Commonwealth Fusion Systems · 18 hours ago
Director, Project Development
Devens, MA
Full-time
Onsite
Lead/Staff, Director/Executive
5+ years expCommonwealth Fusion Systems is on a mission to deliver the urgent transition to fusion energy. The Director, Project Development will be responsible for developing and delivering the first grid scale commercial fusion power plant, overseeing project schedules, securing permits, and establishing a pipeline for future development.
EnergyIndustrialSustainabilityRenewable EnergyClean EnergyElectrical DistributionEnvironmental Engineering
Responsibilities
Deliver:
The candidate will be responsible for overseeing a team of internal resources as well as third party consultants, advisors, engineers and lawyers to obtain all permits, contracts and entitlements necessary to begin site preparation and construction activities. Activities include, but are not limited to, lease and site control, electrical interconnection, securing local approvals including planning and zoning, technical diligence, utility connections, CPCN/Siting boards, permitting, licensing, and transportation and logistical planning and well as financial modeling and overseeing the development of a financial proforma model
Maintain project schedule and budget information utilizing industry standard project management techniques and strategies to plan and monitor work. Develop appropriate recovery plans in the event of potential shortfalls
Establish a center of excellence for project development including objectives and key results, performance metrics and documented best practices and lessons learned with the intent of creating a replicable playbook for future development
Drive process improvements and, where applicable, drive the development of tools and/or department or division policies
Develop a diligence log to keep accurate information on all aspects of the project
Develop and maintain a repository of potential sites and partners for future ARC development
Maintain an inventory of commitments and obligations during the development phase and confirm positive receipt by appropriate persons in the Environmental, Health, Safety, and Security (EHSS) and Construction teams
Work with legal and compliance teams to ensure compliance with all relevant and applicable requirements, standards, and laws
Support technical due diligence on potential and selected sites, ensuring appropriate rigor and documentation of key risks and decisions
Create long-term projection of revenues and expenses with a proforma to be utilized in obtaining financing and making a financial investment decision for project equity investors
Problem Solve:
Proactively detect and mitigate key risks to the project, escalating emergent risks when appropriate in a timely manner
Facilitate and lead the development of creative solutions to potentially blocking issues
Work collaboratively with local consultants and contractors to adapt to requirements from various authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ) for the project(s)
Maintain familiarity with current and upcoming Policies and Programs that could affect or facilitate fusion power plant siting
Expand flexibility for the design and construction teams throughout the development phase by managing and deferring potentially constraining design decisions
Work closely with ARC design team to support site specific design changes to the standard ARC power plant design
Lead:
Model and promote CFS Core values of Execution, Self-Critique, Impact, and Integrity
Organize, recruit, and lead an effective project development team composing of both direct reports and matrixed professionals focused on delivering fusion power projects in the fastest and most affordable way possible
Conduct assessment of external affairs and participate in industry conferences and forums to advocate for policies supportive of fusion technology
Facilitate and lead a cross functional group of internal stakeholders, consultants, and contractors
Coordinate due diligence activities with other internal groups to ensure proper analysis and structuring of assigned projects
Serve as CFS’ subject matter expert on project development and represent the company professionally with integrity to stakeholders and approval authorities
Provide periodic updates on progress to a varied set of internal stakeholders ranging from peer teams to the board of directors
Fulfill duties as contract manager/owner for all consultants supporting project development
Act as liaison between internal and external specialists regarding procurement, contracting, permitting and interconnection
Serve as an ambassador of CFS and fusion energy to key stakeholders including, but not limited to the community, local and regional governments, and AHJs
Utilizes commercial expertise to solidify commercial agreements and lead negotiations with integrity, creativity, and a commercial mindset
Promotes safe behavior, in accordance with Company expectations, and adherence to the safety rules on the project
Develop and implement corporate compliance policies to be utilized while developing the project and interfacing with public officials
Strategize:
Working closely with Government Affairs, develop engagement strategies for key stakeholders to produce positive outcomes for CFS
Develop, track and mitigate key risks associated with ARC project development
Participate in future ARC siting activities addressing items such as technical feasibility, planning, and permitting risks
Establish relationships with potential third-party developers and key policy makers to promote a strategy for future incorporation of fusion technology
Support other teams, including Government Affairs and other Commercial Teams, as required to support the needs of the business
Maintain a value driven mindset to advance multiple streams of value including financial value, option value, and audience value to improve CFS’s overall value proposition
Work with and support corporate development, finance, and commercial organizations on activities related to financing and investment of the projects
Work closely with Environmental Health Safety Security (EHSS) to ensure required licensing is accomplished on schedule
Work with the ARC design team to identify opportunities to improve the design, development, and construction processes
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's Degree preferably in Engineering, Engineering Technologies, Business, Finance, Economics, Math, Physics or a related field OR >10 years of progressive experience developing large scale energy projects
5+ years of large capital project development and investment
A minimum 5 years project management experience
Demonstrated cross-functional project leadership experience, team performance skills, service mindset approach, and the ability to act as a trusted advisor
MS Excel - Proficiency
MS Power Point - Proficiency
MS Project or P-6 Primavera - Proficiency
Deep knowledge of project development and project management practices across a wide range of domains including project finance, permitting, electrical interconnection
Experience in successfully achieving FID or financing of a major project (greater than $50 mm financing)
Proven and demonstrated success leading a cross-company, multi-function enterprise team through a large, complex project
Sufficient technical aptitude to rapidly learn fundamental concepts of fusion power plants
Ability to deliver presentations to a range of external audiences in a sincere and personable manner, adhering to company talking points and messaging
Demonstrated ability to consensus build, appropriately balance competing functional drivers and effectively communicate complex topics
Demonstrated project management capabilities with proven ability to prioritize multiple projects and/or issues with conflicting deadlines and/or business unit drivers
Demonstrate a reliable and persistent work ethic, seeing tasks through to completion. Stays determined in the face of uncertainty and failure
Adaptability to a start-up environment, capability to take initiative, develop own tasks and timelines, and solve broad, ambiguous problems
Comfort and capability making judgment calls that are fundamental to the success of entire projects or major initiatives
Proven writing and communication ability, and consistent quality of work appropriate for preparing material for a broad external audience
Can respectfully challenge senior leadership with a well-reasoned and data-supported argument
Perform activities such as typing, standing, and sitting, for extended periods of time
Willingness to occasionally travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call - this position will require up to 25% travel (day-trip & overnight)
Work in a facility that contains industrial hazards including heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead (Pb), high voltage, high current, pressure systems, and cryogenics
Preferred
4+ years of independent power or electric utility industry experience
Experience developing large scale (>50MW) power plants
Benefits
Competitive compensation with equity
12.5 Company-wide Holidays
Flexible vacation days
10 sick days
Generous parental leave policy
Health, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) with employer matching
Professional growth opportunities
Team-building activities
Company
Commonwealth Fusion Systems
Commonwealth Fusion Systems designs and develops commercial fusion energy systems to produce clean energy.
501-1000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$2.88BKey Investors
GoogleUS Department of EnergyTiger Global Management
2025-08-27Series B· $863M
2025-06-30Corporate Round
2024-06-06Grant· $15M
Leadership Team
Robert Mumgaard
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder
Martin Greenwald
Cofounder
Recent News
2026-02-12
2026-02-03
Crowdfund Insider
2026-01-22
Company data provided by crunchbase