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 engineers are expected to have strong communication skills. They should be able to concisely and accurately share knowledge with their teammates.

About the Role

We are seeking a dedicated and innovative Senior Privacy Engineer to join our security and compliance team. In this role, you will champion data protection and privacy compliance, embedding privacy-by-design principles into our systems and processes. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure our AI-driven solutions adhere to global privacy regulations while maintaining cutting-edge functionality. The ideal candidate is deeply knowledgeable about privacy laws, skilled in privacy engineering, and passionate about safeguarding user data in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

Responsibilities

• Implement robust privacy controls in software and systems to ensure compliance with global privacy laws (e.g., GDPR, CCPA).
• Conduct privacy impact assessments (PIAs) to identify and mitigate privacy risks in new projects, system changes, or AI deployments.
• Design and deploy privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs), such as differential privacy, pseudonymization, or encryption, to protect personal data.
• Provide expert guidance on data handling practices, including encryption, anonymization, consent management, and data minimization strategies.
• Manage and respond to data subject rights requests, ensuring proper handling, retention, and deletion of personal data.
• Collaborate with engineering, legal, and product teams to integrate privacy-by-design principles into the software development lifecycle.
• Act as a versatile contributor, tackling unfamiliar challenges and supporting privacy initiatives with precision.
• This is an in-person role based in Palo Alto, CA, with up to 25% travel required.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in privacy engineering, data protection, or related roles, preferably in innovative tech or AI-driven environments.
• Deep understanding of global privacy legislation and frameworks, including GDPR, CCPA, and other relevant regulations.
• Proficiency in privacy engineering practices, including data mapping, classification, and lifecycle management.
• Experience integrating privacy controls and principles into software development lifecycles.
• Strong technical skills in implementing privacy-enhancing technologies, such as encryption or anonymization tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certifications such as CIPP (Certified Information Privacy Professional), CIPT (Certified Information Privacy Technologist), or equivalent are highly desirable.
• Strong sense of ownership, curiosity, and enthusiasm for solving complex privacy challenges with sound judgment.
• Passion for problem-solving and a proactive drive to deliver results in a dynamic environment.
• High energy and resilience to thrive in a fast-paced, mission-driven organization.
• A sense of adventure and humor to navigate challenges with a positive mindset.

Annual Salary Range

$180,000 - $440,000 USD

Benefits

Base salary is just one part of our total rewards package at xAI, 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.

xAI is an equal opportunity employer.

California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Notice