Description
Title: Senior Interconnection Performance Engineer
Department: Development
Location: Irvine, CA
Supervisor: Interconnection Performance Manager
FLSA Status: Exempt
Position Status: Permanent, Full-Time
Work Status: Hybrid
SENIOR INTERCONNECTION PERFORMANCE 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 Interconnection Performance Engineer will provide development engineering guidance and day-to-day mentoring to the Interconnection Performance Engineers in the team and is responsible for all technical aspects of project development. This position reports to the Interconnection Performance Manager or another senior management personnel that the President of the Company may designate. This position reports to the Irvine, CA office but will maintain an In-Office or 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 20% of the time.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION & RESPONSIBILITIES
Interconnection Support
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Mentors and advises Development Engineers (DEs) to lead assessment of the feasibility and the risks of Project Development opportunities for utility scale solar and energy storage projects;
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Manages all external engineering consultants to ensure timely completion of all deliverables;
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Handles highly complex development engineering tasks and engages junior engineers as needed to manage workload;
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Perform quality control on engineering deliverables to ensure accuracy and precision;
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Regularly liaison with internal PMO, Project Finance and EPC team to help mature projects in development pipeline;
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Assist in smooth project handoff process with PMO and EPC team for mature projects;
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Works closely and provides guidance to Interconnection Program Managers in the team for Tariff administration and compliance with utilities and ISOs;
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Provide engineering and technical guidance to Development team for all utility and ISO interconnection application package development work;
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Regularly liaise with Engineering team members and external consultants to gather all necessary data for utility interconnection studies;
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Coaches and mentors Development Engineers (DEs) to review engineering data from external vendors (such as inverters, battery, transformers etc.) and liaise with them to comply with utility interconnection requirements and standards;
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Interact with external vendors for technology discussions (such as inverters, batteries etc.);
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Helps DEs to create, review, approve and maintain drawing packages, energy pro-
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duction models, bills of materials, scopes of work and other technical project documentation;
Project Development Support
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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;
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Coordinate external resources such as structural, civil and electrical engineer consultants, geotechnical and topographic surveyors, other specialized professionals as needed and suppliers;
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Helps DEs to assist in the development and review of project schedules, cost estimation, bill of materials, budgets, scopes of work, standards and quotes from equipment suppliers;
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Provide recommendations for continuous improvements in project designs, plans,
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processes;
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Helps DEs prepare conceptual design for solar projects including selection of major components, equipment layouts, single-line diagrams, etc.;
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Helps DEs to perform energy generation modeling for solar projects using PV Syst and other tools, including energy production and cost sensitivity modeling;
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Regular attendance, in accordance with company's attendance policy and supervisory assignment, is an essential job duty requirement for this position; and
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Perform other duties and special projects, as assigned.
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Regular attendance, in accordance with company's attendance policy and supervisory assignment, is an essential job duty requirement for this position
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
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A degree in Engineering (with emphasis on Power Systems), or another related engineering science
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Minimum of 4 to 6 years of engineering/technical experience in the solar industry
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Relevant work experience in the design and development of power plants (in particular solar or wind power plants)
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Willingness to travel, at least 30% of the time
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Experience with AutoCAD (or equivalent)
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Experience with photovoltaic performance modeling tools (preferably PVSyst)
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Strong in Microsoft Office Suite
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Experience with Gantt charts (MS Project or equivalent)
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Knowledge of the National Electric Code
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Excellent written and verbal communication skills
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Assertive, able to cope with pressure, a team player
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Previous experience managing projects from initial design to installation and execution, preferred
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Experience in permitting processes with local authorities having jurisdiction preferred.
EXAMPLES OF PHYSICAL DEMANDS
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Stationary Position: frequently remains stationary up to 90% of the time and sitting up to 8 hours in a day
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Move/Traverse: infrequently bend, stand, stoop and/or walk
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Carry Weight: infrequently carry weight and/or lift objects (light to heavy) weighing up to 10 pounds
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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
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Sight: frequent use of sight to detect images on computer, office documents, and office objects near and far
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Climb: occasionally ascends/descends on stairway to get to office upper and lower floors
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Travel: up to 20% as needed
EXAMPLES OF WORK ENVIRONMENT
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Regular professional, office business setting
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Noise level ranges from low to moderate (if in office setting)
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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 $140,000 - $160,000 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 hr-usa@qcells.com.
Nothing in this statement shall imply implicitly or explicitly a guarantee of employment outside our at-will employment opportunity.