Wind Turbine Service Technician

Working Schedule

• Although there are countless wind turbines in the US, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a relatively low number of workers. Without more Windtechs, there will be a shortage, and currently-trained employees may be asked to do more. Work is full-time but requires a considerable amount of travel to get to often remote locations. In emergencies, Wind Turbine Service Technicians may be called to respond during irregular hours. 

Typical Duties

• Inspecting tower exteriors and fiberglass blades for wear or damage
• Using safety harnesses to climb internal tower ladders to the work area
• Troubleshooting issues with nacelle electronics, mechanical parts, and hydraulics
• Performing maintenance and repairs
• Gathering test data and testing various components and systems
• Replacing worn or malfunctioning parts
• Working in substations, on fiber optic sensing, or transitions systems
• Testing electrical components using a variety of tools 
• Starting generator systems

Additional Responsibilities

• Reviewing video footage provided by drone pilots as part of inspections 
• Collect data, maintain records of tests and maintenance
• Manage parts and tools inventory

Soft Skills

• Analytical
• Commitment to quality assurance
• Dependable
• Detail-oriented
• Focus
• Honesty
• Independent
• Safety-minded
• Sound judgment and reasoning 
• Strong communication skills
• Teamwork
• Troubleshooting skills

Technical Skills

• Comfortable working at elevated heights
• Dexterity
• Mechanical skills
• First aid/CPR
• Normal (or correctable) vision
• Familiarity with personal protective equipment
• Physical strength and stamina to climb ladders and rappel
• Steady hands and arms; good hand-eye coordination
• Email and spreadsheets
• Knowledge of electrical, braking, and mechanical systems
• Hydraulic maintenance
• Computers and programmable logic control systems
• Enterprise resource planning software 
• Computerized maintenance management system (CMMS)
• Industrial control software - SCADA software, Vestas Remote Panel

• Electric power generation sites    
• Utility system construction sector
• Repair and maintenance service providers
• Research and development
• Self-employed business owners

If you’re looking for office work, this job isn’t for you! The average Wind Turbine Service Technician spends much of their day working at extreme heights, with one other person. Climbing up tall tower ladders or rappelling down ropes is physically demanding and obviously dangerous. Some work demands being cramped inside confined space areas, while other parts of the job expose them to the sun, wind, and other elements as they work outside on blades or other areas. 
 
Sites are often in remote rural areas, requiring long commutes. Windtechs usually work on regular schedules, but can be called at any time if there’s an urgent need to repair a non-functioning turbine. The longer a turbine is down unexpectedly, the more money is lost, so Wind Turbine Service Technicians are expected to hustle while maintaining all safety protocols and doing the job to the best of their abilities each time they go out. 

BLS predicts an eye-popping 57% rise in jobs for Windtechs, which vastly outperforms the average of most sectors. That said, remember that this is such a small field to begin with that 57% only adds up to ~3,800 jobs in the next decade. Still, many people shy away at the thought of working hundreds of feet in the air, and that single factor filters out most potential competition. Towers are only getting taller, allowing for bigger blades and more cost-efficient power generation...an important consideration when dealing with renewable energy options. 
 
Those interested in becoming Windtechs should closely review opportunities in the state they wish to live and work in. For various reasons, turbines are more prevalent in some states than others. Some states, for instance, have more rural areas, experience windier conditions, or are simply more politically inclined to pursue wind power options. Per BLS, the states with the highest employment for Windtechs are Texas, Minnesota, California, Iowa, and Oklahoma. However, the states with the highest concentration are Wyoming, South Dakota, Iowa, North Dakota, and Oklahoma. Offshore wind research and development projects are other options being funded and requiring qualified workers. 

As mentioned, being a Wind Turbine Service Tech requires physical strength, the ability to work at great heights, and a lot of working outdoors and driving to remote sites. People who are drawn to this field most likely enjoyed sports, hiking, rock climbing, or just being outside as much as possible. Windtechs typically work with a partner for safety reasons, however much of their job requires actually performing the work on their own. Thus they were probably very comfortable being by themselves as kids, or at least just as content to be alone as with other people. 
 
They were probably math wizards or liked tinkering on electronic gadgets when they weren’t outside. In fact, many probably enjoyed working with tools in a home garage with the door up so they could get sunlight and fresh air as they tinkered on their projects. Some workers may also have been environmentally-conscious and interested in a career that helps develop alternative energies. Energetic, dependable, and practical, Windtechs maintain a unique balance of skill sets that can be tough to beat.