How to apply for Director Project Development, Data Centers

About Origis Energy

Origis Energy is a leading U.S. renewable energy developer focused on accelerating the transition to a carbon-free future through innovative solar, energy storage, and decarbonization solutions. The company's commitment to 'Reimagining Zero' and its strong core values—Solve for Tomorrow, Rise Together—make it an exciting place for mission-driven professionals. Headquartered in Miami with a remote-friendly culture, Origis offers the chance to work at the forefront of clean energy.

About the role

As Director of Project Development for Data Centers, you will lead the development of large-scale renewable energy projects tailored to power data centers, a high-growth sector critical to the digital economy. This role involves managing project timelines, permits, and stakeholder relationships while collaborating across finance, engineering, and EPC teams. Your work will directly enable hyperscale data centers to achieve their sustainability goals.

A typical day

Your day might start with a call with a utility to negotiate an interconnection agreement, followed by a team meeting to review project timelines and budgets. Afternoon could involve site visits (virtual or in-person) to assess land suitability, then drafting a PPA term sheet for a data center client. You'll also collaborate with the finance team on project pro formas and with legal on permit applications.

Who Origis Energy is looking for

• 10+ years of experience in renewable energy project development, with a proven track record of managing utility-scale solar and storage projects from greenfield to NTP.
• Deep understanding of data center energy requirements, including power procurement, site selection, and interconnection processes.
• Strong negotiation and stakeholder management skills, with experience securing land rights, permits, and power purchase agreements (PPAs).
• Familiarity with U.S. renewable energy markets, ISO/RTO regulations, and environmental permitting (NEPA, CEC, etc.).

Tips for this application

• Highlight specific data center projects or partnerships you've worked on, emphasizing how you addressed unique challenges like high load factors or redundancy.
• Showcase your experience with cross-functional collaboration by detailing how you coordinated with engineering, finance, and legal teams to move projects forward.
• Tailor your resume to include metrics: e.g., 'Developed 500 MW of solar projects resulting in $1.2B in investment'.
• In your cover letter, mention Origis's core values and provide an example of how you've embodied 'Solve for Tomorrow' or 'Rise Together'.
• Research Origis's current project pipeline and reference specific projects (e.g., their solar-plus-storage plants in the Southeast) to demonstrate genuine interest.

What to cover in your cover letter

["Emphasize your passion for decarbonizing the data center industry and align your experience with Origis's mission of 'Reimagining Zero'.", 'Detail your expertise in managing complex development timelines and mitigating risks, especially in grid interconnection and permitting.', 'Showcase your ability to build relationships with utilities, landowners, and community stakeholders, as this is critical for project success.', 'Mention any experience with innovative financing structures or PPAs that could benefit data center clients.']

Research before applying

• Review Origis's recent press releases and project announcements, particularly any involving data center partnerships or large-scale solar+storage.
• Study their company values page (Solve for Tomorrow, Rise Together) and think of examples from your career that align.
• Understand the data center industry's energy challenges: 24/7 carbon-free energy, power density, and location constraints.
• Look into Origis's financial backers and any unique financing models they use (e.g., tax equity, green bonds).

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How would you approach developing a 200 MW solar project for a hyperscale data center in a constrained interconnection area?
• Describe a time you navigated a challenging permitting process or community opposition. What was the outcome?
• How do you stay updated on ISO/RTO market changes that impact project economics?
• What is your experience with energy storage co-location, and how would you optimize a project for data center load?
• How would you collaborate with the EPC team to ensure project milestones align with a data center's construction timeline?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Don't submit a generic resume without highlighting data center or large-scale renewable energy experience.
• Avoid vague statements about 'teamwork'—provide concrete examples of cross-functional leadership.
• Don't ignore the remote aspect; demonstrate your ability to work independently and manage virtual teams effectively.