Member of Technical Staff - Search & Retrieval

xAI is an ambitious AI company focused on creating systems to understand the universe and advance human knowledge. As a Member of Technical Staff on the Search & Retrieval team, you'll be at the forefront of developing crucial search infrastructure that powers our AI systems.

The role offers a unique opportunity to work in a flat organizational structure where initiative and excellence are rewarded with leadership opportunities. You'll be part of a small, highly motivated team that values engineering excellence and cross-functional collaboration. The Search & Retrieval team plays a vital role in providing AI systems and end users with instant access to relevant, accurate, and current information.

You'll be building search systems from scratch, working closely with data teams to handle internet-scale datasets, and collaborating with product teams to enhance our AI models' capabilities. The position requires expertise in search indexing, retrieval algorithms, and distributed systems, with a focus on practical implementation and scalable solutions.

The company culture emphasizes hands-on contribution, strong communication, and direct impact on the company's mission. Unlike traditional corporate structures, xAI maintains a technical-first approach where even the application review process is handled directly by technical team members rather than recruiters.

The role is based in the Bay Area, offering a competitive salary range of $180,000 - $440,000 USD. The interview process is streamlined and technical-focused, typically completed within a week, consisting of a phone screening followed by four technical interviews including coding assessment, systems hands-on, project deep-dive, and team meet-and-greet.

This is an ideal opportunity for experienced engineers who are passionate about advancing AI technology and want to work in an environment that values technical excellence, direct contribution, and innovative problem-solving in search and retrieval systems.