Fiber Operations Area Manager

About xAI xAI’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 xAI xAI is building AI to accelerate human scientific discovery. We are guided by our mission to advance our collective understanding of the universe. We are a small, focused team pushing hard to make something big happen. 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 comes from initiative rather than title. About the Role You will lead fiber operations across multiple hyperscale data center sites and buildings in the Memphis area. This is a hands-on managerial role where you will directly manage teams of technicians and foremen, train them in the field, set the technical standard through example, and ensure reliable, high-performance fiber infrastructure that supports xAI's critical computing environments. You will combine deep technical expertise with strong leadership to drive operational excellence, remediate issues, and optimize work across sites. Responsibilities Oversee daily fiber optic operations across various Memphis data center sites, ensuring maximum uptime, rapid incident resolution, and adherence to hyperscale best practices Directly manage, mentor, and develop teams of technicians and foremen in a hands-on capacity, serving as the technical leader and role model for fiber handling, installation, testing, and maintenance Train technicians and foremen on core activities including splicing, termination, OTDR/power meter testing, link validation, switch configuration, GPU/NIC integration, and deployment procedures Demonstrate expert-level proficiency in technician tasks and use that expertise to guide teams, troubleshoot complex issues, and maintain high standards Leverage Python (especially Google-style scripts), Bash, Linux, and related tools to validate links, check system health, and automate/script routine checks Develop remediation reports and insights using internal tools including NCC, CLI scripts, CVT, Grafana, and other diagnostic/monitoring platforms Plan, prioritize, and manage technician and foreman work queues to align with operational needs, incident response, maintenance windows, and project timelines Perform detailed data analysis on failures, trends, and performance metrics to identify root causes, implement fixes, and drive preventive improvements Collaborate across teams to support capacity planning, deployments, and integration of fiber infrastructure with broader data center systems Required Qualifications Extensive experience managing technicians and teams in data center or hyperscale environments, with proven success in fiber optic operations Hands-on technical depth in fiber infrastructure: installation, splicing, termination, testing, troubleshooting, and maintenance in high-density settings Strong proficiency with Python scripting (Google-style preferred), Bash, Linux administration, switch configuration, GPU/NIC hardware, and link validation Experience using tools such as NCC, CLI scripts, CVT, Grafana, and similar platforms for reporting, monitoring, and remediation Demonstrated ability to train and lead teams through direct, example-based hands-on guidance Track record of planning work queues, developing remediation strategies, and analyzing failure data Ability to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends, and on-call as needed in a 24/7 environment Comfortable in data center conditions: lifting equipment, working at heights, in confined spaces, and around noise/heat Preferred Qualifications Prior experience in hyperscale or large-scale data center fiber deployments Familiarity with Foreman tools or similar for work planning and tracking Certifications in fiber optics (e.g., CFOT, FOA), networking, or relevant technical areas Knowledge of structured cabling standards, fiber types, and advanced testing equipment Strong problem-solving, prioritization, and adaptability in fast-paced settings Proficiency with Microsoft Office or similar for documentation and reporting This job is on site in Memphis, TN xAI is an equal opportunity employer. For details on data processing, view our Recruitment Privacy Notice.