Qcells

Description
Title: Senior Substation Engineer - Level 4
Department: Engineering Center
Location: Houston, TX
Supervisor: Manager of HV Engineering
FLSA Status: Exempt
Position Status: Permanent, Full -Time
Work Status (Remote/Hybrid/In-Office): Remote
SENIOR HV ENGINEER - LEVEL 4
Hanwha Qcells USA Corp (Qcells USA), headquartered in Houston, TX, 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 Substation Engineer - Level 4 is responsible for leading HV substation design, interconnection studies, and regulatory compliance for multiple utility-scale solar and BESS projects. This role requires deep expertise in power system analysis, transmission interconnection, and protection system coordination. The Senior Engineer will mentor junior engineers, engage with utilities, and drive technical excellence in HV integration strategies.
This position reports to the Director of SME or another management personnel t hat the CEO of the company may designate . This position is based in Irvine, CA office working a remote schedule and working hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00am to 5:00pm or 9:00am to 6:00pm local time. This position may be expected to travel up to 30%.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION & RESPONSIBILITIES
Advanced HV System Design & Interconnection Strategy

• Lead design and execution of high-voltage substations, ensuring optimal grid integration of PV and BESS assets.
• Perform complex interconnection studies, including load flow, contingency analysis, transient over-voltage, transient stability, and harmonic distortion evaluations.
• Oversee protection and control system development, ensuring relay settings and breaker coordination align with grid reliability requirements.
• Optimize substation land use, safety clearances, and grounding methodologies to enhance system efficiency.

Regulatory Compliance & Utility Engagement

• Ensure compliance with NEC, IEEE 1547, NERC, and FERC regulations for transmission-level interconnection.
• Engage with utilities, ISOs, and RTOs to accelerate interconnection approvals and optimize grid support strategies.
• Lead technical discussions with permitting agencies, resolving compliance issues and ensuring project viability.

Project Execution & Technical Oversight

• Support construction teams during substation commissioning, troubleshooting technical issues and validating system performance.
• Conduct QA/QC reviews of engineering deliverables, ensuring design accuracy and constructability.
• Lead SCADA system integration efforts, supporting remote monitoring, fault detection, and predictive maintenance strategies.

Leadership & Team Development

• Mentor and train junior engineers, ensuring best practices in HV system design, interconnection studies, and relay coordination.
• Drive continuous improvement in substation safety, switching operations, and system resilience.
• 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

• 6+ years of experience in HV substation design, interconnection planning, and regulatory compliance.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Master's preferred.
• Advanced expertise in HV equipment specification, protection settings, and transmission grid interconnection.
• Software Skills:

o AutoCAD (Advanced).
o ETAP, EasyPower, or similar (Proficient).

• Certifications: PE License or relevant advanced HV certifications (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 [email protected] .
Nothing in this statement shall imply implicitly or explicitly a guarantee of employment outside our at-will employment opportunity.
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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