Job Title:Data Center Infrastructure Validation - Innovation Lead
Location:Charlotte, NC, Palo Alto, CA, Remote/Home Based, Washington, D.C.
Job Summary and Description:The Data Center Infrastructure Validation - Innovation Lead is a technical role responsible for designing, operating, and advancing EPRI's DCFlex Sandbox as the premier neutral validation environment for emerging datacenter and grid-interactive hardware technologies in the United States.
This role sits at the intersection of advanced engineering research, industry validation, and executive stakeholder engagement. The incumbent is a recognized technical authority who leads complex, first-of-its-kind validation efforts where precedent is limited, technical ambiguity is high, and creative, systems-level thinking is required.
Reporting to the DCFlex Program Director, with executive sponsorship from senior EPRI leadership, the Innovation Lead represents EPRI internally and externally, shaping how utilities, hyperscalers, and technology innovators confidently adopt next-generation datacenter infrastructure.
Why This Role Exists:DCFlex serves as a sandbox where emerging datacenter hardware-advanced cooling, power electronics, energy storage, modular systems, and AI-enabled controls-can be evaluated under real grid conditions, against real operator requirements, with neutral, decision-grade evidence.
The Innovation Lead owns the technical and strategic integrity of this sandbox, ensuring that EPRI's validation work:
- Advances the state of knowledge in datacenter-grid integration
- Produces evidence trusted by utilities, operators, and regulators
- Strengthens EPRI's leadership and credibility in AI-era infrastructure
Key Responsibilities:Technical Leadership & Research Oversight
- 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 DCFlex 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.
What Success Looks Like:
- Execution of high-credibility validation programs that influence deployment, procurement, standards, or regulatory discussions.
- Recognition by members and external stakeholders as a trusted technical authority and neutral arbiter.
- Effective translation of advanced research into actionable guidance for AI-era datacenter infrastructure.
- Strengthened EPRI technical leadership and visibility in datacenter flexibility and grid integration.
Qualifications:Required: - 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.
The salary range for this position is $185,000 USD to $200,000 USD annually.
This salary range is an estimate, and the actual salary may vary based on various factors, including without limitation applicant's education, experience, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data. The salary may also be adjusted based on applicant's geographic location.
This role is eligible to participate in EPRI's annual incentive program. The amount of incentive varies and is subject to the terms and conditions of the plan.
This role is eligible to participate in EPRI's standard employee benefit programs, which currently include the following: medical, dental, vision, 401k, STD/LTD and paid family leave, life and accident insurance, paid time off (flexible vacation, sick leave, and holiday pay).
EPRI participates in E-Verify, an online system operated jointly by the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration (SSA). EPRI uses the system to check the work status of new hires by comparing information from the employee's I-9 form against SSA and Department of Homeland Security databases.
EPRI is an equal opportunity employer. EEO/AA/M/F/VETS/Disabled
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