Senior Development Engineer

Title: Senior Development Engineer
Department: Engineering Center
Location: Hybrid
Supervisor: Director of Engineering
FLSA Status: Exempt
Position Status: Permanent, Full-Time

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

SENIOR DEVELOPMENT 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

This Senior Development Engineer will provide development engineering support to the Engineering Department and is responsible for all technical aspects of development projects within the lifecycle. This position reports to the Director of Engineering or another senior manager Head of Engineering may designate . 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 technical needs in all stages of project development and design, including conceptual and detailed system design deliverables, observing regulatory codes as well as requirements of other stakeholders, specify balance of systems, perform site visits, coordinate needs for the permitting and technical support during the construction phase;
• Coordinate external resources such as structural, civil and electrical engineer consultants, geotechnical and topographic surveyors, other specialized professionals as needed and suppliers;
• Assist in the development and review of project schedules, cost estimation, bill of materials, budgets, scopes of work, standards and quotes from equipment suppliers;
• Regularly liaison with internal PMO, Project Finance and EPC team to help mature projects in development pipeline;
• Assist in smooth project handoff process with PMO and EPC team for mature projects;
• Works closely and provides guidance to Interconnection Program Managers in the team for Tariff administration and compliance with utilities and ISOs;
• Provide engineering and technical guidance to Development team for all utility and ISO interconnection application package development work;
• Regularly liaise with Engineering team members and external consultants to gather all necessary data for utility interconnection studies;
• Perform quality control on engineering deliverables to ensure accuracy and precision;
• 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;
• Supervising compliance with Hanwha Q CELLS – project specific standards;
• Supervising compliance with the requirements of the Hanwha Q CELLS quality management system;
• Perform other duties and special projects, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or another related engineering science, with the working knowledge within several fields of engineering
• Minimum of 8 years of professional engineering experience in the renewable energy industry – highly preferred in the solar and/or energy storage projects
• Minimum of 5 years of management experience leading a team
• Relevant work experience in the design and development of power/renewable plants (in particular utility solar or wind power plants)
• Experience working internationally
• Willingness to travel, at least 30% of the time
• Experience with AutoCAD (or equivalent)
• Experience with photovoltaic performance modeling tools (preferably PVSyst)
• Knowledge of PV plant design and optimization
• Knowledge of the National Electric Code
• Previous experience managing projects from initial design to installation and execution, preferred
• Ability to motivate and develop others
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

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 [email protected].

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