Description:

Description:
Fervo seeks an experienced supply chain/EPC lawyer to lead negotiations of equipment supply, construction, and EPC contracts for new geothermal facilities (ORC plants, electrical equipment, transmission lines, etc.) and related balance-of-plant infrastructure. The role partners closely with the surface facilities, procurement, project delivery, and project finance to ensure agreements are bankable/financeable, align with business objectives, and enable rapid execution in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.

Requirements:
Responsibilities:
  • Own front-line negotiation of OEM Supply, Equipment Purchase, Construction, EPC/EPCM, Professional Services, O&M, and related interface agreements (e.g., BOP, coordination agreements, interconnection, commissioning, performance testing).
  • Structure and document lender-ready risk allocation, including performance and availability guarantees, LDs (delay/performance), warranty regimes, acceptance and reliability tests, parent guarantees, bonds/LCs, step-in/assignment, termination, and collateral/security mechanics.
  • Partner with project finance and lenders' counsel to align contracts with debt/equity requirements, diligence findings, and conditions precedent; drive resolution of credit-sensitive issues to achieve financeability.
  • Guide competitive tenders and RFPs/ITTs, ensure clear scopes, technical exhibits, delivery schedules, and change-order/claims frameworks that minimize ambiguity and cycle time.
  • Advise on construction and supply-chain legal issues during execution (force majeure, schedule relief, change orders, pass-through/flow-down terms, liens, warranty claims) and manage pre-litigation disputes.
  • Develop templates, playbooks, and fallback positions for EPC, equipment, and construction packages to speed negotiations while protecting Fervo's risk posture.
  • Ensure compliance with applicable laws and standards (e.g., construction lien statutes, UCC Article 2, import tariffs/duties, procurement rules) and internal policies.
  • Manage and direct outside counsel on complex or multi-jurisdictional transactions as needed.
  • Provide targeted training to engineering, supply chain, and operations teams on contract risk and obligations.
  • Contribute to contract lifecycle/process improvements to reduce cycle time and improve data quality and obligations tracking.

Required Qualifications:
  • J.D. from an accredited law school; active bar in Texas, California, Nevada, New York, or Utah (Texas preferred).
  • 5+ years' experience supporting the construction and operation of large energy or infrastructure projects, including direct responsibility for negotiating OEM/equipment, construction, and EPC agreements.
  • Demonstrated experience shaping bankable/financeable contract packages for project-financed or structured-capital transactions (e.g., aligning LDs, warranties, testing/acceptance, step-in/assignment, security, and insurance with lender requirements).
  • Working knowledge of project finance dynamics and stakeholder roles (sponsors, lenders, tax equity, independent engineer, insurance advisors) and how those impact contract terms.
  • Strong command of contract and corporate law, construction law concepts (liens, delay/acceleration, change management, defects/warranty), and procurement/import considerations (tariffs/duties).
  • Excellent negotiation and drafting skills; crisp communication with technical and commercial counterparts.
  • Ability to simplify complex topics and provide pragmatic judgment.
  • Proven ability to juggle multiple critical paths and adapt quickly in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment with evolving designs and schedules.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Prior in-house counsel experience.
  • Experience in geothermal, renewables, or industrial EPC sectors.

Location:
Fervo Energy has offices in Houston, TX, Golden, CO, Reno, NV, Oakland, CA, and Salt Lake City, UT. This position will be eligible for some hybrid work flexibility, but regular in-office presence at our Houston Office will be required.