Description

Title: Project Manager Preconstruction
Department: EPCm
Location: Irvine, CA
Supervisor: Director of Preconstruction & Planning
FLSA Status: Exempt
Position Status: Permanent; Fulltime

Work Status (Remote/Hybrid/In-Office): Hybrid

Project Manager Preconstruction

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 Project Manager Preconstruction 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 Project Manager Preconstruction 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 Director of Preconstruction & Planning or another management personnel designated by the President of the Company. This position is remote (Unless in Irvine, CA), with standard working hours from Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time. Overtime and weekend working hours may be necessary as required. This position entails an expected travel commitment of up to 30%.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION & RESPONSIBILITIES

• 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.
• Coordinate, review, contribute to, and participate in detailed engineering project design reviews focused on voltage-specific and equipment-related aspects, including electrical 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.
• 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, emphasize 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.

Technical Expertise

• 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.
• 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).
• 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.

Leadership & Coordination

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Software & Technical Skills

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.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Construction Management, or a related engineering science and an MBA is preferred with a minimum of 5 years of experience OR
• Possess a minimum of 7-10 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 2 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.
• Travel: up to 30% as needed.

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 regularly 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 computers, office documents, and office objects near and far
• Climb: occasionally ascends/descends on a stairway to the office's upper and lower floors.
• Travel up to 30% as needed.

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, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

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 hr-usa@qcells.com.

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 committed to these responsibilities and required qualifications.

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