Director of Interconnection

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

Qcells is looking for an experienced Director of Interconnection. The Director of Interconnection will provide technical guidance and day-to-day supervision to the Interconnection and Performance Engineering teams. He will be responsible for managing technical aspects of grid interconnection for renewable resources and merchant transmission business development. This position reports to the VP of Transmission and Interconnection or another senior management personnel that the President of the Company may designate. This position is based out of the Irvine office 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 & RESPONSIBILITIE

Interconnection Support

• Lead assessment of the feasibility and the risks of Project Development opportunities for utility scale solar and energy storage projects.
• Manage all external technical consultants to ensure timely completion of all deliverables
• Manage licensing and permitting activities for merchant transmission projects
• Manage feasibility and siting studies for merchant transmission activities
• Manage transmission line engineering and design activities with external

consultants

• Perform quality control on technical and engineering deliverables to ensure accuracy and precision
• Regularly coordinate with transmission planning studies team for identification of merchant transmission projects to deliver PV projects to utility grid in a cost-effective manner
• Has knowledge on utilities and ISO with both load forecasting and generation interconnection
• Regularly liaison with internal PMO, Project Finance and EPC team to help mature projects in development pipeline including M&A projects
• Assist in smooth project handoff process with PMO and EPC team for M&A projects to commence capex engineering process
• Provide technical supervision to Development team for all utility and ISO interconnection application package development work;
• Regularly liaise with Engineering Center team members and external consultants to gather all necessary data for utility interconnection studies;
• Review engineering data from external vendors (such as inverters, battery, transformers etc.) and liaise with them to comply with utility interconnection requirements and standards;
• Interact with external vendors for technology discussions (such as inverters, batteries etc.);

Project Development Support

• 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;
• Provide recommendations for continuous improvements in project designs, plans, processes;
• Prepare conceptual design for solar projects including selection of major components, equipment layouts, single-line diagrams, etc.;
• Perform energy generation modeling for solar projects using PV Syst and other tools, including energy production and cost sensitivity modeling;
• Perform other duties and special projects, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATION

• A degree in Electrical Engineering (with emphasis on Power Systems), or another related engineering science
• Minimum of 10 to 12 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 transmission business
• Knowledge of DOE and FERC transmission rulings and regulatory requirements
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Assertive, able to cope with pressure, a team player
• Previous experience managing transmission projects from initial design, permitting and engineering
• Experience in transmission permitting processes with local and Federal authorities having jurisdiction, preferred.
• Experience with photovoltaic and BESS performance engineering
• Strong in Microsoft Office Suite
• Experience with Gantt charts (MS Project or equivalent)

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)

SALARY RANGE FOR POSITION

The anticipated starting pay range of this position, which is to be located in Irvine, CA is $185,000.00- $210,000.00 base salary per year.

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. 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.

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.