Electrical Engineer - Level 3

Description

Title: Electrical Engineer Level 3

Department: Engineering Location: Irvine, CA Supervisor: Manager of Electrical Engineering

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Status: Permanent, Full-Time

Work Status: Hybrid

ELECTRICAL ENGINEER LEVEL 3

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 Electrical Engineer Level 3 is responsible for developing and optimizing electrical system designs, interconnection strategies, and power system modeling for utility-scale solar and BESS projects. This role requires proficiency in high-voltage (HV) and medium-voltage (MV) electrical design, advanced power system analysis, and interconnection planning.

The Engineer 3 will collaborate with senior engineers, permitting teams, procurement, and construction teams to ensure project efficiency, compliance, and grid stability.

This position requires expertise in power conversion systems, transformer and switchgear selection, relay protection schemes, and grid code compliance. The Engineer 3 will play a key role in grid interconnection, SCADA system design, and ensuring that solar and BESS systems operate optimally within utility requirements.

This position reports to the Manager of Electrical Engineering, or another management personnel that the President of the Company may designate. This position reports to the Irvine, CA office but will 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.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION & RESPONSIBILITIES

- Advanced Electrical System Design & Analysis

- Design and validate detailed single-line diagrams (SLDs), three-line diagrams, and protection coordination schemes.

- Develop cable sizing, grounding layouts, and relay settings for safe and efficient operation.

- Conduct power system studies, including short-circuit analysis, load flow, harmonic analysis, and voltage regulation modeling.

- Evaluate transformer sizing, switchgear coordination, and arc flash studies to ensure proper protection and system stability.

- Optimize inverter and BESS control strategies to meet grid interconnection requirements and support grid services.

- Technical & Engineering Support

- Perform interconnection studies, including reactive power support, ride-through capability, and frequency response compliance.

- Utilize power system modeling tools (ETAP, SKM, EasyPower) to simulate electrical behavior and optimize system performance.

- Support SCADA system design and communications infrastructure, ensuring compliance with utility and grid operator requirements.

- Provide technical evaluations for MV and HV electrical equipment, including breakers, relays, transformers, and inverters.

- Project Execution & Coordination

- Lead the review of electrical construction drawings, specifications, and bill of materials (BOMs).

- Work with procurement teams to ensure electrical components meet technical and regulatory specifications.

- Support commissioning and startup activities, troubleshooting issues related to power conversion, interconnection, and SCADA integration.

- Ensure QA/QC standards are met for electrical system installations and performance testing.

- Regulatory Compliance & Standards

- Ensure project compliance with NEC, IEEE 1547, UL 1741 SA, NFPA 70E, NERC, and FERC regulations.

- Work with utilities and regulatory bodies to facilitate interconnection agreements and grid compliance processes.

- Leadership & Mentorship

- Train and mentor junior electrical engineers, providing guidance on design best practices, power system analysis, and project execution.

- Assist in developing standardized electrical design methodologies and documentation processes.

- Continuous Learning & Development

- Stay updated on emerging PV and BESS technologies, regulatory changes, and power system advancements.

- Participate in industry events, technical training, and grid interconnection workshops.

- Regular attendance, in accordance with company's attendance policy and supervisory assignment, is an essential job duty requirement for this position

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

- 4+ years of experience in power system design, interconnection modeling, and protection studies.

- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering; Master’s preferred.

- Proficiency in MV and HV system design, protection coordination, and interconnection modeling.

- Software Skills:

- AutoCAD (Proficient).

- SKM, ETAP, EasyPower (Intermediate proficiency).

- Certifications: PE License or NABCEP PV Professional (Preferred)

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 hr-usa@qcells.com.

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

I hereby, accept and acknowledge this job description as my own and am committing to these responsibilities and required qualifications.

_____________________________________

Employee SignatureDate

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.

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