Joe Amara Executive Search is a retained executive search firm specializing in leadership placements across power generation, transmission, and digital infrastructure. Our clients include leading independent power producers, transmission developers, digital infrastructure platforms.
We are proud to be representing an innovative, well-capitalized data center development company that is co-locating hyperscale facilities with on-site power generation and new telecommunications infrastructure.
Our client is seeking a dynamic and capable Vice President of Engineering to build and lead their engineering function. This executive will oversee the design, development, and execution of complex infrastructure programs. The VP of Engineering will act as the technical authority across the company’s three core verticals—power generation, fiber infrastructure, and data center development—ensuring on-time, on-budget delivery of large-scale sites primed for hyperscale tenants.
This is a rare opportunity to shape the engineering organization of a high-growth platform from the ground up.
Organizational Leadership
- Build and scale an internal engineering team including electrical, mechanical, water, and geotechnical professionals.
- Initially oversee procurement and project management; expand team in the first 12 months.
- Serve as the company’s engineering lead across development, design, and execution.
Project Execution
- Manage third party engineering vendors to lead efforts across multi-phase data center developments starting at 100 MW and scalable to 1GW.
- Oversee external EPCs to deliver engineering packages.
- Manage power delivery including grid interconnection, campus substations, and on-site generation.
Cross-Functional Coordination
- Collaborate with:
– Chief Development Officer on greenfield renewable generation projects.
– Head of Telecom on long-haul fiber trenching and infrastructure.
– Land acquisition teams and development team on site layout, utilities, and access planning. - Translate business goals into engineering strategies and execution plans.
Strategic Communication
- Provide clear updates to the CEO and executive team, including variance reporting, timelines, budgeting, and issue escalation.
- Represent engineering priorities during internal decision-making and external partner engagement.
Requirements:
- 15+ years of engineering and project leadership experience, ideally in power generation, data centers, or utilities.
- Multiple GW of Wind, PV, BESS and/or GFG projects completed.
- Proven experience managing large, multidisciplinary infrastructure programs.
- Deep knowledge of EPC delivery, engineering procurement, and project oversight.
- Ability to scope, manage, and supervise internal and external engineering resources.
- Strong communication and executive reporting skills; capable of operating as a trusted partner to the CEO.
- Bachelor’s in engineering or related field required, PE or advanced degree a plus.
Ideal Candidate Attributes
- Operates as an EPC generalist with the ability to manage technical specialists.
- Experience in real estate-integrated utility infrastructure or powered land development.
- Understands power system integration: transmission, substations, and microgrids.
- Comfortable leading in an unstructured, high-accountability startup environment.
- Values diversity and is committed to building a high-performance, inclusive team.
