Senior Solar Performance Engineer

Description

Title: Senior Solar Performance Engineer Department: Execution Planning Office Location: Remote

Supervisor: Director of Performance Engineering

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Status: Permanent, Full-Time

Work Status: Remote

SENIOR SOLAR 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 Solar Performance Engineer will be responsible for delivering detailed PV plant performance simulation results on behalf of the Front End Engineering (FEED) and supporting the testing, performance assessment, and data analysis functions for utility-scale solar PV and solar-plus-storage projects. Reporting to the Director of Performance Engineering, this role involves close collaboration with internal engineering, construction, and operations teams, as well as external clients and stakeholders. 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%.

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

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

- Create high quality PV plant energy simulation results for utility scale PV plants and PV plus BESS plants

- Provide sensitivity analysis of PV energy simulations for the financial evaluation of project opportunities

- Develop internal standards and processes for energy simulation, plant performance test, SCADA scope of works, etc.

- Perform PV plant performance review of operational data, incl. capacity testing to industry standards

- Development specifications and bills of quantities for PV plants and SCADA systems

- Develop technical contract exhibits for PV plant performance assessments, testing and commissioning

- Coordinate external resources such as Independent Engineers, Owner’s Engineers, SCADA Engineers, other specialized professionals as needed

- Review site characteristics, meteorological data, project documentation, public records for detailed energy simulations and guidance for technical specifications of equipment

- Provide recommendations for continuous improvements in project engineering and engineering processes

- Present the technical findings and opinions to internal and external stakeholders in meetings and written communication

- In collaboration with other team members, contribute to the completion of proposals to design and build photovoltaic projects

- Work in a team to develop and improve the system standards

- Assist with technical training for team members and new employees

- Build a quality culture of continuous improvement that enhances company efficiency and engineering quality

- Drive a safety culture that embraces both a “Responsibility to act” and “Show by Example” approach

- Perform other duties and special projects, as assigned

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

- Required: Bachelor's degree in engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.

- Preferred: Master's degree in engineering, Data Science, or Energy Systems.

- Required:5+ years of solid experience in utility-scale PV and BESS engineering, energy performance assessment, testing and commissioning.

- Required: Advanced understanding and professional use of solar PV and BESS system performance metrics and modeling tools (e.g., PVsyst, SAM, pvlib, SolarFarmer, etc.).

- Required: Demonstrated experience with commissioning, performance analysis, testing (System Acceptance Test, Capacity Test, Performance Ratio Test, Availability Test, etc.) for utility-scale PV and BESS projects.

- Preferred: Experience in coordinating Independent Engineers and Owners Engineers to support project tax-equity, financing and performance testing

- Required: Expertise in data analysis, performance modeling, and real-time system monitoring tools. Strong in Microsoft Office Suite, advanced knowledge of MS Excel

- Preferred: Proficient in data analytics tools (e.g., Python, SQL) and familiar with cloud-based data solutions (e.g., Azure).

- Assertive, able to cope with pressure, a team player

- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex technical data to non-technical stakeholders.

- Strong client management skills, with experience handling performance-related client concerns and negotiations.

- In-depth knowledge of regulatory requirements and compliance standards for solar and storage systems.

EXAMPLE 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

EXAMPLE 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.