--- title: 'Director, Electrical Engineering – Gas Fired Power Plant at Hanwha Energy USA' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/director-electrical-engineering-gas-fired-power-plant-hanwha-energy-usa-houston-j2dhh1z01y8x' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-10-14' --- # Director, Electrical Engineering – Gas Fired Power Plant at Hanwha Energy USA - **Company:** Hanwha Energy USA - **Location:** Houston, TX - **Posted:** 2026-04-27 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-14 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/hanwhaenergyusa/jobs/4231908009 ## Job description ## COMPANY OVERVIEW Hanwha Energy USA, headquartered in Houston, Texas, is part of the Hanwha Group—a FORTUNE Global 300 company and one of South Korea’s most respected business enterprises. With over a decade of experience delivering high-quality, utility-scale energy projects across North America, Hanwha Energy USA has evolved into a comprehensive energy solutions provider. Our portfolio now spans utility-scale renewables, natural gas generation, retail electricity, and strategic partnerships that power America’s growing data center industry. Our expertise covers the entire energy value chain—from project development and engineering to construction, operations, and maintenance. By integrating advanced technologies, proven processes, and strong partnerships, we deliver reliable, customized solutions that meet the dynamic needs of local energy markets. Hanwha Energy USA is actively advancing strategic initiatives in natural gas generation and data center development, including hyperscaler solutions on both sides of the meter. We are proud to serve as the parent company of: - Hanwha Renewables – specializing in utility-scale solar and battery energy storage systems (BESS) - Chariot Energy – providing retail electricity services for residential, commercial, and industrial customers in deregulated markets ## POSITION OVERVIEW The Director of Electrical Engineering is accountable for the overall electrical engineering strategy, system architecture, and technical governance of utility-scale gas-fired power plants integrated with mission-critical data center loads. This role serves as the owner-side electrical authority, leading all aspects of electrical system design, grid interconnection, and high-availability power delivery across the full project lifecycle—from early development and Pre-FEED through EPC execution, commissioning, and operations. A key responsibility of this role is to lead direct technical engagement with data center customers, translating customer requirements into executable electrical designs and ensuring alignment across internal teams, EPC contractors, OEMs, and utilities. This role is also responsible for ensuring successful customer-led validation, including FAT and SAT participation, as part of project acceptance. The employee may be required to perform other job-related duties as requested by management.  All duties will be assigned in accordance with applicable laws and company policies. ## RESPONSIBILITIES Electrical Engineering Technical Authority (Owner-Side) - Establish and own the overall electrical system philosophy for gas-fired power plants (SCGT, CCGT, and gas engine–based). - Act as the final technical decision-maker for: - Electrical system architecture - Equipment selection and configuration - Reliability and redundancy strategies - Define company-wide standards for: - High-voltage and medium-voltage system design - Substation and switchyard configurations - Protection philosophies Data Center Customer Interface & Technical Alignment - Lead direct technical discussions with data center customers to: - Interpret and clarify power requirements (e.g., availability, load profile, transient response) - Translate requirements into electrical system design criteria - Act as the primary technical interface between the customer and internal engineering teams. - Drive alignment on: - Redundancy architecture (N+1, 2N, etc.) - Power quality and ride-through expectations - Interface points between plant and data center electrical systems - Support customer-facing presentations, technical workshops, and design reviews. - Lead and manage customer involvement in factory and site-level validation activities, including: - Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) for major electrical equipment (e.g., transformers, switchgear, protection systems, BESS) - Site Acceptance Tests (SAT) and commissioning validation - Act as the owner-side authority to coordinate, facilitate, and respond to customer review and approval processes during testing phases. - Ensure all electrical systems meet