Senior Applications Engineer - Advanced Module Frames

Nextpower LLC, USA; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Nextpower LLC in Nashville, TN seeks an Applications Engineering Manager for the Advanced Module Frames business unit. You will lead technical inquiries, guide product applications, and coordinate cross-functional efforts with Sales, Marketing, Engineering, and Operations to advance module frame solutions.

The role requires a proactive engineer who engages with customers, oversees external partners, and travels domestically or internationally as needed to drive project success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Structural Engineering or related field; Master's degree a strong plus.
• 5+ years in applications engineering, product engineering, mechanical engineering, or technical customer support.
• Strong understanding of mechanical design, materials, structural performance, manufacturing processes, and testing.
• Experience working directly with customers and communicating technical information effectively.

Responsibilities

• Lead investigations and resolutions of customer technical inquiries related to Advanced Module Frames.
• Provide engineering guidance on product applications, mechanical performance, manufacturing integration, testing, qualification, and installation.
• Coordinate technical analysis and test results, delivering clear recommendations.
• Coordinate with Sales, Product Marketing, Engineering, Quality, and Operations to support product adoption and project execution.

Skills

Customer support

Mechanical design

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Travel availability

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Structural Eng

Master's degree (strong plus)

Tools

SolidWorks

ANSYS

Job description

Job Description

Job Description: Job Description Position: Applications Engineering Manager, Advanced Module Frames Business Unit: Advanced Module Frames Reports To: General Manager, Advanced Module Frames Location: Nashville, TN

Position Overview / Role Purpose Reporting directly to the General Manager, this individual will serve as a key technical resource for customers and work closely with Sales, Product Marketing, Engineering, Quality, and Operations, while supporting the commercialization and adoption of our advanced PV module frames. The role requires a proactive engineer who enjoys solving technical problems, engaging with customers, and driving issues to resolution. Stakeholders include module manufacturers, framing equipment suppliers, testing laboratories, developers, independent engineers, lenders, and investors. Beyond addressing immediate technical needs, the successful candidate will anticipate emerging challenges and oversee specialized engineering projects involving internal teams and external partners.

Core Responsibilities

Customer Applications Engineering & Technical Support

• Personally lead the investigation and resolution of customer technical inquiries related to Advanced Module Frames.
• Provide engineering guidance on product applications, mechanical performance, manufacturing integration, testing, qualification, and installation.
• Coordinate technical analysis and test results, delivering clear recommendations.
• Serve as a trusted technical contact for module manufacturers, laboratories, 3rd party engineering groups, developers, and other stakeholders.

Cross-Functional Support

• Sales: Support the global sales organization through customer meetings, technical presentations, and resolution of barriers to product adoption.
• Product Marketing: Support technical presentations, application notes, white papers, FAQs, competitive comparisons, and supporting data.
• Engineering: Communicate customer requirements, investigate technical challenges, and recommend product improvements. Translate complex engineering information into clear explanations for technical and non-technical audiences.

External Engineering & Project Oversight

• Coordinate specialized projects involving external engineering consultants, testing laboratories, and technical partners.
• Help support project scopes, requirements, schedules, deliverables, and acceptance criteria.
• Participate in technical reviews, evaluate results, and ensure projects meet objectives.
• Track milestones, manage risks, and coordinate activities across internal and external teams.

Technical Knowledge & Process Management

• Maintain organized tracking of customer inquiries, engineering action items, and outstanding commitments.
• Prioritize requests based on urgency, customer impact, and commercial importance.
• Build a centralized knowledge base of technical documentation, qualification results, and lessons learned.
• Communicate critical technical issues and project status to cross-functional stakeholders.

Qualifications Required

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline. Master's degree is a strong plus.
• 5+ years of experience in applications engineering, product engineering, mechanical engineering, or technical customer support.
• Strong understanding of mechanical design, materials, structural performance, manufacturing processes, and testing.
• Demonstrated ability to independently investigate and resolve complex technical problems.
• Experience working directly with customers and communicating technical information effectively.
• Strong project management, organizational, and communication skills.
• Proven ability to collaborate across commercial and engineering functions.
• Self-directed, proactive approach with strong ownership and accountability.
• Ability to work with global teams and travel domestically or internationally as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with PV module manufacturing equipment and factory operations.
• Familiarity with PV module mechanical design, structural loading, reliability testing, and qualification. Knowledge of IEC 61215, IEC 61730, UL 61730, PQP and relevant testing standards.
• Experience with external engineering firms, laboratories, or certification organizations.
• Experience supporting technical due diligence for developers, independent engineers, lenders, or investors.

Physical & Environmental Requirements

• Ability to work safely in outdoor construction, industrial, manufacturing, and customer-site environments. Frequent standing, walking, bending, climbing, and movement across active project sites; ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Exposure to noise, heavy equipment, variable weather, and outdoor construction conditions; ability to wear required PPE and follow site-specific safety requirements.
• Ability to safely and legally operate a motor vehicle.
• Frequent domestic and international travel; up to 80% may be required.

Skills and Competencies

Technical application expertise: Applies strong working knowledge of Advanced Module Frame design, materials, mechanical performance, manufacturing integration, testing, and qualification.

Interprets technical data and established engineering requirements to provide sound guidance and recommendations.

Problem solving and judgment: Independently investigates varied customer and product issues, identifies relevant information, selects appropriate analyses or tests, and evaluates findings. Develops practical recommendations and seeks input when an issue is unusually novel or high impact.

Cross-functional collaboration and communication: Clearly explains customer needs, technical findings, and recommendations to technical and non-technical audiences. Coordinates with Sales, Product Marketing, Engineering, Quality, Operations, and external partners to resolve issues and support decisions within the role’s area of responsibility.

Project execution and process improvement: Coordinates assigned applications, testing, or engineering projects by clarifying scope, deliverables, schedules, and action owners; tracking progress and risks; and communicating status. Identifies recurring issues and contributes to improvements in tools, documentation, and workflows.

Safety, customer, and business judgment: Considers safety, quality, customer requirements, manufacturability, schedule, cost, and product performance when evaluating options. Prioritizes work based on urgency, customer impact, and business commitments, follows applicable standards, and escalates risks or exceptions.

About Nextpower

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.

We are Nextpower 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.