophy alignment, telemetry and metering, and technical exhibits to the service agreement.
• Own campus protection philosophy and the settings management database served to Data Center and Battery Storage — one owner, not three models.
• Own the campus power systems studies function: the single model of record for load flow, short circuit, coordination, arc flash, and stability.
• Own the generation electrical interface: excitation and governor behavior, synchronizing, generator protection, black start, and station service.
• Own regulatory and compliance scope as assigned: service agreements, applicable NERC/SERC standards, air-permitting coordination, AHJ relationships, and compliance evidence.
• Own the campus electrical safety program: NFPA 70E, arc-flash study currency and labeling, energized work permitting, qualified-worker training, and switching authorization.
• Direct Design, Ops/Build, Protection & Controls, and Power System Engineer seats on the T&D team as those seats fill.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, physics, or another engineering discipline.
• 10+ years in transmission, substation, or generation interconnection engineering, with a focus on high-power, high-voltage systems.
• Experience carrying a project through utility or ISO interconnection to energization.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES:

• Professional Engineering license or intention to actively seek a PE license.
• Working knowledge of the IEEE C37 series, IEEE 80, NESC, and applicable NERC standards.
• 161 kV, 230 kV, or 345 kV GIS or AIS experience.
• Large-load interconnection experience with TVA, MLGW, or comparable municipal or federal power arrangements.
• Experience with power systems analysis software and tools: ETAP, SKM, PSS/E, PSCAD, ASPEN, Matlab, etc.
• Experience leading a multidisciplinary engineering team.
• Proven ability to lead teams, work independently, and thrive in dynamic, high-stress environments with tight deadlines.

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.