Electrical Engineer - Level 4

About the Role

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.

Summary

The Senior Electrical Engineer - Level 4 is responsible for leading electrical system design, interconnection planning, and grid compliance for multiple utility-scale solar and BESS projects. This role requires advanced expertise in high-voltage engineering, substation design, protection schemes, and power system stability. The Engineer will work with utilities, regulatory bodies, and internal stakeholders to optimize system performance and compliance. This position requires deep knowledge of grid codes, NERC/FERC compliance, and interconnection technical requirements. The Senior Engineer will also provide technical leadership, mentor junior engineers, and improve engineering standards. This position reports to the Manager of Electrical Engineering.

Responsibilities

• Develop and oversee comprehensive electrical system designs, ensuring compliance with grid interconnection requirements.
• Optimize transformer configurations, grounding methods, and cable routing strategies.
• Conduct protective relay coordination studies, transient analysis, and dynamic system modeling.
• Design switchgear, relay protection schemes, and substation electrical layouts.
• Lead power system studies, including reactive power compensation, fault ride-through, and voltage control.
• Evaluate grid support functionalities of inverters and energy storage to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Provide technical assessments for SCADA/EMS integration, cybersecurity requirements, and data acquisition systems.
• Oversee QA/QC verification for electrical designs, ensuring alignment with safety and performance standards.
• Engage with procurement teams to select high-voltage equipment, ensuring technical compliance and cost optimization.
• Lead on-site troubleshooting, commissioning, and performance validation of electrical infrastructure.
• Ensure compliance with NEC, IEEE 1547, NERC CIP, FERC, UL, and interconnection rules.
• Interface with utilities and grid operators to secure interconnection approvals and resolve compliance issues.
• Mentor junior engineers, providing guidance on electrical design best practices, modeling techniques, and project execution.
• Develop standardized engineering processes for electrical system design and interconnection planning.
• 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

• 6+ years of experience in power system engineering, high-voltage design, and interconnection studies.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering; Master's preferred.
• Advanced expertise in power system stability, protection design, and grid compliance.
• Software Skills: AutoCAD (Advanced); SKM, ETAP, EasyPower (Proficient).
• Certifications: PE License or NABCEP PV Professional (Preferred).

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Position is Remote, based in Houston, TX.
• Working hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00am to 5:00pm or 9:00am to 6:00pm local time.
• Travel up to 30% as needed.
• 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.
• Regular professional, office business setting. Noise level ranges from low to moderate (if in office setting) or 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.