Senior Project Manager

Title: Senior Project Manager
Department: Operation 2
Location: Houston, TX
Supervisor: Vice President of Construction
FLSA Status: Exempt
Position Status: Permanent, Full-Time

Work Status: Hybrid

SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER

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 Senior Project Manager will play a pivotal role in the planning, design, and execution of high-voltage substations, utility-scale PV, and BESS projects.

This position demands technical expertise, project management proficiency, and a commitment to industry standards and safety.

The Senior Project Manager will be the primary liaison for all project stakeholders, ensuring transparent communication and fostering solid relationships.

Additionally, this role strongly emphasizes mentoring team members, promoting a culture of continuous learning, and identifying professional development opportunities.

Proactive risk management, safety assurance, and regulatory compliance throughout the project lifecycle are integral to the position.

This position reports to the Vice President of Construction, or another management personnel that the CEO of the Company may designate.

It is a hybrid position, working out of your home office and traveling to project sites.

Working hours are Monday through Friday, ranging from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time.

As necessary, you may be required to work overtime and on weekends.

Travel, up to 50% of the time, is expected.

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 the planning, design, and execution of utility-scale solar and energy storage projects, ensuring precision and adherence to industry standards.
• Manage construction projects of solar and energy storage sites of 150MW or more, with a deep understanding of critical equipment such as power inverters, battery racks, and BMS systems, along with voltage-specific requirements.
• Manage E&C team activities for preconstruction, construction, startup, and commissioning phases, including scopes of work (SOW), project estimates, engineering design, technical due diligence, permitting activities, and milestone advancement, providing strategic and administrative leadership.
• Act as the primary liaison for all project stakeholders, maintaining transparent and solution-focused communication and collaboration, leading project meetings, providing technical explanations, addressing project risks, facilitating feedback, and delivering financial updates.
• Prioritize resources and make decisions based on a profound understanding of project, financial, and milestone objectives.
• Proactively manage project-related risks, ensuring the highest safety and regulatory compliance levels throughout the project lifecycle.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning within the team, identifying professional development opportunities and mentoring team members to enhance their skills and capabilities.
• Manage subcontractors and equipment supplier obligations, working closely with Procurement, including contract negotiations, tracking deliverables, schedules, cash flow, change orders, and dispute resolution when necessary.
• Coordinate, review, contribute to, and participate in detailed engineering project design reviews focused on voltage-specific and equipment-related aspects, including electrical engineering and energy assessment, to ensure compliance with all standards, regulations, and requirements.
• Demonstrate proficiency in strategic contract and financial management for sourcing, contract negotiations, and budget management.
• Collaborate with safety, QA/QC, and environmental teams to integrate their goals and requirements, promoting a culture of continuous improvement across these functions.
• Enforce safety standards and protocols to ensure a safe working environment for all team members.
• Manage QA/QC requirements rigorously to ensure the highest standards of work quality on all projects.
• Coordinate activities, schedules, material procurement, project logistics, and temporary facility plans with the project manager and field staff.
• Review and approve materials/equipment for Electrical/Mechanical/Structural systems.
• Employ exceptional skills in working with and overseeing subcontractors to ensure they complete work to specification, on time, and within budget.
• Scrutinize contracts and technical documents, emphasizing electrical codes and equipment standards for large-scale BESS sites, substations, and transmission lines.
• Assist in developing estimates for substations, transmission lines, PV, and BESS projects, including cost identification and tracking.
• Prepare cost reports indicating estimated costs, revenues, and project timelines.
• Adhere to the company's attendance policy as an essential job duty requirement.
• Undertake other duties and special projects the Director of Core Projects assigns.
• Collaborate with an international team of specialists and actively participate in project development.
  
