Built to set the gold standard for integrated AI infrastructure

Crux AI is a newly formed, U.S.-based integrated AI infrastructure company created to remove the physical and operational constraints on consequential AI ambitions. Crux brings together power, high-density data centers, TPU silicon, networking, orchestration software, and ongoing operations as one integrated system.

Crux is being capitalized to plan every layer together, develop each one to demanding standards, and operate the whole system with efficiency and reliability. That gives hyperscalers, frontier AI labs, sovereign customers, enterprises, and AI-native companies greater freedom to pursue the AI they are here to create.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

The People Team at Crux AI is building the kind of company people want to help build - from the ground up. We move fast, cut through noise, and care deeply about clarity, fairness, growth, and getting the details right. Our scope spans recruiting, rewards, learning & development, employee relations, communications, and culture — all the things that shape a great place to work, built for a company scaling from a standing start to a category-defining AI infrastructure platform.

Reporting to our CHRO, we're looking for a seasoned Executive Recruiter who thrives in fast-paced, high-growth environments and has a proven track record of attracting world-class talent to technology companies. You will be instrumental in building Crux AI's leadership team as we scale from a newly formed joint venture to a market-leading AI compute infrastructure provider.

In this role, you will

Lead end-to-end executive search processes for C-suite, VP, and senior director-level positions across all functions
Leverage extensive candidate networks within the cloud computing, AI infrastructure, semiconductor, and hyperscale data center industries
Develop and execute comprehensive search strategies for critical leadership roles including Engineering, SRE/Infrastructure, Data Center Development & Operations
Own leadership hiring for Crux AI's data center development build-out — sourcing and closing the operators, builders, and energy leads who will stand up and run our facilities
Partner closely with our CEO, board members, and existing executives to define role requirements and ideal candidate profiles
Proactively build relationships with top-tier executive talent through industry events, conferences, and strategic networking
Manage sophisticated interview processes involving multiple stakeholders and assessment methodologies
Ensure exceptional candidate experience that reflects Crux AI's values and competitive positioning in the market
Develop compelling value propositions for executive candidates weighing a newly formed venture against more established alternatives

SIGNALS OF SUCCESS

After 60 days in this role

Fully ramped on Crux AI's mandate, org structure, and the Blackstone/Google partnership narrative — can represent it credibly and independently to skeptical senior candidates
Owns an active slate of 3–5 executive searches, each with a defined search strategy and aligned stakeholders
Has built working relationships with the CEO and key executives around role requirements and candidate profiles

After 6 months

Has closed at least 2–4 executive hires at VP-level or above
Established a repeatable process for high-priority leadership searches — sourcing channel maps, assessment loop templates, stakeholder cadences
Built a warm, mapped pipeline of passive executive candidates across target functions and industries

After 1 year

Has meaningfully shaped Crux AI's leadership bench, with multiple C-suite/VP hires directly attributable to their search leadership
Recognized internally as the go-to owner for confidential and executive-level searches
Has established Crux AI's reputation in the market as a credible, competitive destination for top-tier executive talent

EXPERIENCES, ATTRIBUTES AND MINDSET THAT INDICATE A GOOD MATCH

Experiences

10+ years of executive search experience, with at least 4 years focused on technology sector roles
Proven track record of successfully placing C-suite and VP-level executives at high-growth technology companies
Deep understanding of semiconductor, GPU/TPU, AI/ML, or related hardware/software infrastructure markets
Experience recruiting data center development, construction, operations, or energy leadership — ideally including time spent in-house at a hyperscaler (Google, AWS, Microsoft, Meta) or a comparable large-scale data center operator
Experience working with venture-backed or institutionally-backed startups and an understanding of startup dynamics
Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred

Attributes

Extensive network of relationships with executive talent across cloud computing, AI infrastructure, semiconductor, and hyperscale data center industries
Executive presence and credibility with founders, board members, and sitting C-suite executives
Sharp judgment under ambiguity — comfortable building process and precedent where none exists yet
Strong written and verbal communication; able to represent a newly formed company credibly to established senior talent

Mindset

Thrives in fast-paced, high-growth, still-being-built environments
Ownership mentality — treats each search as their own mandate, not a queue of reqs to clear
Genuine enthusiasm for the AI infrastructure space and Crux AI's mission
Comfortable holding confidentiality and operating with incomplete information while search work continues

Nice to have (Preferred, not required)

Direct exposure to hyperscaler data center build-out — engineering, construction, or operations — beyond recruiting for it
Familiarity with cloud computing, AI infrastructure, data center, or related technologies
Previous experience at top-tier executive search firms (Russell Reynolds, Korn Ferry, Heidrick & Struggles, etc.)
In-house recruiting experience at high-growth technology companies
Experience recruiting for companies that have scaled through rapid growth phases, from formation through market leadership
Established relationships with technology executives, particularly in Silicon Valley and other major tech hubs
Track record of recruiting diverse executive talent and building inclusive leadership teams

This role is based out of our Palo Alto office on a hybrid schedule — 4 days per week onsite. We've found that building a leadership bench this fast benefits from being in the room together with founders, executives, and the broader People Team.

Salary Range Information

The annual salary range for this position has been estimated based on market data and other factors. However, a salary higher or lower than this range may be appropriate for a candidate whose qualifications differ meaningfully from those listed in the job description.

About Crux

We offer generous base, bonus and additional incentive based compensation
Health, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents
Company-paid life insurance and disability
Full suite of other optional benefits
401(k) Plan with 4% company match
Hybrid schedule offering four days in-office collaboration paired with one remote workday for focused, individual work

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