Description Title: AI/AX Solutions Manager
Department: Tech Center - Tech Strategy
Location: Houston, TX
Supervisor: Sr. Director, Tech Strategy
FLSA Status: Exempt
Position Status: Permanent, Full-time
Work Sta tus : Hybrid
AI/AX SOLUTIONS MANAGER
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
We are currently seeking an AI/AX Solutions Manager to lead AI-driven business transformation initiatives across EPC operations, including data platforms, ontology frameworks, decision support capabilities, and emerging digital technologies. Working closely with cross-functional teams, this position will lead AI/AX initiatives across the EPC business by identifying business opportunities, translating operational requirements into scalable AI and data solutions, and partnering with technology teams and vendors to drive successful implementation and adaptation. This role focuses on business solutions, ownership, product management, and AI/AX strategy execution rather than hands on software development.
This position reports to the Sr. Director, Tech Strategy , or anothe r manageme nt personnel that the CEO of the Company ma y designa te . This position is hybrid for candidates living near a corporate office Houston, TX r e quiring up to four days per week on site . C andidates living outside the commuting distance of an office location will operate as fully remote with occasional travel. Standard w orking hours are Mo nday through Friday, from 8:00am to 5:00pm or 9:00am to 6:00pm local time . This position is expected to trav el up to 2 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
- Lead the identification, evaluation, and prioritization of AI/AX use cases across EPC business functions.
- Develop and maintain the EPC AI/AX roadmap and implementation strategy aligned with business objectives.
- Facilitate alignment between business priorities, data strategy, and AI/AX initiatives to maximize business value realization.
- Identify and evaluate opportunities to improve EPC business performance through AI, automation, analytics, and process transformation initiatives.
- Act as a bridge between business stakeholders and technology teams, translating operational challenges into AI/AX opportunities and actionable solutions.
- Evaluate, recommend, and support the implementation of AI and AI-adjacent (AX) platforms, such as Microsoft Fabric, Cognite, and comparable industrial data and ontology tools, across the EPC organization.
- Develop and maintain relationships with AI/AX technology suppliers and solution providers, including leading supplier evaluations, proof-of-concept pilots, and licensing or contract recommendations.
- Develop business cases, ROI assessments, and implementation recommendations for AI/AX initiatives and technology investments.
- Create executive presentations and communicate AI/AX strategy, project progress, and business value to leadership teams.
- Support portfolio planning and prioritization of AI/AX initiatives across the EPC organization.
- Partner with EPC, construction, data, and IT stakeholders to gather requirements, build business cases, and prioritize new AI/AX tools and platform capabilities.
- Assemble and configure dashboards and reporting tools that surface project status, schedule risk, cost exposure, and profitability metrics for project teams and leadership.
- Establish and maintain ontology frameworks and semantic relationships that connect construction project data and support AI-enabled decision making, executive visibility, risk identification, and operational insights.
- Partner with data architecture and business teams to establish an enterprise ontology and AI-ready data foundation across EPC functions.
- Evaluate emerging construction technologies, including UAV/drone-based monitoring solutions, and support their integration into the broader AI/AX ecosystem when appropriate.
- Translate construction and field operations needs into functional and data requirements, partnering with software, IT, and data engineering teams who own technical implementation.
- Act as the business and product owner for assigned AI/AX initiatives, overseeing implementation progress, quality, and timelines without directly performing software development.
- Train and support EPC project teams, project managers, and site personnel on the adoption and effective use of new AI/AX tools and dashboards.
- Drive AI/AX adoption and change management activities across EPC business functions to ensure successful deployment and realization of business value.
- Support development of AI-enabled decision support capabilities, including recommendations, scenario analysis, risk prediction, and data-to-action insights.
- Monitor and report on tool adoption, data quality, and realized value or return on investment, recommending continuous improvements to processes and systems.
- Stay current on construction technology, AI/machine learning, digital twin, and UAV monitoring trends, presenting findings and recommendations to engineering and EPC leadership.
- Document processes, system configurations, and ontology structures to ensure consistency, knowledge transfer, and scalability across projects.
- Demonstrate the ability to independently manage priorities, coordinate cross-functional teams, and deliver project objectives on schedule.
- Periodic domestic travel of up to 20% is required.
- 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 engineering, construction management, computer science, data science, business, information systems, or a related field. (advanced degrees are valued and may be applied to the professional experience requirements).
- 4+ years of experience in product management, digital transformation, construction technology, enterprise systems, AI/AX solutions, or related disciplines.
- Working knowledge of AI/AX platforms and tools, such as Microsoft Fabric, Cognite, or comparable data integration and ontology platforms.
- Experience gathering business and stakeholder requirements and translating them into functional specifications for technical implementation teams.
- Experience leading cross-functional initiatives involving business, operations, engineering, IT, and external technology partners.
- Ability to evaluate and manage supplier and vendor relationships, including supporting technology procurement and contract or licensing discussions.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assemble dashboards and reports that synthesize data from multiple systems.
- Ability to develop business cases, perform value assessments, and communicate recommendations to executive leadership.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present recommendations to both technical and executive audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple workstreams, meet schedules, escalate risks proactively, and work effectively across cross-functional and geographically distributed teams.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with construction ontology, knowledge graph, or digital twin frameworks.
- Direct experience implementing or administering Microsoft Fabric, Cognite, Palantir Foundry, or similar industrial AI/data platforms.
- Experience with UAV/drone-based construction monitoring platforms (e.g., DroneDeploy, Reconstruct, OpenSpace, Buildots) and their integration into project management workflows.
- Solar or utility-scale EPC industry experience.
- Familiarity with construction project controls, including scheduling, cost management, and risk management practices.
- Experience supporting or leading cross-functional technology pilots or digital transformation initiatives.
- Project or product management certification (e.g., PMP, CSPO) or equivalent experience.
- Experience serving as a Product Owner, Business Analyst, or Technology Program Manager for enterprise software, analytics, or AI initiatives.
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 2 0 % as needed
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] .
