Data Center Infrastructure Validation – Innovation Lead

Key Responsibilities

• Design and oversee complex validation programs and research studies that advance industry knowledge where cause-and-effect relationships are not fully established.
• Maintain deep, up-to-date expertise in datacenter power systems, cooling technologies, energy storage, controls, AI workloads, and grid integration.
• Translate cutting-edge research and technical judgment into published, decision-grade validation outcomes for EPRI members.

Sandbox Curation & Program Ownership

• Own the DCFLEX sandbox portfolio, maintaining a prioritized pipeline of emerging datacenter hardware technologies.
• In partnership with EPRI Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and the DCFFlex Member Advisory Board, determine which technologies enter the sandbox, in what sequence, and under what validation scope.
• Balance innovation breadth with execution depth to ensure effective use of validation resources.

Industry & Innovator Engagement

• Build and sustain senior-level relationships with U.S. datacenter hardware innovators, including established OEMs, scale-ups, and venture-backed startups.
• Structure and manage innovators' entry into the sandbox, aligning expectations, validation protocols, and neutral measurement requirements.
• Represent EPRI and DCFlex at industry forums, conferences, and technical convenings.

Member & Executive Collaboration

• Serve as a primary technical interface with utilities, hyperscalers, and datacenter operators participating in DCFlex.
• Translate member needs and system-level pain points into sandbox priorities and validation designs.
• Prepare and deliver executive-level briefings, validation reports, and strategic recommendations for EPRI leadership and member executives.

Cross-Sector Leadership & Mentorship

• Contribute technical expertise across multiple EPRI projects and sectors as needed for effective utilization of specialized knowledge.
• Coach and mentor developing technical staff and project teams, with or without direct management responsibility.
• Lead or coordinate small, cross-sector teams delivering advanced validation and research outputs.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, or related scientific/engineering discipline (or equivalent experience).
• Minimum 7+ years (10+ preferred) of experience in datacenter infrastructure, power technology, AI infrastructure, or related fields.
• Demonstrated responsibility for highly specialized technical problems requiring original thinking and limited precedent.
• Track record designing or overseeing structured validation, pilot, or testbed programs whose results informed real-world decisions.
• Ability to operate effectively with senior subject matter experts as peers.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including executive-level technical briefing capability.

Preferred

• Graduate degree (MS, PhD, or MBA with strong technical foundation).
• Experience working with utilities, hyperscalers, datacenter operators, or national-scale research organizations.
• Familiarity with grid flexibility, demand response, or datacenter participation in grid services.
• Experience contributing to or interfacing with technical standards organizations.