Principal Electrical Engineer

Location:

Houston, US

Requisition ID: 1523

Hanwha Ocean is undergoing a transformative journey, evolving from a traditional shipbuilder into a comprehensive Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation, and Operation (EPCI(O)) solutions provider. Our portfolio now spans FPSO, FLNG, offshore renewables, floating production units, as well as major developments across onshore energy and infrastructure sectors.

This strategic expansion strengthens our ability to deliver exceptional project execution by seamlessly integrating the energy and infrastructure cultures of Asia and America across a diverse set of emerging markets and verticals. By expanding into onshore power plants, including gas-based and combined-cycle facilities, as well as onshore and offshore wind projects, in addition to our established offshore capabilities, we further broaden our commitment to providing world-class, end-to-end energy solutions.

Explore opportunities to be part of our dynamic team at the Energy Plant Unit and contribute to groundbreaking projects that redefine the onshore and offshore industry.

Position Overview

As our Lead Electrical Engineer, you will be the technical authority for all electrical engineering aspects of large-scale onshore power plant EPC projects. From concept to commissioning, you will ensure that every electrical system—from high-voltage switchgear to control systems—is designed, integrated, and delivered to the highest standards. Your leadership will directly influence project safety, performance, and profitability, while mentoring the next generation of engineers.

The ideal candidate brings 10 years of experience in onshore natural‑gas‑based power generation and BESS, gained within Engineering organizations, EPC/EPCI contractors, project developers, or utility organizations. You must have led Electrical engineering tasks for complex power/microgrid projects requiring BESS integration for grid-forming. You must possess strong experience across Pre‑FEED, FEED, and EPC(I) phases, including bid‑phase technical definition. Project experience includes simple‑cycle/combined‑cycle plants with gas turbines, gas engines, BESS, and Balance‑of‑Plant systems.

This role provides end‑to‑end discipline leadership from FEED through EPC execution phase, including developing and reviewing engineering deliverables, including Electrical load schedule, cable schedule, motor control schedule, transformer sizing calculations, EDG sizing calculations, HV/MV/LV cable sizing calculations, AC/DC UPS sizing calculations, BESS sizing calculations, overall Single Line Diagram, power system studies, relay setting/coordination study as well as Interconnection requirements.

The role requires coordination with multidisciplinary teams—civil, mechanical, process, instrumentation & controls as well as project management—to integrate electrical designs seamlessly into the overall plant.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the electrical engineering scope for onshore power plant EPC projects, ensuring compliance with client specifications, industry codes, and safety standards.
• Develop and review single-line diagrams, load lists, cable schedules, and protection coordination studies.
• Oversee the design and specifications of high-voltage (HV) and medium-voltage (MV) equipment including BESS, transformers, switchgear, and auxiliary systems.
• Coordinate with mechanical, civil, and instrumentation teams to ensure seamless integration of electrical systems.
• Manage vendor technical evaluations, FAT (Factory Acceptance Testing), and site inspections.
• Provide technical guidance during construction, pre-commissioning, and commissioning phases.
• Lead design reviews, hazard studies (HAZOP, HAZID), SIS and risk assessments. Develop Hazardous area classification drawings.
• Oversee the design and integration of critical systems such as Generator Step-up Transformer (GSU), Unit Auxiliary Transformer (UAT), Generator Circuit Braker, Iso-phase bus, and balance-of-plant equipment.
• Coordinate with process, mechanical, civil, and instrumentation teams to ensure seamless system integration.
• Review and approve engineering deliverables, including Single line, electrical schematics, equipment datasheets, Load flow study reports.
• Lead electrical design review sessions navigating design documents review with multi-disciplinary team and stakeholders.
• Review ETAP study done by the team/external consultants, Manage vendor selection, technical bid evaluations, and FAT (Factory Acceptance Testing) for major electrical equipment.,
• Provide technical guidance during construction, pre-commissioning, and commissioning phases, resolving site issues in real time.
• Mentor junior engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous improvement.
• Drive value engineering initiatives to optimize cost, schedule, and performance without compromising safety or quality.
• Champion safety in design, incorporating constructability reviews and risk assessments into every stage of the project.
• Provide technical leadership for complex design issues involving decisions impacting project schedule and cost issues.
• Serve as the primary technical interface with EPC contractors, OEMs, system integrators, and clients.
• Ensure compliance with applicable safety, regulatory, and industry requirements (OSHA, EPA).
• Enforce QA/QC and Management of Change (MOC) processes, maintaining accurate and auditable project documentation.
• Review specifications and client requirements for contractual alignment and prepare formal technical responses to RFIs, comments, and deviations.
• Conduct technical evaluations and feasibility studies to assess project risk.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to engineers and designers, ensuring consistent quality of deliverables.
• Oversee installation activities to meet schedule, cost, quality, and safety objectives.
• Maintain and govern discipline documentation, including site work records, standards, specifications, and as‑built records.
• Stay current with emerging technologies, standards, and best practices in electrical engineering.
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Electrical Engineering.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license in U.S. is required.
• 10 years of electrical engineering experience in large-scale power plant EPC projects, with at least 3 years in a lead role.
• Proven expertise in EPC project execution, from FEED (Front-End Engineering Design) to commissioning.
• Strong knowledge of IEC, IEEE, NFPA, and other relevant standards.
• Hands-on experience with ETAP or similar electrical analysis software, to check/verify critical electrical design deliverables prepared by others.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work in fast-paced, multicultural project environments and travel to project sites and engineering offices as needed.
• Proven leadership and mentoring capability, with experience leading engineering teams and complex design efforts.
• Strong analytical, problem solving, and technical decision-making skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic EPC/EPCI environment.
• Ability to work effectively with internal teams, global engineering centers, vendors, EPC contractors, and clients.
• Experience supporting procurement activities for electrical systems, including preparation and technical review of RFQs, bid evaluations, and vendor selection for electrical systems/ packages.
• Knowledge of project procurement workflows and coordination with engineering, construction, and commissioning teams to support schedule-driven purchasing activities.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with gas turbine, combined‑cycle, renewable, nuclear, or hybrid power generation facilities, including greenfield and brownfield projects.
• Experience supporting power systems serving mission‑critical or high‑availability loads, such as data centers, industrial campuses, or critical infrastructure.
• Familiarity with high‑availability power architectures, including redundancy concepts (N, N 1), fault tolerance, and recovery strategies designed to minimize load interruption.
• Understanding of reliability, availability, and maintainability (RAM) principles as applied to power generation and distribution systems.
• Demonstrated ability to work safely and effectively within operating power plant and construction environments, with a strong commitment to safety procedures and hazard awareness.
• Ability to communicate and coordinate effectively with operations, maintenance, commissioning, and construction teams to support safe and reliable plant operation.
• Strong documentation, organizational, and project execution skills, with the ability to develop clear, accurate, and traceable engineering deliverables.
• Proven ability to function effectively within multidisciplinary and multicultural team environments, including collaboration with global engineering centers.
• Fluent in English, with the ability to clearly communicate technical concepts in both written and verbal form.
  
  

Diversity And Inclusion

Hanwha believes that diversity and inclusion are vital to our success. We believe that by embracing different ideas and approaches, we enhance our ability to deliver the best results for our employees, our environment, and ultimately our business partners and customers. We foster a culture where all colleagues are able to share their passions and ideas in order that we may collectively embrace and overcome the challenges in our industry, and work toward a brighter future.

Hanwha is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status, age, or any other federally protected class.

Nearest Major Market: Houston