Senior Project Engineer - Qcells

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

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

Senior 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 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 Project Engineer will provide engineering support to the Engineering Center team and is responsible for assisting in all stages of project design.This position reports to the Director of Engineering, or another management personnel that the President of the Company may designate. This position is locatedremotely 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%.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION & RESPONSIBILITIES
 

• Regular attendance, in accordancewithcompany'sattendancepolicy and supervisoryassignment, is an essential jobdutyrequirementforthisposition; and
• Review technicaldocumentation such assitestudies, reports, permits, etc. asrelatedto design, costorscheduleimpact
• Create, review and maintaindrawingpackages, energyproductionmodels, billsofmaterials, scopesofwork and othertechnicalprojectdocumentation;
• Manage thetechnicalneeds in all stagesofprojectdevelopment and design, includingconceptual and advancedsystem design, observingregulatorycodesaswellascustomerrequirements, specifybalanceofsystems, perform sitevisits, coordinateneedsforthepermitting and technical support duringtheconstructionphase;
• Assist in thedevelopment and review ofenergyproductionmodels, projectschedules, costestimation, billofmaterials, budgets, scopesofwork, standards and quotesfromsuppliers;
• Coordinate internal resourcesforsubject matter expertise and projectriskreduction;
• Implement external resources such asstructural, civil and electricalengineerconsultants, geotechnical and topographicsurveyors, otherspecializedprofessionalsasneeded and suppliers;
• In collaborationwithotherteammembers, contributetothecompletionofproposalsto design and deliver PV and BESS projects,
• Maintainscontinuousimprovements in projectdesigns, plans, processes and productdevelopment;
• Assist withtechnicaltrainingtootherteammembers and newemployees;
• Collaboratewithteammemberswhennecessarytoensureeffectivecommunication and results;
• Prepareconceptualdesignfor solar projectsincludingselectionofmajorcomponents, equipmentlayouts, single-line diagrams, etc;
• Preparebidpackagesforsubcontractorsincludingscopeofwork, schedule, projectdescription, and conceptual design;
• Perform energygenerationmodelingfor solar projectsusing PV Syst and othertools;
• Lead thetechnicaltasks in preparationof EPC proposals and the review of potential projectacquisitionopportunities;
• Assist in fieldwithsitevisitsasneeded, testing, commissioning and start-upofconstructed power plants;
• Perform otherduties and specialprojects, asassigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
 

• A degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or another related engineering science
• Minimum of 8 years of professional engineering experience in the solar industry
• Relevant work experience in the design and development of power plants (in particular solar or wind power plants)
• Willingness to travel, at least 30% of the time
• Experience with AutoCAD (or equivalent)
• Experience with photovoltaic performance modeling tools (preferably PVSyst)
• Strong in Microsoft Office Suite
• Experience with Gantt charts (MS Project or equivalent)
• Knowledge of the National Electric Code
• 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
• Experience in permitting processes with local authorities having jurisdiction, preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Stationary Position: frequentlyremainsstationaryupto 90% ofthe time and sittingupto 8 hours in a day
• Move/Traverse: infrequentlybend, stand, stoop and/orwalk
• Carry Weight: infrequently carry weight and/orliftobjects (light to heavy) weighingupto 10 pounds
• Hearing and Speech: frequentlycommunicateswiththeabilitytohear and talk on a regularbasiswithemployees, coworkers, and all personnelmatters; mustbeabletoexchangeaccurateinformation in thesesituations
• Sight: frequent useofsighttodetectimages on computer, officedocuments, and officeobjectsnear and far
• Climb: occasionallyascends/descends on stairwaytogettoofficeupper and lowerfloors
• Travel: upto30%asneeded

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Regular professional, officebusinesssetting
• Noise levelrangesfromlowto moderate (if in officesetting)
• Noise levelrangesfrom moderate to high (if on constructionworksite)

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.