Lead Design Engineer - Wind Turbine Generators

Overview

The Lead Design Engineer specializing in Wind Turbine Generators will act as the expert on wind turbine technologies within large-scale utility wind projects. This position requires overseeing the comprehensive process from turbine selection and acquisition to installation, operation, and upkeep in a technically robust, safe, cost-conscious, and dependable manner.

Core Responsibilities

• Perform detailed technical evaluations of turbine models for site-specific compatibility, considering wind class, turbulence, hub height, and grid compliance.
• Analyze turbine designs, load calculations, and certification documents in line with IEC/GL standards.
• Collaborate with the resource assessment team to optimize turbine placement layouts.
• Ensure turbines meet grid code requirements, safety protocols, and contractual standards.
• Assist in evaluating OEM proposals focusing on the impact of turbine choices on Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE).
• Review various turbine-related agreements including supply, service, warranty, and long-term service contracts.
• Benchmark performance guarantees such as availability, power curves, and efficiency across OEMs.
• Validate structural and safety designs including braking and fail-safe systems, as well as logistics feasibility.
• Examine subsystems including rotors, blades, drivetrains, generators, power converters, yaw and pitch mechanisms, and tower foundations.
• Support contract negotiations with OEMs for supply and service agreements.
• Provide expert guidance during turbine installation, commissioning, and acceptance tests.
• Serve as the primary technical authority for diagnosing turbine faults, failures, and recurring reliability challenges.
• Lead root cause analyses for major component failures and define corrective measures.
• Promote predictive maintenance by utilizing Condition Monitoring Systems, SCADA alarms, vibration and oil analyses.
• Ensure turbines operate within specified parameters to maximize availability, energy output, and reliability.

Technical Expertise

• Extensive knowledge of wind turbine technology and design for large utility wind farms.
• In-depth understanding of turbine types, rotor aerodynamics, structural mechanics, and subsystems.
• Experienced in wind resource assessment correlated to turbine classification and micro-siting tailored to site conditions.
• Proficient in power curve verification for turbines 5MW and above from reputed OEMs.
• Familiar with grid compliance, generator and power converter designs, turbine transformers, and electrical protection and controls.
• Well-versed with global and local standards including IEC, DNV-GL, TUV, UL, and HSE standards such as OSHA, ISO, and fire safety.
• Expertise in vibration, noise, thermal management analysis, and SCADA alarm interpretation.
• Strong background in reliability engineering including MTBF/MTTR calculations, FMEA, and root cause analyses.
• Experience with performance analysis, availability metrics, and loss estimation.
• Hands-on expertise in installation of turbines’ major components like blades, nacelle, towers, and subsystems.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or Renewable Energy fields.
• At least 12 years of professional experience working with wind turbines and their subsystems.
• Demonstrated knowledge in grid compliance, turbine control systems, and hybrid plant integrations.
• Proficient with simulation and modeling tools such as WAsP, WindPro, WindFarmer, and CFD applications.

Behavioral Competencies

• Strong analytical and decision-making skills.
• Ability to mentor teams and collaborate effectively across multiple departments.
• Experience in vendor evaluation and effective stakeholder communication.
• Competence in multitasking and meeting deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills capable of presenting and persuading stakeholders on technical solutions.