Project Development Director Jobs in Phoenix, AZ

About the Company

Our client is a leading independent power platform that owns and operates more than 7 GW of power generation assets across the United States.

About the Position

We are seeking an experienced Director - Engineering & EPC Management to lead engineering design, equipment procurement, and EPC management activities supporting the company's development portfolio.

While the organization operates across multiple generation technologies, this position will have a primary focus on thermal generation, requiring significant experience with gas turbine OEM technology, natural gas combined-cycle plants, and thermal power plant design and development.

The Director will work across the full development lifecycle, from technology evaluation and plant configuration through engineering, equipment procurement, EPC negotiations, construction, and project execution.

Key Responsibilities

Engineering & Project Development

• Lead engineering planning, design, and procurement activities for development and construction projects.
• Evaluate generation technologies and develop appropriate plant configurations.
• Lead equipment evaluation, selection, validation, and technical due diligence.
• Oversee electrical, structural, mechanical, and civil engineering design activities.
• Develop plant cost estimates and construction schedules.

EPC & Commercial Management

• Lead negotiations for EPC agreements and other engineering and construction-related contracts.
• Negotiate and manage Owner's Engineering service agreements.
• Lead negotiations for major equipment supply and maintenance agreements.

Project Management

• Oversee engineering, procurement, and project development activities to ensure projects remain on schedule and within approved budgets.
• Coordinate technical deliverables across internal teams, engineering consultants, equipment suppliers, EPC contractors, and other project stakeholders.
• Establish appropriate project controls and monitor progress against key milestones.

Equipment & Technology

• Maintain strong knowledge of gas turbine OEM technologies and natural gas combined-cycle plant design and development.
• Evaluate major generation equipment and technology selections.
• Assess technical performance, reliability, maintainability, and lifecycle considerations.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with engineering, procurement, and construction activities.
• Evaluate technical and commercial risks throughout the project lifecycle.
• Ensure projects comply with applicable safety, environmental, regulatory, and industry requirements.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Collaborate closely with environmental, safety, finance, legal, asset management, operations, and development teams.
• Coordinate with external engineering firms, consultants, EPC contractors, equipment suppliers, and other strategic partners.
• Ensure technical and commercial decisions are aligned with overall project and company objectives.

Budget & Financial Oversight

• Manage engineering and construction budgets.
• Monitor project costs and commitments against approved financial parameters.
• Support development-stage cost modeling and project financial analysis.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive experience in power generation engineering, project development, EPC management, or a closely related field.
• Significant experience with gas turbine OEM technology and natural gas combined-cycle (NGCC) plant technology.
• Demonstrated experience with thermal power plant design, engineering, and development.
• Experience managing complex engineering, procurement, and construction activities.
• Strong understanding of power plant electrical, mechanical, structural, and civil engineering disciplines.
• Demonstrated experience evaluating major equipment and developing plant configurations.
• Experience negotiating and managing EPC, equipment supply, engineering, maintenance, or other technical/commercial agreements.
• Strong understanding of project costs, schedules, risk management, and commercial considerations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with both traditional and emerging power generation technologies.
• Experience with Owner's Engineering and Independent Engineering firms.
• Experience managing major equipment suppliers and EPC contractors.
• Experience supporting permitting, siting, and regulatory processes.
• Experience in plant operations or asset management.
• Strong network of relationships across the power generation, EPC, engineering, and equipment supplier markets.

Benefits

• $200,000 - $300,000 base salary
• Performance-based annual bonus
• Comprehensive benefits package
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Retirement benefits
• Paid time off and company holidays
• Professional development opportunities
• Hybrid work environment
• Opportunity to work on utility-scale power generation projects across the United States
• Approximately 10% travel to support project and business requirements