Water Treatment Technician

Qcells North America; Cartersville (GA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Qcells North America is seeking a Water Treatment Technician to operate and maintain water treatment utilities at our Cartersville, GA facility. You will monitor UPW and related systems, perform sampling, testing, and routine maintenance to ensure uninterrupted production in a large-scale solar manufacturing site.

Responsibilities include alarm response, field troubleshooting, chemical handling, record-keeping, and adhering to SOPs and environmental regulations.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Georgia state-approved Wastewater Treatment Operator certification.
• Knowledge of pumps, valves, gauges, piping configuration, and industrial flow paths.
• Knowledge of pH and water chemistry parameters, sampling techniques.
• Experience operating HMI systems and monitoring controls.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor UPW, Si-kerf recycle, wastewater treatment, water supply, and related systems.
• Use HMI/SCADA systems to evaluate status, respond to alarms, and troubleshoot.
• Perform water sample collection and field/lab testing, recording results.
• Perform filter replacements, CIP and COP procedures.
• Load and unload process chemicals, maintain inventory.
• Troubleshoot system issues and escalate as needed.
• Maintain logs, equipment records, and system documentation.

Skills

Water treatment knowledge

Pumps/valves/gauges

HMI/SCADA operation

Field inspections

Communication skills

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Georgia Wastewater Operator certification

Tools

SCADA/PLC interfaces

HMI

Lab/field testing equipment

Job description

Summary

The Water Treatment Technician is a critical member of Qcells’

Description

Title: Water Treatment Technician

Location: Cartersville, GA

Classification: Hourly

The Water Treatment Technician is a critical member of Qcells’ Utility Team, supporting all water-related infrastructure within our fully integrated 2.5 million sq. ft. solar manufacturing facility in Cartersville, GA — the first U.S. facility to produce ingots, wafers, cells, and modules under one roof.

This role operates, monitors, and maintains essential Water Treatment utilities, including the Ultra-Pure Water (UPW) system, Si-kerf recycle system, wastewater treatment systems, water supply systems, and all associated pumps, valves, piping, instrumentation, and controls.

As part of the Utility Team, the technician ensures safe, reliable, and compliant utilities that enable uninterrupted production. Work includes alarm response, HMI operation, field troubleshooting, chemical handling, water sampling/testing, and documentation in accordance with established SOPs and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor UPW, Si-kerf recycle, wastewater treatment, water supply, and wastewater transfer systems as a key member of the Utility Team.
• Utilize HMI/SCADA-based Central Monitoring Systems to evaluate system status, respond to alarms, adjust flow paths, and troubleshoot system issues.
• Conduct routine field inspections on pumps, valves, gauges, piping, tanks, sensors, and other utility equipment.
• Perform water sample collection and conduct field and laboratory testing, including pH and other water quality parameters; accurately record and report findings.
• Perform water filter replacements, CIP (Clean-In-Place), and COP (Clean-Out-of-Place) procedures.
• Load and unload process chemicals and gases; maintain sufficient chemical inventory to support Utility Team operations.
• Safely unload waste chemicals and handle materials in accordance with environmental, safety, and facility procedures.
• Troubleshoot water system performance issues and **escalate** equipment abnormalities as needed.
• Maintain complete logs, equipment records, inventory lists, and system documentation for utility systems.
• Assist with developing and updating Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures used by the Utility Team.
• Keep all water treatment and utility areas clean, organized, and inspection ready.
• Read and interpret facility blueprints, I&C diagrams, flow path schematics, and equipment drawings.
• Support continuous, reliable operation of all utility systems required for manufacturing and environmental compliance.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Georgia state-approved Wastewater Treatment Operator certification.
• Demonstrated knowledge of pumps, valves, gauges, piping configuration, and industrial flow paths.
• Knowledge of pH scale, water chemistry parameters, lab/field testing methods, and sampling techniques.
• Experience operating HMI systems (monitoring controls, navigating alarms, adjusting flow paths).
• Strong verbal and written communication skills to support Utility Team coordination.
• Basic computer proficiency (Windows OS, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Proven experience working within a technical team environment, preferably in utilities or water treatment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Laboratory experience (sampling, testing, documenting results).
• Experience working within a Utility, Facilities, or Water Treatment team in manufacturing or industrial settings.
• Experience with SCADA, PLC interfaces, or advanced instrumentation systems.
• Additional technical certifications related to water treatment, mechanical systems, utilities, or instrumentation.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Work is performed in water treatment, utility, mechanical, and chemical handling areas within a large-scale manufacturing facility.
• Regular standing, walking, bending, climbing stairs or ladders, and working at heights.
• Exposure to pumps, tanks, piping, chemical storage areas, and wastewater systems.
• Use of PPE including safety glasses, gloves, chemical PPE, and hearing protection.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Work may occur in indoor and outdoor utility environments, including non-climate-controlled areas.
• May require rotating shifts, nights, weekends, overtime, or on-call support to maintain 24/7 Utility Team operations.

Equal Employment Statement

Hanwha Q CELLS provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics.