Director of Infrastructure Programs

About BurnBot

BurnBot provides systematic fuels treatment services to prevent destructive wildfires. We're firefighters, scientists, engineers, prescribed fire practitioners, ecologists, and community members who are answering the call to scale fuel treatment capacity. Our modern fuel treatment system recognizes and supports conservation efforts with a clean, smoke-free process. We need technology to amplify our workforces with targeted use of synthetic fire to treat fuel loads 10x faster than previously possible.

The Role

The Director of Infrastructure Programs leads BurnBot's utility vegetation management (UVM) and right-of-way work: power line corridors (transmission and distribution) as well as pipeline, rail, telecom, and broadband RoW. Wildfire mitigation, regulatory compliance, and infrastructure resilience converge in this segment, and BurnBot's combination of mechanized treatment, prescribed fire integration, and intelligence-led execution is uniquely positioned to serve it.

This Director is BurnBot's primary subject-matter expert and deal architect for Infrastructure : owning BurnBot’s approach to IVM design, cycle planning, hazard-tree strategy, and customer relationships with investor-owned utilities, electric cooperatives, pipeline operators, rail operators, and telecom and broadband providers.

This role is exempt with a salary range of $120,000 to $150,000. However, we do consider many factors when creating job offers, including (but not limited to), the role, location, responsibilities, experience, training, education, and skillset.

Job Duties/Responsibilities

• Prepare estimates, technical scopes, and proposal strategy for Infrastructure projects (transmission and distribution UVM, pipeline RoW, rail RoW, telecom and broadband corridors)

• Serve as the primary Subject Matter Expert and deal architect for proposals: IVM/Fuels design, cycle planning, hazard tree assessment, pricing assumptions, technical documentation

• Lead the creation of task orders/resource orders for Infrastructure projects

• Maintain contract oversight throughout execution, including contract clarifications, amendments, compliance checks, and relationship management with customers

• Provide oversight authority on enterprise projects, including approval of scope modifications, schedule adjustments, change orders, subcontracted partner involvement, and budget adherence

• Partner with the Operations Director and/or Regional Directors during the handoff process and maintain quality oversight through execution

• Develop and manage strategic subcontract partners (line clearance contractors, hazard tree specialists, mat installation crews, specialized equipment partners)

• Act as the Infrastructure SME during customer meetings, job walks, audits, and enterprise-level technical reviews

• Provide advisory support to Regional Directors on smaller Infrastructure projects

• Coordinate closely with Sales & Marketing at the bid stage for all enterprise opportunities

• Partner with Finance and Legal to ensure contract structures, pricing models, compliance, and risk terms meet enterprise standards

• Structure and negotiate large-scale contracts with IOUs (PG&E, SCE, SDG&E, PacifiCorp, NV Energy, APS, and peers), electric co-ops, pipeline operators (gas and oil), rail (Class I and short-line), telecom, and broadband providers

• Build and maintain relationships with utility vegetation management organizations and decision-makers (utility foresters, vegetation managers, asset managers)

• Ensure regulatory compliance across Infrastructure programs (FAC-003 transmission vegetation management, OSHA 1910.269, ANSI A300, state PUC requirements, fire safety standards in HFTDs)

• Lead technology-forward implementation by integrating advanced tools (LiDAR and aerial inspection, vegetation encroachment modeling, work-management platforms, IVM analytics) into Infrastructure operations

• Build and refine internal systems that support execution at scale, including KPI tracking, cycle compliance, subcontractor onboarding, and operational reporting

• Drive sustainability initiatives that align with conservation goals (pollinator-friendly RoW, habitat-aware IVM)

• Collaborate on R&D partnerships to advance vegetation management technologies and methodologies

• Identify and pursue new market opportunities in Infrastructure adjacencies (PSPS mitigation support, undergrounding readiness, microgrid corridor management, post-storm restoration)

• Represent BurnBot at industry conferences, regulatory meetings, and stakeholder engagements (UAA, ECI conferences, Trees & Utilities)

• Maintain and promote a safe, productive, and positive working environment

• Strong bias for action and the ability to execute assigned tasks with or without guidance

• Can adapt to a fast-changing environment and work priorities

• Willingness to learn, seek clarification, and embrace new responsibilities as required

• Work long and flexible hours as necessary to fulfill business needs, while providing support to employees and ensuring project success

• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Forestry, Arboriculture, Natural Resources, or related field, or equivalent experience

• 8+ years of experience in utility vegetation management, line clearance, or infrastructure RoW

• Proven track record in contract negotiation with IOUs, co-ops, or other Infrastructure customers

• Deep understanding of vegetation-related ignition risk, IVM principles, and the Western US utility regulatory environment

• Experience with regulatory compliance (FAC-003, OSHA 1910.269, PUC requirements, ANSI A300)

• Strong business development and strategic planning skills

• Ability to work independently as an individual contributor with plans to scale a team

• Willingness to travel extensively across Western US markets and emerging regions

• Travel up to 75% of the time to project sites

• Ability to communicate effectively

• Passion for BurnBot's mission

It would be cool if…

• ISA Certified Arborist or Utility Specialist credential

• Direct experience working on PSPS mitigation or HFTD-area work in California

• Experience with pipeline RoW, rail vegetation management, or telecom and broadband corridors

• Familiarity with utility work management platforms (CAD, GIS-based asset management, mobile field tools)

Still interested? Please apply by sending your resume to careers@burnbot.com or visiting our job postings on Indeed.

Burnbot is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including but not limited to, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with one or more disabilities, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at 415-795-9124 x 1010 or people@burnbot.com.