Director, Datacenter Development

At 1st Avenue Power, we are on a mission to deliver simple, fast‑to‑deploy, customer‑centric and intelligent power systems leveraging the abundance of solar to provide inexpensive and reliable clean energy to global customers from data centers to energy‑starved communities around the world. We envision a future where every community, business, and nation thrives on the limitless potential of clean energy, united in a shared commitment to a sustainable and equitable world.

You will be working with Dr. Tom Buttgenbach, one of the most successful clean energy technology innovators and entrepreneur who has been a driving force in making solar‑based energy solutions the cheapest and most reliable energy option. Tom founded and led Avantus (formerly known as “8minute Solar Energy”), becoming one of the largest and most profitable solar and energy storage companies in the United States and the largest in California, including delivering over 17% of Los Angeles’ power.

When Tom sold his interest in Avantus’ development business to KKR in mid‑2024, it had delivered over $1 billion in profit and secured over $10 billion in power purchase agreements and project financings with a pipeline of over 30 GW of solar and 90 GWh of energy storage, capable of powering the homes of more than 20 million Americans day and night. Tom’s family office investment firm, 1st Avenue Capital, is building teams for the next generation of advanced solar power system architecture and AI to aggressively drive down the cost of and equitable access to clean and reliable energy.

Join a groundbreaking team of proven leaders at the forefront of the clean energy transition. We are building a future where sustainable energy is accessible to all. The Datacenter Developer will be critical in identifying, evaluating, and securing strategic sites for hyperscale and colocation data centers across key markets. The successful candidate will work closely with internal stakeholders, local authorities, brokers, and landowners to deliver a pipeline of shovel‑ready data center projects.

• Leadership Impact: As Datacenter Developer you will have significant influence on key strategic decisions and play a vital role in shaping the future of 1st Avenue Power's energy strategy.
• Growth Potential: 1st Avenue Power and the project pipeline is in high growth mode, offering excellent opportunities for career growth and professional development.
• Co‑Founder Mindset: This is an opportunity for a passionate and driven individual to join a groundbreaking team and contribute significantly to our mission. We encourage candidates who bring a co‑founder mindset, with a focus on ownership, innovation, and a deep commitment to building a sustainable and equitable energy future.

• Identify and evaluate potential land parcels and industrial properties suitable for data center development.
• Conduct feasibility studies on power availability, fiber connectivity, permitting processes, and environmental considerations.
• Assess risks related to site suitability, zoning, and infrastructure availability.

• Lead negotiations with landowners, brokers, and developers to secure land parcels under purchase, lease, or option agreements.
• Manage land due diligence including title review, environmental studies, geotechnical reports, and surveys.
• Structure deal terms and prepare investment memos for internal approval.

• Oversee entitlement processes, zoning approvals, and permitting requirements for identified sites.
• Engage with local municipalities, utilities, and regulatory agencies to ensure project compliance.
• Build relationships with community stakeholders to secure support for projects.

• Work with internal teams to align site selection with infrastructure availability.
• Coordinate with engineering, design, and construction teams on site feasibility and cost implications.
• Partner with finance and legal teams to structure deals and support investment approvals.
• Track industry trends, competitor activity, and market dynamics in targeted geographies.
• Maintain…