  
• Manage utility-scale battery energy storage systems, solar, substations, and transmission lines with demonstrated experience.
• Possess a deep understanding of energy markets, interconnection procedures, and regulatory compliance.
• Exhibit comprehensive knowledge of the technologies employed in high-voltage battery energy storage systems, solar farms, transmission lines, and substations.
• Lead the development, design, and execution of construction projects involving substations (69kV-500kV), BESS (40MW+), and solar PV (150MW+) projects.
• Demonstrate expertise in the installation of battery modules (LG, Samsung, CATL), power conversion systems (PCS) (SMA, Siemens, Power Electronics), medium voltage transformers, primary step-up transformers, GIS switchgear, STATCOMs, all with varying voltage ratings (69kV-500kV).
• Manage the Balance of Plant (BoP), encompassing all peripheral systems and components, including HVAC, fire suppression, grounding systems, electrical cabling, power transformers, auxiliary transformers, transmission lines, circuit breakers, switchgear, surge arresters, and electrical busbars.
• Lead the process for substations, large-scale BESS, and PV sites, ensuring system integrity, safety, and compliance with all relevant government and local codes.
• Coordinate and execute Operational Acceptance Tests (OAT), Start-Up procedures, and Functional Acceptance Tests (FAT).
• Ensure strict adherence to relevant standards and electrical codes such as IBC, NFPA 855 2020, CEC, CFC, IEEE, NABCP, NEMA, NEC, NESC, OSHA, and UL on all projects.
• Possess a strong understanding of SCADA systems for monitoring and controlling energy systems.
• Preferably have experience in power system analysis, distribution, fault calculations, protection coordination, and arc flash studies.
• Monitor project costs and forecasts, providing regular reports to upper management.
• Excel in developing and reviewing project schedules, cost estimates, bills of materials (BOM), budgets, scopes of work (SOW), and project standards.
• Inspire and guide teams while possessing excellent problem-solving skills and a proven track record of successfully executing complex utility-scale projects.
• Exhibit exceptional Leadership and management skills, with the ability to direct multiple teams across various projects.
• Develop and implement strategic goals that align with the company's vision.
• Manage a team of Assistant Project Managers and Construction Managers.
• Actively support and mentor team members to enhance team performance, fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional growth.
• Identify training opportunities and facilitate knowledge-sharing sessions.
• Oversee the planning, execution, and delivery of large-scale projects, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget.
• Serve as the primary liaison for all project stakeholders, including equipment suppliers and regulatory bodies, ensuring clear communication and effective relationship management.
• Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with complex utility-scale projects, prioritizing safety and compliance at all stages.
• Manage and nurture relationships with subcontractors, vendors, consultants, and partners.
• Implement and advocate for continuous improvement strategies tailored to the intricacies of construction projects.
• Collaborate with Project Managers, Procurement, Engineering, Safety, QA/QC, Logistics, Suppliers, and other team members to ensure seamless project execution.
• Prepare reports and communicate progress to Leadership as required and provide updates to project Owners during weekly meetings.
• Perform other duties and special projects, as assigned by Management.
• Regular attendance, in accordance with company's attendance policy and supervisory assignment, is an essential job duty requirement for this position.
  
  

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
 

• Hold a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related engineering science and an MBA is preferred with a minimum of 8 years of experience OR
• Possess a minimum of 15 years of experience managing high voltage substations, PV, BESS projects, or similar significantly complicated capital projects, with a proven track record of successfully completing projects.
  
  A minimum of 5 years of PV or BESS project experience is preferred.
• Hold relevant industry certifications or licenses, such as PMP or Professional Engineer (PE) license, which would be highly desirable.
• Have independently overseen multi-million dollar projects.
• Exhibit a proven ability to lead and mentor diverse project teams.
• Preferably, have international experience, including time spent abroad.
• Be assertive, adaptable to dynamic environments, a team player, and willing to travel.
• Showcase a demonstrated ability in project management, including development, planning, installation, and execution.
• Possess experience in permitting processes with local authorities.
• Fluent in written and spoken English; proficiency in other languages is a plus.
• Exhibit excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Be assertive, capable of handling pressure, and a team player.

• Master project management software and can oversee its organizational implementation for planning, documenting, and executing projects, including but not limited to MS Office Suite, ProCore, Estimation Software, Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, AutoCAD, and more.

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 50% 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 .

Nothing in this statement shall imply implicitly or explicitly a guarantee of employment outside our at-will employment opportunity.

I hereby, accept and acknowledge this job description as my own and am committing to these responsibilities and required qualifications.

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