Senior Vice President, Engineering

Description
Title: SVP, Engineering

Department: EPC

Location: Houston, TX

Supervisor: COO

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Status: Permanent, Full-time

Work Status: In-Office

SVP, ENGINEERING

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 SVP, Engineering provides executive leadership over all engineering functions within Qcells USA's EPC business, with accountability for civil, structural, electrical, and mechanical engineering design and delivery across a national portfolio of utility-scale solar photovoltaic and battery energy storage system (BESS) projects. This role is responsible for engineering strategy, technical standards, design quality, and the performance of internal engineering staff and external engineering partners from project inception through construction completion and commissioning. Working closely with the EPC leadership team, the SVP, Engineering drives continuous improvement in engineering processes, design efficiency, and technical innovation to support Qcells USA's growth objectives and project execution excellence. This role serves as the senior technical authority for the EPC business and interfaces directly with clients, partners, regulatory bodies, and the Hanwha Qcells global engineering organization. This position is fully on-site, based in our Houston, TX office 5 days a week. 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

Define and execute the engineering strategy for Qcells USA's EPC business, aligning technical standards, design processes, and team capabilities with project portfolio goals and corporate objectives

Lead, develop, and manage a multidisciplinary engineering organization encompassing civil/structural, electrical, mechanical, and commissioning engineering disciplines across all active projects

Own overall engineering quality, design accuracy, schedule adherence, and budget performance across the full project portfolio; establish and enforce engineering governance and quality assurance processes

Drive the development and continuous improvement of engineering standards, design templates, specifications, and best practices for utility-scale solar PV and BESS projects

Oversee the selection, contracting, and performance management of Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Management (EPCM) firms, design subcontractors, and specialty engineering consultants

Partner with Project Management, Procurement, and Construction leadership to ensure engineering deliverables are integrated with project schedules, procurement timelines, and field construction requirements

Lead technical risk identification and mitigation throughout the project lifecycle, including design reviews, constructability assessments, value engineering, and lessons-learned processes

Serve as the senior technical escalation point for complex engineering challenges, design conflicts, and field technical issues across active projects

Support business development activities including technical proposal development, client presentations, due diligence reviews, and design-build scope negotiations

Interface with utility interconnection authorities, permitting agencies, and third-party independent engineers on technical matters related to project design and regulatory compliance

Oversee commissioning and startup engineering activities, ensuring systems are designed for safe, reliable, and efficient energy production in accordance with client requirements and applicable standards

Collaborate with the Hanwha Qcells global engineering and module teams to incorporate proprietary technology, optimize system performance, and align design approaches with global best practices

Develop and manage the Engineering department budget, including staffing plans, tool and software investments, and external engineering services

Foster a culture of technical excellence, innovation, collaboration, and continuous professional development within the engineering organization

Perform other duties and special projects as assigned by Management

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline; advanced degree preferred

Professional Engineer (PE) license required; multi-state licensure preferred

Minimum of 18 years of progressive engineering experience, with at least 7 years in a senior engineering leadership role within EPC, construction, or energy project environments

Demonstrated experience leading engineering design and delivery for utility-scale solar PV and/or BESS projects from concept through commercial operation; experience with projects exceeding 100 MWDC

Deep technical expertise in one or more of the following disciplines: high-voltage electrical systems, civil/geotechnical design for solar sites, BESS integration, or grid interconnection engineering

Proven ability to build, lead, and develop high-performing engineering teams across multiple concurrent projects and geographies

Strong experience managing external engineering firms and design subcontractors, including contract negotiation, scope management, and performance oversight

Familiarity with NEC, NESC, IEC, IEEE, and other applicable codes and standards for utility-scale power generation and energy storage systems

Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to present technical content and strategic recommendations to executive leadership, clients, and external stakeholders

Strong business acumen with the ability to balance technical rigor with commercial priorities in a fast-paced project environment

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 View email address on houstonjobsite.com.

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