Principal Engineer, Automation and Tracker

Description

Title: Principal Engineer, Automation and Tracker Department: Tech Center – Product R&D Location: United States Supervisor: VP Product R&D

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Status: Permanent, Full-time

Work Status: Remote

PRINCIPAL ENGINEER, AUTOMATION AND TRACKER

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

This is your chance to join the rapidly growing utility solar energy industry! Qcells is an integrated solar company that offers custom-designed single-axis solar tracking systems, photovoltaic modules, and associated automated assembly equipment. Qcells also offers full services, including engineering, geotechnical, pullout testing, field and layout design services to address physical site conditions. Qcells has completed of 3.5 GW of solar racking installations in over 40 states, 9 Canadian provinces and across the globe.

We are currently seeking a Principal Engineer, Automation and Tracker to work with our cross-functional business units to design and implement solar energy collection systems and automated robotic assembly equipment.

This position reports to the VP of Product R&D or another management personnel that the CEO of the Company may designate. This position is Remote 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 20%.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION & RESPONSIBILITIES

- Develop new solar tracker and installation-automation products from concept to commercialization as a member of the R&D team, building tracker components that harmonize seamlessly with field automation equipment

- Develop solar field installation time-basis models and adapt them to varying installation automation methods; recommend automation roadmap prioritization based on economic benefits and time-to-market

- Develop 3D CAD models to support automated equipment design and solar tracker refinement utilizing SolidWorks for modeling and Ansys for structural finite element analysis

- Provide training and mentoring to engineering peers on FEA and CAD modeling best practices

- Establish structural component design targets utilizing wind tunnel data and regional structural requirements

- Build and refine economic models including component cost, supply logistics, installation labor, and product performance

- Perform hands-on testing of prototype products in laboratory and field conditions

- Create product testing requirements and develop standard practices

- Assist with the creation and/or revision of product installation and maintenance manuals

- Develop and manage product FMEA documents and calculation reports

- Facilitate product certification through direct engagement with external test labs

- Ensure compliance with industry standards and established design codes

- Perform value engineering on existing components to optimize and reduce cost

- Resolve product issues by performing root-cause failure analysis

- Confidently communicate design recommendations to peer and management level audiences

- Convert market requirements into engineering specifications

- Execute project assignments in accordance with the fundamental engineering principles of statics and mechanics

- Meet with cross-functional teams to align product strategy and execution

- Conduct research and stay current on solar tracker market trends and influences

- Engage with suppliers to optimize designs around manufacturing capabilities

- As a remote employee, demonstrate professional ethics to manage your time and deliver on project schedule expectations

- 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

- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or equivalent (advanced degrees are valued and may be applied to the professional experience requirements)

- 10+ years’ experience in mechanical engineering with a focus on product development and R&D - 8+ years’ experience with SolidWorks or an equivalent mechanical CAD package - 8+ years’ experience with Ansys or an equivalent static structural finite element analysis software

- Working knowledge of robotic systems commonly used in factory automation

- Advanced analytical and mathematical skills

- Excellent communication skills

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

- Solar industry experience

- Experience designing utility-scale solar trackers

- Experience developing automated or robotic assembly equipment

- Working knowledge of solar tracking algorithms

- Experience converting wind tunnel analyses into engineering requirements

- Demonstrable experience delivering on engineering requirements in a process-driven product development environment

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 20% 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.

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.