Manager of Electrical Engineering

Qcells USA Corp.; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Hanwha Qcells USA Corp in Houston, TX is seeking a Manager of Electrical Engineering to lead the technical development and execution of PV and BESS projects within the EPC team. You will manage and develop the electrical engineering group and report to the Senior Director of Engineering.

This role is based in Houston and follows a hybrid work model, requiring collaboration across disciplines and strong regulatory compliance. Travel up to 25% may be required.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional electrical engineering experience in the Solar/BESS industry.
• At least 3 years of management experience leading a team.
• Extensive electrical design experience for PV and energy storage projects.
• Knowledge of NEC, NFPA 70E, IEEE standards.
• Willingness to travel up to 25% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Lead electrical teams through PV, BESS project design and construction support.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to deliver renewable projects.
• Report project status and design challenges to VP of Engineering.
• Ensure compliance with NEC, NFPA 70E, IEEE standards.
• Mentor junior engineers and promote best practices.

Skills

Electrical engineering leadership

Project management

Team mentorship

Regulatory compliance

Strong communication

Travel willingness

Education

Electrical Engineering degree

Job description

Description

Title: Manager

Department: Engineering

Location: Houston, TX

Supervisor: Senior Director of Engineering

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Status: Permanent, Full-Time

Work Status: Hybrid

MANAGER OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

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 Manager of Electrical Engineering is responsible for leading the technical development, implementation, and engineering execution of various renewable projects within the EPC team (especially PV & BESS) and is responsible for both the management and development of electrical engineering team. This position reports to the Senior Director of Engineering, or another management personnel that the CEO of the Company may designate. This position is based in Houston, TX and follows a hybrid work model in alignment with Qcells’ Office Mobilization Plan (OMP). Employees within commuting distance of the designated office are expected to adhere to assigned in-office schedules based on OMP guidelines. Employees outside of the designated office may be eligible for remote work arrangements, subject to business needs and appropriate approvals.

This position is expected to travel up to 25% of the time.

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

General

• Regular attendance, in accordance with company's attendance policy and supervisory assignment, is an essential job duty requirement for this position
• Lead electrical teams through stages of project design and engineering, including conceptual and Issued for Construction system design, observing regulatory codes, customer requirements, balance of systems, site visits, permitting and technical support during construction phase
• In collaboration with other team members, contribute to the completeness to design and deliver PV, BESS, and other renewable projects
• Report on the workforce planning, project status and technical design challenges, and present it to the Vice President of Engineering
• Perform other duties and special projects, as assigned

Mentorship & Technical Leadership

• Act as a technical mentor, guiding and developing junior and mid-level electrical engineers.
• Lead team of Electrical Engineers promoting knowledge-sharing initiatives, setting best practices for utility-scale electrical project design
• Work closely with the team to defining company processes and metrics, and plan and allocate resources across existing programs to ensure strategic alignment and needed technical trainings
• Build a quality culture of continuous improvement that enhances company efficiency and engineering quality

Project Execution & Cross-Functional Leadership

• Provide technical leadership across multiple projects, ensuring seamless coordination with civil, structural, and mechanical engineering teams.
• Work with procurement and supply chain teams to evaluate and select electrical components, transformers, and switchgear through standardizing components.
• Support EPC teams during design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and system validation phases.
• Troubleshoot complex project issues, providing solutions to overcome electrical challenges.

Regulatory Compliance & Industry Standards

• Ensure all electrical designs adhere to National Electric Code (NEC), NFPA 70E, IEEE EE, and regional safety regulations.
• Establish internal QA/QC processes to verify compliance with industry standards and best practices.
• Manage grid integration strategies, ensuring compliance with FERC, NERC, IEEE 1547, UL 1741, and local utility interconnection requirements.

Electrical System Design & Optimization

• Direct the design and optimization efforts associated for electrical systems, including power distribution, grounding, and protection schemes for large-scale solar and BESS projects.
• Oversee electrical studies required for project design, including; Ampacity, Arc Flash, Grounding, Loss Study, Lightning Protection, Load Flow and short circuit.
• Evaluate and Optimize the Balance of System (BOS) components, ensuring cost-effective, high-performance electrical designs.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A degree in Electrical Engineering, or another related engineering science, with the working knowledge within several fields of engineering
• Minimum of 10 years of professional electrical engineering experience in the Solar / BESS industry
• Minimum of 3 years of management experience leading a team
• Extensive electrical technical experience on photovoltaic and energy storage projects
• Knowledge of PV/BESS/etc. plant design, value engineering and optimization
• Knowledge of the National Electric Code and various Standard Industry Codes
• Willingness to travel, at least 25% of the time
• Ability to motivate and develop others
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Certifications:
  • PE License (Preferred).
  • IEEE Senior Membership, NETA, 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 25% 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.