Civil Engineer - Level 3

Qcells USA Corp.; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Qcells USA Corp (Qcells USA) is seeking a Civil Engineer Level 3 to design and optimize site development for utility-scale solar and BESS projects in Houston, TX. You will lead technical studies, grading, hydrology modeling, and permitting while coordinating with EPC, environmental, and regulatory teams.

The role reports to the Manager of Civil/Structural Engineering, offers remote work with standard hours, and up to 30% travel.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of civil engineering, site development, and hydrology modeling for utility-scale projects.
• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering; Master’s preferred.
• Proficiency in hydrology modeling, grading optimization, and stormwater drainage design.
• PE License or NABCEP PV Professional (Preferred).

Responsibilities

• Advanced civil design and site optimization for large-scale solar PV and BESS projects.
• Develop site plans, hydrology models, and permitting applications with regulatory agencies.
• Lead cross-disciplinary coordination with EPC, construction, and permitting teams.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to engineering standards.

Skills

AutoCAD Civil 3D

GIS software

HydroCAD

HEC-RAS

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

AutoCAD Civil 3D

GIS

HydroCAD

HEC-RAS

Job description

Description

Title:Civil Engineer- Level 3
Department: Engineering Center
Location: Houston, TX
Supervisor: Manager of Civil/Structural Engineering
FLSA Status: Exempt
Position Status: Permanent,Full-Time

Work Status (Remote/Hybrid/In-Office): Remote

CIVIL ENGINEER - LEVEL 3

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 Civil Engineer Level 3 plays a key role in designing, optimizing, and executing site development plans for utility-scale solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) projects. This role requires proficiency in grading, hydrology modeling, stormwater management, permitting compliance, and foundation engineering. The Engineer 3 will be responsible for leading technical studies, performing advanced site analysis, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure efficient, cost-effective, and regulatory-compliant project execution.

This position reports to the Manager of Civil/Structural Engineering, or another management personnel that the CEO of the company may designate. This position reports to the Houston, TX office but will maintain a remote schedule of working out of their home office. 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 30%.

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

1. Advanced Civil Engineering Design & Site Optimization

• Develop detailed grading and cut/fill balance strategies, ensuring optimal land use and constructability for large-scale solar PV and BESS projects.
• Perform hydrology modeling, stormwater drainage analysis, and erosion control planning using HEC-HMS, HydroCAD, or similar tools.
• Conduct foundation feasibility studies, supporting pile design, ground compaction analysis, and soil stabilization measures.
• Lead drainage planning, floodplain impact analysis, and stormwater retention system design.
• Refine access road layouts, site drainage pathways, and land disturbance minimization strategies to improve construction feasibility and long-term operational efficiency.

2. Technical Engineering & Compliance

• Utilize AutoCAD Civil 3D, GIS, and grading software to develop detailed site plans, hydrology models, and infrastructure layouts.
• Oversee compliance with SWPPP, NEPA, NPDES, local zoning laws, and federal stormwater management standards.
• Develop technical reports, site assessments, and permitting applications, coordinating with environmental consultants and regulatory agencies.
• Ensure interconnection and site infrastructure alignment with electrical and structural engineering teams.

3. Project Execution & Cross-Disciplinary Coordination

• Work closely with EPC teams, construction managers, and permitting agencies to ensure civil engineering deliverables align with project execution timelines.
• Conduct site visits and geotechnical investigations to validate grading assumptions, foundation conditions, and land development strategies.
• Identify engineering risks and propose mitigation strategies for potential grading conflicts, stormwater drainage inefficiencies, or foundation instability issues.
• Support QA/QC reviews of civil drawings, grading plans, and construction documents to ensure alignment with EPC execution requirements.

4. Leadership & Professional Development

• Take ownership of civil engineering workstreams, mentoring junior engineers and providing technical guidance.
• Contribute to engineering standards, best practices, and process improvements for civil site development across multiple projects.
• Stay informed on advancements in geotechnical engineering, hydrology modeling, and stormwater management strategies for large-scale solar and BESS applications.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 4+ years of experience in civil engineering, site development, and hydrology modeling for utility-scale infrastructure projects.
• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering; Master’s preferred.
• Proficiency in hydrology modeling, grading optimization, and stormwater drainage design.
• Software Skills:
  • AutoCAD Civil 3D (Proficient)
  • GIS software for topographic and hydrology analysis
  • HydroCAD, HEC-RAS, or similar tools for stormwater and floodplain analysis
• Certifications:
  • PE License or NABCEP PV Professional (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 [e-mail].

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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