Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Wind Turbine Technician

🎯 Role Definition

The Wind Turbine Technician is responsible for the safe, efficient installation, commissioning, inspection, maintenance and repair of wind turbines and associated balance-of-plant equipment. This field-facing role requires advanced mechanical and electrical troubleshooting, hands-on blade and nacelle work, routine lubrication and component replacement, SCADA/PLC fault analysis, safe rope access/climbing and rescue operations, and accurate documentation in CMMS. The technician works closely with operations, safety, engineering and external contractors to maximize turbine availability, reduce downtime, and support continuous improvement initiatives across wind farms.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Maintenance Technician (industrial/manufacturing)
Electrical or Mechanical Technician (utility, H.V.A.C., industrial)
Rope access / tower climber / lineman

Advancement To:

Lead Wind Turbine Technician / Senior Technician
Site Supervisor / Operations Supervisor
Wind Farm Engineer / Commissioning Engineer
Wind Farm Operations Manager / Asset Manager

Lateral Moves:

Renewable Field Service Technician (solar, battery storage)
Utility Lineman / Distribution Technician
Mechanical or Electrical Maintenance Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Perform scheduled preventive maintenance on turbines, including gearbox oil changes, generator inspections, yaw and pitch system checks, hydraulic system servicing, and filter replacements to ensure long-term reliability and compliance with OEM maintenance plans.
Conduct thorough mechanical and electrical diagnostics on nacelle components (gearbox, main bearings, yaw system, pitch motors), using multimeters, oscilloscopes and manufacturer diagnostic tools to identify root cause and recommend corrective action.
Troubleshoot and repair control systems, PLCs and sensor networks, interpret SCADA alarms and event histories, and perform firmware/configuration updates to restore full turbine functionality and optimize control logic.
Carry out blade inspections and repairs including composite patching, erosion protection, trailing edge repairs, and bolt/cuff replacement while adhering to blade repair procedures, material specifications and quality control standards.
Execute corrective maintenance and emergency response for turbine faults 24/7 as part of on-call rotations, coordinating with operations and engineering to minimize downtime and arrange logistics, parts and specialized tooling.
Perform cold and hot work procedures safely in confined spaces, at heights and within electrical lockout/tagout zones, applying OSHA, ANSI and site-specific safety rules and ensuring appropriate permits are in place.
Use rope access, industrial climbing and rescue techniques (or authorized aerial work platforms/cranes) to access blades, hubs and towers; perform pre-climb inspections of fall protection equipment and participate in team rescue drills.
Diagnose and repair electrical faults at low and medium voltage levels including generator circuits, transformers, power converters, relays and breakers; interpret wiring diagrams, single-line diagrams and motor control schematics.
Replace and align mechanical components such as couplings, bearings, seals, gearboxes, hydraulic pumps and hydraulic cylinders using precision alignment tools and crane/rigging equipment when required.
Perform vibration analysis, thermography (infrared inspections) and oil analysis to identify early signs of failure, prepare condition-based maintenance recommendations and collaborate with reliability engineers on predictive maintenance programs.
Commission new turbines and refurbished components, validate system performance against OEM specifications, perform acceptance testing, and document commissioning test results for asset owners.
Maintain accurate records in CMMS systems (SAP, Maximo or equivalent): create work orders, log parts used, timecards, inspection records, and generate maintenance reports for operations and asset management teams.
Manage parts usage and small inventories on site, inspect and steward spares, and communicate parts shortfalls to logistics to support timely replenishment and reduce mean time to repair (MTTR).
Follow environmental and hazardous material handling procedures including oil spill response, HAZMAT containment, and proper disposal of lubricants, batteries and contaminated materials in accordance with local regulations.
Lead or support multi-disciplinary outage teams during scheduled major inspections, component replacements, or retrofit campaigns; coordinate with cranes, rigging crews and subcontractors to execute complex lifts and replacements safely.
Provide technical mentorship and on-the-job training to junior technicians and apprentices, delivering practical instruction on diagnostic techniques, safety best practices and OEM procedures.
Participate in continuous improvement initiatives by providing field input on reliability issues, suggesting design or process changes, and assisting with root cause analyses and corrective action plans.
Execute site access, gate and security procedures and liaise with landowners, site managers and other stakeholders to maintain good community relations and ensure safe site operations.
Prepare clear handover reports following shift changes, detailing open work orders, safety issues, outstanding parts, and operational status to maintain continuity of care for turbines.
Conduct functional tests and calibrations for sensors, pitch/yaw encoders and braking systems; verify torque settings and conduct dynamic testing where required to meet performance criteria.
Ensure compliance with required certifications and training: maintain current First Aid/CPR, GWO (or equivalent) BST modules, rescue certifications, OSHA 10/30, and any site-specific permits or licenses.
Operate and maintain cranes, MEWPs (mobile elevating work platforms) and rigging equipment safely; plan lifts and prepare lift plans in coordination with Crane Operators and Rigging Technicians.
Support remote troubleshooting via live data sessions with OEMs and engineering teams, uploading event logs and providing detailed fault descriptions to expedite resolution and warranty processes.
Execute lockout/tagout, electrical isolation and mechanical isolation procedures before performing maintenance, ensuring full compliance with site safety policies and preventing accidental energization.

