Description
Title: Director of Performance Commissioning
Department: Operation 1
Location: Ankeny, IA
Supervisor: Head of Operations 1
FLSA Status: Exempt
Position Status: Full-Time
Work Status (Remote/Hybrid/In-Office): Hybrid
DIRECTOR OF PERFORMANCE COMMISSIONING
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 Director of Performance Commissioning will lead the testing and performance assessment functions for utility-scale PV projects. This role oversees the commissioning, performance testing, and data analysis of solar PV and solar-plus-storage systems. The Senior Director/Director will ensure that all projects meet performance standards, adhere to regulatory requirements, and deliver maximum efficiency. The role involves close collaboration with internal engineering, construction, and operations teams, as well as external clients and stakeholders. Reporting to the Senior Vice President/ Head of Operation 1, this leader will manage resources, foster a culture of continuous improvement, and engage with multiple stakeholders to ensure that the business objectives are achieved. This position is located in Ankeny, IA, and working hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00am to 5:00pm or 9:00am to 6:00pm local time. This position is expected to travel up to 20%.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Regular attendance, in accordance with company's attendance policy and supervisory assignment, is an essential job duty requirement for this position.
- Direct the performance testing and analysis for utility-scale solar projects, ensuring systems are commissioned and perform to the highest standards.
- Oversee the development and implementation of performance testing protocols and ensure alignment with regulatory requirements, client expectations, and contractual obligations.
- Lead the commissioning process for PV and PV-plus-storage projects, ensuring that all system components, from inverters to energy storage systems, are installed, tested, and integrated into the grid as per industry standards.
- Ensure compliance with safety protocols, electrical standards, and performance benchmarks.
- Develop and implement performance models to assess the efficiency of PV systems and identify areas for improvement.
- Utilize advanced tools such as PVsyst, SAM, and other modeling software to benchmark actual performance against expected results.
- Collaborate with the data analytics team to process and analyze large datasets for performance insights and system optimization.
- Work closely with the engineering team to review designs, specifications, and technical documentation, ensuring that system designs are optimized for performance and reliability.
- Engage with the construction team to ensure the systems are installed correctly, and all testing and commissioning activities are coordinated and executed efficiently.
- Act as the primary point of contact for clients during the testing and performance phase.
- Provide regular updates on system performance, address client concerns, and offer solutions to any issues that arise during testing or commissioning.
- Lead client negotiations on performance guarantees and ensure client satisfaction through successful project delivery.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives aimed at optimizing system performance, reducing operational inefficiencies, and incorporating the latest technology and best practices in PV and BESS performance testing.
- Identify new tools and methodologies to enhance testing and performance evaluation processes.
- Lead the post-construction performance verification process, ensuring that systems meet performance guarantees.
- Oversee any warranty-related work, including troubleshooting and performance diagnostics, to address issues that may arise post-commissioning.
- Provide technical guidance to the engineering and field teams, ensuring that all testing and performance activities adhere to industry standards and best practices.
- Assist in developing technical documentation, such as test plans, commissioning reports, and performance assessments.
- Identify and mitigate risks related to performance shortfalls, commissioning delays, and testing non-compliance.
- Ensure all testing activities meet regulatory requirements, including environmental standards, grid interconnection rules, and safety guidelines.
- Collaborate with the data engineering team to develop automated reporting tools that provide real-time performance data to internal and external stakeholders.
- Ensure that performance reports are clear, accurate, and actionable, allowing project teams and clients to make informed decisions.
- Lead and mentor a team of performance engineers and analysts, fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented environment.
- Perform other duties and special projects, as assigned by Management.
- Provide regular feedback, performance reviews, and opportunities for professional development to ensure the team remains at the cutting edge of solar performance assessment.
Additional Responsibilities
- Participate in strategic planning initiatives for the solar engineering department.
- Oversee the creation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) related to testing, commissioning, and performance verification processes.
- Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental (HSE) regulations during all testing and commissioning activities.
- Actively participate in cross-functional team meetings to ensure alignment between engineering, construction, and operations teams.
- Stay informed of industry trends, advancements in testing technologies, and regulatory changes that impact PV and BESS projects.
Skills & Abilities
- Advanced understanding of solar PV and BESS system performance metrics and modeling tools (e.g., PVsyst, SAM).
- Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to lead cross-functional teams in high-pressure environments.
- Expertise in data analysis, performance modeling, and real-time system monitoring tools.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex technical data to non-technical stakeholders.
- Strong client management skills, with experience handling performance-related client concerns and negotiations.
- In-depth knowledge of regulatory requirements and compliance standards for solar and storage systems.
- Proficient in data analytics tools (e.g., Python, SQL) and familiar with cloud-based data solutions (e.g., Azure).
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Required: Bachelor's degree in engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
- Preferred: Master's degree in engineering, Data Science, or Energy Systems.
- Required: 10+ years of experience in solar PV engineering, commissioning, or performance testing.
- Demonstrated experience with utility-scale PV and BESS projects, including commissioning and performance analysis.
- Experience managing cross-functional teams and leading performance-focused initiatives.
EXAMPLE 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.
EXAMPLE 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 hr-usa@qcells.com.
Nothing in this statement shall imply implicitly or explicitly a guarantee of employment outside our at-will employment opportunity.
