Senior BESS Engineer

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

Work Status: Hybrid

SENIOR BESS 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 BESS Engineer will be the primary pre- and post-sale technical support resource for the controls integration on all energy storage projects, with design, discovery, and technical analysis responsibility from origination through commissioning. This position reports to the Director of Engineering, or another management personnel that the President of the Company may designate. This position reports to the Irvine, CA office but will[VN1][VB2] maintain a hybrid schedule of working out of their home office and 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% of the time.

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
• Responsible for designing all engineering and technical aspects of electrical storage systems  
• Perform advanced solar energy analysis including research, measurement, prediction and calculations required for the layout and energy production estimates  
• Establish and maintain the electrical engineering and design criteria used on all applicable engineering standards and specifications 
• Support Operations, Construction and Project Managers to ensure timely and cost-effective resolution to electrical engineering issues at all stages of the project from design through construction COD 
• Responsible for the review, approval, and technical oversight of all engineering and design of solar PV and storage projects including substations, transmission interconnection systems, SCADA, system protection and controls and ensure conformance to all PPA’s and IA’s 
• Work with electrical engineering, consultants when needed to ensure consistent criteria, cost effective designs and timely delivery 
• Manage the activities associated with long lead electrical equipment required on projects, including preparation of engineering specifications to procure main transformers, solar panels, batteries, trackers, rectifiers, cabling, switchgear, SCADA and other substation equipment, as well as technical bid evaluation as needed 
• Support the regulatory and permitting process of projects in areas of electrical engineering 
• Incorporate site layout/design, data and loss assumptions into energy production models and perform energy simulation 
• Work closely with Development, Engineering, Construction and Consultants to optimize layouts and EPE’s 
• Provide accurate solar energy analyses and estimates to ensure site suitability and cost-effective power performance 
• Ensure all deliverables meet the overall requirements established for specific projects.  
• Support technical elements of RFIs/RFPs  
• Define controls requirements on a project basis and evaluate proposals for controls system solutions from hardware and software vendor partners 
• Define project commissioning requirements and support the development and execution of commissioning plans to ensure project controls solutions satisfy the required applications 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
 

• Minimum of 8 years of proven experience in utility scale renewable energy projects 
• Minimum of 5 years of solar industry experience preferred 
• Possess a bachelor’s degree in electrical, mechanical, or controls engineering; Professional Engineering licensure is a plus 
• Have 5-8 years’ experience in SCADA, building automation, or controls system design 
• Have strong knowledge of electrical standards (UL/IEEE) and National Electrical Code and California Building Code, plus U.S. utility interconnection standards. 
• Have demonstrated the ability to multi-task and manage multiple projects simultaneously. 
• Have demonstrated proficiency with AutoCAD. 
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Suite including Excel, Word and Outlook 

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 [email protected].

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