Senior SCADA & Controls Engineer

Title:  Senior SCADA & Controls Engineer
Department:  Engineering Center
Location: Irvine, CA

Supervisor: Director of SME
FLSA Status:  Exempt
Position Status: Permanent, Full-Time

Work Status (Hybrid/In-Office): Hybrid

Senior SCADA & Controls 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 SCADA & Controls Engineer provides technical leadership for SCADA & Controls Engineering team. Designs and provides oversight to SCADA vendors and third party EOR’s in order to develop preliminary designs and Bill of Materials which will be provided to estimators for estimating projects. Aligns and works with the procurement team to ensure they have necessary design information, quantities and parameters to bid the work. This individual will leverage their subject matter expertise to drive value into the entire SCADA lifecycle, from development through commissioning. This includes flow down of requirements into the design, control loop tuning during commissioning, controls performance analysis and optimization. Works with the construction division and third party EOR’s to ensure design has met the requirements of the project including safety, reliability, and quality. This position reports to the Director of SME, or another management personnel that the Vice President of Engineering 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

• Serve as a Sr. SME for SCADA & Controls equipment and their data interfaces used to serve site data to owners and commands to operate plants
• Lead as the leading expert and oversee other junior engineers in SCADA design review, architecture, and contract review optimization
• Lead the design, performance, and execution of plant controls during the construction and commissioning phases of new assets and acquisitions
• Craft design specifications based on project inputs from PPA, IA, ISO Requirements, industry standards and best practices
• Maintain traceability of requirements from specification to FAT through CSAT
• Perform diligence on new Controls Integrators for selection to be included in the Approved Vendors List (AVL)
• Review EPC design elements related to SCADA & Controls equipment and software algorithms, addressing any shortcomings prior to O&M turnover
• Document and Standardize SCADA & Controls Engineering best practices regarding selection of equipment, network architecture, algorithms, etc.
• Perform site operational compliance testing in accordance with regulatory body standards, documenting results
• Baseline and improve performance of SCADA & Controls equipment and control algorithms using data analytics and simulation modeling tools
• Drive SCADA & Controls related field modifications through the Management of Change Process, maintaining rigor in documentation and analysis of risk along with review & approval through concerned parties
• Pursue continuous improvement by keeping abreast of industry standards and implementing innovative new designs to enhance plant reliability and performance
• Understanding NERC CIP requirements for large plants for co-located and standalone plants
• Support cybersecurity strategy, ensuring security in depth mechanisms are implemented on SCADA & Controls equipment as specified
• Work in a team to develop and improve the system standards
• Assist with technical training for team members and new employees
• 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
• Perform other duties and special projects, as assigned

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related degree from an ABET accredited program required
• Preferred: Professional Engineering License
• Minimum 10 years’ experience within an Engineering discipline
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in specific to Solar / BESS SCADA engineering
• Utility scale Power Generation controls experience highly desired.
• Understanding of network security protocols and cyber security standards
• Experience with integration of Energy Storage Systems with Renewable Plants
• Experience with programming substation relays (GE, SEL, etc.)
• Knowledge of IT networks and telecommunications infrastructure
• Detailed knowledge of SCADA systems and software.
• Experience with SEL RTAC / IEC 61131-3 Logic Engine, or comparable plant control devices such as PLCs.
• Experience with OPC, Modbus, SEL, EtherNet/IP and DNP3 protocols
• Experience with change management best practices
• Knowledge of electrical generation management and control systems in IOU/ISO world
• Knowledge of industry trends
• Strong Verbal and written communication skills
• Highly data driven and analytical.
• Strong knowledge in Engineering Principles and Processes
• Ability to Teach, Train & Mentor
• High proficiency in MS Excel, MS Word & Outlook
• Project management skills
• Customer focus driven.

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.

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.