Research Associate Project Manager Jobs in Houston, TX

Title: Substation Associate Project Manager

Department: T&D/C
Location: Houston, TX 
Supervisor: Senior Substation Execution Manager

FLSA Status: Exempt
Position Status: Full time – Permanent

Work Status: Hybrid

Substation Associate Project Manager

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 Substation Associate Project Manager supports the execution of Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) projects for high-voltage substations. This role assists the Substation Execution Manager in coordinating engineering, procurement, and field construction activities to deliver projects safely, on schedule, within budget, and in compliance with client specifications and industry standards. This position is located in Houston, TX 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 50%.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION & RESPONSIBILITIES

Project Execution

• Support the Execution Manager in delivering HV substation EPC projects (greenfield, brownfield expansions, and upgrades).
• Coordinate across engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning teams to maintain alignment with project objectives.
• Track project scope and ensure compliance with contract documents, drawings, and technical specifications.

Engineering Coordination

• Interface with engineering teams to support design development (30%, 60%, 90%, IFC).
• Ensure design deliverables align with construction sequencing, outage requirements, and field conditions.
• Track and manage RFIs, submittals, and design changes.

Procurement & Vendor Management

• Assist in procurement and tracking of long-lead HV equipment (transformers, breakers, steel, protection & control panels).
• Coordinate with vendors and expediting teams to ensure on-time delivery of materials.
• Support review of vendor submittals and equipment compliance with specifications.

Construction Support

• Collaborate with field teams to address constructability issues and maintain schedule progress.
• Support outage planning, site readiness reviews, and installation sequencing.
• Assist in monitoring contractor performance, safety compliance, and quality standards.

Schedule & Cost Control

• Assist in developing and maintaining integrated EPC project schedules.
• Track progress against milestones and identify potential delays or risks.
• Support cost tracking, forecasting, and budget management activities.
• Assist in reviewing contractor invoices and change orders.

Risk & Change Management

• Identify risks and assist with mitigation planning.
• Support management of change orders, scope variations, and contract adjustments.
• Maintain risk registers, issue logs, and action trackers.

Reporting & Documentation

• Prepare weekly and monthly reports covering schedule, cost, safety, and key milestones.
• Maintain organized project documentation in alignment with company and client requirements.
• Track KPIs including schedule performance and construction productivity.

REQUIRED SKILLS & COMPETENCES

• Technical diploma, associate degree, or equivalent experience in electrical or related field experience
• Electrical apprenticeship or trade background preferred
• 2 to 5 years experience in HV substation projects
• Strong experience with substations at transmission and distribution voltage levels
• Renewable interconnection projects
• Utility‑grade substation practices and specifications
• Construction Management software (Procore)
• Risk‑based quality planning
• Strong understanding of health, safety, and environmental (HSE)
• Strong leadership and decision‑making skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Ability to work across multicultural and multidisciplinary teams
• High attention to detail with a proactive, solution‑oriented mindset
• Willingness to travel to project sites

EXAMPLES OF PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Able to climb and maintain balance on ladders, scaffolding, and stairways.
• Stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, or work at elevated heights and confined spaces.
• Able to walk or move continuously while carrying up to 50 lbs. of tools or materials.
• Must be able to stand or walk for long periods on uneven terrain.
• Requires repetitive movement and full range of motion consistent with field work.

LOCATION

• Combination of office, site, and field environments
• Requires travel to HV substation construction sites
• May involve extended hours during commissioning and energization phases

CLIMATIC/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

• May be exposed to extreme hot or cold temperatures, humidity, rain, or dust.
• Exposure to varying noise levels from tools, machinery, and equipment.
• Work around hazardous equipment and electrical components.

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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