Data Center Engineering Leader

Baseten

$150K — $200K *
Information Technology
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5+ years in data center design or large-scale infrastructure delivery.
  • Expertise in electrical distribution and cooling systems for high-density environments.
  • In-depth knowledge of GPU infrastructure and high-density rack optimization.
  • Experience with structured cabling, LVC, and documentation standards.
  • Proven track record managing contractors and vendors effectively.
  • Demonstrated ownership of strategy, design, execution, and operations.
  • Ability to navigate both strategic and hands-on tasks seamlessly.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the development and execution of data center infrastructure strategy.
  • Define architecture for electrical, mechanical, and physical network systems.
  • Make key decisions regarding power, cooling, and rack designs.
  • Oversee commissioning, failover testing, and thermal validation processes.
  • Manage relationships with architectural firms, general contractors, and vendors.
  • Create maintenance programs and documentation for deployment standards.
  • Form and direct the data center engineering and operations team.

Benefits

  • Competitive compensation with equity options.
  • Full coverage of medical, dental, and vision for employees and their families.
  • Flexible paid time off policy, including a company-wide Winter Break.
  • Generous paid parental leave policy.
  • Fertility and family-building support through Carrot.
  • Company-sponsored 401(k) plan.
  • Opportunities for networking and learning in the ML startup ecosystem.
Full Job Description
THE ROLE
As Baseten's Head of Data Center Infrastructure, you'll own the strategy, design, and execution of our first-generation GPU data centers. We lease powered shells-but everything inside the building is on us: power distribution, cooling, rack design, structured cabling / low-voltage systems, and the operational foundations to scale to tens, then hundreds of megawatts.
This is a high-ownership, hands-on leadership role. You'll act as the technical authority across facility design and build, working closely with contractors, vendors, and internal teams to bring new capacity online quickly and reliably. Your decisions will directly impact how fast we deploy GPUs and how efficiently they run.

EXAMPLE INITIATIVES
  • First site build - Deliver high-density GPU infrastructure inside a powered shell.
  • Power and cooling architecture - Design systems supporting 150kW+ rack densities.
  • Structured cabling and LVC - Define cable plant standards, pathways, labeling, and contractor scope.
  • Site standardization - Create repeatable designs for scaling across multiple sites.

RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Own data center infrastructure strategy, design, and execution.
  • Define electrical, mechanical, and physical network infrastructure architecture.
  • Lead power, cooling, cabling, and rack design decisions.
  • Own commissioning, failover testing, and thermal validation.
  • Manage A/E firms, GCs, vendors, and low-voltage contractors.
  • Establish maintenance programs, runbooks, as-builts, and deployment standards.
  • Build and lead the data center engineering and operations functions.

REQUIREMENTS
  • Experience designing and delivering data centers or large-scale infrastructure.
  • Deep knowledge of electrical distribution and cooling systems.
  • Experience with high-density racks and GPU infrastructure.
  • Familiarity with structured cabling, LVC, and fiber documentation.
  • Experience managing contractors, vendors, GCs, and A/E firms.
  • Strong ownership across strategy, design, execution, and operations.
  • Ability to operate at strategic and hands-on levels.


BENEFITS
  • Competitive compensation, including meaningful equity.
  • 100% coverage of medical, dental, and vision insurance for employee and dependents
  • Flexible PTO policy including company wide Winter Break (our offices are closed from Christmas Eve to New Year's Day!)
  • Paid parental leave
  • Fertility and family-building stipend through Carrot
  • Company-facilitated 401(k)
  • Exposure to a variety of ML startups, offering unparalleled learning and networking opportunities.

Apply now to embark on a rewarding journey in shaping the future of AI! If you are a motivated individual with a passion for machine learning and a desire to be part of a collaborative and forward-thinking team, we would love to hear from you.

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