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Senior Director, Microgrid Power Engineering & Tech Assessment – Gas Fired Power Plant

Houston, TX

 

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

We are seeking a Senior Director, Microgrid Power Engineering & Tech Assessment to lead technical evaluations of new power plants—including conceptual design, equipment assessment, and asset acquisition—while driving the design and optimization of distributed energy systems for data centers, hydrogen facilities, and commercial/industrial (C&I) customers. This role will oversee the integration of solar PV, BESS (Battery Energy Storage Systems), and gas generation to deliver cost-effective, load-matching solutions. The Senior Director will manage engineering teams, guide technical assessments, and collaborate with business development and fuel sourcing organizations to advance new initiatives. The ideal candidate combines deep expertise in engineering design, system optimization, and microgrid controls with strategic leadership to strengthen our energy portfolio. 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

System Design & Optimization:

  • Lead conceptual and preliminary design of microgrid projects tailored to diverse customer load profiles, including datacenters.
  • Optimize the mix and sizing of energy assets (PV, BESS, gas, etc.) with or without grid interconnection to achieve reliable and cost-effective performance.
  • Manage feasibility studies and technical due diligence for gas-fired power plant development, including system design and environmental evaluations.
  • Oversee site identification, grid interconnection assessment, and land acquisition for new project locations.
  • Coordinate fuel supply plans and pipeline arrangements with the fuel sourcing team and integrate these into technical assessments.

 

Microgrid Control & Operations:

  • Oversee integration and functionality of Power Management Systems (PMS) and Energy Management Systems (EMS).
  • Ensure seamless coordination of dispatch, system response, and islanding capabilities in live operational environments.
  • Evaluate islanded and grid-connected operating scenarios, including N-1 contingencies, black start capabilities, and demand response potential.

 

Technical Leadership & Oversight:

  • Develop engineering guidelines and design standards for microgrid and gas-fired power plant deployment.
  • Provide engineering review of vendor proposals, technology selection, and component sourcing (including Balance of Plant equipment).
  • Ensure project plans meet required codes, standards, and industry best practices.
  • Assess technical risks of projects and develop mitigation strategies for safety, reliability, and environmental impact.
  • Prepare and present technical reports for investment cases and project updates to senior management.

 

Cross-functional Collaboration:

  • Work closely with project development, procurement, construction, operations, trading, and fuel sourcing teams to ensure system viability and performance.
  • Support project teams in addressing technical risks, permitting, and stakeholder communication.
  • Oversee regulatory and permitting processes to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

 

Industry Intelligence & Innovation:

  • Stay informed on emerging technologies in distributed generation, hybrid systems, and conventional power generation.
  • Bring insights from Tier-1 engineering firms or OEMs to enhance system designs and reduce project costs.
  • Perform techno-economic modeling and tradeoff analysis using tools such as HOMER Pro, DER-CAM, or PLEXOS.
  • Monitor industry best practices and innovations in both microgrid and gas-fired power plant development.
  • Experience working with Tier-1 or microgrid firms such as GHD, GE, Baker Hughes, AlphaStruxure, Eaton, or similar is preferred.

 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • 10+ years of senior leadership experience spanning microgrid power engineering and gas-fired power plant technical assessment.
  • Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, energy, business, economics, or related field (Master’s degree preferred).
  • Expertise in system sizing, load modeling, PMS/EMS operations, and technology optimization for distributed and hybrid energy systems.
  • Specialized knowledge of gas turbine power generation, including environmental, safety, and electrical systems.
  • Familiarity with components and vendors of BESS, PV, gas engines/turbines, and associated control systems.
  • Strong technical background in Electrical, Mechanical, or Power Systems Engineering; Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) or advanced engineering degree preferred.
  • Experience working with Tier-1 firms such as GHD, GE, Baker Hughes, AlphaStruxure, Eaton, or similar.
  • Proven ability to negotiate PPAs, vendor contracts, and supplier agreements, alongside project financing and cost analysis expertise.
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with experience preparing technical reports, investment cases, and regulatory submissions.

 

COMPENSATION: $190,000 - $250,000 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 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.174powerglobal.com.

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