Description Title: Sr. Electrical Engineer - Level 4
Department: Engineering Center
Location: Houston, TX
Supervisor: Manager of Electrical Engineering
FLSA Status: Exempt
Position Status: Permanent, Full-time
Work Status (Hybrid/In-Office): Remote
SENIOR ELECTRICAL 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 Module, Development, 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
The Senior Electrical Engineer - Level 4 is responsible for leading electrical system design, interconnection planning, and grid compliance for multiple utility-scale solar and BESS projects. This role requires advanced expertise in high-voltage engineering, substation design, protection schemes, and power system stability. The Engineer will work with utilities, regulatory bodies, and internal stakeholders to optimize system performance and compliance.
This position requires deep knowledge of grid codes, NERC/FERC compliance, and interconnection technical requirements. The Senior Engineer will also provide technical leadership, mentor junior engineers, and improve engineering standards. This position reports to the Manager of Electrical Engineering, or another management personnel that the CEO of the Company may designate . This position is ( Remote ) located in Houston, TX and working hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00am to 5:00pm or 9:00am to 6:00pm local time. This position is expected to travel up to 30%.
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 FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Electrical System Design & Optimization
- Develop and oversee comprehensive electrical system designs, ensuring compliance with grid interconnection requirements.
- Optimize transformer configurations, grounding methods, and cable routing strategies.
- Conduct protective relay coordination studies, transient analysis, and dynamic system modeling.
- Design switchgear, relay protection schemes, and substation electrical layouts.
- Lead power system studies, including reactive power compensation, fault ride-through, and voltage control.
- Evaluate grid support functionalities of inverters and energy storage to ensure regulatory compliance.
- Provide technical assessments for SCADA/EMS integration, cybersecurity requirements, and data acquisition systems.
Project Execution & Coordination
- Oversee QA/QC verification for electrical designs, ensuring alignment with safety and performance standards.
- Engage with procurement teams to select high-voltage equipment, ensuring technical compliance and cost optimization.
- Lead on-site troubleshooting, commissioning, and performance validation of electrical infrastructure.
Regulatory Compliance & Industry Engagement
- Ensure compliance with NEC, IEEE 1547, NERC CIP, FERC, UL, and interconnection rules.
- Interface with utilities and grid operators to secure interconnection approvals and resolve compliance issues.
Leadership & Team Development
- Mentor junior engineers, providing guidance on electrical design best practices, modeling techniques, and project execution.
- Develop standardized engineering processes for electrical system design and interconnection planning.
- 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
- 6+ years of experience in power system engineering, high-voltage design, and interconnection studies.
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering ; Master's preferred.
- Advanced expertise in power system stability, protection design, and grid compliance.
- Software Skills:
- AutoCAD (Advanced).
- SKM, ETAP, EasyPower (Proficient).
- Certifications: PE License or NABCEP PV Professional (Preferred).
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 30% 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] .
Nothing in this statement shall imply implicitly or explicitly a guarantee of employment outside our at-will employment opportunity.
This job position is specific to Qcells USA Corp. only and not any other Hanwha affiliates. The above-listed salary range is required by the California Pay Transparency Act and may differ depending on the location of those candidates hired nationwide. The salary range shared in the job description is for the listed position and only pertains to the candidate if they work in Irvine, CA. Actual compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to internal pay equity, skill set, education, licenses and certifications, geographic location, essential job duties and requirements, and the necessary experience relative to the job's minimum qualifications. If candidates are considered for a nationwide role, then the compensation range will follow the marketability of the job function within those states. An additional discretionary bonus structure or incentives may be offered as part of the overall compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, dental, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.
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