customer-defined performance, reliability, and compliance requirements through: - Pre-test planning and test procedure validation - Real-time issue resolution during FAT/SAT - Post-test documentation, punch list closure, and acceptance sign-off - Manage and align stakeholders (customer, EPC, OEM, OE) to ensure successful test execution and timely system acceptance. Grid Interconnection & Utility Coordination - Lead electrical scope for grid interconnection strategy and execution with ERCOT and utilities such as Oncor. - Oversee and validate: - Power flow, short circuit, and dynamic stability studies - Voltage control and reactive power strategies - Compliance with ISO/RTO and utility requirements - Define owner positions in technical negotiations with utilities and interconnection authorities. High-Availability Power System Design - Define electrical architectures to meet high availability targets (e.g., 99.9%+) for mission-critical loads. - Lead design decisions for: - Redundant power paths and system topology - Reliable Power distribution to data center campuses - Transformer configurations and bus arrangements - Ensure coordination between: - Generation systems (GT, engines) - Electrical systems (substation, switchgear) - Control systems (PMS, EMS, controllers) EPC, OEM & Owner’s Engineer Governance - Lead electrical engineering engagement with: - EPC contractors - OEMs (transformers, switchgear, generators, BESS) - Owner’s Engineers (OE) - Review, challenge, and approve key deliverables, including: - Single Line Diagrams (SLDs) - Protection and control philosophies - Electrical equipment specifications - System studies and technical reports - Ensure designs align with owner objectives for reliability, operability, and lifecycle cost. Project Development, Risk & Due Diligence - Provide electrical engineering leadership during: - Pre-FEED and FEED decision gates - Project acquisitions and technical due diligence - Identify electrical-system-related risks affecting: - Grid compliance and interconnection approval - CAPEX and OPEX - Schedule and long-lead equipment procurement - Support mitigation strategies and owner positions in commercial and technical negotiations. Technology Integration & Future Readiness - Lead integration of: - BESS and hybrid power systems - Black-start solutions and grid-forming capabilities - Future expansion (e.g., SCGT → CCGT conversion) - Evaluate emerging electrical technologies and architectures from an owner’s perspective. Leadership & Cross-Functional Alignment - Provide technical direction and mentorship to electrical engineers across multiple projects. - Coordinate closely with: - Control & Automation leadership (PMS / EMS integration) - Mechanical engineering leadership - Development, commercial, and operations teams - Translate complex electrical topics into clear, actionable recommendations for executive leadership. ## REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS Education & Experience - Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (Master’s preferred). - 15+ years of experience in power plant electrical engineering, EPC, Owner’s Engineering, or project development. - Proven experience with gas-fired power plants (SCGT, CCGT, or engine-based). - Demonstrated experience acting as a technical authority or discipline lead. Technical Expertise - Deep expertise in: - Power plant electrical systems and substation design - High-voltage and medium-voltage equipment - Protection and grounding systems - Grid interconnection and system studies - Strong understanding of: - Data center power requirements and high-availability design - Power quality, transient performance, and system stability - Familiarity with applicable standards (IEEE, NEC, IEC, NFPA). Leadership & Professional Skills - Strong ability to lead technical discussions with sophisticated customers (e.g., data center developers/operators). - Ability to define technical direction and enforce standards across multiple projects. - Strong engineering judgment balancing reliability, cost, schedule, and risk. - Confident communicator with EPCs, OEMs, utilities, and executive stakeholders. ## Preferred / Nice-to-Have - Experience supporting data center power supply projects. - Exposure to ERCOT or other U.S. ISOs/RTOs. - Experience with BESS or hybrid power plant configurations. - Professional Engineer (PE) license. COMPENSATION: $220,000 - $240,000 salary Attention external recruitment firms, we will not accept any unsolicited resumes at this time. Please do not contact any internal member of our company to discuss the position or to solicit candidates. Hanwha Energy USA provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. [www.hanwhaenergyusa.com](https://www.174powerglobal.com). ## About