Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Wind Technician

🎯 Role Definition

The Wind Technician performs hands-on inspection, preventive and corrective maintenance, commissioning, and emergency repairs
on wind turbines and balance-of-plant systems. This role requires strong mechanical and electrical troubleshooting capabilities,
safe ascent and work at height, familiarity with SCADA and PLC systems, and the ability to document and communicate technical findings.
Wind Technicians support turbine reliability and availability by reducing unplanned downtime, executing scheduled maintenance, and
participating in continuous improvement and asset management programs. This description is written to be discoverable by recruiters,
applicant tracking systems, and AI models searching for wind energy field service talent.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Wind Turbine Technician Trainee / Apprentice programs
Military technical roles (electronics, electrical, mechanical)
Electrical/Mechanical maintenance technician in utilities or heavy industry

Advancement To:

Senior Wind Technician / Lead Technician
Field Service Supervisor / Site Lead
Commissioning Engineer / Reliability Engineer
Operations Manager / Asset Manager

Lateral Moves:

SCADA / Controls Technician
Blade Repair Specialist
Safety & Training Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Perform routine preventive maintenance on wind turbines including gearbox oil changes, hydraulic system inspections, brake system adjustments, generator cleaning, pitch and yaw system checks, lubrication, and torque verification to maximize turbine availability and life cycle performance.
Troubleshoot and repair electrical faults including generator, transformer, converter, circuit breaker, switchgear, and control panel issues using multi-meters, insulation testers, and electrical schematics while following lockout/tagout procedures.
Conduct detailed blade inspections and perform minor blade repairs, erosion mitigation, leading-edge patching, and coordinate with specialized blade repair teams for major defects to ensure aerodynamic efficiency and structural integrity.
Execute diagnostic procedures on turbine controls and PLCs, perform firmware/configuration updates, calibrate sensors, and resolve SCADA communication or telemetry faults to restore remote monitoring and control functionality.
Climb towers and nacelles safely to access work areas, perform hands-on repairs, component replacements, and complex mechanical adjustments while using fall-arrest systems, rope access techniques, and confined space protocols.
Operate cranes, service hoists, and heavy lifting rigging to remove and install major components such as gearboxes, generators, hub assemblies, and blades according to manufacturer lifting plans and rigging safety standards.
Respond to unplanned outages and emergency calls 24/7 (rotating on-call duties), perform fault isolation, expedite parts requisitions, and restore turbines to production as quickly and safely as possible to reduce production losses.
Follow and enforce strict safety procedures including GWO/OSHA standards, site-specific safety plans, hazard assessments, emergency rescue plans, and participate in toolbox talks, pre-job risk assessments, and incident reporting.
Use condition-monitoring tools and techniques — vibration analysis, thermographic imaging, oil analysis, and acoustic monitoring — to detect early signs of component wear, misalignment, or electrical faults and recommend corrective actions.
Maintain accurate, timely documentation of maintenance activities, work orders, service reports, and safety observations in the CMMS/ERP system (e.g., SAP, Maximo) to support asset lifecycle data and warranty claims.
Disassemble, inspect, test, and rebuild mechanical components (bearings, couplings, pitch systems, yaw drives) to OEM specifications, including measuring tolerances, replacing seals, and performing alignment checks.
Perform commissioning and start-up activities for new turbines and retrofits, including pre-commissioning checks, functional testing, performance verification, and coordination with engineering and project teams.
Verify and maintain inventory of spare parts, consumables, tools, and PPE at the site truck and warehouse; escalate long lead item shortages and participate in parts lifecycle planning to minimize downtime.
Adhere to environmental and site permit requirements during maintenance activities, including proper disposal of lubricants and hazardous materials, spill prevention, and documentation of environmental incidents.
Mentor and train junior technicians and apprentices in safe work practices, troubleshooting techniques, inspection criteria, and OEM maintenance procedures to build team capability and knowledge transfer.
Collaborate with reliability engineers and operations to analyze performance trends, root cause failure analysis (RCFA), and implement corrective actions or design improvements to improve mean time between failures (MTBF).
Install, test, and repair secondary systems including meteorological sensors, yaw/feeder systems, and tower lighting, ensuring compliance with site electrical standards and industry regulations.
Participate in continuous improvement initiatives, contribute to maintenance procedure updates, suggest cost-saving measures, and support reliability-centered maintenance (RCM) programs.
Perform pre- and post-weather event inspections (storms, icing) to identify and remediate damage, make safe decisions for turbine operations, and coordinate with site leadership for curtailed or staged restarts.
Communicate with dispatchers, site supervisors, OEM field service engineers, and remote operations centers to prioritize work, coordinate access, and escalate complex technical issues when required.
Execute scheduled and ad-hoc calibration of instrumentation (temperature, pressure, vibration sensors) and verify sensor accuracy for operational stability and safety interlocks.
Maintain high standards of housekeeping inside nacelles, control rooms, and service vehicles to ensure safe, efficient workspaces and reduce the risk of tool/part loss and safety incidents.
Complete quality and warranty documentation for replaced components and coordinate return-of-failed-parts (RMA) processes with vendors and OEMs.

