Sr. Director, Tech Strategy

Qcells EPC; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 230,000 - 290,000; Full time

Job summary

Hanwha Qcells USA Corp in Houston, TX is seeking a Sr. Director, Tech Strategy to lead Tech Solutions and Product Management within the EPC Tech Center.

You will shape technology and product strategy, develop business cases, and drive commercialization across the organization, coordinating with US, Korea, and global teams. The role requires a systems‑level view of utility‑scale solar and EPC, strong leadership, and ability to translate field needs into technology initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, or another relevant technical discipline.
• 15+ years of relevant experience in renewable energy, EPC, engineering, construction technology, product management, technology strategy, technology development, or related functions, including significant leadership responsibility.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex, cross‑functional technology or product initiatives from opportunity identification and strategy through implementation or commercialization.
• Strong systems‑level understanding of utility‑scale energy projects and the relationship between technology, engineering, project design, construction, operations, and project economics.
• Demonstrated ability to translate business and field needs into technology priorities, product requirements, and actionable initiatives and to evaluate technologies from both technical and business perspectives.
• Strong financial and analytical skills, including business‑case development, investment analysis, NPV/IRR/ROI, and technology benefit assessment.
• Experience developing technology or product strategies, roadmaps, portfolio recommendations, and commercialization plans.
• Experience with new product introduction (NPI), commercialization, and deployment processes for new products or technology solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively across engineering/R&D, project management, construction, operations, supply chain, commercial, finance, and other business functions.
• Experience leading professional teams and working with technology suppliers and external partners.
• Strong executive communication, stakeholder management, and influencing skills, with demonstrated ability to build alignment across organizational boundaries.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and implementation of technology and product strategies within the Tech Strategy organization, aligned with overall Tech Center strategy and EPC business objectives.
• Lead the process for engaging EPC Project Management, Construction, Operations, and other project execution organizations to identify technology opportunities and translate field needs and lessons learned into technology initiatives and product requirements.
• Develop portfolio analyses and prioritization recommendations based on business value, project impact, technical feasibility, risk, investment requirements, timing, and scalability.
• Develop business cases for technology initiatives, including NPV/IRR/ROI, unit benefits, project volume, investment requirements, implementation timing, and portfolio value.
• Assess emerging technologies, market developments, and competitive trends to determine potential EPC value, constructability, deployability, economics, and scalability, in collaboration with Product R&D and other appropriate functions.
• Develop build, buy, or partner recommendations and identify strategic suppliers, technology partners, and joint-development opportunities.
• Lead the Tech Center Product Management function, including product strategy, requirements, roadmaps, launch planning, commercialization, and lifecycle management.
• Partner with Product R&D to establish business and product requirements, development priorities, target performance, and commercialization objectives, and monitor development progress against business requirements and deployment needs.
• Lead commercialization and deployment planning for priority technologies, incorporating field‑validation results, project applicability, implementation timing, adoption requirements, and lessons learned.
• Coordinate technology strategy, product priorities, and external partnerships with Qcells and Hanwha organizations in the U.S., Korea, and other global locations, including support for supplier collaboration, contracting, and intellectual property strategy.
• Lead the Tech Solutions and Product Management teams, including organizational priorities, resource planning, budgets, performance management, and employee development.
• Develop KPI reviews and decision materials that support Tech Center governance and investment decisions by the Head of Tech Center and other senior stakeholders.
• Foster a culture of practical innovation, cross‑functional collaboration, disciplined decision‑making, and measurable business results.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned by Management.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Executive communication

Financial analysis

Product strategy

Portfolio management

Technology strategy

NPI & commercialization

Industry knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, or related technical discipline

Job description

Description

Title: Sr. Director, Tech Strategy

Department: Tech Center – Tech Strategy

Location: Houston, TX

Supervisor: Head of Tech Center

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Status: Permanent, Full-time

Work Status: Hybrid

SR. DIRECTOR, TECH STRATEGY

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 Development, Module, 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 Sr. Director, Tech Strategy leads the Tech Solutions and Product Management functions within the EPC Tech Center, with responsibility for technology and product strategy, portfolio recommendations, product management, business‑case development, and commercialization. The role translates EPC business and field needs into technology initiatives and product priorities that deliver measurable business value.

A key responsibility is to serve as the bridge between the Tech Center and EPC Project Management, Construction, Operations, and other project execution organizations, ensuring that field experience, project challenges, lessons learned, customer requirements, and emerging business needs are systematically reflected in technology and product priorities.

