Technical Prize Director – Energy Efficient AI

Role Overview

• Provide leadership and managerial direction to the Prize team.
• Execute the Prize vision, strategies, milestones, testing, and stated objectives.
• Proactively manage and ensure timely response to changing needs, requirements, issues, and direction while keeping all constituents informed.
• Oversee budget and authorization of expenditures within budgetary limits; develop and implement cost control measures and operational processes.
• Lead development of technical measurement, validation, and verification criteria to assess energy efficiency, computational performance, scalability, and real-world impact.
• Refine overall judging criteria and manage the Prize judging process, assisting judging panel members and technical advisors as needed, and maintaining impartial standards.
• Execute all technical aspects of the competition, ensuring the integrity of the "at-the-wall" power measurement protocol and unbiased measurements of competitor systems.
• Lead development of public/private leaderboards capable of transparently demonstrating competitor progress.
• Oversee the verification funnel, ensuring teams transition smoothly from "at-home" remote evaluations on public/private leaderboards to mandatory, in-person on-site audits conducted by external partners in a controlled setting.
• Partner with XPRIZE internal stakeholders to secure, retain, and effectively manage personnel, materials, and resources needed to execute the competition successfully.
• Identify and engage industry experts, researchers, consultants, and advisors to support the Prize on a temporary and/or contract basis.
• Monitor and report on Prize progress to XPRIZE leadership, advisory boards, sponsors, partners, and external stakeholders, ensuring all requirements are met.
• Organize, host, and participate in conferences, workshops, and events globally to promote the competition, recruit teams, and support judging and award activities.
• Ensure the competition is conducted in line with XPRIZE Foundation rules, policies, and operational processes, as well as specific Prize guidelines.
• Serve as a public-facing ambassador for the Prize through speaking engagements, media interviews, conferences, thought leadership, blogs, webinars, and industry outreach.
• Collaborate cross-functionally across departments and facilitate effective communication and alignment among internal and external stakeholders.
• Develop high-quality project plans that support reliable execution and operational excellence.

Requirements

• Subject Matter Expert with demonstrated expertise across one or more of the following areas: Energy-efficient AI systems, AI infrastructure and data center optimization, High-performance computing, Sustainable computing architectures, AI model optimization and inference efficiency, Cloud computing infrastructure, Grid-aware or carbon-aware computing systems, Data center energy systems and cooling technologies, Renewable energy integration for computing infrastructure
• Advanced degree required (PhD preferred) in computer science, electrical engineering, AI/ML, energy systems, data science, physics, or another technical field highly relevant to the goals of this Prize.
• At least 7 years of experience in academic, research, startup, hyperscaler, or industry environments related to AI infrastructure, computing systems, hardware engineering or data center architecture.
• Familiarity with MLPerf, power measurement protocols, and large language model inference pipelines is highly desired.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex, multidisciplinary technology initiatives.
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to thrive in fast-moving, ambiguous, and entrepreneurial environments with evolving priorities and timelines.
• Ability to deeply understand, refine and clearly explain complex technical protocols, including gRPC APIs, just-in-time (JIT) data delivery systems, and cryptographic dataset handling.
• Excellent public speaking and communication skills, including the ability to translate complex technical concepts to broad and diverse audiences.
• Strong relationship-building skills with researchers, industry leaders, startups, sponsors, and global partners.
• Passion for leveraging technology and innovation to solve global sustainability challenges.
• Belief that a small group of motivated individuals can truly change the world for the better.

Tech Stack

• Cloud
• GRPC

Benefits

• Remote-first environment (must live and work in the United States)
• Quarterly company-paid All-Hands meetings in Los Angeles for frequent in-person collaboration
• Employee and dependent medical, dental, and vision options
• A 401(K) program with employer match
• Ample paid time off, including vacation, floating holidays, sick days, and company-paid holidays
• An Employee Assistance Program for confidential, professional support with personal, family, or other challenges
• Employee stipends/reimbursements for cell phone, internet, health & wellbeing, and learning & development
• Generous Paid Parental Leave for all employees welcoming a new child to their family
• One meeting-free block per week and four focus weeks per year to ensure uninterrupted time for strategic projects