Torque Tube Manufacturing Engineer - Scale-Up & Optimize

Nextpower; United States; Remote; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Nextpower is rapidly advancing renewable energy through intelligent solar tracking and cutting-edge engineering. We seek a Manufacturing Engineer – Torque Tubes to drive manufacturability, process development, and global supplier readiness for steel torque tubes and connections.

You will lead coil handling, forming, welding, sizing, end forming, and coating processes; work with R&D, Quality, PM, and Procurement to deliver scalable, cost-effective products meeting stringent specs for

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from an accredited institution; 10+ years in manufacturing engineering or industrialization for steel tubes or structural components.
• Experience in DFM/DFMA and CAPEX projects to implement equipment.
• Ability to influence design releases and translate supplier capability to design requirements.

Responsibilities

• Support launches and ramp-up of torque tube manufacturing at domestic and international supplier sites; ensure safety, throughput, yield, and process capability.
• Provide DFM/DFMA input on tube profiles, wall thickness, material grades, seam location, tolerances, and coating requirements.
• Review drawings, GD&T, and revisions; identify risks to straightness, weld integrity, and assembly alignment; propose solutions.
• Lead process development for coil handling, roll forming, seam welding, sizing, end forming, and coating as applicable.
• Plan prototype builds, supplier trials, and production validations; coordinate validation activities with Design Engineering and Quality.
• Lead value engineering and cost reduction; optimize material usage, tooling, line speed, and changeover while maintaining performance.
• Define readiness deliverables: PFMEAs, control plans, work instructions, inspection methods, and traceability; conduct supplier readiness audits.
• Provide rapid escalation support for supplier, manufacturing, and field issues; perform structured root-causes and corrective actions.

Skills

DFM/DFMA

Supplier readiness

Manufacturing process development

Welding and tube forming

Root-cause analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

PLM systems

Job description

Nextpower is rapidly advancing renewable energy through intelligent solar tracking and cutting-edge engineering. We seek a Manufacturing Engineer – Torque Tubes to drive manufacturability, process development, and global supplier readiness for steel torque tubes and connections.

You will lead coil handling, forming, welding, sizing, end forming, and coating processes; work with R&D, Quality, PM, and Procurement to deliver scalable, cost-effective products meeting stringent specs for