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Commonwealth Fusion Systems is seeking a Head of Origination to lead commercial strategy and execution for its ARC fusion power plants, expected to come online in the early 2030s. Reporting to the Head of Power Business, you will drive the origination, structuring, negotiation, and execution of long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs), tolling arrangements, environmental product contracts, and capacity contracts with utilities, hyperscalers, industrial off-takers, and government agencies.
You will define and execute the overall commercial origination strategy, building and translating the customer pipeline into committed contracts, capital, and bankable assets. Key responsibilities include developing and maintaining strategic relationships with anchor customers across regulated utilities, municipal utilities, electric cooperatives, and hyperscalers; providing commercial leadership during utility procurement processes and RFP responses; and designing innovative contract structures that mitigate risks associated with deploying novel fusion power technology.
You will lead a high-performing team of origination professionals, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement. Cross-functional collaboration is essential—you'll work closely with project development, finance, legal, external affairs, and engineering teams to ensure alignment between customer needs, project economics, and deployment strategy. Additional responsibilities include identifying high-value power markets and favorable regulatory frameworks; monitoring energy market trends and regulatory developments across North American RTOs/ISOs; developing commercial frameworks for project opportunities; representing CFS at industry events as a fusion energy subject matter expert; and overseeing post-execution lifecycle management to ensure contractual compliance and long-term partnerships.
The role requires comfort with ambiguity, strong judgment in high-stakes situations, proven writing and communication ability, and the capacity to respectfully challenge senior leadership with data-supported arguments. You must demonstrate reliability, persistence, and adaptability to a startup environment.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor's degree preferably in Engineering, Engineering Technologies, Business, Finance, Economics, Math, Physics, or related field OR 10+ years of progressive energy industry experience with at least 5 years specifically leading power origination, structured energy sales, or power marketing
- Proven track record of originating and closing large-scale, long-term PPAs, tolling agreements, environmental product contracts, or capacity contracts
- Deep technical understanding of North American wholesale power markets, RTO/ISO market rules, transmission dynamics, and commercial risk allocation
- Established network of executive contacts across utilities, corporate/hyperscaler procurement teams, and wholesale counterparties
- Strong financial acumen with direct experience working alongside project finance teams to ensure contract bankability and acceptable risk-adjusted returns
- Superior negotiation, presentation, and communication skills with track record of presenting to C-suite executives and investment committees
- Entrepreneurial mindset with ability to thrive in high-growth environment and turn broad, ambiguous opportunities into executed deals
- Ability to perform activities such as typing, standing, and sitting for extended periods
- Willingness to travel up to 25% (day-trip and overnight)
- Ability to work in facility with industrial hazards including heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead, high voltage, high current, pressure systems, and cryogenics
BONUS QUALIFICATIONS:
- Master's degree, MBA, or advanced technical degree
- Understanding of global wholesale power markets
- Experience with clean baseload power, first-of-a-kind (FOAK) technologies, energy storage, or infrastructure
- Demonstrated experience managing basis risk, shape risk, and congestion/line-loss settlement mechanisms
- Knowledge of advanced decarbonization procurement standards such as hourly 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy (CFE) matching and tax credit transferability (IRA PTC and ITC mechanics)
- Familiarity with complex utility retail tariffs, standby charges, and wheeling arrangements
- Familiarity with federal energy procurement pathways, tax equity structures, or M&A-driven origination
- Ability to travel up to 40% for customer meetings, site visits, and industry conferences
