Sr. Director, Space PV Systems R&D

Qcells North America

Atlanta (GA)

On-site

USD 219,000 - 274,000

Full time

7 days ago

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Job summary

Hanwha Qcells is building its first U.S.-based Space Photovoltaic Systems R&D organization in Atlanta, co-located with GTRI. The Senior Director will own the technical roadmap, budget, people, and partnerships, and serve on the Global Technology Group leadership team.

The role leads multi-disciplinary R&D to design next-generation space PV systems, recruit top engineers, establish labs, and collaborate with NASA, DOE, and Georgia Tech.

Qualifications

MS or PhD in electrical engineering, materials science, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a closely related field.
Due to expected participation in programming sponsored by the U.S. government, this position is reserved for U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.
10+ years of progressive R&D and engineering leadership experience in aerospace, defense, or high-reliability hardware; including 4+ years managing technical teams or departments at the senior engineer, principal, or director level.
Demonstrated ability to lead multi-disciplinary hardware R&D organizations — directly managing engineers across both electrical and mechanical domains.
Track record delivering hardware from early R&D through qualification-ready configurations in a structured engineering environment.
Experience developing and managing multi-million-dollar R&D program budgets, headcount plans, and capital equipment investments.
Proven success winning and managing government-funded R&D programs (NASA, DOD, or equivalent); experience with cooperative agreement vehicles a strong plus.
Depth in photovoltaic device physics or space power systems sufficient to technically lead engineering teams and make authoritative design decisions.
Excellent communication skills at executive, government customer, and academic partner levels.

Responsibilities

Build and lead the U.S.-based Space PV Systems R&D organization — recruiting, developing, and retaining a team of Principal and Staff-level R&D engineers — and establish critical partnerships and necessary R&D facilities.
Own the team's annual operating budget, capital equipment plan, and headcount plan; report directly to Qcells’ Chief Technology Officer.
Represent the U.S. team within the global Qcells Space Solar Development organization; aligning U.S. R&D priorities with German and Korea-based cell development and Hanwha Systems engineering teams.
Set and own the system-level architecture for Qcells PV modules — cell interconnection strategy, substrate selection, power hookup design, and spacecraft interface standards — with final technical approval authority across electrical and mechanical design decisions.
Drive the technology development path from bench prototype to qualification-representative hardware, defining key milestones and go/no‑go criteria; serve as executive technical lead for SSTEF-1 (lunar demonstration with GTRI/AEGIS Aerospace) and follow‑on flight programs.
Maintain technical awareness of competitive developments in space PV technology; provide technology leadership input to Qcells' global space solar product strategy.
Build the Georgia Tech and GTRI research collaboration; leverage university access to radiation test facilities, materials characterization resources, and graduate student talent.
Ensure radiation research findings are systematically translated into design and material selection guidance for the module engineering team.
Identify and pursue U.S. government R&D funding — NASA, DOD (AFRL, DARPA, MDA), DOE, and federal university partnerships — and lead all major competitive proposals from the U.S. team.
Manage strategic relationships with NASA Glenn Research Center, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, AFRL Space Vehicles Directorate, National Lab of the Rockies, and key industrial and university partners.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Communication

R&D management

Space hardware

Education

MS/PhD in electrical engineering or related field

Job description

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

Hanwha Qcells is establishing its first U.S.-based Space Photovoltaic Systems R&D organization, co-located with Georgia Tech Research Institute in Atlanta. The Senior Director of Space PV Systems R&D will be the founding leader and organizational authority for this team — owning both the technical roadmap and the people, budget, and partnerships needed to execute it. This person will also be an instrumental part of the Qcells Global Technology Group leadership team.

Description:

The team's mandate is to design next generation PV systems for space applications: taking Qcells' world-class perovskite-silicon tandem cells and solving key engineering challenges to enable effective space-based power solutions. The Director will hire and develop a team of experts and establish laboratory and cleanroom infrastructure; and serve as Qcells' primary technical and strategic voice in the United States with expected collaborators in the commercial arena as well as NASA, DOE and DOD program offices, and Georgia Tech.

The ideal candidate brings Director-level experience managing technical organizations in aerospace or high-reliability hardware environments, with hands‑on R&D depth spanning both electrical and mechanical domains. Space hardware experience is strongly preferred; cross‑disciplinary electrical and mechanical R&D leadership is required.