Secondary Functions

Support project-based tasks such as turbine retrofits, generator upgrades, and control system migrations by providing installation labor and field testing support.
Assist the reliability team with data collection for root cause analyses and participate in follow-up implementation of corrective actions to improve fleet health.
Conduct site surveys for new installations and contribute feedback on site logistics, access, and O&M planning to streamline construction-to-operation handovers.
Provide input to inventory and spare parts optimization by documenting actual spare usage trends and recommending changes to reduce capital tied up in spare parts.
Participate in customer-facing activities, such as post-maintenance walk-throughs, documenting service outcomes, and giving technical briefings to site owners or asset managers.
Help develop or update standard operating procedures (SOPs), maintenance checklists, and training materials, incorporating lessons learned from field experience.
Support continuous training initiatives by completing periodic recertifications (GWO, rope access, first aid) and sharing best practices in team safety and effectiveness workshops.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Electrical troubleshooting (AC/DC systems, generators, transformers, switchgear) and solid understanding of power distribution within wind farms.
Mechanical diagnostics and repair skills including gearboxes, bearings, couplings, pitch and yaw systems, hydraulic systems, and torqueing procedures.
SCADA and PLC experience — fault diagnosis, communication troubleshooting, basic ladder logic awareness, and HMI interactions.
Condition monitoring skills: vibration analysis, thermography, oil particle count and ferrography interpretation, and use of predictive maintenance tools.
Rigging and lifting operations experience: crane signaling, slinging, load calculations, and following OEM component removal/installation plans.
Safe access and fall protection proficiency: tower climbing, harness systems, rope access or GWO Working at Heights competence.
Confined space entry, rescue procedures, and emergency response training.
Use of hand and power tools, precision measurement tools (calipers, micrometers), and diagnostic instruments (multimeters, insulation testers, oscilloscopes).
CMMS/ERP system usage for work order management, parts tracking, and maintenance documentation (examples: SAP, Maximo, eMaint).
Blade repair techniques and composite materials handling, including sanding, resin application, and patching best practices.
Basic hydraulic and pneumatic system maintenance including troubleshooting valves, cylinders, and pumps.
Knowledge of electrical codes, wind turbine OEM manuals, and industry safety standards (GWO, ANSI, IEC where applicable).

Soft Skills

Strong safety mindset and ability to enforce safety rules and lead by example in high-risk environments.
Clear verbal and written communication skills for documenting technical work and coordinating with multi-disciplinary teams.
Problem-solving and analytical thinking for root cause analysis and creative field repairs when parts are limited.
Teamwork and collaboration across maintenance crews, engineering, and operations.
Time management and the ability to prioritize tasks under pressure during outage or emergency situations.
Customer service orientation when working on client sites or communicating with asset owners.
Adaptability and willingness to work in variable weather, remote locations, and rotating shift/on-call schedules.
Attention to detail and commitment to high-quality workmanship and documentation.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent with vocational training in electrical or mechanical trades.

Preferred Education:

Associate degree or technical diploma in Electrical Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Industrial Maintenance, or similar.
Additional coursework or certifications in power systems, controls, or renewable energy technologies.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Electrical Technology
Mechanical Technology
Industrial Maintenance / Mechatronics
Renewable Energy Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

Entry-level: 0–2 years (completed apprenticeship or GWO-accredited training)
Mid-level: 2–5 years of field maintenance experience on wind turbines or heavy electrical/mechanical equipment
Senior: 5+ years with demonstrated troubleshooting, commissioning, and leadership experience

Preferred:

Prior experience working on onshore or offshore wind turbine installations and O&M
Demonstrated experience with SCADA systems, predictive maintenance programs, and OEM service procedures
Valid certifications such as GWO Basic Safety Training, Fall Protection, Rope Access (IRATA/SPRAT), OSHA 10/30, First Aid/CPR, and relevant electrical licenses where applicable