Senior Applications Engineer - Advanced Module Frames

Nextpower • Nashville, TN

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Applications Engineering Manager for Advanced Module Frames serves as a key technical resource for customers and works closely with Sales, Product Marketing, Engineering, Quality, and Operations to support commercialization and adoption of advanced PV module frames. Reporting to the General Manager, the role addresses customer technical needs and anticipates emerging challenges, including specialized engineering projects involving internal teams and external partners.

The position provides guidance on applications, mechanical performance, manufacturing integration, testing, qualification, and installation. It investigates customer inquiries and product issues, coordinates analysis and test results, and communicates practical recommendations. The role also coordinates external engineering and testing projects, tracks requests and commitments, and maintains accessible technical documentation, qualification results, and lessons learned.

The position is based in Nashville, Tennessee, and involves frequent domestic and international travel, which may be required up to 80% of the time. Work may take place at outdoor construction, industrial, manufacturing, and customer sites, with exposure to noise, heavy equipment, and variable weather.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline.
• At least 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.
• 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; travel may be required up to 80%.
• Ability to work safely in outdoor construction, industrial, manufacturing, and customer-site environments.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and to stand, walk, bend, climb, and move across active project sites frequently.
• Ability to safely and legally operate a motor vehicle.
• Ability to wear required PPE and follow site-specific safety requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Lead investigations 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 and deliver clear recommendations.
• Serve as a technical contact for module manufacturers, laboratories, third-party engineering groups, developers, and other stakeholders.
• Support the global Sales organization through customer meetings, technical presentations, and resolution of barriers to product adoption.
• Support Product Marketing materials, including technical presentations, application notes, white papers, FAQs, competitive comparisons, and supporting data.
• Communicate customer requirements, investigate technical challenges, recommend product improvements, and translate complex engineering information for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Coordinate projects involving external engineering consultants, testing laboratories, and technical partners; clarify scopes, requirements, schedules, deliverables, and acceptance criteria.
• Participate in technical reviews, evaluate results, track milestones and risks, and coordinate activities across internal and external teams.
• Track customer inquiries, engineering action items, and outstanding commitments, prioritizing them by urgency, customer impact, and commercial importance.
• Maintain a centralized knowledge base of technical documentation, qualification results, and lessons learned.
• Communicate critical technical issues and project status to cross-functional stakeholders.
• Follow applicable standards and site-specific safety requirements, use required PPE, and safely operate a motor vehicle.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager