Principal SCADA Engineer - Level 5

Qcells; California (MO); Remote; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Job summary

Hanwha Qcells USA Corp in Houston leads turnkey solar and BESS projects in the U.S. as a Principal SCADA Engineer – Level 5.

You will shape SCADA architecture, drive automation and cybersecurity initiatives, and mentor engineers, reporting to the Senior SCADA and Controls Engineering Manager. The role supports a remote schedule while based in the Houston office and collaborates with utilities, EPCs, and tech providers.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in SCADA, cybersecurity, and automation engineering.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Software, or Systems Engineering; Masters preferred.
• Expert in programming relays and control devices; SCADA protocols (Modbus, DNP3, IEC 61850).
• Expert proficiency in Visio or similar tools.
• Certifications in advanced SCADA or cybersecurity required.

Responsibilities

• Lead SCADA system architecture development for standardization and scalability.
• Establish cybersecurity frameworks for SCADA/IT networks, ensuring NERC CIP compliance.
• Develop next-generation SCADA strategies with AI analytics, predictive maintenance, and remote monitoring.

Skills

SCADA engineering

Cybersecurity

Leadership

AI analytics

IT/OT convergence

Education

Bachelor's in Electrical/Software/Systems Eng

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Visio

Job description

Description

Title: Principal SCADA Engineer – Level 5

Department: Engineering

Location: Houston, TX

Supervisor: Senior SCADA and Controls Engineering Manager

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Status: Permanent, Full-Time

Work Status: Remote

PRINCIPAL SCADA ENGINEER – LEVEL 5

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 Principal SCADA Engineer is a technical and strategic leadership role, responsible for shaping the SCADA engineering framework, leading projects and teams, and driving innovation in automation, cybersecurity, and grid compliance. This position reports to the Senior SCADA and Controls Engineering Manager, or another management personnel that the President 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.

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

• Lead SCADA system architecture development, ensuring standardization and scalability across projects.

• Establish cybersecurity frameworks for SCADA and IT networks, ensuring compliance with NERC CIP and industry standards.

• Develop next‑generation SCADA strategies, integrating AI‑driven analytics, predictive maintenance, and remote monitoring solutions.

Technical & Engineering Expertise

• Oversee SCADA network security, cloud integration, and IT/OT convergence strategies.

• Optimize SCADA system performance, ensuring minimal downtime and maximum data reliability.

Stakeholder Engagement & Leadership

• Drive SCADA engagement with utilities, ISOs, EPC contractors, and technology providers.

• Lead mentorship and development programs for junior SCADA engineers.

Continuous Improvement & Innovation

• Develop best practices for SCADA software optimization, grid resilience, and automation.

• Stay at the forefront of SCADA cybersecurity advancements and emerging control system technologies.

• 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

• 10+ years of experience in SCADA, cybersecurity, and automation engineering.

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Software, or Systems Engineering, Master’s preferred.

• Expert in:
  • Programming relays and control devices.
  • SCADA systems and protocols (Modbus, DNP3, IEC 61850).
  • IT networks and cybersecurity principles.
  • Electrical generation and control systems for utility‑scale solar or BESS projects.

• Expert proficiency in Visio or similar tools.

• Certifications: Advanced SCADA or cybersecurity certifications required.

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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