Senior Project Engineer
Description
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 Senior 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 located remotely 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 accordance with company's attendance policy and supervisory assignment, is an essential job duty requirement for this position; and
- Review technical documentation such as site studies, reports, permits, etc. as related to design, cost or schedule impact
- Create, review and maintain drawing packages, energy production models, bills of materials, scopes of work and other technical project documentation;
- Manage the technical needs in all stages of project development and design, including conceptual and advanced system design, observing regulatory codes as well as customer requirements, specify balance of systems, perform site visits, coordinate needs for the permitting and technical support during the construction phase;
- Assist in the development and review of energy production models, project schedules, cost estimation, bill of materials, budgets, scopes of work, standards and quotes from suppliers;
- Coordinate internal resources for subject matter expertise and project risk reduction;
- Implement external resources such as structural, civil and electrical engineer consultants, geotechnical and topographic surveyors, other specialized professionals as needed and suppliers;
- In collaboration with other team members, contribute to the completion of proposals to design and deliver PV and BESS projects,
- Maintains continuous improvements in project designs, plans, processes and product development;
- Assist with technical training to other team members and new employees;
- Collaborate with team members when necessary to ensure effective communication and results;
- Prepare conceptual design for solar projects including selection of major components, equipment layouts, single-line diagrams, etc;
- Prepare bid packages for subcontractors including scope of work, schedule, project description, and conceptual design;
- Perform energy generation modeling for solar projects using PV Syst and other tools;
- Lead the technical tasks in preparation of EPC proposals and the review of potential project acquisition opportunities;
- Assist in field with site visits as needed, testing, commissioning and start-up of constructed power plants;
- Perform other duties and special projects, as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- A degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or another related engineering science
- Minimum of 6 years of professional engineering experience in the solar industry
- Minimum of 8 years of general engineering experience
- 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.
SALARY RANGE FOR POSITION
The anticipated starting pay range of this position, which is to be located in Irvine, CA is $140,000 - $175,000 base salary per year.
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.
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
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.
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.