Hanwha Energy USA ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Hanwha Energy USA is the U.S. investment and incubation arm of Hanwha Energy, building a connected portfolio of renewable energy, data center infrastructure, and dispatchable generation businesses across the United States. - **Entity Type**: Private (wholly owned subsidiary of Hanwha Energy Corporation, part of Hanwha Group) - **Headquarters**: Houston, Texas, United States - **Founded**: 2017 - **Founders**: Not publicly available; the company was established as a U.S. subsidiary of Hanwha Energy Corporation ## Core Business - **Primary industry/industries**: Renewable energy generation (utility-scale solar and battery storage), data center infrastructure development, dispatchable gas power generation, and retail energy supply. - **Target customers**: Utilities, grid operators, hyperscale and enterprise data center users, industrial and manufacturing facilities, commercial and residential energy consumers, infrastructure investors, and local communities [hanwhaenergyusa.com](https://www.hanwhaenergyusa.com/about-us/). - **Mission or purpose statement**: The company operates without a single explicit mission statement on its web pages, but its vision centers on "advancing energy infrastructure across the United States" by building "innovative, long-term energy solutions that drive a more sustainable future" [hanwhaenergyusa.com](https://www.hanwhaenergyusa.com/). ## Products & Services Hanwha Energy USA operates as a holding and investment platform with several distinct operating companies: - **[Hanwha Renewables]**: Utility-scale solar and battery energy storage development across the U.S. The company has signed nearly 2 gigawatts (GW) of power purchase agreements and has more than 8 GW of additional projects in its development pipeline [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/hanwhaenergyusa). - **[Hanwha Data Centers]**: Development of powered land and integrated energy solutions for hyperscale and enterprise data center users, addressing power availability and infrastructure constraints [hanwhaenergyusa.com](https://www.hanwhaenergyusa.com/). - **[Hanwha Gas Power Solutions]**: A dispatchable generation platform offering both behind-the-meter (BTM) and front-of-the-meter (FTM) solutions for grid stability and energy-intensive customers [hanwhaenergyusa.com](https://www.hanwhaenergyusa.com/about-us/). - **[Chariot Energy]**: A retail electricity provider serving residential and commercial consumers in the ERCOT (Texas) and PJM (Northeast/Midwest) deregulated markets, known for creative product structures and award-winning customer care [hanwhaenergyusa.com](https://www.hanwhaenergyusa.com/). ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed (private, wholly owned subsidiary). - **Key Metric**: Total Funding of **$210 million** (debt financing, announced September 2019) [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/hanwhaenergyusa). The company is backed by the parent, Hanwha Energy, a Fortune Global 500 enterprise. - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Solely owned by **Hanwha Energy Corporation**, which is a subsidiary of **Hanwha Group**, a Fortune Global 500 conglomerate with decades of leadership in energy, materials, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing [hanwhaenergyusa.com](https://www.hanwhaenergyusa.com/about-us/). - **Growth Signals**: The company has a massive pipeline of over 8 GW of new solar and battery projects, is actively expanding into the data center infrastructure market, and currently lists 12+ active job openings across corporate, finance, legal, strategy, and project development roles [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/hanwhaenergyusa). It has 27,812 LinkedIn followers and employs 163 people (as of Q2 2026). ## Competitive Advantages - **Integrated Platform Model**: Unlike many pure-play developers, Hanwha Energy USA controls a complete energy ecosystem — generation (solar, gas), storage (batteries), infrastructure (data centers), and retail supply (Chariot Energy) — allowing it to offer end-to-end solutions and capture value across the chain [hanwhaenergyusa.com](https://www.hanwhaenergyusa.com/). - **Parent Company Backing**: Being part of the Fortune Global 500 Hanwha Group provides access to deep capital, global expertise, and a long-term investment horizon that many competitors lack [hanwhaenergyusa.com](https://www.hanwhaenergyusa.com/about-us/). - **Large Development Pipeline**: With nearly 2 GW of PPAs signed and 8+ GW under development, the company has significant scale concentrated in the