Manufacturing Engineer, Torque Tubes

Job Description:

Job Summary:

At Nextpower, we are accelerating the world’s transition to renewable energy through intelligent solar tracking and breakthrough engineering. As a Manufacturing Engineer – Torque Tubes, you will drive concurrent engineering (DFM/DFMA), supplier process readiness, industrialization, and engineering change implementation for steel torque tubes and their connection features across Nextpower’s global supply base.

This role leads the development and deployment of robust tube manufacturing processes, from coil preparation and tube forming through welding, sizing, cutting, end forming, hole making, and corrosion protection, as applicable. You will partner with R&D/Design Engineering, Quality, Program Management, and Procurement to deliver manufacturable, scalable, and cost-effective products that meet structural, dimensional, assembly, and customer requirements.

Responsibilities:

·       Support the launch, commissioning, and ramp-up of torque tube manufacturing lines at domestic and international supplier locations; verify safe operation, throughput, yield, and sustained process capability.

·       Participate in product development from concept through design release. Provide DFM/DFMA input on tube profiles, wall thickness, material grades, seam location, end connections, hole patterns, tolerances, and coating requirements; incorporate supplier capability feedback.

·       Review drawings, specifications, GD&T, and design revisions. Identify risks to tube straightness, twist, cross-sectional geometry, weld integrity, connection fit, and assembly alignment; recommend solutions before design release.

·       Lead process development for coil handling and slitting, roll forming, longitudinal seam welding, sizing and straightening, cut-to-length, end forming or swaging, punching or drilling, and coating or weld-seam protection, as applicable to the product and supplier process.

·       Plan prototype builds, supplier trials, and production validations. Verify critical dimensions, weld quality, end-connection fit, and coating integrity; coordinate mechanical and torsional validation with Design Engineering and Quality.

·       Lead value engineering and cost reduction across torque tube products. Optimize material utilization, strip width, tooling, line speed, changeover, yield, and scrap while maintaining structural performance, corrosion resistance, safety, and manufacturability.

·       Define manufacturing readiness deliverables: process flows, PFMEAs, control plans, work instructions, inspection and test methods, material traceability, packaging standards, and ramp-readiness criteria, in partnership with Quality and suppliers.

·       Conduct supplier readiness audits and capacity studies. Assess tube mill capability, welding controls, tooling condition, preventive maintenance, bottlenecks, and staffing; drive corrective actions and verify readiness for production volumes.

·       Deploy standardized process controls, in-line inspection, error proofing, automation, and Lean practices. Use OEE, yield, scrap, downtime, and capability data to prioritize improvements across suppliers.

·       Define technical requirements for tube mills, weld systems, cutting and end-forming equipment, gauges, and handling systems. Develop factory and site acceptance tests (FAT/SAT); support equipment installation, commissioning, and training.

·       Serve as a Manufacturing Engineering reviewer/approver for engineering changes (ECR/DCO/ECO) in the company PLM system. Validate supplier implementation, tooling and process updates, traceability, and inventory transition.

·       Provide rapid technical escalation support for supplier, manufacturing, and field issues. Lead structured root-cause analysis and corrective action for weld defects, dimensional variation, forming cracks, coating damage, and connection issues; verify effectiveness.

·       Document and deploy best practices for tube mill setup, tooling, welding process windows, inspection, safe material handling, and packaging to prevent tube deformation and coating damage during storage and transport.

·       Participate in NPI and cross-functional readiness reviews. Communicate supplier capacity, validation results, open technical risks, corrective actions, and launch status to support timely release and ramp decisions.

Requirements:

·       Education & Experience:

o   Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from an accredited institution and at least 10 years of relevant manufacturing engineering or industrialization experience with steel tubes, roll-formed sections, or structural steel components in an OEM or contract manufacturing environment.

o   Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, or Metallurgical Engineering is preferred.

·       At least 5 years of experience in DFM, steel tube manufacturing processes, or steel processing machinery, including leading CAPEX projects to implement equipment in factories.

·       At least 5 years of experience serving large OEM customers in renewable energy, automotive, or industrial manufacturing; solar tracker or torque tube experience is a plus.

·       Demonstrated ability to influence design releases through DFM/DFMA, translate supplier process capability into design requirements, and validate designs in a production environment.

·       Strong hands-on knowledge of roll forming and welded steel tube production, including high-frequency electric resistance welding (HF/ERW) or equivalent seam welding, tooling setup, sizing, straightening, cutting, end forming, and hole making.

·       Experience leading supplier process and tooling readiness, validation builds, production ramp-up, and on-site troubleshooting; ability to connect machine settings and tooling condition to product quality.

·       Experience with PLM-based engineering change management and controlled implementation across suppliers, including process documentation and product traceability.

·       Ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, steel material specifications, and coating requirements; CAD collaboration skills for manufacturability reviews using SolidWorks or equivalent.

·       Working knowledge of PFMEA, control plans, statistical process control, process capability (Cp/Cpk), measurement system analysis, Lean/Six Sigma, and structured problem solving (8D, 5-Why, Pareto).

·       Practical knowledge of weld inspection and destructive or nondestructive test methods, dimensional gauging, and corrosion protection for pre-coated or post-galvanized tubing, as applicable.

·       Ability to influence suppliers and cross-functional partners, negotiate technical solutions, and make timely decisions using engineering evidence.

·       Experience working with global, cross-functional, and multicultural teams.

·       Excellent oral and written communication skills in English; ability to translate complex manufacturing issues into clear recommendations, work instructions, and action plans.

·       Demonstrated ability to manage complex technical changes and deliver measurable improvements in capacity, cost, quality, and delivery using facts and quantitative data.

·       Ability to translate strategy into execution, manage competing priorities, and drive technical risk closure across multiple supplier locations.

·       Ability to work flexible schedules occasionally to accommodate global teams.

·       Travel requirements: 30% (international and domestic).

Preferred:

·       Six Sigma Green Belt, PMP, Lean Manufacturing, Journeyman, or other relevant industry certifications.

·       Direct experience with domestic and offshore Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, especially solar tracker torque tube or structural tubing manufacturers.

• Experience developing new tube forming or end-connection processes, improving high-strength or coated steel tube production, and standardizing validated processes across factories.

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.