Project Development Assistant Jobs in Houston, TX

COMPANY OVERVIEW 

Hanwha Energy USA, headquartered in Houston, Texas, is part of the Hanwha Group-a FORTUNE Global 300 company and one of South Korea's most respected business enterprises. With over a decade of experience delivering high-quality, utility-scale energy projects across North America, Hanwha Energy USA has evolved into a comprehensive energy solutions provider. Our portfolio now spans utility-scale renewables, natural gas generation, retail electricity, and strategic partnerships that power America's growing data center industry.

Our expertise covers the entire energy value chain-from project development and engineering to construction, operations, and maintenance. By integrating advanced technologies, proven processes, and strong partnerships, we deliver reliable, customized solutions that meet the dynamic needs of local energy markets.

Hanwha Energy USA is actively advancing strategic initiatives in natural gas generation and data center development, including hyperscaler solutions on both sides of the meter. We are proud to serve as the parent company of:

• Hanwha Renewables - specializing in utility-scale solar and battery energy storage systems (BESS)
• Chariot Energy - providing retail electricity services for residential, commercial, and industrial customers in deregulated markets

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Project Development Engineer plays a central role in evaluating, planning, and advancing natural gas-fired power generation projects from concept through financial close. This position blends technical engineering expertise with commercial analysis, regulatory awareness, and crossfunctional coordination to bring utilityscale power projects to life.

The employee may be required to perform other job-related duties as requested by management.  All duties will be assigned in accordance with applicable laws and company policies.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Project Development & Engineering

• Support technical development of natural gas power plant projects, including engines, simplecycle, combinedcycle, and cogeneration facilities.
• Conduct feasibility studies, preliminary engineering, and technology selection (turbines, HRSGs, emissions controls, balanceofplant systems).
• Develop conceptual designs, site layouts, and equipment specifications.
• Evaluate interconnection requirements and coordinate with transmission system operators.
• Support environmental permitting by providing technical inputs for air, water, and noise analyses.

Commercial & Financial Support

• Prepare capital cost estimates, O&M cost assumptions, and performance models.
• Support financial modeling by providing heat rate, output, degradation, and availability assumptions.
• Participate in due diligence for project acquisitions or partnerships.
• Assist in preparing proposals, RFP responses, and investment memoranda.

Project Management & Coordination

• Coordinate with EPC contractors, OEMs, engineering consultants, and permitting agencies.
• Manage schedules, deliverables, and risk assessments during earlystage development.
• Facilitate crossfunctional collaboration with strategy, environmental, commercial, and finance teams.
• Track project milestones and ensure alignment with corporate development strategy.

Regulatory & Permitting

• Support preparation of permit applications (air permits, water use, land use, FERC/ISO filings).
• Monitor regulatory changes affecting natural gas generation, emissions standards, and grid interconnection.
• Engage with local authorities, community stakeholders, and utility partners as needed.

Technical Analysis & Optimization

• Analyze plant performance, fuel supply options, emissions control strategies, and grid integration.
• Evaluate emerging technologies such as hydrogenready turbines, carbon capture, and energy storage hybrids.
• Recommend design improvements to enhance efficiency, reliability, and environmental performance.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, or Energy Engineering.
• 3-7+ years of experience in power generation, natural gas turbines, EPC, or energy project development.
• Experience with combinedcycle or simplecycle gas turbine projects strongly preferred.

Technical Skills

• Familiarity with gas turbine technologies (GE, Siemens, Mitsubishi, etc.).
• Understanding of thermodynamics, heat balance modeling, and plant performance analysis.
• Knowledge of environmental permitting processes and grid interconnection requirements.
• Proficiency with engineering tools (e.g., GT Pro/GT Master, AutoCAD) is a plus.

Soft Skills

• Strong analytical and problemsolving abilities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholdermanagement skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple development tracks simultaneously.
• Strategic mindset with attention to detail.

COMPENSATION: $110,000 - $135,000 salary

Attention external recruitment firms, we will not accept any unsolicited resumes at this time. Please do not contact any internal member of our company to discuss the position or to solicit candidates.

 Hanwha Energy USA provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.

www.174powerglobal.com.