Wind Turbine Engineer

DNV•Seattle, WA

1d•$80,000 - $125,000•Hybrid

About The Position

DNV’s Renewables and Power Grids group is seeking a Wind Turbine Engineer to join our Wind Finance and Technology team. In this role, you will be an engaged member of our business that evaluates the risks associated with wind turbine technology, providing (amongst other things) site suitability assessments, turbine technology reviews and construction monitoring reports of wind farms to project owners, lenders, equity investors, banks, etc. Within DNV, organizational culture and how we collectively influence the world for future generations matters deeply to us. Our team works every day to increase the widespread deployment and operation of renewables to address climate change and positively impact society; endeavours to achieve our purpose through the success of our customers; and strives to be high-performing and innovative. Our approach reflects the equity, respec t, and diversity we wish to see in the world. This position can be located in our Seattle, WA; Houston, TX; Medford, MA; and San Diego, CA; offices, presenting a dynamic hybrid schedule where employees will typically spend three (3) days per week working from either a DNV office or client location/site. Further details regarding role-specific requirements will be shared during the interview process. Other DNV offices may also be considered.

Requirements

At least a Bachelor’s Degree in relevant engineering or physics disciplines.
Minimum 1 or more years of related experience within the wind energy industry, preferably in an engineering-related role.
Basic knowledge of wind turbine systems including gearboxes, blades, pitch and yaw systems, generators, turbine controllers, towers, electrical systems, and SCADA systems (advanced knowledge of any of the above a plus).
Proficient in MS Office programs (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), and able to learn new software.
Curiosity for digital tools and AI, interest in automating tasks for increased efficiency.
Willingness and ability to travel in North America, up to 20% of the time (international travel is a possibility, but a lower likelihood).
Must posses valid driver's license
Passport or documentation to allow international travel (entry to USA, Canada, Caribbean, or Mexico for example).
Able to work effectively and professionally with diverse people – clients and co-workers, including working with multiple co-workers based in different offices throughout North America and abroad.
Demonstrated strong written communication skills through report origination, draft/final revisions, ability to review and comment on work of peers, and complete high-quality report deliverables.
Willingness and ability to travel in North America, up to 25% of the time (international travel is a possibility, but a lower likelihood).
Strong written and verbal English communication skills
Ability to walk over rough or slippery terrain as experienced on heavy construction sites
Ability to work in inclement weather conditions as experienced across North America and in locations where wind energy projects are typically located
Ability to sit for extended periods as required for typical office work
Ability to climb a wind turbine tower ladder with up to 40 lbs of gear on person, typically to 100-120 m heights (appropriate safety training will be provided)
Sufficient physical fitness to perform multiple turbines climbs per day
Ability to enter confined or enclosed spaces (appropriate safety training will be provided)

Nice To Haves

Masters in Wind Energy Engineering, Mechanical, Aerospace, or Civil Engineering
Consulting experience a plus.
Experience performing visual wind turbine inspections, construction monitoring, commissioning, operation monitoring, or factory quality assurance assessments
Knowledge of mechanical systems, materials, controls, and physical environment impact on structures
Background in performing wind farm’s energy assessments and evaluating site conditions
Proficient in reading and understanding mechanical drawings, and electrical schematics
Experience with or familiarity with different wind turbine platforms and manufacturers
Knowledge of statistical methods for deriving component failure rates based on available failure data
Computer programming background (MATLAB, Python or other transferable languages)
Familiarity with consulting engineering business needs
Experience in project management
Proficient in reading and understanding operational procedures and instructions, maintenance and inspection check sheets and health and safety processes
Bilingual (French and/or Spanish) writing and verbal skills a plus

Responsibilities

Perform turbine site suitability evaluation with DNV’s internally developed tools, reviewing mechanical loads assessments prepared by OEMs.
Contribute to wind turbine technology assessments, review, report writing, and client communication as part of technical due diligence for project financing, mergers & acquisitions and other business needs.
Remain current on new wind turbine technology, engaging with OEMs to understand latest technical details on new products and updates/revisions to existing products.
Perform field and factory inspections of wind turbines and components as part of construction monitoring, operational projects assessments, manufacturing quality inspections, and potentially failure investigations.
Review projects’ O&M budgets and provide O&M costs projections using DNV’s internal tools, including evaluation of expected major component failure rates.
Prepare detailed reports, memos, technical notes, and email correspondence to communicate clearly to clients with accuracy and technical rigor.
Review root cause analysis (RCA) investigations performed by OEMs or others, in order to assess RCA’s completeness and provide evaluation of associated risks and mitigants. Work may also include participation in RCAs, including investigations into turbine and component failures covering inspection, documentation of field conditions, causality mapping, and engineering calculations (as appropriate).
Complete company required documentation in a timely manner such as Job Safety and Risk Assessments, time sheets, expense reports, inspection check sheets, tracking reports and scheduling controls.