Project Engineer - Interconnection

Qcells North America

United States

On-site

USD 90,000 - 140,000

Full time

6 days ago

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Job summary

Hanwha Q CELLS America Inc. in Irvine, CA, seeks a Project Engineer – Interconnection to lead engineering documentation for utility interconnection applications for solar and storage projects.

Prepare preliminary electrical designs, single-line diagrams, site layouts, and supporting data for interconnection queues. The role collaborates with Development teams, reports to the Director of Project Engineering, and may involve stamping with consulting PEs where not licensed.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related engineering discipline.
PE license strongly preferred; ability to obtain licensure in Illinois and New York.
5+ years of experience in power systems, renewable energy engineering, or utility interconnection.
Experience with solar PV or energy storage projects preferred.
Up to 10% travel.
Familiarity with interconnection processes (distribution interconnection, ISO/RTO queue, utility review).
Proficiency in developing: single-line diagrams, electrical site layouts, interconnection drawings.
Understanding of utility protection, distribution interconnection, renewable generation design.
Experience with AutoCAD, ETAP, SKM, CYME.

Responsibilities

Prepare preliminary electrical engineering designs to support interconnection applications for solar PV and energy storage projects.
Develop single-line diagrams, site electrical layouts, equipment configurations, and preliminary protection concepts for utility submissions.
Produce technical documentation for interconnection applications including load flow assumptions and equipment specifications.
Ensure designs align with interconnection standards, state regulations, and ISO/RTO guidelines.
Provide feedback on pre-construction drawings to align with utilities.
Partner with Greenfield/Brownfield teams to evaluate interconnection points.
Support site feasibility assessments related to electrical interconnection.
Provide early-stage input on capacity, voltage, and equipment sizing.
Assist with utility application packages and supporting documentation.
Lend support to interconnection feasibility reviews in the acquisition pipeline.
Collaborate with Interconnection Specialist to manage submissions.
Respond to utility questions and deficiencies; assist with engineering updates during studies.
Engage in technical discussions with utilities on interconnection requirements.
Document and store all submissions and studies; coordinate with external consultants.
Coordinate with Development/Construction teams for execution alignment.
Provide engineering handoff support from Development to Execution.

Skills

Power systems

Renewable energy

Interconnection knowledge

Single-line diagrams

AutoCAD

ETAP

SKM

CYME

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

ETAP

SKM

CYME

Job description

The Project Engineer – Interconnection is responsible for preparing the technical engineering documentation required to support utility interconnection applications for Qcells’ community solar and energy storage projects. This role works closely with the Greenfield and Brownfield Development teams to produce the preliminary electrical designs, site layouts, and supporting technical data required for submission to utilities and ISO/RTO interconnection processes.

The Project Engineer – Interconnection plays a critical role early in the project lifecycle by ensuring that interconnection applications are technically accurate, complete, and aligned with utility requirements, enabling projects to move efficiently through the interconnection queue.

This position collaborates closely with the Interconnection Specialist, who manages the application process and utility coordination. The role reports to the Director of Project Engineering, with a dotted-line relationship to the Interconnection Specialist.

Preference is given to candidates who hold a Professional Engineer (PE) license, allowing them to sign and seal interconnection engineering documents in key markets such as Illinois and New York.

Responsibilities

Interconnection Engineering

Prepare preliminary electrical engineering designs to support interconnection applications for solar PV and energy storage projects.
Develop single-line diagrams, site electrical layouts, equipment configurations, and preliminary protection concepts required for utility submissions.
Produce technical documentation required for interconnection applications, including load flow assumptions, system configuration descriptions, and equipment specifications.
Ensure designs align with utility interconnection standards, state regulatory requirements, and ISO/RTO guidelines.
Provide feedback on pre-construction project drawings to ensure they align with the corresponding utility.

Development Support

Partner with Greenfield and Brownfield Development teams to evaluate potential interconnection points and project configurations.
Support site feasibility assessments related to electrical interconnection.
Provide early-stage engineering input on capacity constraints, voltage considerations, and equipment sizing.
Assist Development teams in preparing utility application packages and supporting documentation.
On occasion, lend additional support to interconnection feasibility reviews of projects in the acquisition pipeline.

Utility Coordination

Work closely with the Interconnection Specialist to support the submission and management of interconnection applications.
Respond to utility technical questions, study requests, and application deficiencies.
Assist with engineering updates required during feasibility, system impact, and facilities studies.
Participate in technical discussions with utilities regarding project interconnection requirements.

Engineering Governance

Ensure all interconnection designs follow corporate engineering standards and utility design criteria.
Document and store all interconnection related submissions, correspondence, and studies.
Coordinate with external engineering consultants when required.
Where the role holder is not a licensed PE, coordinate with consulting Professional Engineers for stamping and sealing of engineering documents.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Coordinate with Project Engineering, Development, and Construction teams to ensure interconnection assumptions align with project execution strategies.
Provide engineering support during project handoff from Development to Execution.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related engineering discipline.
Professional Engineer (PE) license strongly preferred.
Ability to obtain PE licensure in Illinois and New York preferred.
5+ years of experience in power systems, renewable energy engineering, or utility interconnection.
Experience supporting solar PV or energy storage projects preferred.
Up to 10% travel required
Familiarity with utility interconnection processes such as:
- distribution interconnection
- ISO/RTO queue processes
- utility engineering review requirements
Proficiency in developing:
- single-line diagrams
- electrical site layouts
- interconnection drawings
Understanding of:
- utility protection requirements
- distribution system interconnection
- renewable generation electrical design
Experience with engineering tools such as:
- AutoCAD
- ETAP, SKM, CYME, or similar power system modeling tools (preferred)

Preferredqualifications

Solar Industry experience (Renewable)
Not requirements but good to have (optional)

Physical, Mental & Environmental Demands

Tocomply withthe Rehabilitation Act of1973the essential physical,mentaland environmental requirements for this job are listed below. These are requirementsnormally expected to performregular job duties.Incumbentmust be able to successfully performall ofthe functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

Mobility

Standing 20% of time
Sitting 70% of time
Walking 10% of time

Strength

Pulling up to 10 Pounds
Pushing up to 10 Pounds
Carrying up to 10 Pounds
Lifting up to 10 Pounds

Dexterity (F = Frequently, O = Occasionally, N = Never)

Typing F
Handling F
Reaching F

Agility (F = Frequently, O = Occasionally, N = Never)

Turning F
Twisting F
Bending O
Crouching O
Balancing N
Climbing N
Crawling N
Kneeling N

Hanwha Q CELLS America Inc. (“HQCA”) is aQcellscompany, one of the world’s largest manufacturers and providers of solar photovoltaic (PV) products and solutions. Headquartered in Irvine, California, HQCA has been rapidly expanding its business in North America through the expansion of products and solutions, including distributed energy solutions, direct-to-homeowner solar sales and financing, and EPC services. Weprovidean opportunity to be part of an exciting and growing world-class global business in an interesting and expanding industryofthe future.

The salary range is required by the California Pay Transparency Act and may differ depending on the location of those candidates hired nationwide. Actual compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to, skill set, education, licenses and certifications, essential job duties and requirements, and the necessary experience relative to the job’s minimum qualifications.