Head of Project Development

Role Overview

As the Head of Project Development, you will own the end-to-end origination, siting, and de-risking of Arbor's energy-plus-CDR generation facilities. This is a highly strategic, executive-level role requiring a unique blend of traditional utility-scale power plant development and cutting-edge carbon management. You will be the architect of our project pipeline, taking sites from greenfield concept through to Final Investment Decision (FID) and transitioning them to our engineering and construction teams.

Based out of our El Segundo headquarters, your immediate priority will be capitalizing on our highest-value target deployment markets in Texas, Louisiana, and the wider U.S. Gulf Coast, before scaling the deployment model both nationally and internationally.

Responsibilities

Power Plant Siting & Portfolio Strategy

• Pipeline Ownership: Build and execute the strategic blueprint to deliver a multi-gigawatt pipeline of profitable, FID-ready baseload power projects.
• Co-Location Scoping: Identify optimal sites based on dual-critical parameters: favorable grid interconnection constraints and direct proximity to fuel inputs (natural gas/biomass feedstock), $CO_2$ pipelines, or Class VI sequestration wells.
• Regional Execution: Lead site acquisition, land options, and permitting in the Gulf Coast region, maximizing the advantages of localized Class VI permits and local infrastructure.

Grid Interconnection & Power Offtake

• Interconnection Strategy: Strategically navigate regional ISO/RTO queues (with an immediate focus on ERCOT and MISO) to identify fast-track, low-cost grid injection points.
• PPA & Utility Negotiations: Originate and negotiate Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with utilities, large industrial buyers, and data center operators seeking clean, 24/7 baseload power.

CO2 Management & Fuel Logistics

• Sequestration Partnerships: Secure long-term, permanent carbon storage capacity by negotiating and structuring agreements with Class VI injection well operators and subsurface developers.
• Midstream & Logistics: Evaluate and secure access to CO2 transport networks (pipelines, trucking, or rail) to handle the pure stream of by-product CO2 generated from our oxy-combustion loop.
• Fuel Security: Coordinate with supply chain teams to ensure sites have access to reliable natural gas infrastructure or biomass/syngas logistics to unlock both zero- and negative-emissions monetization pathways.

Incentives, Policy & Project Financing

• Cross-Functional Incentive Optimization: Work in lockstep with the Policy and Finance teams to aggressively optimize project returns by blending federal, state, and local incentives-including Section 45Q tax credits, clean energy production incentives, NEPA compliance frameworks, and discretionary government funding.
• Project Finance Structuring: Partner with Finance to maximize project bankability, leveraging the dual revenue streams of contracted energy sales and premium CDR credits to secure project finance or private equity.

Requirements

• 10+ years of infrastructure project development experience, with a 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. Direct experience in the Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS/CDR) sector is highly preferred.
• Mastery of Grid Dynamics: A strong understanding of RTO/ISO interconnection queues, transmission planning, utility tariff structures, and PPA negotiations.
• Regulatory & Permitting Savvy: Hands-on experience navigating NEPA compliance, industrial zoning, state environmental permits, and local community engagement, particularly in the U.S. Gulf Coast.
• Strategic & Operational Agility: A leader who can design macro corporate scaling models, yet seamlessly pivot down to granular details-whether it's reviewing an interconnection application, analyzing utility tariffs, or walking a greenfield site.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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.

Compensation & Benefits

• Pre-IPO stock options
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance (Arbor covers 90% for employees)
• Basic life insurance fully covered
• Health savings account (HSA) with matching
• Flexible savings account (FSA)
• Unlimited PTO
• 12+ company holidays, including Earth Day!
• 401(k)
• Commuter benefits
• Annual learning and development stipend
• And more!

Base Pay

$200,000 - $220,000 USD/year. The salary is subject to the applicant's skills, qualifications, experience, and geographic location.