Senior Blade Engineer

Pattern Energy is an independent, fully integrated energy company that develops, constructs, owns and operates renewable energy projects and transmission assets across North America, Canada, and Latin America.  The company focuses primarily on wind and transmission with limited investments in other generation technologies.

The Pattern Energy team has a history as one of the top North American renewable energy and transmission providers in the industry. The team is dedicated to delivering the highest value for its customers, partners, financial supporters, and the communities in which it works, while exhibiting a strong commitment to promoting environmental stewardship and corporate responsibility.

Pattern Energy operates in the United States, Canada, and Latin America with offices in San Francisco, Houston, San Diego, New York, Toronto, Boulder, and Puerto Rico.  Pattern Energy Group's corporate headquarters are in San Francisco.

The Senior Blade Engineer role provides subject matter expertise to Pattern Operations, ensuring that the wind turbine blades and rotor components in their operating fleet operate reliably and with optimal performance.  Specifically, this requires a detailed understanding of wind turbine blades and the mechanical systems within a wind turbine rotor. The Senior Blade Engineer will be responsible for understanding how these components function, monitoring and studying equipment health, investigating equipment failures, performing root cause assessments, deploying solutions to improve component reliability, and optimize performance of the equipment.  The Senior Blade Engineer will also utilize engineering concepts and accumulated knowledge to efficiently manage Pattern’s blade maintenance program. 

The Senior Blade Engineer is responsible with providing remote technical support, acting as an authority on safe return-to-service decisions, preparing engineering reports and technical communications to field staff, and developing and communicating new standards and best practices for new equipment selection. The Senior Blade Engineer is additionally tasked with identifying new techniques and technologies that evolve Pattern’s operational capabilities with respect to blade and rotor components, as well as leading the internal and external resources to develop and implement these solutions.

Key Accountabilities

The key responsibilities will include the following:

• For Operational Projects:
  • Provide technical guidance for blade damages, conduct investigations into source and root cause of the damage, and act as authority on safe return-to-service decisions.
  • Interface with site personnel, operations management, and 3^rd party inspection & repair companies to address blade damages in the operating fleet.
  • Manages the blade maintenance program, which includes planning and scheduling inspections, reviewing damages, providing dispositions, prioritizing damages for repair, interfacing with 3rd party vendors, and tracking & communicating progress of inspection and repair campaigns within central portals and reporting tools.
  • Prioritizes damages for repair and provides site personnel with explanation and detailed reports to ensure those damages are repaired properly.
  • Leads initiatives for innovative technology and R&D on blade inspections, monitoring for damages, repair techniques, and reliability & performance improvements.
  • Investigate and conduct root cause assessments on blade and rotor component failures and communicate near-term and long-term mitigating actions.
  • Proactively communicates when new blade issues appear to have become a systemic problem with the operating fleet.
  • Work cooperatively with other discipline engineering leaders in the group to ensure a comprehensive approach to wind turbines. 
  • Maintain a comprehensive list of the blade and rotor components in the operating fleet.

• For Projects in Engineering, Procurement, and Construction:
  • Provide Operations’ perspective and input in support of equipment selection and requirements as it pertains to blades and rotor components.
  • Provide subject matter expertise to the engineering & construction teams during the manufacturing and installation phases of new projects.

Educational Experience 

A bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Civil, or Chemical Engineering or equivalent is required.

Work Experience

• At least 5 years’ experience working with blades in the wind industry.

Additional Qualifications

• Must be able to climb modern wind turbines without a lift or climb assist and spend extended amount of time climbing and crawling in wind turbine blades 
• Strong technical capabilities and a creative, curious, self-driven work ethic
• Desire to work in the field in challenging environments to collect data for RCA or system studies 
• Ability to travel as needed (Up to 30% travel)

Technical Skills

• Advanced knowledge of blade design, manufacturing, inspection, and/or repair.
• Able to quickly assess emergency situations and requirements, and to develop and implement appropriate action plans.
• Able to quickly analyze and assess blade damages from photos and make decisions on whether to continue to operate assets.
• Well-developed inspection skills including the ability to remotely assist site personnel with performing ad hoc inspections of damages.
• Able to occasionally perform physical requirements including standing, sitting, walking, kneeling, twisting, reaching, and climbing at project locations to inspect equipment or collect information.
• Able to read and understand plans, specifications, drawings, and documents relating to engineering and construction.

The expected starting pay range for this role is $89,000 - $112,000 USD. This range is an estimate and base pay may be above or below the ranges based on several factors including but not limited to location, work experience, certifications, and education. In addition to base pay, Pattern’s compensation program includes a bonus structure for full-time employees of all levels. We also provide a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, voluntary benefits, family care benefits, employee assistance program, paid time off and bonding leave, paid holidays, 401(k)/RRSP retirement savings plan with employer contribution, and employee referral bonuses

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