Import Compliance Manager

Fervo is working to build the most cost-effective, repeatable geothermal power plants in the world. Delivering on this mission requires operational excellence across every function — including the global supply chain and compliance systems that enable Fervo to scale rapidly and responsibly. As Fervo expands its deployment of geothermal projects, ensuring seamless, compliant movement of critical equipment across international borders is essential to maintaining project timelines, cost discipline, and regulatory integrity.

Joining Fervo’s Supply Chain team means building and operating the compliance infrastructure that underpins a fast-growing clean energy company. This role is ideal for a seasoned import compliance professional who brings deep expertise in U.S. customs regulations, thrives in complex, high-stakes environments, and is motivated to design and implement scalable processes that ensure accuracy, accountability, and risk mitigation across Fervo’s global operations.

Position Description

The Import Compliance Manager will lead all aspects of import customs compliance for Fervo Energy’s inbound equipment shipments. This position requires deep knowledge of U.S. import regulations, tariff classifications, and customs documentation. The ideal candidate will be a licensed U.S. Customs Broker, capable of implementing a robust import compliance program across all business units and vendors supporting Fervo’s current and future geothermal projects.

Responsibilities

Regulatory Compliance & Customs Management

• Oversee all import customs activities for Fervo Energy, ensuring full compliance with U.S. CBP regulations, the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS), and applicable duties and tariffs.
• Assign and validate HTS codes for all imported equipment, components, and materials.
• Track and analyze duty rates, including Section 301, Section 232, IEEPA-based tariffs, and other emergency trade measures.
• Maintain awareness of IEEPA actions and assess applicability to supply chain.
• Review and approve customs entry documentation, ensuring accuracy and completeness for CBP filings.
• Assess the true market value of declared commercial invoices against supplier equipment contracts to ensure accurate valuation and full compliance with CBP import valuation methodology.
• Lead internal audits and coordinate responses to CF28/CF29 requests and post-summary corrections.

Process Implementation & Risk Management

• Develop, implement, and maintain a corporate import compliance program, including SOPs, training materials, and internal controls.
• Establish protocols to ensure vendor adherence to import compliance standards, including correct commercial invoicing, country-of-origin markings, and valuation.
• Ensure compliance with IEEPA-driven restrictions and emergency tariff programs.
• Work with external customs brokers, freight forwarders, and trade counsel to ensure consistent application of compliance procedures.
• Maintain comprehensive import records per CBP 19 CFR Part 163 (Recordkeeping).

Vendor and Contract Integration

• Review vendor and logistics service provider (LSP) contracts to ensure alignment with import compliance and customs clearance obligations.
• Collaborate with Procurement, Legal, and Finance teams to embed customs compliance requirements into purchase agreements and Incoterms.
• Advise on import-related cost impacts during contract negotiations and sourcing strategy sessions.
• Advise on tariff exposure including IEEPA impacts.

Cross-Functional Leadership & Reporting

• Partner closely with Logistics, Legal, Finance, and Project Management to support import planning and duty optimization.
• Provide executive-level reporting on compliance performance, audit findings, and duty exposure.
• Represent Fervo Energy in communications with U.S. Customs, outside counsel, and government agencies as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, International Business, Trade Compliance, or related field.
• 8–12 years of experience in U.S. import compliance or customs operations within a multinational or energy/infrastructure environment.
• Active U.S. Customs Broker License (required).
• Extensive knowledge of CBP regulations, HTS classification, customs valuation, and trade programs (FTA, 9801/9802, etc.).
• Knowledge of IEEPA and emergency tariff programs
• Proven experience developing and implementing import compliance frameworks at the corporate level.
• Strong analytical and documentation review skills.
• Proficiency with ERP and import management systems (SAP GTS, Oracle GTM, Descartes, etc.).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with large-scale capital projects, EPC, or energy-sector logistics.
• Familiarity with international Incoterms and vendor contracting as they relate to import compliance.
• Experience working with outside trade counsel and multiple customs brokers.

Location

Fervo Energy’s corporate office is located in downtown Houston. This position is currently a hybrid work model with in-office meetings as required to align with work responsibilities. 

About Fervo Energy

Fervo Energy provides 24/7 carbon-free energy through development of next-generation geothermal power. Fervo’s mission is to leverage innovation in geoscience to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy. Geothermal has a major role to play in the future electric grid and Fervo’s key innovations bring a full suite of modern technology to make geothermal cost competitive. 

Fervo’s innovations include technologies such as advanced computational models, horizontal drilling, and distributed fiber optic sensing that have been developed with partners including Schlumberger, ARPA-E, and the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. 

Fervo has an industry-leading development pipeline with offtakers and partners including Google, East Bay Community Energy, Desert Community Energy, Clean Power Alliance, Clean Energy Alliance, CalChoice, and others. Fervo’s investors include leading investment firms Capricorn, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, DCVC, Congruent, 3x5 Partners, and CPP Investments, as well as best-in-class strategic investors Helmerich & Payne, BHP, and Liberty Energy. 

Fervo’s culture is fast-paced, innovative, and collaborative. We believe in building things that last, constantly innovating, doing what we say we’re going to do, and stopping to smell the roses. 

Fervo Energy is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, religion, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sex, genetic information, sexual orientation, military and veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. It also prohibits unlawful discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics.