Member of Technical Staff, Governance Risk Compliance

xAI•Palo Alto, CA

About The Position

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 xAI is seeking an experienced and strategic Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Lead to design, implement, and oversee our GRC framework particularly as we expand into government and public sector applications of AI. This critical role will ensure that xAI operates within regulatory, ethical, operational, and federal boundaries while fostering a culture of integrity and resilience. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to safeguard our mission-driven work in AI development and deployment, including support for sensitive and classified environments.

Requirements

Previous systems engineering experience strongly preferred
Must have the ability to evaluate control objectives with IT configurations
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science Information Security, Cybersecurity, or a related field
Certifications like CISA, CRISC, CGEIT, Security+, CASP+, or similar preferred).
3+ years of experience in governance, risk management, compliance, or technology audit roles.
Proven expertise in regulatory frameworks, data privacy, cybersecurity, and federal compliance standards, preferably in a technology, cloud, or AI-driven environment.
Strong understanding of AI ethics, emerging technologies, Risk Management Framework (RMF), and their associated risks.
Experience with vulnerability management, POAMs, STIG implementation, and cloud security controls.
Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and project management skills, with the ability to balance innovation, oversight, and taking projects from conception to launch.
Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and translation skills, with experience influencing cross-functional teams and communicating risks to leadership.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt to evolving priorities.

Nice To Haves

Experience in the tech or AI industry, particularly with startups, innovative organizations, or government/public sector engagements.
Deep expertise implementing and maintaining frameworks such as FedRAMP, DoD Cloud Computing SRG, NIST 800-171, NIST 800-53, CMMC, and STIG/RMF policies (including validation via ACAS and similar tools).
Familiarity with ISO 27001, ISO 42001, NIST, SOC 2, or similar compliance frameworks.
Background in managing third-party risk, vendor compliance programs, or federal assessments.
Understanding of cybersecurity controls for cloud service providers.
Knowledge of government cloud services and evolving certification programs.
Active security clearance with IAT Level 2 certification (e.g., Security+, CASP+).
5+ years of security compliance or technology audit-related.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain a robust governance framework to support xAI’s strategic objectives and ensure alignment with industry best practices, including federal and DoD standards.
Establish policies, procedures, and controls to guide ethical AI development, data usage, corporate decision-making, and security configurations.
Partner with leadership, product, engineering, security, operations, people operations, and legal teams to integrate governance principles into product development, operational processes, and the implementation of new technical, administrative, and operational controls.
Lead security compliance implementation and audits (e.g., ISO 27001/42001, SOC2, FedRAMP HIGH, DoD Cloud Computing SRG IL5/IL6, NIST 800-53 rev 5, NIST 800-171/CMMC, Risk Management Framework).
Work with 3PAOs (Third-Party Assessment Organizations) and federal government Authorizing Officials (AOs) to achieve compliance certifications, reports, and Authorized to Operate (ATO) status.
Identify, assess, and prioritize risks related to AI operations, cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, intellectual property, and cloud deployments.
Design and implement risk mitigation strategies, including monitoring systems, contingency plans, vulnerability scans, Plan of Action and Milestones (POAMs), and STIGs.
Ensure the implementation, oversight, monitoring, and maintenance of security configurations, practices, and procedures throughout the project lifecycle.
Serve as a liaison between system owners, security personnel, and cross-functional teams to facilitate effective communication, collaboration, and control implementation.
Lead Risk Management Assessment and Authorization (A&A) processes, cloud system risk assessments, compliance reviews for new products/changes/features, and process enhancements.
Conduct regular risk assessments, scenario analyses, and proactive evaluations of emerging threats, certifications, requirements, and technologies in the AI landscape.
Monitor regulatory developments and advise leadership on their impact on xAI’s operations and product roadmap.
Oversee audits, certifications, third-party assessments, and vulnerability management to maintain compliance and operational credibility.
Act as a subject matter expert, providing guidance on risk, compliance, and cybersecurity matters; translate business and technical risks for leadership.
Create and present regular reports on GRC performance, risks, and compliance status to senior leadership and stakeholders.

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.

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