Principal Infrastructure Engineer

Location: San Francisco Bay Area, CA | Newport News, VA | Batavia, IL | Remote (25–50% travel to project sites required)

About xLight

xLight is building the world's most powerful laser to revolutionize semiconductor lithography, metrology, and for other critical applications. Our approach harnesses the power of free-electron lasers, building on accelerator technology in use globally at scientific user facilities. Extending this technology, we are developing industrial-grade light sources, engineered for continuous operation, to meet the sophisticated demands of next-generation patterning, metrology, and inspection applications. Join us in this new revolution.

At xLight, we hire exceptional talent — and exceptional means more than a strong résumé. How we achieve results is just as important as the results themselves, which is why attitude and character matter as much as technical skill. We believe great talent is widely distributed, not confined to a particular school or background. We seek individuals who demonstrate ownership, a spirit of collaboration, technical curiosity, and a genuine willingness to learn and grow — guided by our core values of Respect, Integrity, Creativity, and Engineering Excellence. We don't just hire for what someone can do today. We hire for who they are and who they are becoming.

What We Need — and Why It Matters

We are seeking a highly experienced Principal Infrastructure Engineer to serve as the technical lead on a large-scale campus infrastructure program. This is a senior hands-on engineering role for someone who leads with deep technical authority, exercises independent judgment, and drives day-to-day project execution with minimal oversight. You will serve as the owner's technical authority, holding the design and construction teams accountable to the highest standard of quality and performance.

What You Will Do

Primary responsibilities:

• Lead design reviews at all milestones (30%, 60%, 90%, IFC) across civil, electrical, mechanical, and structural disciplines
• Review and resolve contractor submittals, RFIs, and change order requests with technical rigor and owner-side authority
• Anticipate and identify design gaps, coordination conflicts, and specification deficiencies before they reach the field
• Serve as subject matter expert in primary discipline (electrical, mechanical, structural, or civil); exercise sound technical judgment across all infrastructure disciplines
• Use Revit and Navisworks to review 3D models, identify clashes, and drive design coordination resolution
• Evaluate contractor work-in-place for conformance with contract documents
• Support commissioning and systems integration activities

Other responsibilities:

• Concept design development, utilizing Revit and rendering tools
• Development, tracking, and closure of owner requirements throughout the project lifecycle
• Owner requirements change control, ensuring changes are documented

Project Coordination Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities:

• Lead weekly design and construction progress meetings; prepare and distribute meeting minutes and action items
• Maintain design deliverable schedules, submittal logs, and RFI registers
• Coordinate with utility providers, permitting authorities, and third-party consultants
• Represent the owner in contractor and consultant meetings

Other responsibilities:

• Budget tracking and change management processes
• Reporting and stakeholder communication

What We Are Looking For

• PE license
• Minimum BS in Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, Architectural, or Structural Engineering required
• 20+ years of progressive experience in infrastructure or facilities engineering
• Extensive experience on the owner's side, CM side, or as engineer of record on major infrastructure programs
• Proficiency in Revit and Navisworks required
• Demonstrated ability to independently lead multi-discipline design reviews and produce substantive, defensible technical direction
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; able to convey complex technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Comfortable exercising authority and representing the owner at contractor, consultant, and executive-level meetings
• Ability and willingness to travel 25–50% for project site support

And If You Bring This — Even Better

• PMP a plus, not required
• Experience with large-scale semiconductor fab or particle accelerator design and construction is a strong plus

What You Can Expect from Us

• 100% Company-funded health insurance for employee
• Company funded Life Insurance and disability insurance
• 401k contribution. 100% up to 3% of compensation, plus 50% match between 3% and 5%. Immediately vested.
• Flexible Paid Time-Off, Sick leave and Company Holidays
• Company Paid Two-weeks Winter Break
• Flexible Hybrid Work Model
• Chef prepared Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner at Palo Alto office
• Monthly breakfast, complimentary snacks and beverages at Newport News office

Pay transparency

The pay range for this position reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries at commencement of employment and is expected to be between USD 155,000/year-215,000/year. However, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple factors, including role, job-related knowledge, skills, relevant education and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including equity, and a full range of benefits. Details of all benefits will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.

EEO Statement

xLight Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is clear: there shall be no discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, or sexual orientation. We are an inclusive organization and actively promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills and potential. We welcome all applications from a wide range of candidates. Selection for roles will be based on individual merit alone.