Description Title: Senior Substation Structural Engineer - Level 4
Department: Engineering Center
Location: Houston, TX
Supervisor: Manager of HV Engineering
FLSA Status: Exempt
Position Status: Permanent, Full-time
Work Sta tus : Hybrid /Remote
SENIOR SUBSTATION STRUCTURAL ENGINEER - LEVEL 4
Hanwha Qcells USA Corp ( Qcells USA), headquartered in Houston , TX , specializes in providing utility-scale modules, solar photovoltaic (PV), and battery energy storage systems (BESS) project development, along with Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) services for solar and BESS projects nationwide. Qcells USA delivers comprehensive turnkey solutions encompassing the entire utility-scale project lifecycle. By choosing Qcells USA for turnkey solutions, customers can reduce uncertainty and risk, leading to enhanced investment returns and contributing to a more sustainable future.
Qcells USA's complete turnkey solutions seamlessly integrate the expertise of our Development, Module, and EPC teams, while ensuring close coordination with other vital internal groups such as Project Finance, Systems Integration, and Legal. This collaborative approach ensures that Qcells USA projects deliver exceptional value and performance. With several multi-billion-dollar investments, Qcells is pioneering the establishment of the only complete module supply chain in the U.S., including the expansion of our Georgia module manufacturing facility, which stands as the largest in the Western Hemisphere.
As an integral part of the global Qcells brand, Qcells USA benefits from a legacy of excellence in photovoltaic manufacturing. Qcells is renowned worldwide for its high-performance, superior-quality solar cells and modules. With dual headquarters in Seoul, South Korea (Global Executive HQ) and Thalheim , Germany (Technology & Innovation HQ), Qcells operates under the umbrella of Hanwha Group, a FORTUNE Global 500 company and one of the top 8 business conglomerates in South Korea.
SUMMARY
A Senior Substation Structural Engineer - Level 4 is responsible for leading structural engineering efforts for high voltage substations switchyards associated with transmission interconnections for utility scale solar and battery energy storage projects. This role provides technical leadership and oversight of structural design performed by internally and externally. By engineering consultants or EPC partners, ensuring compliance with applicable industry codes, utility requirements and company standards. The Senior Structural Engineer will serve as a subject matter expert for substation structures, equipment, foundations , steel design. Semantic analysis and site structural considerations while supporting project development, detailed engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning activities. This individual worked closely with internal stakeholders, developers, interconnecting utilities, EPC contractors and equipment suppliers to drive safe, reliable and cost-effect . Execution. This position reports to the Manager of HV Engineering or anothe r manageme nt personnel that the CEO of the Company ma y d esigna te . This position is hybrid for candidates living near a corpo rate o ffice Houston, TX r equiring up to four days per week on site based on our Office Mobilization Plan (OMP) . C andidates living outside the commuting distance of an office location will o perate as fully remote with occasional travel.
Standard w orking hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00am to 5:00pm or 9:00am to 6:00pm local time . This position is expected to trav e l up to 3 0 % .
Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time .
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION & RESPONSIBILITIES
Advanced Structural Engineering & Design Oversight
Lead structural engineering activities for high-voltage substations, collector substations, switchyards, and transmission interconnection facilities.
Review and provide technical oversight of structural calculations, steel structure designs, equipment support structures, and foundation systems prepared by engineers of record and EPC contractors.
Evaluate structural designs for transformers, circuit breakers, capacitor banks, reactors, dead-end structures, bus supports, control buildings, and other substation equipment.
Verify structural loading criteria, including wind, seismic, ice, conductor tension, equipment loads, and construction loading requirements.
Review grading, drainage, retaining wall, and site-related structural interfaces impacting substation facilities.
Support development of company structural design standards, basis-of-design documents, and design review checklists.
Optimize structural designs to improve constructability, schedule, lifecycle performance, and project cost.
Structural Analysis, Codes & Compliance
Ensure compliance with applicable codes and standards including:
- ASCE 7
- AISC Steel Construction Manual
- IBC
- ACI 318
- ASTM standards
- IEEE substation design standards
- Applicable utility structural requirements
Review seismic analysis methodologies and site-specific design criteria.
Evaluate foundation systems based on geotechnical reports and site conditions.
Support structural risk assessments and resolution of technical challenges during project development and execution.