Responsibilities

Organizational Leadership

Build and lead the U.S.-based Space PV Systems R&D organization — recruiting, developing, and retaining a team of Principal and Staff-level R&D engineers — and establish critical partnerships and necessary R&D facilities.
Own the team's annual operating budget, capital equipment plan, and headcount plan; report directly to Qcells’ Chief Technology Officer.
Represent the U.S. team within the global Qcells Space Solar Development organization; aligning U.S. R&D priorities with German and Korea-based cell development and Hanwha Systems engineering teams.

Technical Direction

Set and own the system-level architecture for Qcells PV modules — cell interconnection strategy, substrate selection, power hookup design, and spacecraft interface standards — with final technical approval authority across electrical and mechanical design decisions.
Drive the technology development path from bench prototype to qualification-representative hardware, defining key milestones and go/no‑go criteria; serve as executive technical lead for SSTEF-1 (lunar demonstration with GTRI/AEGIS Aerospace) and follow‑on flight programs.
Maintain technical awareness of competitive developments in space PV technology; provide technology leadership input to Qcells' global space solar product strategy.
Build the Georgia Tech and GTRI research collaboration; leverage university access to radiation test facilities, materials characterization resources, and graduate student talent.
Ensure radiation research findings are systematically translated into design and material selection guidance for the module engineering team.

Government Programs & External Partnerships

Identify and pursue U.S. government R&D funding — NASA, DOD (AFRL, DARPA, MDA), DOE, and federal university partnerships — and lead all major competitive proposals from the U.S. team.
Manage strategic relationships with NASA Glenn Research Center, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, AFRL Space Vehicles Directorate, National Lab of the Rockies, and key industrial and university partners.

Required Qualifications

M.S. or Ph.D. in electrical engineering, materials science, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a closely related field.
Due to expected participation in programming sponsored by the U.S. government, this position is reserved for U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.
10+ years of progressive R&D and engineering leadership experience in aerospace, defense, or high-reliability hardware; including 4+ years managing technical teams or departments at the senior engineer, principal, or director level.
Demonstrated ability to lead multi-disciplinary hardware R&D organizations — directly managing engineers across both electrical and mechanical domains.
Track record delivering hardware from early R&D through qualification-ready configurations in a structured engineering environment.
Experience developing and managing multi-million-dollar R&D program budgets, headcount plans, and capital equipment investments.
Proven success winning and managing government-funded R&D programs (NASA, DOD, or equivalent); experience with cooperative agreement vehicles a strong plus.
Depth in photovoltaic device physics or space power systems sufficient to technically lead engineering teams and make authoritative design decisions.
Excellent communication skills at executive, government customer, and academic partner levels.

Preferred Qualifications

Direct experience leading space hardware R&D: spacecraft power systems, space solar arrays, satellite subsystem development, or space component qualification programs.
Familiarity with radiation effects on photovoltaic or semiconductor materials: degradation mechanisms, radiation test planning, and EOL performance modeling.
Experience operating within ITAR-controlled technical organizations.
Established network across the U.S. space solar and satellite power community: NASA, AFRL, Aerospace Corporation, and/or aerospace prime contractors.
Prior experience standing up a new R&D team or laboratory organization.

Compensation

In accordance with applicable pay transparency laws, the anticipated annual base salary for this position is:

Zone 1 (Bay Area, NYC): $263,300 - $329,200
Zone 2 (CA, NJ, NY): $241,300 - $301,700
Zone 3 (All others): $219,400 - $274,300.

The applicable salary range is based on the employee’s primary work location. Individual compensation will be determined based on qualifications, relevant experience, education, skills, internal equity, and other business‑related factors.

Hanwha Q CELLS Technologies, Inc. a subsidiary of Hanwha Q CELLS, one of the world’s largest and most recognized photovoltaic manufacturers for its high’performance, high’quality solar cells and modules. It is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea (Global Executive HQ) Talheim, Germany (Technology & Innovation HQ) and Santa Clara, CA, USA (HW and SW Product Development HQ). Through its growing global business network spanning Europe, North America, Asia, South America, Africa, and the Middle East, the company provides excellent services and long‑term partnerships to its customers in the utility, commercial, government, and residential markets. Hanwha Q CELLS is a flagship company of Hanwha Group, a FORTUNE Global 500 firm and a Top 7 business enterprise in South Korea.

Physical, Mental & Environmental Demands

To comply with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 the essential physical, mental and environmental requirements for this job are listed below. These are requirements normally expected to perform regular job duties. Incumbent must be able to successfully perform all of the 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

Typing — F
Handling — F
Reaching — F

Agility

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

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.