Decarbonization Engineer Jobs in Austin, TX (NOW HIRING)

Position Description
The Director Project Development, Data Centers, reporting to the SVP, Project Development, will support the origination and execution of data center infrastructure and utility-scale solar projects. This role will work across the full development lifecycle - originating, evaluating, and advancing data center land sites through land control, entitlements, permitting, and infrastructure readiness, culminating in sale and handover to third‑party data center developers. The primary objective is to drive pipeline growth and successful project execution across data center land development and utility‑scale solar and energy storage.

The Director Project Development, Data Centers is a regular, full-time position, and is eligible for our generous employee benefits package, including employer paid health insurance, paid time off, a 401(k) plan with employer matching contributions, and other great benefits.

Key Responsibilities

Data Center Development

• Originate, evaluate, and advance data center land sites from inception through the development stage, including site control, zoning, entitlements, permitting, and infrastructure readiness, with the objective of preparing sites for sale to third‑party data center developers.
• Coordination with origination, engineering, legal, finance and other commercial teams to advance project from inception to NTP.
• Lead site-level diligence for data center land opportunities, including land use and zoning, environmental constraints, access, utility availability, water considerations, transmission proximity, and infrastructure constraints.
• Develop and execute land acquisition strategies, including negotiating and managing options, leases, purchase agreements, easements, title, and survey, in coordination with legal and real estate teams.
• Advance entitlement and permitting pathways (rezoning, site plan approvals, conditional/special use permits, and other local/state approvals) to deliver development‑ready sites at handover.
• Coordinate handover packages for buyers, including development documentation, permits, studies, interconnection status, and critical path summaries.

Due Diligence, Transactions, Portfolio Management

• Support development‑related due diligence for acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships, including environmental, geotechnical, title/survey, permitting, and interconnection reviews.
• Compile and synthesize development inputs for investment memoranda, site sale materials, and leadership updates.
• Form and lead comprehensive project teams using Origis Tier 1 consultants to conduct early‑stage risk analysis and advance development efficiently.
• Manage vendors and project budgets through the SAP system, ensuring cost control and schedule discipline.
• Represent Origis in meetings with utilities, permitting authorities, community stakeholders, consultants, and counterparties.

Interconnection, Utilities & Infrastructure

• Evaluate transmission grids and land constraints to identify and recommend optimal sites for data center land development and co‑located or adjacent energy opportunities.
• Interface with utilities, ISOs/RTOs, municipalities, and other regulatory entities regarding transmission, distribution, interconnection and service agreements
• Work closely with early‑stage interconnection teams to assist with interconnection applications, study management, and milestone tracking through LGIA execution, where applicable to land value and marketability.
• Assess infrastructure readiness (electric, water, gas where applicable, access roads, fiber) and identify gaps or mitigation strategies to improve site attractiveness to buyers.

Preferred Qualifications

• BS and/or BA degree required, MBA is preferred
• 5+ years of relevant utility-scale project development experience.
• Deep understanding of the U.S. utility‑scale solar and energy storage markets; familiarity with data center land development trends is required.
• Demonstrated experience advancing projects through site origination, land control, entitlements, permitting and interconnection; experience with interconnection processes from application through LGIA finalization.
• Strong familiarity and knowledge of development tools and value drivers, including grid analysis, interconnection studies, permitting, and financial model impacts.
• Full-spectrum knowledge of solar development and data center siting requirements and land-based development considerations.
• High comfort level in landowner negotiations and managing real estate documentation.

Key Attributes for Success

• Detail‑oriented and highly organized with strong documentation discipline.
• Strategic thinker who understands how land, grid access, and permitting translate into asset value.
• Creative problem solver with a pragmatic, solution-oriented mindset.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, tight timelines, and budgets simultaneously.
• Effective at managing multiple stakeholders within cross‑functional teams (development, interconnection, engineering, legal, finance).
• Demonstrates sound professional judgment and comfort operating in transaction‑driven environments.
• Exceptional communication skills; written, verbal, and presentation.

Location   Austin, TX | Miami, FL | Remote working can be considered

Travel   Up to 25% travel required as necessary

Job Level   Director – no direct reports