The role works in close partnership with Product R&D. Tech Strategy defines business and product needs, assesses portfolio value, and leads product strategy and commercialization, while Product R&D leads technical development, engineering, validation, and qualification.

The position requires a systems-level understanding of utility-scale solar and EPC, combined with strong product management, commercial, financial, and project execution judgment. The Sr. Director, Tech Strategy reports to the Head of Tech Center. This position is hybrid, based out of our Houston, TX office, requiring up to 4 days per week in the office. May be remote if outside of Office Mobilization Plan. Standard working hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM or 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM 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

• Lead development and implementation of technology and product strategies within the Tech Strategy organization, aligned with overall Tech Center strategy and EPC business objectives.
• Lead the process for engaging EPC Project Management, Construction, Operations, and other project execution organizations to identify technology opportunities and translate field needs and lessons learned into technology initiatives and product requirements.
• Develop portfolio analyses and prioritization recommendations based on business value, project impact, technical feasibility, risk, investment requirements, timing, and scalability.
• Develop business cases for technology initiatives, including NPV/IRR/ROI, unit benefits, project volume, investment requirements, implementation timing, and portfolio value.
• Assess emerging technologies, market developments, and competitive trends to determine potential EPC value, constructability, deployability, economics, and scalability, in collaboration with Product R&D and other appropriate functions.
• Develop build, buy, or partner recommendations and identify strategic suppliers, technology partners, and joint-development opportunities.
• Lead the Tech Center Product Management function, including product strategy, requirements, roadmaps, launch planning, commercialization, and lifecycle management.
• Partner with Product R&D to establish business and product requirements, development priorities, target performance, and commercialization objectives, and monitor development progress against business requirements and deployment needs.
• Lead commercialization and deployment planning for priority technologies, incorporating field‑validation results, project applicability, implementation timing, adoption requirements, and lessons learned.
• Coordinate technology strategy, product priorities, and external partnerships with Qcells and Hanwha organizations in the U.S., Korea, and other global locations, including support for supplier collaboration, contracting, and intellectual property strategy.
• Lead the Tech Solutions and Product Management teams, including organizational priorities, resource planning, budgets, performance management, and employee development.
• Develop KPI reviews and decision materials that support Tech Center governance and investment decisions by the Head of Tech Center and other senior stakeholders.
• Foster a culture of practical innovation, cross‑functional collaboration, disciplined decision‑making, and measurable business results.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned by Management.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, or another relevant technical discipline.
• 15+ years of relevant experience in renewable energy, EPC, engineering, construction technology, product management, technology strategy, technology development, or related functions, including significant leadership responsibility.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex, cross‑functional technology or product initiatives from opportunity identification and strategy through implementation or commercialization.
• Strong systems‑level understanding of utility‑scale energy projects and the relationship between technology, engineering, project design, construction, operations, and project economics.
• Demonstrated ability to translate business and field needs into technology priorities, product requirements, and actionable initiatives and to evaluate technologies from both technical and business perspectives.
• Strong financial and analytical skills, including business‑case development, investment analysis, NPV/IRR/ROI, and technology benefit assessment.
• Experience developing technology or product strategies, roadmaps, portfolio recommendations, and commercialization plans.
• Experience with new product introduction (NPI), commercialization, and deployment processes for new products or technology solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively across engineering/R&D, project management, construction, operations, supply chain, commercial, finance, and other business functions.
• Experience leading professional teams and working with technology suppliers and external partners.
• Strong executive communication, stakeholder management, and influencing skills, with demonstrated ability to build alignment across organizational boundaries.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in engineering, science, or another technical discipline, or an MBA.
• Significant utility‑scale solar PV and/or BESS experience.
• Broad knowledge of utility‑scale solar technologies and systems, including PV modules, trackers, construction automation and robotics, electrical systems, controls, PPC/SCADA, digital technologies, and or system optimization.
• Direct experience with EPC project engineering, construction, commissioning, operations, product management, or field technology deployment.
• Experience bringing new technologies or products from identified business need through product planning, field introduction, commercialization, and scaled deployment.
• Experience managing technology or product portfolios and evaluating strategic suppliers, technology partners, or joint‑development opportunities.
• Familiarity with intellectual property strategy, technology licensing, industry standards, or technology‑related commercial agreements.
• Experience working across U.S. and Korea‑based teams or within another global organization; Korean language proficiency is a plus.

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].