Manager, Project Development

Joulent; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Joulent is seeking a Manager, Project Development to lead end-to-end thermal generation project development, with optional solar and BESS components. You will own site control, permitting, interconnection strategy, and risk management from origination through notice-to-proceed.

The role requires coordinating with joint venture partners, EPC strategies, and reputable lenders to ensure bankable, grid-ready projects in a lean, execution-driven environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, energy systems, or related field (advanced degree preferred).
• 7+ years of experience developing thermal generation projects.
• Assertive, self-starter with high emotional intelligence and adaptable communication styles.
• Experience advancing large thermal projects through permitting milestones toward NTP/Commercial Operation.
• Experience interfacing with JV partners and negotiating development agreements.
• Strong knowledge of air permitting strategy, long-lead equipment procurement, EPC contracting, gas interconnection, water supply, and RTO fundamentals.
• Familiarity with hybrid solar and BESS integration is a plus.
• Strong commercial acumen and lean-environment operation.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of power generation projects from site control through NTP, including critical path planning.
• Secure and manage land control, environmental permitting, and required approvals.
• Structure projects for behind-the-meter load while preserving grid interconnection options.
• Manage generation interconnection processes with RTOs/ISOs and transmission operators.
• Interface with OEMs and infrastructure teams on turbine selection and delivery schedules.
• Support EPC strategy, scope allocation, risk transfer, and milestones.
• Coordinate gas and water supply and pipeline interconnection strategies.
• Interface with JV partners and support negotiation of commercial agreements.
• Align development efforts with customer and JV obligations.
• Identify and mitigate permitting, equipment, regulatory, and schedule risks.
• Oversee development budgets and capital approval processes.
• Support bankable technical packages for lenders and independent engineers.
• Manage third-party consultants across engineering, environmental, market, and permitting domains.

Skills

Thermal project development

Interfacing with JV partners

Permitting strategy

EPC contracting knowledge

Gas interconnection knowledge

RTO market fundamentals

Hybrid solar & BESS familiarity

Commercial acumen

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering/energy systems

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

We develop large-scale, high-efficiency natural gas power generation and hybrid energy infrastructure designed to serve hyperscale data centers and industrial customers. Our projects are primarily behind-the-meter generation platforms with optionality to scale through grid interconnection and hybrid solar/BESS integration.

We operate as a lean, execution-driven development team backed by institutional capital and strategic partners.

Position Overview

The Manager, Project Development will lead the end-to-end development of thermal generation projects (simple cycle and combined cycle natural gas), with supporting solar and battery energy storage components as required.

This role owns site control, permitting, interconnection strategy, early equipment and design configuration analysis, fuel strategy, water strategy, joint venture interface, and overall development risk management from origination through notice-to-proceed.

The ideal candidate understands how to develop a bankable thermal project designed for behind-the-meter load while preserving long-term grid and expansion optionality.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead development of power generation projects from site control through NTP, including development schedule management and planning for critical path execution
• Secure and manage land control, environmental permitting (air, water, local, federal), and required approvals
• Structure projects to serve behind-the-meter load while preserving future grid interconnection and expansion optionality
• Manage generation interconnection processes with RTOs/ISOs and transmission operators
• Interface with OEMs and the infrastructure team on turbine selection, performance guarantees, delivery schedules, and supply agreements
• Support EPC strategy and negotiations, including scope allocation, risk transfer, performance guarantees, and milestone structures
• Coordinate gas supply, water supply, transportation, and pipeline interconnection strategy
• Interface with and cultivate joint venture and co-development partners; support negotiation and execution of related commercial agreements
• Align development execution with customer and JV commercial obligations
• Identify and mitigate permitting, major long-lead equipment, regulatory, and schedule risks
• Oversee development budgets and support capital approval processes
• Support development of bankable technical packages for lenders and independent engineers
• Manage third-party consultants across engineering, environmental, market, and permitting disciplines

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, energy systems, or related field (advanced degree preferred)
• 7+ years of experience developing thermal generation projects
• Assertive, self-starter, with high emotional intelligence, and adaptable communication styles.
• Demonstrated experience advancing at least one large scale simple cycle or combined cycle natural gas generation project through major permitting milestones and toward Notice to Proceed and Commercial Operation.
• Experience interfacing with joint venture partners and supporting negotiation of commercial development agreements
• Strong working knowledge of air permitting strategy, major long-lead equipment procurement, EPC contracting structures, gas interconnection, water supply pathways, and RTO market fundamentals
• Familiarity with hybrid solar and BESS integration a plus
• Strong commercial acumen and ability to operate in a lean environment