COMPANY OVERVIEW
174 Power Global, headquartered in Irvine, California, is a member of Hanwha Group, a FORTUNE Global 500 firm that is among the eight largest business enterprises in South Korea. 174 Power Global designs, builds and manages renewable energy solutions. The company brings a decade of global leadership in renewable energy to North America, combining best-of-world technology, processes, and partnerships to deliver utility-grade energy solutions customized for local energy markets. 174 Power Global offers the full spectrum of energy solutions – from power plant development, design, construction, operations, and maintenance. With proven capabilities across the renewable energy value chain. 174 Power Global is expanding into data centers and natural gas, leveraging internal knowledge and expertise, the company will secure and enable clean/renewable powered sites
POSITION OVERVIEW
We are seeking a Senior Director of Microgrid Power Engineering to lead the design and optimization of distributed energy systems for a variety of use cases including data centers, hydrogen facilities, and commercial/industrial (C&I) customers. This individual will be responsible for driving the conceptual design of microgrid systems and integrating multiple power generation assets—including solar PV, BESS (Battery Energy Storage Systems), and gas generation—to achieve cost-effective, load-matching solutions. The ideal candidate has deep experience in engineering design, system optimization, and microgrid controls, and will play a strategic leadership role in advancing our microgrid portfolio.
RESPONSIBILITIES
System Design & Optimization:
- Lead the conceptual and preliminary design of microgrid projects tailored to 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.
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.
Technical Leadership & Oversight:
- Develop engineering guidelines and design standards for microgrid deployment.
- Provide engineering review of vendor proposals, technology selection, and component sourcing (including Balance of Plant equipment).
Cross-functional Collaboration:
- Work closely with project development, procurement, construction, operations, and trading teams to ensure system viability and performance.
- Support project teams in addressing technical risks, permitting, and stakeholder communication.
Industry Intelligence & Innovation:
- Stay informed on emerging technologies in distributed generation and hybrid systems.
- 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.
- Evaluate islanded and grid-connected operating scenarios, including N-1 contingencies, black start capabilities, and demand response potential
- Experience working with Tier-1 or microgrids firms such as GHD, GE, Baker Hughes, AlphaStruxure, Eaton, or similar is preferred
QUALIFICATIONS
- 10+ years of engineering experience in microgrids, distributed energy systems, or hybrid power projects.
- Demonstrated expertise in system sizing, load modeling, and technology optimization.
- Strong experience with PMS/EMS platforms and microgrid operational strategy.
- Familiarity with components and vendors of BESS, PV, gas engines/turbines, and associated control systems.
- Technical background in Electrical, Mechanical, or Power Systems Engineering.
- Experience working with Tier-1 firms such as GHD, GE, Baker Hughes, or similar is preferred.
- Ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage multiple projects with a strategic mindset.
- Strong communication and presentation skills.
- Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) or advanced engineering degree.
- Experience working on microgrid solutions for data centers, hydrogen projects, or remote/off-grid applications.
- Knowledge of project financing and cost analysis for distributed energy systems.
Compensation: $200,000 - $245,000 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 Holdings Corporation 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.
Top Skills
What We Do
174 Power Global is heaquartered in Irvine, California. It is the leading solar energy company that is wholly owned by the Hanwha Energy Corporation. With deep expertise across the full spectrum of the project development cycle, 174 Power Global works closely with landowners, local communities, financial investors and other partners to build highly productive, utility scale solar power plants throughout North America. Since its formation in 2017, 174 Power Global has signed nearly 2 gigawatts (GW) of power purchase agreements and has more than 8GW of additional projects in the development pipeline. The Company was ranked as the 2018 number #1 solar project development company in the United States by Wood Mackenzie.
