Project Development Director Jobs in Denton, TX (NOW HIRING)

Job Location: Arlington, Midland, Houston TX Hybrid or remote (Midwest) with heavy travel

Who We Are

Priority Power is the energy partner delivering the systems, expertise, and execution, required to power enterprise growth. Through our integrated multi-service offering spanning strategy, supply, infrastructure, and operations, we develop and operate mission critical energy solutions for organizations navigating today's complex energy landscape. From greenfield to gigawatt to grid, we make power possible at the scale and speed of ambitious growth demands - meeting the needs of an energy driven future.

Our Vision

To be the most trusted and capable integrated energy partner in the United States - delivering strategy, infrastructure, and execution at the speed ambitious growth demands.

Our Mission

Priority Power delivers the strategy, infrastructure, and execution that powers enterprise growth - with the speed, transparency, and accountability our clients depend on.

Position Overview

The Manager, Project Development – Thermal Generation will lead the development of a pipeline of utility-class, natural gas-fired power generation projects, including simple-cycle combustion turbines, combined-cycle plants, reciprocating engine facilities, and waste-heat recovery systems. These projects will deliver reliable, dispatchable generation capacity to Priority Power’s large industrial and commercial customers across market verticals including oil and gas, hyperscale data centers, crypto mining, and other power-intensive industries. 

The successful candidate will manage all aspects of thermal generation project development, with particular attention to the unique requirements of gas-fired facilities: fuel supply and pipeline access, air permitting under TCEQ and EPA regulations, cooling water and water rights, emissions controls, site suitability for turbine or engine packages, and grid interconnection for dispatchable generation. Responsibilities include site identification and acquisition, environmental and air quality permitting, coordinating geotechnical and fuel feasibility studies, managing the interconnection process, overseeing development budgets and schedules, and shepherding projects from concept through construction handoff.

This position can be based in Priority Power’s Arlington, Midland or Houston, Texas office (Hybrid) and will be expected to travel at least 25% of the time to other Priority Power offices, customer meetings, and project site visits.

The successful candidate will work on a cross functional team with new product development, origination, commercial, legal, finance, engineering, construction, and outside consultants, landowners, customers, project stakeholders, and utility companies. The role requires project management knowledge and expertise with utility-class electrical infrastructure development. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the Sr. Director, Development, and other internal stakeholders with thermal generation expertise to qualify and advance natural gas-fired power generation projects, including combustion turbines, combined-cycle facilities, and reciprocating engine installations.
• Develop conceptual thermal generation service plans, heat balance diagrams, fuel load estimates, and other high-level technical documents to support project scoping and customer proposals.
• Develop and manage project development schedules and budgets.
• Lead project meetings with internal and external stakeholders.
• Manage contract obligations in key project documents.
• Lead air quality and environmental permitting for thermal generation projects, including TCEQ New Source Review, EPA Title V or minor-source permits, emissions controls strategy, BACT/LAER analysis, and presenting at public hearings as required.
• Coordinate delivery of site and environmental studies including geotechnical reports, Phase I/II environmental site assessments, noise assessments, air dispersion modeling, cooling water and water rights evaluations, and fuel supply feasibility studies.
• Coordinate for delivery of ALTA Surveys and Title Reports.
• Lead the ERCOT or applicable RTO/ISO interconnection process for dispatchable thermal generation resources, from Interconnection Application through Facilities Study, System Impact Study, and Interconnection Agreement execution.
• Collaborate with internal and external engineering teams on thermal generation engineering design, including turbine/engine selection, balance-of-plant, emissions controls packages, heat recovery, cooling systems, and fuel handling infrastructure.
• Work with internal construction management team on contractor selection process.
• Coordinate with construction management team on securing other permits.
• Handoff projects once fully developed and permitted to construction management team.
• Participate in project financing answering relevant diligence questions and providing required documents.
• Coordinate additional resources or outside consultants/contractors as well as managing and meeting expenses throughout project development.
• Apply critical thinking needed to communicate and influence employees at all levels regarding project risks, opportunities, and recommended action.
• Provide support and analysis for Business Development pipeline reporting.

• At least 10 (ten) years of project development and/or project management experience in utility-class power generation, with meaningful hands-on experience in natural gas-fired generation (combustion turbines, combined-cycle, or reciprocating engines).
• Bachelor of Science in Engineering, with a preference for electrical, mechanical, chemical or demonstration of sufficient expertise in thermal generation systems. 
• Professional Engineering licensing or ability to obtain is preferred.
• Thorough familiarity with gas-fired generation technologies (GTs, CCGTs, ICEs), fuel supply infrastructure, and thermal plant heat balance fundamentals; knowledge of multiple RTOs/ISOs (particularly ERCOT) and associated utilities is required.
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong working knowledge of thermal generation plant systems including fuel handling, combustion, emissions controls (SCR, oxidation catalyst, DLN combustors), cooling water, and auxiliary electrical systems.
• Experience in thermal generation project development including TCEQ/EPA air permitting, NEPA review, fuel supply contracting, water rights, and dispatchable generation interconnection processing is strongly preferred.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills are required including public speaking and/or platform skills for executive management presentations.
• Self-starter, very self-reliant and capable of operating with minimum supervision.
• Ability to work within a cross-functional team environment for project development and execution.
• Ability to manage client expectations within the context of project development and execution.
• Ability to effectively address and either manage or participate in the resolution of conflicts with clients or other project stakeholders which may arise throughout the course of project development. 
• Willingness and ability to travel 25 - 50% on average but more as required by projects.
• Experience with combined heat and power (CHP), waste heat recovery, or hybrid thermal-plus-storage configurations is a plus.
• Experience with both front-of-the-meter and behind-the-meter dispatchable thermal generation, including peaker and baseload configurations, is a plus.
• Comfortable managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. 

Why Choose Priority Power?

Empowered to Make an Impact in a Values-Driven Energy Future
At Priority Power, we’re more than just an energy company—we’re a purpose-driven team dedicated to transforming the future of energy through meaningful work, empowered people, and enduring partnerships. We invite mission-minded professionals to grow with us in a culture defined by trust, collaboration, and real outcomes.

Values-Driven Culture

We lead with integrity, customer focus, and accountability—prioritizing ethics and purpose in every decision we make. Our culture is rooted in doing what’s right for our clients, our communities, and each other.

Empowered Opportunities
Here, initiative is celebrated. You’ll have the autonomy to lead, innovate, and contribute in ways that grow your career and advance our mission. We empower our employees to take ownership of their impact.

Accountability & Outcomes Orientation
Our results matter. We are a high-performance culture that rewards accountability, champions progress and celebrates milestones that move the needle for our clients and the energy industry.

Collaborative Colleagues
You’ll work alongside passionate experts who are generous with knowledge and united by a shared vision. Cross-functional teamwork and open communication are at the core of how we solve big energy challenges together.

Make a Real Difference
At Priority Power, your work directly contributes to building a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable energy future. Whether optimizing large-scale power strategies or innovating in renewables, you’ll be part of something bigger than yourself.

Flexible Work Environment
We respect your life outside of work. Our flexible work policies allow you to thrive personally and professionally ensuring balance, trust, and well-being for every team member.

Equal Opportunity Employer:
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in our workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability.