Job Description:

Position Overview / Role Purpose

The Product Applications Engineer plays a critical role in validating the performance, manufacturability, and market readiness of Nextpower’s mechanical and electro-mechanical components. This role ensures new products, updated designs, and components from new vendors meet Nextpower’s stringent engineering, quality, and installation requirements.

By conducting Form-Fit-Function (FFF) testing, evaluating new design revisions, and executing vendor qualification testing, the Product Applications Engineer enables Nextpower to remain competitive, improve product reliability, and accelerate successful go-to-market (GTM) launches. This role partners closely with R&D Design Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Field Applications teams to resolve design risks early and deliver customer-ready solutions.

Key Objectives

Validate New Products:

Ensure new product concepts and prototypes satisfy engineering requirements, customer needs, installation expectations, and safety standards.

Test and Approve Updated Designs of Existing Offerings:

Confirm revisions to existing components or assemblies maintain or improve system reliability, manufacturability, and compatibility with adjacent parts.

Qualify New Vendors and Manufacturing Sources:

Assess whether new suppliers can consistently meet Nextpower’s design specifications, quality requirements, and manufacturing standards.

Core Responsibilities

New Product Testing & Validation

• Conduct Form-Fit-Function testing on new concepts, prototypes, and pre-production assemblies to confirm alignment with design intent.
• Build representative test setups in the R&D yard to simulate installation and operational conditions.
• Evaluate whether product notes, installation manuals, and engineering requirements are sufficient and accurate.
• Identify design gaps or failure modes and partner with R&D engineering to resolve issues prior to GTM launch.
• Perform safety evaluations on new designs, verifying compliance with internal and industry standards.
• Document all test results through structured data collection, analysis, and professional test reports.

Testing of Updated / Revised Designs

• Validate updated designs of existing products to ensure manufacturability, mechanical performance, and compatibility with system interfaces.
• Review updated drawings, specifications, and product notes for completeness and ability to achieve design goals.
• Test individual parts and full assemblies to confirm they meet functional requirements and installation procedures.
• Provide recommendations for improving installation instructions, product notes, or design features based on test outcomes.
• Replicate customer-reported issues in the R&D yard and develop data-driven, field-ready solutions.

Vendor Qualification & Supplier Assessment

• Conduct Form-Fit-Function testing on first-article parts from new vendors to verify compliance with Nextpower specifications.
• Verify adherence to drawings, product notes, and specifications for dimensional accuracy and compatibility with adjacent components.
• Travel to vendor facilities for onsite inspections, test reviews, and pre-production validations as needed.
• Provide structured test feedback to Supply Chain, Vendor Quality, and Engineering to support vendor qualification decisions.

Additional Responsibilities

• Support R&D tracker installation sites by assisting with test setup, construction activities, and data gathering.
• Lead or assist in building test fixtures or partial product assemblies for evaluation.
• Coordinate testing priorities with cross-functional teams and communicate status updates clearly.
• Review, update, and validate installation manuals to ensure accuracy and alignment with tested results.
• Manage multiple projects concurrently, ensuring timely completion under tight schedules.
• Maintain a strong commitment to safety during all testing, construction, and field activities.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in product testing, mechanical systems, quality engineering, or related field; or a BA/BS in engineering or related discipline.
• Strong proficiency in interpreting engineering drawings, specifications, and GD&T.
• Hands-on experience with measurement and testing tools, including torque tools, Skidmore, 3D scanners, thread gauges, and calipers.
• Familiarity with Arena, Jira, SolidWorks/CAD systems.
• Ability to safely lift up to 40 lbs. and work in outdoor R&D field environments.
• Knowledge of Nextpower products is highly desirable.

Skills & Competencies

Technical & Analytical

• Demonstrated ability to conduct rigorous testing and interpret results accurately.
• Strong analytical skills for evaluating mechanical performance and failure modes.
• High attention to detail with strong documentation, reporting, and data-presentation capabilities.

Collaboration & Communication

• Excellent communication skills for conveying technical results to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Proven ability to work cross-functionally within dynamic teams.
• Customer-focused mindset with the ability to support field teams and address customer issues.

Execution & Project Management

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple concurrent test efforts.
• Adaptability to evolving project needs, new technologies, and changing design directions.
• Ability to work under pressure while maintaining high quality standards.

Nextpower offers a comprehensive benefits package. We provide health care coverage, dental and vision, 401(K) participation including company matching, company paid holidays with unlimited paid time off, generous discretionary company bonuses, life and disability protection and more. Employees in certain positions may be eligible for stock compensation. All plans are in accordance with relevant plan documents. For more information on Nextpower’s benefits please view our company website at www.nextpower.com.

Pay is based on market location and may vary based on factors including experience, skills, education and other job-related reasons. The annual salary range for this position is $90,000 - $110,000 (Applicable to California).

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.

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