Torque Tube Manufacturing Engineer | Global Ramp-Up & DFM

Nextpower LLC, USA; Tennessee; Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Nextpower LLC is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer – Torque Tubes to drive concurrent engineering and industrialization for steel torque tubes across a global supplier base. You will develop robust tube manufacturing processes from coil preparation to coating, ensuring meeting structural and customer requirements.

You will lead DFM/DFMA input, supplier readiness, and production ramp-up while coordinating with R&D, Quality, Program Management, and Procurement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from an accredited institution and at least 10 years of relevant manufacturing engineering or industrialization experience.
• Experience in DFM, steel tube manufacturing processes, or steel processing machinery; CAPEX leadership.
• Experience serving large OEM customers in renewable energy, automotive, or industrial manufacturing; solar tracker torque tube experience a plus.
• Ability to influence design releases through DFM/DFMA and translate capability into design requirements.
• Keen knowledge of roll forming, HF/ERW welds, and tube manufacturing steps.

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 process capability.
• Provide DFM/DFMA input on tube profiles, wall thickness, materials, seam location, tolerances, and coatings; incorporate feedback.
• Review drawings, GD&T, and revisions; identify risks to geometry and weld integrity; propose solutions before release.
• Lead process development for coil handling, slitting, roll forming, welding, sizing, cutting, end forming, and coating as applicable.
• Plan prototype builds, supplier trials, and production validations; verify critical dimensions and coating integrity.
• Lead value engineering and cost reduction across torque tube products; optimize material use, line speed, changeover, and scrap while maintaining performance.
• Define manufacturing readiness deliverables: PFMEAs, control plans, work instructions, inspection methods, traceability, packaging, ramp-readiness.
• Conduct supplier readiness audits and capacity studies; drive corrective actions for production volume readiness.
• Deploy standard process controls, in-line inspection, and lean practices; use OEE, yield, and capability data to prioritize improvements.
• Define technical requirements for mills and equipment; develop FAT/SAT tests; support installation and training.
• Review engineering changes (ECR/DCO/ECO) in PLM; validate supplier implementation and inventory transitions.
• Provide rapid technical escalation and structured root-cause analysis for issues; verify corrective actions.

Skills

DFM/DFMA

supplier process readiness

industrialization

engineering change implementation

lead process development

PFMEA

control plans

Lean/Six Sigma

communication in English

welded steel tube production

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

PLM system

Job description

Nextpower LLC is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer – Torque Tubes to drive concurrent engineering and industrialization for steel torque tubes across a global supplier base. You will develop robust tube manufacturing processes from coil preparation to coating, ensuring meeting structural and customer requirements.

You will lead DFM/DFMA input, supplier readiness, and production ramp-up while coordinating with R&D, Quality, Program Management, and Procurement.