Head of Project Development

Arbor Energy•El Segundo, CA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Arbor Energy & Resources Corporation is hiring an executive-level Head of Project Development to own the end-to-end origination, siting, and de-risking of its energy-plus-carbon dioxide removal (CDR) generation facilities. The role combines utility-scale power plant development with carbon management and is responsible for building a project pipeline from greenfield concept through Final Investment Decision (FID), then transitioning projects to engineering and construction teams. The immediate focus is on target markets in Texas, Louisiana, and the wider U.S. Gulf Coast, with plans to scale the deployment model nationally and internationally. The position is based at Arbor Energy’s El Segundo headquarters. The successful candidate will develop a multi-gigawatt pipeline of profitable, FID-ready baseload power projects; secure and assess sites based on grid access, fuel availability, and carbon transport or sequestration options; and lead regional site acquisition, land options, and permitting. They will also develop grid interconnection strategies, negotiate power purchase agreements, secure carbon storage and transport arrangements, and coordinate fuel security. Working with policy and finance teams, the role will optimize incentives and structure projects to support bankability and financing.

Requirements

10+ years of infrastructure project development experience.
Proven track record of bringing multiple complex, utility-scale power generation or heavy industrial energy projects to financial close.
Deep sector expertise across distributed energy, utility-scale renewables, microgrids, thermal power generation, or midstream infrastructure.
Strong understanding of RTO/ISO interconnection queues, transmission planning, utility tariff structures, and PPA negotiations.
Hands-on experience with NEPA compliance, industrial zoning, state environmental permits, and local community engagement, particularly in the U.S. Gulf Coast.
Ability to design corporate scaling models and work through detailed project matters such as interconnection applications, utility tariffs, and greenfield site assessments.

Nice To Haves

Direct experience in the Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS/CDR) sector.
Experience with biomass-to-energy projects, oxy-combustion/sCO2 technology, or Class VI sequestration networks.
Experience scaling an early-stage heavy infrastructure or clean-tech pipeline through rapid growth phases.
Background in infrastructure private equity, project finance modeling, or managing government-grant-backed energy developments.

Responsibilities

Build and execute the strategic blueprint for a multi-gigawatt pipeline of profitable, FID-ready baseload power projects.
Identify sites based on grid interconnection constraints and proximity to natural gas or biomass feedstock, CO2 pipelines, or Class VI sequestration wells.
Lead site acquisition, land options, and permitting in the Gulf Coast region.
Navigate regional ISO/RTO interconnection queues, initially focusing on ERCOT and MISO, to identify fast-track, low-cost grid injection points.
Originate and negotiate Power Purchase Agreements with utilities, large industrial buyers, and data center operators.
Negotiate and structure agreements with Class VI injection well operators and subsurface developers to secure long-term carbon storage capacity.
Evaluate and secure access to CO2 transport networks, including pipelines, trucking, or rail.
Coordinate with supply chain teams to secure reliable natural gas infrastructure or biomass/syngas logistics.
Work with Policy and Finance teams to optimize federal, state, and local incentives, including Section 45Q tax credits, clean energy production incentives, NEPA frameworks, and government funding.
Partner with Finance to improve project bankability and use contracted energy sales and CDR credits to secure project finance or private equity.
Transition projects that have reached FID to engineering and construction teams.