Solar-Storage Assistant Project Manager Irvine, CA

Solar-Storage Assistant Project Manager | Irvine, CA 28 views

B.S. Chemical Engineering - Civil/Structural Engineering - Environmental Engineering CA South May 11, 2025

Solar-Storage

Location: Irvine, CA

Description

Title: Assistant Project Manager

Department: Operation 2

Location: Irvine, CA

Supervisor: Senior Director of Project Management

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Status: Full-time; Permanent

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

ASSISTANT 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 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 Assistant 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 Assistant 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 Senior Director of Project Management, 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 20% of the time, is expected.

Essential Job Function & Responsibilities

Assist Project Managers in the planning, design, and execution of utility-scale solar and energy storage projects, ensuring precision and adherence to industry standards.

Assist Project Managers to manage construction projects of solar and energy storage sites with an understanding of critical equipment such as power inverters, battery racks, and BMS systems, along with voltage-specific requirements.

Assist Project Managers to 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 a 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 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.

Assist Project Managers to 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.

Assist Project Managers to 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.

Assist Project Managers to 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.

Assist Project Managers to 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.

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 with a minimum of 2 years of experience OR

Possess a minimum of 7 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 1 years of PV or BESS project experience is preferred.

Hold relevant industry certifications or licenses, such as PMP, Engineer-in-Training (EIP), of Professional Engineer (PE) license, which would be highly desirable.

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.

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 20% 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)

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.

This job position is specific to Qcells USA Corp. only and not any other Hanwha affiliates. The above-listed salary range is required by the California Pay Transparency Act and may differ depending on the location of those candidates hired nationwide. The salary range shared in the job description is for the listed position and only pertains to the candidate if they work in Irvine, CA. Actual compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to internal pay equity, skill set, education, licenses and certifications, geographic location, essential job duties and requirements, and the necessary experience relative to the job's minimum qualifications. If candidates are considered for a nationwide role, then the compensation range will follow the marketability of the job function within those states. An additional discretionary bonus structure or incentives may be offered as part of the overall compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, dental, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

You may view your privacy rights by reviewing Qcells' Privacy Policy or by contacting our HR team for a copy.

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Company Qcells USA