OT Systems Engineer (Physical Infrastructure)
About this role
The operational technology team at xAI builds backend infrastructure for next-generation controls and industrial software platforms supporting physical infrastructure. Daily work involves implementing, maintaining, and modernizing industrial control systems while balancing legacy support with continuous improvement initiatives. Engineers in this group design and deploy plant environments, integrate IT technologies like virtualization and GitOps, and support critical launch and production campaigns.
Operating within a flat structure, the group relies on hands-on contributors who demonstrate strong prioritization, urgency, and operational excellence. Ideal candidates combine deep operational technology expertise with modern infrastructure tooling to create secure and streamlined industrial environments. Someone who thrives in high-stakes settings and communicates clearly will succeed here.
What you will do
- Design and deploy next-generation operational technology environments across multiple sites to support plant and launch systems.
- Install and maintain controls software platforms alongside internally developed human-machine interfaces.
- Integrate IT technologies into industrial control systems to improve security, scalability, and management.
- Maintain development, test, and staging environments that facilitate controlled and systematic changes.
- Perform software upgrades and monitor services to ensure high availability during critical operations.
- Collaborate with internal controls engineers, security teams, and external integrators to resolve technical issues.
- Document operational procedures and maintain system architectures in compliance with cybersecurity standards.
What you need
- Hold at least 3 years of professional experience in operational technology systems engineering or industrial control systems administration.
- Bring hands-on familiarity with multiple industry-standard controls software platforms and tools.
- Demonstrate significant background in designing, deploying, and troubleshooting operational technology environments in high-reliability settings.
- Possess the willingness to participate in an after-hours on-call rotation and work extended hours or weekends when necessary.
- Be willing to travel up to 20 percent of the time, including international flights and potential time at sea.
- Meet physical job requirements including the ability to lift 30 pounds, work at heights, and maintain an active driver's license.
Nice to have
- Experience supporting real-time systems or operational technology in aerospace, defense, energy, or similar industries.
- Background in designing architectures incorporating hyperconverged, rugged industrial edge, and distributed compute technologies.
- Proficiency in scripting languages such as Bash, PowerShell, or Python and automation frameworks like Terraform, Ansible, or Puppet.
- Familiarity with Active Directory, multi-platform authentication, and identity environments in operational technology contexts.
Skills and tech stack
Questions candidates ask
What locations does this role support?
This position is based out of Southaven, Mississippi and Memphis, Tennessee, with up to 20 percent travel required to other sites worldwide.
What level of experience is required?
Candidates must have at least 3 years of experience in operational technology systems engineering or industrial control systems administration.
What physical or travel demands are expected?
Employees must be willing to travel up to 20 percent of the time, participate in an after-hours on-call rotation, lift 30 pounds, work at heights, and maintain a valid driver's license.