xAI· Legal· Austin, TX; Palo Alto, CA
Commercial Counsel - Data Centers
Comp$240,000 – $285,000
Classified Tasks (30)
Automate 0%Augment 30%Human-Only 70%
Augment (9)
AI assists, human decides
Advise on and manage ERCOT and regulatory matters related to hyperscale data center deployments
analytical
Draft, review, and negotiate construction contracts for data center facilities
technical
Draft, review, and negotiate engineering services agreements for design-build projects
technical
Draft, review, and negotiate related project documents for high-power facilities with advanced cooling and cabling
technical
Support financing structures for infrastructure investments
analytical
Support tax incentive transactions and filings
analytical
Support complex lease arrangements
operational
Support project finance elements for multi-billion-dollar-scale infrastructure investments
analytical
Tackle complex agreements and streamline legal processes
analytical
Human-Only (21)
Requires human judgment
Provide legal support for development of data centers by executing physical infrastructure transactions
operational
Lead negotiation and structuring of data center development deals
leadership
Lead negotiation and structuring of real estate transactions
leadership
Lead negotiation and structuring of capital equipment purchases
leadership
Lead negotiation and structuring of hardware and raw material procurement
leadership
Negotiate and manage interconnection agreements
operational
Negotiate and manage electricity service agreements
operational
Negotiate and manage solar project deployments
operational
Negotiate and manage sustainable storage system transactions
operational
Negotiate and manage power purchase agreements (PPAs)
operational
Negotiate and manage behind-the-meter generation structures
operational
Negotiate and manage gas supply and transport agreements
operational
Negotiate and manage water rights agreements
operational
Support permitting activities for facility development
operational
Support easement and land use transactions
operational
Partner with engineering, procurement, business development, and finance teams to align legal terms with technical and commercial requirements
communication
Coordinate with specialized outside counsel on complex matters while maintaining in-house strategic oversight and risk judgment
leadership
Contribute to commercial and procurement initiatives as the data center footprint grows
operational
Propose creative legal ideas and solutions to key business initiatives
creative
Engage in strategic negotiations and balance legal, business, and engineering priorities
leadership
Perform ad hoc legal tasks across the Legal department, including unfamiliar areas, and respond quickly as needed
administrative
Job description
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 THE ROLE: As Commercial Counsel at xAI, you'll provide legal support for the development of data centers by executing on some of the world’s largest and most interesting physical infrastructure transactions. You will tackle complex agreements, bring creative ideas and solutions to key business initiatives and streamline processes in a ludicrously fast-paced environment. Expect to dive into strategic negotiations, balance legal, business and engineering priorities, and support xAI’s mission to advance AI-driven human scientific discovery. This job will have global impact but will be based in Palo Alto, California or Austin, Texas. RESPONSIBILITIES: Lead negotiation and structuring of data center development deals, real estate transactions, capital equipment purchases, hardware and raw material procurement and much much more. Negotiate and manage power-related contracts: interconnection agreements, electricity service agreements, solar project deployments, sustainable storage system transactions, power purchase agreements (PPAs), behind-the-meter generation structures, gas supply / transport, water rights, and ERCOT/regulatory matters critical to hyperscale data center deployments. Draft, review, and negotiate construction contracts, engineering services for design-build, and related project documents for facilities involving insane amounts of power, absurd cooling systems, and advanced cabling and fiber get-ups, all in support of the world’s largest integrated GPU clusters . Support financing structures, tax incentives, complex lease arrangements, permitting activities, easement and land use transactions, and project finance elements that enable multi-billion-dollar-scale infrastructure investments. Partner closely with engineering, procurement, business development, and finance teams to align legal terms with technical and commercial requirements . Coordinate effectively with specialized outside counsel on complex matters while maintaining in-house strategic oversight and risk judgment. Contribute to broader commercial and procurement initiatives as our data center footprint grows. Be extremely versatile, highly responsive, ability to roll your sleeves up and pitch in for anything and everything needed in the Legal department, even if it’s unfamiliar or not in your lane. Sense of humor, humility and team based mentality is a must. BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: 8+ years of legal experience–ideally through a combination of experience at innovative technology or development companies, and/or