Senior Electrical Engineer

Department: Engineering

Location: Irvine, CA

Supervisor: Manager of Electrical Engineering

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Status: Permanent, Full-time

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

SENIOR ELECTRICAL 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 Electrical Engineer position will provide engineering support to the EPC 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 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

• Prepare electrical design packages for PV, BESS, HV, Substation systems including selection of major components, equipment layouts, cable routing, single-line diagrams, etc.;
• Perform electrical power studies to specify AC and DC conductors, OCPD, thermal load calculations, voltage drop and loss calculations, fault current calculations, grounding specifications
• Create specifications for electrical components such as DC combiner boxes, AC panel boards, power transformers, auxiliary equipment, etc.
• Review technical documentation such as site studies, reports, permits, etc. as related to design, cost, or schedule impact
• Manage external engineering consultants delivering electrical engineering design packages;
• Create, review, and maintain drawing packages, electrical studies, bills of materials, scopes of work and other technical project documentation;
• 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;
• Develop and maintain standards and specifications for the electrical design process;
• Develop and maintain standards and specifications for the electrical equipment;
• In collaboration with other team members, contribute to the completion of proposals to design and deliver PV and BESS projects including HV/Substation components;
• Assist with technical training to other team members and new employees
• Collaborate with team members when necessary to ensure effective communication and results
• Prepare technical documents for bid packages for subcontractors including design specifications and scope of work
• Assist in field with site visits as needed, testing, commissioning, and start-up of constructed power plants
• 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

• A degree in Electrical Engineering
• Minimum of 5 years of professional engineering experience in the renewable industries (specific to solar, energy storage solutions, HV substation / power generations)
• Willingness to travel, at least 25% of the time
• Strong in electrical engineering analysis software like SKM, ETAP, EasyPower
• Experience with AutoCAD (or equivalent)
• Strong in Microsoft Office Suite
• Knowledge of the National Electric Code and various Standard Industry Codes
• Assertive, able to cope with pressure, a team player
• Excellent written and verbal communication and organization skills
• Preferred: Professional Engineering License

SALARY RANGE FOR POSITION

The anticipated starting pay range of this position, which is to be located in Irvine, CA is $140,000 – $165,000 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 [email protected].

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.

You may view your privacy rights by reviewing Qcells’ Privacy Policy or by contacting our HR team for a copy.