IT Systems Engineer
xAI · San Francisco Bay Area
📍 Palo Alto, CA💰 $162,000 - $226,000via greenhousePosted 2026-09-15
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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 IT Systems Team at 𝕏 manages a dynamic and evolving virtual infrastructure that provides secure, high-performance, and reliable corporate resources for business-critical users and applications. This role focuses on building, deploying, and managing on-premises Microsoft Windows Server infrastructure , including Active Directory, VMware Horizon Windows VDIs, and Windows VMs running SQL Server, while collaborating with other teams to deliver scalable, reliable solutions.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Build, manage, and support complex application stacks on Windows Server
Administer on-premises Active Directory (domain controllers, Group Policy, identity, and access)
Deploy, configure, and support VMware vSphere technologies, including vCenter and ESXi
Deploy, configure, and support VMware Horizon Windows VDI environments
Manage Windows VMs hosting Microsoft SQL Server , including patching, performance, and availability
Provide Windows Server troubleshooting and hands-on technical support
Manage and support scalable storage solutions, preferably NetApp , in support of Windows workloads
Automate Windows infrastructure using PowerShell and related Microsoft tooling
Work with engineering teams and third-party vendors to implement scalable solutions
Ensure compliance by collaborating with internal audit and compliance teams
Develop and maintain standard operating procedures
Participate in a 24/7 on-call support rotation
Install, configure, test, and maintain Windows operating systems and system management tools
Proactively ensure high levels of system availability and reliability
Monitor and optimize Windows application and infrastructure performance, identify bottlenecks, and partner with developers on fixes
Write and maintain scripts to improve system efficiency and automation
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
You are a highly skilled IT Systems Engineer with a deep understanding of infrastructure management and automation. You thrive in a collaborative and fast-paced environment, leveraging your expertise to enhance system performance and reliability. The ideal candidate will also have:
Deep understanding of Microsoft infrastructure management and automation
3 to 5 years of experience in the following:
Systems engineering for corporate Microsoft infrastructure
Managing large-scale Windows Server environments
On-premises Active Directory administration
Virtualization at scale with VMware vSphere (vCenter, ESXi)
VMware Horizon Windows VDI administration
Supporting SQL Server on Windows VMs
Managing scalable storage solutions, preferably NetApp
Developing and maintaining performance metrics for systems
Strong understanding of basic networking concepts as they apply to Windows and VMware environments
Proficiency with PowerShell for automation and configuration management
Ability to translate business needs into technical solutions
Outstanding analytical and problem-solving skills
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Experience writing technical design documents and maintaining documentation
Familiarity with working in a source-controlled environment
Experience with VMware data center virtualization and VMware Horizon
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
Experience with Windows Server clustering, failover, and high availability
Familiarity with Microsoft configuration and deployment tooling (e.g. SCCM/MECM, Intune, or equivalent)
Knowledge of storage best practices for SQL Server and VDI workloads on NetApp
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
$162,000 - $226,000
Base salary is just one part of our total rewards package at 𝕏, which also includes equity, 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.
ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
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 .
SpaceXAI is an equal opportunity employer. For details on data processing, view our Recruitment Privacy Notice .
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