Electrical Designer

Description
Title: Electrical Designer - Level 3

Department: Engineering

Location: Irvine, CA

Supervisor: Manager of Electrical Engineering

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Status: Permanent, Full-Time

Work Status: Hybrid

ELECTRICAL DESIGNER - LEVEL 3

Hanwha Qcells USA Corp (Qcells USA), headquartered in Irvine, CA, 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 Module, Development, 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 Electrical Designer Level 3 is responsible for developing and optimizing electrical designs, interconnection studies, and power distribution layouts for utility-scale solar and BESS projects. This role requires proficiency in large-scale electrical system modeling, grounding design, cable routing, and protective device coordination.

The Designer 3 will collaborate with cross-functional teams, including structural, permitting, and procurement teams, to ensure efficient and compliant electrical designs.

This position reports to the Manager of Electrical Engineering, or another management personnel that the CEO of the Company may designate. This position reports to the Irvine, CA office but will maintain a hybrid schedule of working out of their home office and the Irvine, CA office. Working hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00am to 5:00pm or 9:00am to 6:00pm local time.

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

• Advanced Electrical System Design & Optimization
• Develop comprehensive electrical layouts, including grounding, power distribution, and conduit routing.
• Perform load flow analysis, voltage drop calculations, and short circuit evaluations.
• Optimize electrical balance of system (BOS) components, ensuring efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
• Design single-line diagrams (SLDs) and electrical schematics for high-voltage interconnection.
• Technical & Engineering Assistance
• Assist in specifying transformers, switchgear, overcurrent protection devices, and other major electrical components.
• Conduct arc flash hazard assessments and protective relay coordination studies.
• Develop SCADA integration plans, ensuring remote monitoring and control for utility PV and BESS systems.
• Project Coordination & Execution
• Prepare technical reports, interconnection applications, and regulatory compliance documentation.
• Work with EPC teams to address site-specific challenges, such as terrain constraints and conductor routing complexities.
• Support engineering teams during procurement, construction, and commissioning phases.
• Continuous Learning & Development
• Expand knowledge in power system reliability, harmonic analysis, and transient stability modeling.
• Stay updated on new electrical codes, interconnection requirements, and emerging industry trends.

Required Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience in large-scale electrical system design, power distribution modeling, and interconnection studies.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering.
• Proficiency in large-scale electrical designs, grounding, cable routing, and interconnection systems.
• Software Skills:
• AutoCAD (Proficient).
• ETAP, EasyPower, or similar tools (Intermediate proficiency).
• Certifications: NABCEP PV Design Specialist (Optional), Electrical Design Certifications (Preferred).

General Responsibilities

• Regular attendance, in accordance with company's attendance policy and supervisory assignment, is an essential job duty requirement for this position
• Sustain excellent relationships with clients on behalf of the company
• Uphold high standards of professionalism and ethics within the organization
• Commit to continuous learning to stay updated with current issues
• Participate in safety training sessions and adheres to safety rules and guidelines
• Work in a team to develop and improve the system standards
• Assist with technical training for team members and new employees
• Build a quality culture of continuous improvement that enhances company efficiency and engineering quality
• Drive a safety culture that embraces both a "Responsibility to act" and "Show by Example" approach;
• Perform other duties and special projects, as assigned

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

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)

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,