Site Reliability Engineer - Datacenter

SpaceXAI; Southaven (MS); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site Memphis role

Job summary

SpaceXAI is hiring a Site Reliability Engineer focused on hardware to drive firmware and hardware specifications analysis, vendor management, and rapid incident response for the Memphis datacenter.

You will diagnose hardware failures, run CVE/vulnerability checks on firmware, and collaborate with operations technicians to minimize downtime while maintaining high reliability standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Systems/Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 2+ years hardware reliability experience in HPC/datacenter environments.
• Proven ability to diagnose and prove complex hardware failures using data and tools.

Responsibilities

• Analyze firmware and hardware specs for compatibility, performance, and reliability in the datacenter.
• Investigate and diagnose hardware failures, including grey or intermittent issues, with rigorous testing.
• Manage vendor relationships, file RMAs, and push for timely resolutions beyond standard processes.
• Collaborate with Datacenter Operations Technicians to troubleshoot and repair hardware in real time.
• Develop monitoring tools and automation scripts to detect hardware anomalies early.
• Document failure modes, RCAs, reliability models, and RMA outcomes in the knowledge base.
• Participate in on-call rotations and incident response for hardware issues in the Memphis datacenter.

Skills

Hardware reliability

Firmware analysis

Scripting (Python/Bash)

C/C++/Rust/Java

RMA/vendor relations

Diagnostics tools

Data-driven decisions

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/CS or equivalent

Tools

Logic analyzers

Scripting languages

Diagnostic software

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:

As a Site Reliability Engineer focused on Hardware, you will serve as an expert focused on firmware, hardware specifications, vendor relations, and failure analysis. You will proactively identify and resolve hardware issues, manage RMA processes, and stay ahead of emerging hardware technologies to support SpaceXAI's datacenter operations. This role demands deep technical expertise in hardware diagnostics, and forward-looking hardware evaluation.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Analyze firmware packages and hardware specifications for upcoming releases for compatibility, performance, and reliability in SpaceXAI's datacenter 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 Datacenter 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 datacenter

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• 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 datacenter 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 datacenter 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). Not required to be expert in all of them.
• Excellent problem-solving skills with a data-driven approach to reliability engineering.
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams, including operations technicians.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience in AI/ML infrastructure or supercomputing environments.
• Knowledge of vendor ecosystems (e.g., NVIDIA, Dell, HP, Supermicro) and supply chain management.
• Certifications in hardware engineering or reliability (e.g., CRE, CompTIA Server+).
• Prior work in a fast-paced startup or tech company like SpaceXAI.

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