Manager, Manufacturing Engineering – Module Frames

Job Description:

Job Title: Manager, Manufacturing Engineering – Module Frames

Location: Remote
Reports To: Sr Manager, Manufacturing Engineering - Steel

Job Summary:

At Nextpower, we are accelerating the world’s transition to renewable energy through intelligent solar tracking and breakthrough engineering. As a Manager, Manufacturing Engineering – Module Frames, you will be a critical player in this transformation. You will be responsible for leading a team of Manufacturing Engineers to deliver on large scale capacity expansion and process standardization over the next few years. This includes activities for driving concurrent engineering (DFM/DFMA), supplier process readiness, industrialization, and engineering change implementation for steel frame components and assemblies across Nextpower’s global supply base.

The Manager, Manufacturing Engineering – Module Frames will lead initiatives to document and develop best-practice solutions and new manufacturing technologies across the supplier footprint, including (but not limited to) automation, inspection, and operational excellence (Lean thinking). This role partners directly with R&D/Design Engineering, Quality, Program Management, and Procurement to ensure new and existing designs are manufacturable, scalable, cost-effective, and reliable, and support design release and change-control decisions through rigorous engineering analysis and factory validation, while ensuring a customer-centric approach to meet or exceed internal and external customer expectations.

Responsibilities:

• Lead Module Frames Manufacturing Engineering team in the launch and ramp up of new equipment at NX suppliers to deliver large scale capacity expansion.
• Lead manufacturing engineering participation in product development from concept through design release, ensuring high-quality manufacturing feasibility input and DFM/DFMA recommendations. Partner with suppliers to obtain and incorporate external DFM feedback and capability constraints
• Establish and enforce structured manufacturing engineering inputs to design release gates, including manufacturability, process capability, cost drivers, supplier readiness, and risk closure
• Lead innovation in manufacturing technologies and technical readiness of complex roll forming geometries of steel products. 
• Lead planning and execution of prototype builds, supplier trials, and on-site validations; ensure verification of functional intent and key/critical dimensions through appropriate measurement and inspection methods
• Lead technical value engineering and cost-reduction initiatives across module frames by identifying cost drivers and developing engineering solutions (design alternatives, process alternatives, tooling strategy changes, yield improvement, cycle-time reduction). Ensure savings validation while maintaining product performance, reliability, safety, and manufacturability; document results and deploy best practices across regions and suppliers
• Drive a culture of disciplined engineering execution, documentation rigor, and continuous improvement
• Build and maintain strong cross-functional alignment with R&D/Design Engineering, Quality, Program Management, and Procurement; ensure manufacturing engineering recommendations are data-driven, timely, and actionable
• Establish technical standards, operating mechanisms, and review cadence to ensure consistent engineering quality and decision-making across regions and suppliers
• Serve as a Manufacturing Engineering leader for engineering changes within Module Frames Business Unit (ECR/DCO/ECO) in the company PLM system; ensure controlled implementation at suppliers, including technical risk assessment, readiness validation, and documentation discipline
• Provide rapid technical escalation leadership when supplier, manufacturing, or field issues negatively impact Nextpower customers; lead structured root-cause and corrective actions (8D, 5-Why, Pareto) and verify effectiveness
• Document best practices across the group and deploy standardized solutions across the supplier base
• Set team priorities and allocate resources across NPI programs, engineering change workload, supplier readiness, and technical escalations to meet schedule, cost, quality, and customer commitments

Requirements:

• Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree in an Engineering discipline from an accredited institution with at least 15+ years of relevant experience in manufacturing engineering / industrialization for steel components and assemblies in an OEM or contract manufacturing environment Industrial, Mechanical, Manufacturing, Metallurgical or Chemical Engineering is preferred
• 15+ years of minimum experience in complex shape roll form steel products is a must. 
• Demonstrated experience installing and commissioning new equipment for production is a must.
• 10+ years of minimum experience serving large OEM customers in renewable energy, automotive, consumer electronics, consumer goods, or industrial manufacturing (solar tracker experience a plus)
• 5+ years of people leadership experience managing engineering teams (direct reports)
• Demonstrated experience delivering concurrent engineering outcomes: DFM/DFMA influence on design releases, supplier capability translation into design requirements, and factory validation
• Other experience with steel fabrication processes (roll forming, stamping, welding, casting, laser cutting, machining, coating/finishing, assembly, automation). Experience with additional manufacturing processes is a plus
• Experience leading supplier-facing engineering activities including process readiness, tooling readiness, validation builds, and on-site troubleshooting
• Experience with engineering change management in a PLM system
• Working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing / Six Sigma concepts and structured problem solving (8D, 5-Why, Pareto)
• Strategic mindset with the ability to bring clarity, structure, and actions to ambiguous plans and technical challenges
• Ability to influence others and negotiate solutions during critical, time-sensitive decisions
• Experience working with global, cross-functional, and multicultural teams
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, including the ability to organize, conceptually interpret, and clearly communicate material developed collaboratively via the input of multiple parties; translate complexity into actionable direction
• Demonstrated ability to manage large, complex change efforts and drive results through facts and quantitative data, as well as influence, persuasion, and relationship management
• Able to work flexible schedules occasionally to accommodate global work teams
• Travel requirements 50% (international and domestic)

Preferred:

• SSGB, PMP, Lean Manufacturing, Journeyman, or other industry certifications
• Direct experience with domestic and offshore Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers
• Demonstrated ability to design and deploy new processes and bring rigor to released processes, documentation, and readiness controls

Why You’ll Love Working Here:

💡 Innovate with Purpose: Your work directly contributes to accelerating the global shift to renewable energy.

🌍 Global Impact: Collaborate with world-class engineers, suppliers, and partners across continents.

🚀 High-Growth Environment: Be part of a fast-moving, mission-driven team shaping the future of solar technology.

🤝 Empowered Culture: We value bold ideas, authentic collaboration, and a relentless drive for excellence.

At Nextpower, we are driving the global energy transition with an integrated clean energy technology platform that combines intelligent structural, electrical, and digital solutions for utility-scale power plants. Our comprehensive portfolio enables faster project delivery, higher performance, and greater reliability, helping our customers capture the full value of solar power. Our talented worldwide teams are redefining how solar power plants are designed, built, and operated every day with smart technology, data-driven insights, and advanced automation. Together, we’re building the foundation for the world’s next generation of clean energy infrastructure.

Nextpower is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.