Senior Electrical Engineer – Gas Fired Power Plant

Hanwha Energy USA•Houston, TX

1d•$140,000 - $170,000

About The Position

The Sr. Electrical Engineer - Gas Power Plant plays a critical role in the development, evaluation, and execution of utility-scale natural gas–fired power projects. This position is responsible for electrical engineering leadership across the entire life-cycle (FEED, EPC, Operations) of new-build power plants, modifications and upgrades to existing power plants, and power plant acquisitions, with a strong focus on grid interconnection, substation design, plant electrical systems, and high-availability power supply, particularly for data center–driven loads. The role requires close collaboration with internal development teams, EPC contractors, Owner’s Engineers (OE), OEMs, utilities, ISOs/RTOs, and regulatory bodies. 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.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
10+ years of experience in power generation, EPC engineering, Owner’s Engineering, or power project development.
Direct experience with gas-fired power plants (SCGT, CCGT, or engine-based) strongly preferred.
Experience supporting U.S. power projects and utility/ISO interconnection processes is a plus.
Strong understanding of:
Power plant electrical systems and substation design
High-voltage and medium-voltage equipment
Protection & control systems
Grid codes and utility interconnection standards
Familiarity with U.S. and international standards (IEEE, NEC, IEC, NFPA).
Experience reviewing EPC engineering documents and technical specifications.
Strong analytical mindset with attention to technical and commercial risk.
Ability to communicate effectively with engineers, developers, EPCs, and non-technical stakeholders.
Comfortable working in fast-moving startup-like development environments with multiple parallel projects.
Self-driven, structured, and capable of representing the owner’s technical interests.

Nice To Haves

Experience with data center power supply projects or high-reliability power systems.
Exposure to ERCOT or other U.S. ISOs/RTOs.
Familiarity with BESS integration or hybrid generation systems.
Professional Engineer (PE) license or progress toward licensure.

Responsibilities

Electrical Engineering & Technical Development
Lead electrical engineering scope for natural gas power plant projects, including SCGT, CCGT, and engine-based generation.
Develop and review electrical system concepts, including:
Generator step-up (GSU) transformers
Medium- and low-voltage distribution systems (e.g., 34.5 kV, 13.8 kV, LV systems)
Auxiliary power systems (normal, emergency, black start)
Define substation and switchyard configurations (ring bus, breaker-and-a-half, double bus, etc.) aligned with project availability and reliability requirements.
Owner’s Engineer & EPC Coordination
Act as the Owner’s technical representative for electrical engineering during Pre-FEED and FEED.
Review EPC and OE deliverables, including:
Single Line Diagrams (SLDs)
Protection & control philosophies
Load lists and short-circuit studies
Grounding, lightning protection, and arc-flash analyses
Identify technical risks, gaps, and optimization opportunities early in the project lifecycle.
Technical Due Diligence & Project Evaluation
Support electrical due diligence for project acquisitions and investments.
Review existing plant electrical systems, compliance with codes/standards, and upgrade requirements.
Provide technical input to risk registers, CAPEX estimates, and development schedules.
Technology Integration & Optimization
Evaluate integration of BESS, black-start solutions, and future CCGT conversion paths.
Support optimization of electrical design to balance cost, constructability, reliability, and expandability.