IT Manager - Inverter Assembly Operations

Job Description:

IT Manager - Inverter Assembly Operations

Location: Mesa, Arizona

Type: Full-time, on-site

About the Role

We are looking for a hands-on IT Manager to own all site-level IT - from greenfield commissioning of our Manufacturing Execution System (MES) and shop floor infrastructure, through go-live, and into steady-state operations.

This is not a strategy-from-a-desk role. You will be on the floor with operators, engineers, and equipment vendors during commissioning and ramp, and you will own day-to-day uptime once we are in production. You will work closely with the corporate ERP team on integration with Oracle Fusion Cloud ERP, and collaborate with the End User Services, Infrastructure, and Security teams on identity and access management, the security stack, and shared infrastructure.

What You Will Own

MES - Selection & Commissioning Through Steady State

• Lead selection and site-level implementation of the MES platform (e.g. Oracle Fusion MES, 42Q, Critical Manufacturing, Plex, or similar) from design through validation, go-live, and hypercare.
• Configure work order routing, station definitions, operator workflows, genealogy rules, and test data capture for inverter assembly (PCBA integration, mechanical assembly, HiPot/functional/burn-in test, pack-out).
• Own integration points between MES and shop floor systems: barcode scanners, label printers, torque tools, test stations, vision systems, and PLCs.
• Manage the MES vendor relationship at the site level - SOWs, change requests, support escalations.
• Coordinate with Corporate IT on MES-to-ERP integration handoffs (you are not building it, but you are accountable for it working on the plant side).

Shop Floor & Site Infrastructure

• Design, deploy, and operate the site network: IT/OT segmentation, VLANs, industrial wireless coverage, switches, firewalls.
• Manage all endpoints on the floor: operator terminals, ruggedized handhelds, scanners, label/zebra printers, large-format station displays, kiosks.
• Stand up and maintain test station PCs and their connectivity to MES.
• Own site cybersecurity posture for OT systems in alignment with corporate security standards.
• Maintain backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity plans for site-critical systems.

Day-to-Day Operations

• First point of escalation for all IT issues on site. Triage, resolve, or route.
• Manage local helpdesk, ticket queue, and on-floor support during production hours.
• Onboard/offboard site personnel; manage local access, badge integration, and shop floor logins.
• Train operators, supervisors, and engineers on MES and shop floor tools.
• Manage IT vendors, contractors, and service providers at the site level.
• Maintain documentation, SOPs, network diagrams, and asset inventory.

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering on new product introduction (NPI), routing changes, and station builds.
• Partner with Quality on traceability, genealogy queries, NCR workflows, and audit readiness.
• Partner with the corporate ERP team on Oracle Fusion Cloud integration with MES and shop floor systems.
• Collaborate with End User Services, Infrastructure, and Security teams on identity and access management, endpoint policy, security stack, and shared infrastructure.
• Partner with Facilities on infrastructure (power, cabling, IDFs, environmental).

What You Bring

Required

• 10+ years in IT roles within a manufacturing environment, with at least one full MES implementation owned end-to-end (commissioning through steady-state operations).
• Bachelors Degree in Engineering or Computer Science
• Hands-on experience configuring and supporting a modern MES platform - 42Q, Critical Manufacturing, Plex, Tulip, Aegis FactoryLogix, or equivalent.
• Strong working knowledge of shop floor integration: barcode/RFID, label printing, test station data capture, OPC-UA / MQTT awareness, PLC connectivity at the integration level.
• Solid networking fundamentals: VLANs, IT/OT segmentation, industrial wireless, firewall basics. Comfortable working with Cisco, Aruba, Meraki, or similar.
• Endpoint management experience: Windows, Android industrial handhelds, MDM tools, imaging, patching.
• Demonstrated ability to operate hands-on - you will rack switches, troubleshoot a scanner, and walk an operator through a workflow in the same day.
• Strong vendor management and project execution skills.

Strongly Preferred

• Experience in discrete electronics or power electronics assembly (inverters, power supplies, drives, EV components, or similar).
• Experience with serialized traceability and component-level genealogy in a regulated or warranty-sensitive product.
• Familiarity with test data systems (HiPot, functional test, burn-in) and binding test results to unit serials.
• Exposure to firmware version control and configuration tracking on assembled units.
• Experience supporting NPI ramps and new line startups.

Nice to Have

• Exposure to Oracle Fusion Cloud (you will not own it, but understanding the ERP side helps).
• ITIL or PMP certification.
• Cybersecurity background relevant to OT environments (IEC 62443 awareness).

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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