Position Overview
The Director of Energy Infrastructure is responsible for the planning, development, engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning of all owner-controlled energy infrastructure supporting hyperscale, AI/HPC, and mission-critical data center campuses.
This executive leadership role oversees onsite power generation, substations, high-voltage electrical infrastructure, natural gas systems, battery energy storage, renewable energy integration, microgrids, and emerging technologies including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). The Director ensures that all energy infrastructure is delivered safely, reliably, on schedule, and at the lowest lifecycle cost while supporting aggressive development timelines.
Working closely with Development, Utility Interconnection, Engineering, Preconstruction, EPC contractors, utilities, equipment OEMs, and Operations, the Director establishes the long-term power generation strategy for multi-gigawatt data center portfolios.
Key Responsibilities
Energy Infrastructure Strategy
• Develop the long-term energy infrastructure / power generation strategy supporting a portfolio of hyperscale AI and cloud data centers.
• Evaluate centralized versus distributed generation solutions.
• Develop scalable infrastructure standards for campuses ranging from 100 MW to 2+ GW.
• Evaluate lifecycle cost, reliability, carbon intensity, and operational flexibility across competing technologies.
• Support site selection by evaluating energy infrastructure opportunities and constraints.
Onsite Power Generation
Lead development and execution of onsite generation projects, including:
• Natural gas reciprocating engine plants
• Simple-cycle gas turbine facilities
• Combined-cycle power plants
• Dual-fuel generation systems
• Backup generation systems
• Black start capability
• Island mode operations
• Future hydrogen-ready generation
• Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
Responsibilities include technology selection, owner's engineering oversight, EPC management, permitting support, commissioning, and operational readiness.
Electrical Infrastructure
Provide executive oversight of:
• Utility delivery substations
• Owner-owned substations
• Medium-voltage distribution systems
• High-voltage switchyards
• Gas-insulated substations (GIS)
• Air-insulated substations (AIS)
• Main transformers
• Generator step-up transformers
• Medium-voltage switchgear
• Protection and control systems
• SCADA integration
• Energy management systems (EMS)
Fuel Infrastructure
Lead development of:
• Natural gas pipeline interconnections
• Pressure regulation stations
• Metering facilities
• Gas compression (where applicable)
• LNG backup systems
• Fuel redundancy planning
• Hydrogen readiness assessments
• Fuel supply agreements
Coordinate with pipeline operators, local distribution companies (LDCs), and interstate transmission providers.
Energy Storage & Renewables
Oversee evaluation and implementation of:
• Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
• Solar generation
• Wind integration
• Renewable Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)
• Hybrid generation systems
• Microgrids
• Peak shaving
• Demand response
• Grid services
EPC & Project Delivery
Lead all owner-side activities related to power generation EPC contracts.
Responsibilities include:
• Scope development
• EPC procurement
• Technical bid evaluations
• Contract negotiations
• Cost control
• Schedule management
• Change management
• Quality assurance
• Commissioning oversight
• Commercial operation readiness
Equipment Procurement
Oversee procurement strategy for long-lead power generation equipment, including:
• Gas turbines
• Reciprocating engines
• Steam turbines
• HRSGs
• Transformers
• Switchgear
• Breakers
• Cooling systems
• Battery storage systems
• Inverters
• Compressors
• Gas equipment
• Protection systems
Develop procurement strategies that reduce schedule risk while optimizing capital cost.
Cross-Functional Leadership
Partner closely with:
• Project Development
• Utility Interconnection
• Engineering
• Preconstruction
• Construction
• Operations
• Environmental
• Permitting
• Finance
• Legal
• Procurement
• Commercial Teams
Coordinate all energy infrastructure milestones with overall campus development schedules.
Risk Management
Identify and mitigate project risks related to:
• Generation technology
• Fuel availability
• Equipment supply chain
• Long-lead procurement
• Environmental permitting
• Utility coordination
• EPC execution
• Commissioning
• Reliability
• Operational readiness
• Capital cost escalation
Develop executive-level reporting and mitigation plans.
Financial Leadership
Support:
• CAPEX budgeting
• Lifecycle cost analysis
• Financial modeling
• Value engineering
• Technology selection
• EPC commercial negotiations
• Cost forecasting
• Investment committee presentations
Qualifications
Education
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Energy Systems, or a related technical field.
• Master's degree or MBA preferred.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred.
Experience
• 12+ years leading development or delivery of large energy infrastructure projects.
• Experience delivering projects exceeding $250 million in capital value.
• Direct experience with utility-scale power generation, substations, transmission infrastructure, or large industrial energy systems.
• Experience supporting hyperscale data centers, utilities, IPPs, EPC firms, or major industrial facilities.
• Demonstrated leadership of multidisciplinary engineering and construction teams.
Preferred Technical Experience
Candidates should possess experience in several of the following areas:
• Gas-fired power generation
• Combined-cycle plants
• Reciprocating engine facilities
• Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
• Utility substations
• Transmission systems
• Medium-voltage distribution
• Protective relaying
• SCADA and EMS
• Natural gas pipeline infrastructure
• Renewable energy integration
• Microgrids
• Reliability engineering
• Commissioning
• Owner's engineering
• EPC contracting
• FERC and NERC compliance
• Data center electrical infrastructure
• AI/HPC campus power systems
• Small Modular Reactor (SMR) development (preferred)
Core Competencies
• Strategic planning
• Infrastructure development
• Energy systems engineering
• Commercial negotiation
• EPC management
• Capital project execution
• Financial acumen
• Risk management
• Cross-functional leadership
• Executive communication
• Decision making
Success Metrics
The Director of Energy Infrastructure will be measured by:
• On-time delivery of all energy infrastructure milestones.
• Safe and successful commissioning of generation and electrical systems.
• Achievement of required reliability and availability targets.
• Effective management of capital budgets and schedules.
• Successful procurement of long-lead equipment.
• Readiness of energy infrastructure to support data center commissioning.
• Minimization of lifecycle operating costs.
• Successful integration with utility infrastructure and campus operations.
• Development of scalable energy standards across the project portfolio.
