Principal Electrical Engineer - Level 5

Description

Title: Principal Electrical Engineer – Level 5 Department: Engineering Location: Irvine, CA Supervisor: Manager of Electrical Engineering

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Status: Permanent, Full-time

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

PRINCIPAL ELECTRICAL ENGINEER – LEVEL 5

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 Development, Module, 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 Principal Electrical Engineer - Level 5 is a technical authority and strategic leader responsible for overseeing electrical system design, optimization, and execution for utility-scale solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) projects. This role requires deep expertise in high-voltage (HV) power systems, grid interconnection, power system modeling, and compliance with national and international electrical standards.

As a senior-level expert, this role is responsible for leading multi-project execution, setting technical standards, mentoring engineering teams, and collaborating with utilities, regulatory bodies, and industry stakeholders to advance BESS and solar integration into the grid.

This position reports to the Manager of Electrical Engineering, or another personnel that the CEO of the Company may designate. This position is located in Irvine, CA and working hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00am to 5:00pm or 9:00am to 6:00pm local time. Overtime and weekend working hours may be required as needed. This position is expected to travel up to 30%.

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

Electrical System Design & Optimization

- Lead the design and optimization of electrical systems, including power distribution, grounding, and protection schemes for large-scale solar and BESS projects.

- Develop and review high-voltage (HV) interconnection designs, substation layouts, and relay protection coordination plans.

- Oversee load flow analysis, short-circuit studies, and transient stability assessments for reliable power system operation.

- Optimize the Balance of System (BOS) components, ensuring cost-effective, high-performance electrical designs.

- Define technical requirements for transformers, inverters, switchgear, relays, and power conversion systems (PCS).

Grid Interconnection & Power System Studies

- Lead grid integration strategies, ensuring compliance with FERC, NERC, IEEE 1547, UL 1741, and local utility interconnection requirements.

- Perform power system modeling and simulation studies, including load flow, harmonic distortion, frequency response, and dynamic stability analysis.

- Work with ISOs, RTOs, and utilities to define interconnection parameters, voltage regulation strategies, and system protection requirements.

- Oversee relay coordination, arc flash assessments, and grounding system analysis to ensure safe and compliant interconnection.

Regulatory Compliance & Industry Standards

- Ensure all electrical designs adhere to National Electric Code (NEC), NFPA 70E, IEC, and regional safety regulations.

- Lead interconnection application processes, coordinating with utilities, permitting agencies, and regulatory bodies.

- Provide technical oversight on SCADA, EMS, and remote monitoring system integration for grid-tied PV and BESS facilities.

- Establish internal QA/QC processes to verify compliance with industry standards and best practices.

Project Execution & Cross-Functional Leadership

- Provide technical leadership across multiple projects, ensuring seamless coordination with civil, structural, and mechanical engineering teams.

- Work with procurement and supply chain teams to evaluate and select electrical components, transformers, and switchgear.

- Support EPC teams during design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and system validation phases.

- Troubleshoot complex field issues, providing solutions for voltage stability, relay protection, and thermal management challenges.

Mentorship & Technical Leadership

- Act as a technical mentor, guiding and developing junior and mid-level electrical engineers.

- Lead internal knowledge-sharing initiatives, setting best practices for utility-scale electrical design and grid interconnection.

- Represent the company in technical conferences, industry working groups, and standards committees to shape future regulations.

- Stay ahead of emerging technologies, including solid-state transformers, AI-driven energy dispatch, and advanced BESS chemistries.

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

- Perform other duties and special projects, as assigned by Management

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

- 10+ years of experience in electrical engineering, power system design, or grid interconnection for utility-scale energy projects.

- Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent industry experience.

- Expert-level knowledge of high-voltage (HV) power systems, protection schemes, and power conversion technologies.

- Software Skills:

- AutoCAD Electrical, PLS-CADD, SKM PowerTools (Advanced)

- ETAP, PSCAD, PowerFactory, or DIgSILENT for power system analysis (Expert)

- Certifications:

- PE License (Required).

- IEEE Senior Membership, NETA, 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)

- Under the Office Mobilization Plan (OMP) policy, the role may transition to an onsite or hybrid arrangement, as determined by business needs and the Head of Department

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.

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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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