The posting
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