fast-growing utility solar and storage market [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/hanwhaenergyusa). - **Grid Reliability Focus**: The addition of the Gas Power Solutions division shows an ability to provide dispatchable, flexible power — a key differentiator in an energy transition landscape where intermittent renewables need reliable backup. ## Strategic Focus - **U.S. Energy Infrastructure Buildout**: The company is prioritizing the development of powered land and integrated energy solutions for hyperscale data centers, addressing a critical bottleneck in the AI and cloud computing boom [hanwhaenergyusa.com](https://www.hanwhaenergyusa.com/). - **Renewable Energy Expansion**: Continuing to advance its 8+ GW utility-scale solar and BESS pipeline across multiple U.S. markets. - **Portfolio Integration**: Aligning its operating companies (Renewables, Data Centers, Gas Power, Retail) to create a seamless "plug-and-play" energy ecosystem for large customers [hanwhaenergyusa.com](https://www.hanwhaenergyusa.com/about-us/). - **Talent Acquisition**: Actively recruiting across development, engineering, strategy, finance, legal, and commercial roles to scale the U.S. platform [greenhouse.io](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/hanwhaenergyusa). ## Why Work Here - **Mission-Driven Work**: Employees contribute to building America's energy infrastructure, working on projects that directly impact decarbonization, grid reliability, and AI infrastructure — combining "scale with purpose" [hanwhaenergyusa.com](https://www.hanwhaenergyusa.com/careers/). - **Entrepreneurial Culture Within a Global Giant**: The company describes its culture as "deeply hands-on, entrepreneurial, and focused on building energy solutions that last" despite being backed by a Fortune Global 500 parent [hanwhaenergyusa.com](https://www.hanwhaenergyusa.com/careers/). - **Long-Term Stability & Growth**: Hanwha Energy USA explicitly builds "careers and businesses designed to grow over decades, not quarters," suggesting strong job stability and opportunities for internal mobility across its operating companies [hanwhaenergyusa.com](https://www.hanwhaenergyusa.com/careers/). - **Benefits**: Competitive pay, performance-based compensation, annual 401(k) match, health and wellness benefits, PTO and holidays, and learning/development opportunities [hanwhaenergyusa.com](https://www.hanwhaenergyusa.com/careers/). Work location is likely Houston, Texas (HQ), with hybrid/office expectations based on the roles posted. - **Diverse, Portfolio-Wide Career Paths**: Employees can move between renewable development, data center infrastructure, gas power, retail supply, and corporate functions without changing employers [hanwhaenergyusa.com](https://www.hanwhaenergyusa.com/careers/). ## Sources 1. [hanwhaenergyusa.com - Homepage](https://www.hanwhaenergyusa.com/) 2. [hanwhaenergyusa.com - About Us](https://www.hanwhaenergyusa.com/about-us/) 3. [hanwhaenergyusa.com - Careers](https://www.hanwhaenergyusa.com/careers/) 4. [linkedin.com - Hanwha Energy USA Company Page](https://www.linkedin.com/company/hanwhaenergyusa) 5. [greenhouse.io - Hanwha Energy USA Job Board](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/hanwhaenergyusa) ## Other roles at Hanwha Energy USA - [Manager, Corporate Strategy](https://feeny.ai/job/manager-corporate-strategy-hanwha-energy-usa-houston-2qnb69br50t9) — Houston, TX - [HRIS Specialist – Data & Integrations - Contract](https://feeny.ai/job/hris-specialist-data-integrations-contract-hanwha-energy-usa-houston-vhwq2xwss7fv) — Houston, TX - [Director, Gas Infrastructure](https://feeny.ai/job/director-gas-infrastructure-hanwha-energy-usa-houston-sba3hy9szn4m) — Houston, TX - [Director, Project Development - Gas-Fired Power Plant](https://feeny.ai/job/director-project-development-gas-fired-power-plant-hanwha-energy-usa-houston-2hzn0wfv9x5a) — Houston, TX - [Senior Project Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-project-manager-hanwha-energy-usa-houston-z08723fqqnve) — Houston, TX - [Data Scientist](https://feeny.ai/job/data-scientist-hanwha-energy-usa-houston-fk4afjbxy0f9) — Houston, TX - [Sr. Risk Analyst](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-risk-analyst-hanwha-energy-usa-houston-s9dqs5e9jmnj) — Houston, TX - [Senior Project Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-project-manager-hanwha-energy-usa-houston-c6agz132q8np) — Houston, TX - [Manager, Project Finance](https://feeny.ai/job/manager-project-finance-hanwha-energy-usa-houston-pdnjjzdjzen4) — Houston, TX - [Director, Project Finance](https://feeny.ai/job/director-project-finance-hanwha-energy-usa-houston-rk4e6x68xd32) — Houston, TX