Manager, New Homes Utility Interconnections

Description

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Qcells North America is seeking a Manager of New Home Utility Interconnections to oversee the end-to-end processing of utility interconnection applications for solar, battery storage, and smart energy systems in new home communities. This role will be responsible for executing and improving day-to-day workflows, submitting and tracking PTO applications, resolving utility rejections, and ensuring all documentation, data, and timelines meet internal SLAs and utility requirements. The ideal candidate is a detail driven operations professional with experience in high-volume process management, utility or permitting workflows, and cross-functional coordination across design, field operations, sales, builders, and electric utilities. This person will play a critical role in building scalable interconnection processes as Qcells expands its new home solar footprint across California and other U.S. markets.

RESPONSIBILITIES

- Execute and manage day-to-day interconnection workflows for new home solar and storage installations, ensuring timely and accurate submission of Permission to Operate (PTO) applications across California IOUs and municipal utilities. - Research new electric utilities as they are added to the builder portfolio to determine suitability for solar and/or solar + storage interconnections.

- Document each utility’s interconnection processes, timelines, fees, net metering policies, metering requirements, and any applicable restrictions or rate structures for accurate Salesforce record creation.

- Coordinate with builder contacts to secure all necessary utility authorization agreements, letters of authorization (LOAs), or portal credentials when submitting PTO applications under the builder’s utility account when applicable.

- Collaborate with the Customer Experience team to obtain homeowner information, signatures, or post-closing support documentation when required for application completion.

- Monitor Salesforce records for interconnection-related milestones, documentation requirements, and application statuses; ensure data is accurately captured and maintained across home, contract, and interconnection records.

- Identify and resolve interconnection rejections or utility deficiencies by coordinating with design, operations, legal, and field teams; ensure all necessary corrections are implemented and resubmitted promptly.

- Collaborate with internal stakeholders to build scalable SOPs, documentation templates, and utility-specific process maps that align with evolving interconnection rules and builder timelines.

- Partner with IT and Salesforce administrators to flag and improve automation workflows, including PDF generation, status tracking, and utility-specific triggers.

- Track interconnection KPIs and help design Salesforce reports and dashboards to measure application turnaround times, rejection rates, utility performance, and internal processing gaps.

- Serve as the primary point of contact for coordinating with installation partners, field inspectors, and utility representatives when escalations or on-the-ground troubleshooting is required.

- Support the Senior Manager of Interconnections in scaling the department, training new hires, identifying automation opportunities, and continuously optimizing processes for future utility and VPP integrations.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Energy Systems, Public Policy, or a related field, with a minimum of 8+ years of professional work experience including 5-8+ years of work experience in utility interconnection, solar operations, or energy project management; at least 2+ years in a direct solar interconnection, permitting, or program management role.

- Familiarity with California IOU and municipal utility interconnection processes (e.g., PG&E, SCE, SDG&E, SMUD), including net energy metering (NEM), Rule 21, PTO workflows, and experience tracking and resolving common rejection types.

- Experience using Salesforce or similar CRMs to manage complex operational workflows, with strong data hygiene and reporting instincts.

- Ability to read and interpret solar and storage system design sets, single-line diagrams, site plans, and technical documentation to coordinate interconnection submissions and correct rejection issues.

- Excellent organizational and communication skills to coordinate with builders, internal teams (e.g., sales, design, customer experience), and utility representatives across multiple projects and timelines.

- Analytical mindset with strong attention to detail and comfort navigating regulatory, technical, and policy nuances in utility procedures; capable of identifying long-term process improvements.

- Proactive, self-motivated, and adaptable team player who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is excited by the opportunity to help build a department.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

- Direct experience submitting interconnection applications through PowerClerk, WDT/NBT portals, utility self‑service platforms, or other digital PTO workflows.

- Previous work with high‑volume new home solar or storage programs, especially in partnership with production builders or financing providers.

- Familiarity with Salesforce automation, workflow builders, or document‑generation tools (e.g., Conga, Formstack, DocuSign Gen) used to streamline operational processes.

- Knowledge of California Rule 21, NEM 3.0, ACC export compensation, and utility‑specific ESS requirements, including Attachment E, load calcs, and SLD correction cycles.

- Experience developing SOPs, training documentation, or performance dashboards for process‑driven teams.

- Ability to travel (10%) periodically for team and cross‑functional meetings.

Hanwha Q CELLS America Inc. (“HQCA”) is a Qcells company, one of the world’s largest manufacturers and providers of solar photovoltaic (PV) products and solutions. Headquartered in Irvine, California, HQCA has been rapidly expanding its business in North America through the expansion of products and solutions, including distributed energy solutions, direct-to-homeowner solar sales and financing, and EPC services. We provide an opportunity to be part of an exciting and growing world-class global business in an interesting and expanding industry of the future.

PHYSICAL, MENTAL & ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS:

To comply with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 the essential physical, mental and environmental requirements for this job are listed below. These are requirements normally expected to perform regular job duties. Incumbent must be able to successfully perform all of the functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

Mobility

Standing

20% of time

Sitting

70% of time

Walking

10% of time

Strength

Pulling

up to 10 Pounds

Pushing

up to 10 Pounds

Carrying

up to 10 Pounds

Lifting

up to 10 Pounds

Dexterity (F = Frequently, O = Occasionally, N = Never)

Typing

F

Handling

F

Reaching

F

Agility (F = Frequently, O = Occasionally, N = Never)

Turning

F

Twisting

F

Bending

O

Crouching

O

Balancing

N

Climbing

N

Crawling

N

Kneeling

N

The salary range is required by the California Pay Transparency Act and may differ depending on the location of those candidates hired nationwide. Actual compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to, skill set, education, licenses and certifications, essential job duties and requirements, and the necessary experience relative to the job’s minimum qualifications.

- This target salary range is for CA positions only and should not be interpreted as an offer of compensation.

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