Senior Interconnection Project Engineer - Qcells

Title:Senior Interconnection Project Engineer 
Department:Engineering Center 
Location:Irvine, CA
Supervisor:Director of SME
FLSA Status: Exempt
Position Status:Permanent, Full-Time

Work Status (Remote/Hybrid/In-Office): Hybrid

SENIOR INTERCONNECITON PROJECT ENGINEER

Hanwha Qcells USA Corp (Qcells USA), headquartered in Irvine, CA, 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

The Senior Interconnection Project Engineer will provide engineering support and is responsible for managing post-IA (Interconnection Agreement) to COD stages of the grid interconnection process for utility-scale solar PV and BESS projects across various Independent System Operators (ISOs) and Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs), including but not limited to CAISO, ERCOT, WECC, MISO, and PJM. This position reports to the Director of SME, or anothermanagement personnel that the CEO of the Company may designate. This position isdesignated hybridand reports to the Irvine, CA office. 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%.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION & RESPONSIBILITIES
 

• Manage the interconnection process and procedures for utility-scale PV and BESS projects across various ISOs/RTOs, including assisting in obtaining or completing necessary certifications, contracts, and forms required for grid interconnection, scheduling, metering, and settlement purposes.
• Assist and provide support in completing all required regulatory agreements according to the project type and the specific ISO/RTO requirements.
• Coordinate the approval of revenue-quality metering schemes in compliance with the standards of the respective ISO/RTO.
• Prepare final communications with ISOs/RTOs and the interconnected utilities for initial synchronization as described by the relevant ISO/RTO's procedures and operating manuals.
• Work collaboratively with other operations team members on project execution and process development, including project procurement, construction management, and project controls.
• Manage and coordinate external resources such as engineering consultants, metering services, and other specialized professionals as needed in the grid interconnection process.
• Coordinate with utilities, ISOs/RTOs, and regulators for the interconnection process.
• Provide recommendations for continuous improvements in project interconnection processes and procedures.
• Lead the HV Project Engineering team in developing best practices for the interconnection engineering process of utility-scale PV/BESS plants across different ISOs/RTOs.
• Assist with technical training for team members and new employees.
• Collaborate with team members when necessary to ensure effective communication and results.
• Build a quality culture of continuous improvement that enhances company efficiency and engineering quality.
• Drive a safety culture that embraces both a “Responsibility to act” and “Show by Example” approach.
• 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
 

• A degree in Electrical Engineering or another related engineering science.
• Minimum of 6 years of professional engineering experience in renewable interconnection.
• Minimum of 8 years of general engineering experience.
• Relevant work experience in the grid interconnection process for power plants, preferably utility-scale solar PV and BESS projects.
• Experience with interconnection processes of various ISOs/RTOs (e.g., CAISO, ERCOT, WECC, MISO, PJM).
• Experience with metering and communication systems testing and coordination with ISOs/RTOs' data acquisition systems.
• Knowledge of regulatory agreements, tariffs, and business practice manuals of multiple ISOs/RTOs.
• Willingness to travel, at least 30% of the time.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Assertive, able to cope with pressure, a team player.
• Previous experience managing projects from initial design to installation and execution, preferred.
• Ability to motivate, develop others, and act as a team player.

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)

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 hr-usa@qcells.com.

Nothing in this statement shall imply implicitly or explicitly a guarantee of employment outside our at-will employment opportunity.