Participate in independent engineering reviews and design audits.
Project Execution & Technical Oversight
Provide structural engineering support during project development, permitting, detailed design, procurement, construction, and commissioning.
Review vendor drawings and equipment foundation requirements for major HV equipment.
Support construction teams by resolving field engineering issues, responding to RFIs, and evaluating proposed design changes.
Conduct constructability reviews and identify opportunities to reduce construction risk and cost.
Perform QA/QC reviews of engineering deliverables to ensure consistency, completeness, and technical accuracy.
Participate in site visits and field assessments to support project execution and issue resolution.
Utility, EPC & Stakeholder Coordination
Serve as the primary structural engineering interface with utilities, EPC contractors, engineering consultants, and equipment suppliers.
Support technical discussions related to utility interconnection requirements and structural design criteria.
Coordinate cross-functional design reviews with civil, electrical, protection and control, transmission, and construction teams.
Assist with development of technical specifications and engineering scopes of work.
Leadership & Team Development
Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance on structural engineering best practices.
Support continuous improvement of engineering processes, design standards, and lessons learned programs.
Lead technical reviews and provide recommendations to management regarding engineering risks and mitigation strategies.
Regular attendance , in accordance with company's attendance policy and supervisory assignment , is an essential job duty requirement for this position
Perform other duties and special projects , as assigned by Management
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or Structural Engineering from an ABET-accredited university.
- Minimum 8 years of experience in structural engineering for electric utility substations, transmission facilities, industrial power facilities, or renewable energy infrastructure.
- Demonstrated experience designing and reviewing:
- Steel substation structures
- Equipment foundations
- Control building foundations
- Transformer foundations
- Transmission dead-end structures
- Support structures for high-voltage equipment
- Strong understanding of structural loading requirements including wind, seismic, ice, conductor tension, and equipment loads.
- Experience coordinating engineering activities with utilities, EPC contractors, and engineering consultants.
- Working knowledge of ASCE 7, AISC, ACI 318, and IBC requirements.
SOFTWARE SKILLS
- STAAD.Pro (Advanced)
- PLS-CADD / PLS-POLE / PLS-TOWER (Preferred)
- RISA-3D, SAP2000, or similar structural analysis software (Proficient)
- AutoCAD (Advanced)
- Bluebeam Revu (Proficient )
CERTIFICATIONS
- Professional Engineer (PE) License required.
- Structural Engineer (SE) License preferred.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- 10+ years of experience in utility, renewable energy, or transmission infrastructure projects.
- Experience supporting utility-scale solar and BESS interconnection substations.
- Experience performing seismic evaluations and foundation design reviews.
- Familiarity with utility-specific structural standards and transmission owner requirements.
- Experience supporting projects from development through construction and commissioning.
- Experience working for EPC companies.
- Demonstrated leadership and mentoring experience.
EXAMPLES OF PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- Stationary Position: frequently remains stationary up to 90% of the time and sitting up to 8 hours in a day
- Move/Traverse: infrequently bend, stand, stoop and/or walk
- Carry Weight: infrequently carry weight and/or lift objects (light to heavy) weighing up to 10 pounds
- Hearing and Speech: frequently communicates with the ability to hear and talk on a regular basis with employees, coworkers, and all personnel matters; must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations
- Sight: frequent use of sight to detect images on computer, office documents, and office objects near and far
- Climb: occasionally ascends/descends on stairway to get to office upper and lower floors
- Travel: up to 3 0 % as n eeded
EXAMPLES OF WORK ENVIRONMENT
- Regular professional, office business setting
- Noise level ranges from low to moderate (if in office setting)
- Noise level ranges from moderate to high (if on construction worksite)
- Under the Office Mobilization Plan (OMP) policy, the role may transition to an onsite or hybrid arrangement, as determined by business needs and the Head of Department
Hanwha Qcells is proud to be an at-will Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination against race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status and any other classification protected by applicable federal, state or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
It is important to note that the job descriptions provided by Qcells USA Corp are not intended to be comprehensive lists of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the positions. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice, reflecting our dynamic and evolving work environment.
We are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals . As part of this commitment, Hanwha Qcells will provide reasonable accommodations to all qualified individuals with disabilities to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment . Please contact us to request accommodations at [email protected] .
