Head of Project Development

Arbor Energy•El Segundo, CA

6d•$200,000 - $220,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Head of Project Development will own end-to-end origination, siting, and de-risking of Arbor Energy’s energy-plus-carbon dioxide removal (CDR) generation facilities. This strategic, executive-level position combines utility-scale power plant development with carbon management. The role will build the project pipeline from greenfield concepts through Final Investment Decision (FID), then transition projects to engineering and construction teams. The position is based at Arbor Energy’s El Segundo headquarters. Initial priorities include developing target markets in Texas, Louisiana, and the wider U.S. Gulf Coast, followed by scaling the deployment model nationally and internationally. The role covers project siting and portfolio strategy, grid interconnection and power offtake, CO2 management and fuel logistics, and incentives, policy, and project financing.

Requirements

At least 10 years of infrastructure project development experience.
A proven record of bringing multiple complex, utility-scale power generation or heavy industrial energy projects to financial close.
Deep sector expertise in one or more of 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 develop corporate scaling models and also engage with granular project details, such as interconnection applications, utility tariffs, and greenfield site assessments.

Nice To Haves

Direct experience in the Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS/CDR) sector.
Direct 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 a strategic blueprint for a multi-gigawatt pipeline of profitable, FID-ready baseload power projects.
Identify sites that combine favorable grid interconnection conditions with proximity to fuel inputs, 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.
Secure long-term carbon storage capacity through agreements with Class VI injection well operators and subsurface developers.
Evaluate and secure access to CO2 transport networks, including pipelines, trucking, and rail.
Coordinate with supply chain teams to secure reliable natural gas infrastructure or biomass/syngas logistics.
Work with Policy and Finance teams to optimize project returns using federal, state, and local incentives, including Section 45Q tax credits, clean energy production incentives, NEPA compliance frameworks, and discretionary government funding.
Partner with Finance to improve project bankability using contracted energy sales and CDR credits, and to secure project finance or private equity.
Advance projects from greenfield concept through FID and transition them to engineering and construction teams.