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Fervo Energy seeks a Well Permitting Manager to lead the planning, permitting, and regulatory compliance of geothermal well drilling activities across the company's exploration, appraisal, development, and commercial operations portfolio. This manager will oversee a small team and serve as the primary interface between project teams and regulatory agencies at state and federal levels.
Key responsibilities include developing permitting strategies that support aggressive project schedules while ensuring safe, compliant, and environmentally responsible geothermal development. The role manages the complete lifecycle of well permits—from early project planning through drilling, testing, completion, production, injection, suspension, plugging, and long-term regulatory compliance. Specific duties include preparing and submitting drilling permit applications to state and federal agencies; coordinating permit sequencing with project schedules and construction milestones; identifying permitting risks and developing mitigation strategies; maintaining comprehensive permitting schedules and forecasts; coordinating regulatory agency meetings and technical reviews; responding to agency information requests; and negotiating permit conditions.
The manager will review technical information including drilling programs, casing and cementing programs, blowout prevention specifications, directional drilling plans, and surface use plans. They will ensure drilling operations comply with all permit conditions, manage permit amendments as programs evolve, and develop systems to track permit obligations, reporting deadlines, inspections, and regulatory commitments. Additional responsibilities include coordinating responses to agency inspections and compliance reviews, supporting internal compliance audits, managing permitting consultants and technical contractors, developing internal guidance documents and best practices, providing regulatory training to project teams, and maintaining complete regulatory records.
The position reports to the Land Manager, Planning (or designated Land, Environment, and Permitting leadership) and requires strong communication, project management, organizational, and leadership skills. Approximately 25% travel to project sites throughout the western United States is required.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Geology, Environmental Science, Natural Resources, Planning, or a related technical discipline
- 8+ years of permitting or regulatory experience supporting energy, mining, oil & gas, geothermal, or other large infrastructure projects
- 3+ years of team management experience
- Demonstrated experience preparing and obtaining drilling permits from state and/or federal regulatory agencies
- Strong understanding of geothermal drilling operations and well development
- Excellent organizational, communication, project management, and stakeholder coordination skills
- Self-starter capable of managing multiple complex projects simultaneously
- Commitment to environmental stewardship, regulatory excellence, and responsible energy development
- Ability to travel approximately 25% to project sites throughout the western United States
PREFERRED:
- Geothermal well permitting experience with the BLM (43 CFR Parts 3200–3280) and/or state geothermal regulatory agencies (Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Colorado, or New Mexico)
- Professional Engineer (PE), Professional Geologist (PG), or Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
