Technical Prize Director – Energy Efficient AI

XPRIZE

Technical Prize Director leading global competition for energy-efficient AI solutions at XPRIZE. Overseeing operations, partnerships, and technical validation while driving innovation in AI infrastructure.

Posted 6/11/2026full-timeRemote • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $170,000 - $200,000 per yearWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

CloudGRPC

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

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

What you’ll need

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.

Benefits

Comp & perks

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

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools

energy-efficient AI systemsAI infrastructure optimizationhigh-performance computingsustainable computing architecturesAI model optimizationcloud computing infrastructuredata center energy systemspower measurement protocolsgRPC APIscryptographic dataset handling

Soft Skills

leadershipstrategic thinkingproblem-solvingpublic speakingcommunicationrelationship-buildinganalytical skillsadaptabilitycollaborationproject management

Certifications

PhD in computer sciencePhD in electrical engineeringPhD in AI/MLPhD in energy systemsPhD in data sciencePhD in physics