Infrastructure Development Lead US

Fuse Energy; Illinois; Remote; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job description

Fuse Energy is an energy startup on a mission to make energy abundant and affordable, fast. We combine first-principles thinking with cutting-edge technology to build a radically better energy system.
We've raised over $200M from top-tier investors including Balderton, Lakestar, Accel, Creandum, Lowercarbon, Ribbit, 20VC, Hummingbird and Collaborative Fund, alongside strategic angels including Nico Rosberg and GPs behind Meta, Revolut, Spotify and Uber.
We're building a fully integrated energy company: developing our own solar, batteries and other generation projects, building our own hardware, improving and developing grid infrastructure, trading power in real time, using AI across the business, and installing distributed energy in homes. By selling directly to consumers we cut out the middleman, lower costs and pass the savings on to our customers.
We're hiring an Infrastructure Development Lead to find, win and take new energy projects from first opportunity through to construction readiness. You'll sit in our Development team and report to our Head of Projects, owning the work across data centers, BESS, wind, rooftop, carport and ground-mounted solar. This role can be based anywhere in the US.

Responsibilities

• Own Renewable Energy and Data Center development in the US end-to-end: from market entry strategy and early-stage opportunity through Ready-to-Build and energization
• Evaluate and prioritize markets across the US based on power availability and price, interconnection queue timelines, land, fiber connectivity, climate, permitting regimes, and incentives
• Identify and assess new opportunities (data centers, wind, BESS, rooftop, carport, ground-mounted, floating, and hybrid solar) from technical, permitting, power, and infrastructure perspectives, using GIS and data analysis
• Source and secure late-stage and Ready-to-Build projects through proactive market engagement, and lead commercial negotiations (NDAs, NBOs, LOIs, exclusivity, and acquisition terms) through to closing
• Build and maintain a strong local network of landowners, developers, IPPs, utilities, advisors, county and municipal authorities, state agencies, and commercial and industrial clients, and develop new prospecting methods to find opportunities others miss
• Structure PPAs with commercial and industrial clients and respond to utility and municipal RFPs
• Secure land and lease agreements for selected sites
• Structure and support development financing: capital planning, project finance, tax equity and tax credit structures, and working with investors and lenders to fund development through delivery
• Lead permitting, environmental review, feasibility studies, and community and stakeholder engagement across federal, state and local frameworks, including tribal consultation where relevant, coordinating consultants, legal counsel, utilities, grid operators, and local authorities to secure timely approvals
• Run due diligence with internal teams to support investment decisions, and maintain a live pipeline aligned with company growth strategy
• Manage pre-construction, including risk assessment, procurement tenders, and EPC contract negotiation support
• Mitigate technical, commercial, and development risks
• Ensure projects are deliverable, scalable, and aligned with construction requirements

Requirements

• Experience developing data centers or large-scale infrastructure projects in the US, taken from early-stage development through design, permitting, and delivery readiness
• Deep knowledge of key US markets and why they matter: grid capacity, interconnection queues, permitting dynamics, power markets, and where new capacity can realistically be delivered at speed
• Strong understanding of US permitting and interconnection processes, including working with utilities, ISOs and RTOs, state public utility commissions, and FERC
• Strong technical understanding of data center infrastructure, including power, cooling, and utility systems, with the ability to evaluate engineering decisions and challenge technical assumptions
• Understanding of development financing for infrastructure projects, including project finance structures, tax equity, and investor requirements
• Commercial and transactional experience, including negotiating acquisition terms and structuring PPAs
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills across all stakeholder types, from landowners and county officials to investors and lenders
• Highly analytical, self-directed, and comfortable with significant ownership, with the ability to run multiple projects at once
• Willingness to travel across the US, including rural and remote sites

Benefits

• Competitive salary and eligibility for equity
• Biannual bonus scheme
• Fully expensed tech to match your needs
• Private health insurance
• Breakfast and dinner allowance for office-based employees

As we hire globally, benefits vary by location.