Secondary Functions

Participate in regular operations and safety meetings, providing frontline insights and reporting recurring issues that affect turbine availability or safety.
Assist the reliability and engineering team with detailed failure reports, spares forecasting and lifecycle cost considerations to drive continuous improvement.
Maintain and update personal and team training matrices, certifications and medical records to ensure crew readiness and regulatory compliance.
Help coordinate logistics for multi-site mobilizations including travel, accommodation, and transport of parts and tools for remote or offshore deployments.
Support environmental, health, and safety (EHS) programs, take part in incident investigations, and implement corrective actions to reduce risk exposure.
Support vendor and subcontractor supervision during on-site works, ensuring contractor adherence to site safety and quality standards.
Prepare documentation and evidence required for warranty claims, performance guarantees and third-party audits.
Assist with pre-construction and site surveys for new installations, providing practical input on access, foundations, and installation sequencing.
Provide community-facing support when required, responding to landowner requests or explaining routine maintenance activities to local stakeholders.
Contribute to knowledge base articles, maintenance procedures and job aids to standardize best practices across sites.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Advanced electrical troubleshooting (low and medium voltage systems), including generator, transformer and converter fault isolation and repair.
Mechanical diagnostics and repair expertise (gearboxes, bearings, couplings, shafts, pitch/yaw systems) with the ability to interpret schematics and OEM manuals.
Blade and composite repair skills: sanding, patching, structural repair, gelcoat and erosion protection techniques following certified procedures.
Proficiency with SCADA systems, PLC troubleshooting, event log analysis and remote diagnostics to identify performance degradations and alarms.
Condition monitoring skills: vibration analysis, oil analysis interpretation, thermography and basic data analytics for predictive maintenance.
Confined space entry, lockout/tagout and electrical isolation competency with an understanding of relevant codes and standards (OSHA, IEC).
Certified climb, rope access and rescue skills (GWO, SPRAT, IRATA or equivalent) and proven experience working safely at heights.
Competency in CMMS platforms (SAP, IBM Maximo, or similar) to generate work orders, update maintenance logs and manage spare parts.
Practical experience operating and planning lifts with cranes, rigging and MEWPs, and ability to produce basic lift plans and risk assessments.
Ability to read and interpret electrical one-line diagrams, mechanical drawings, torque specifications and OEM service bulletins.
Diesel engine and auxiliary systems maintenance (site generators, HVAC and hydraulic power units) where applicable.

Soft Skills

Strong safety mindset with the ability to apply safety procedures consistently and coach peers on safe behavior.
Excellent problem-solving and analytical thinking to perform root cause analysis and recommend sustainable corrective actions.
Clear verbal and written communication for reporting, handovers and collaboration with engineering and operations.
Team player with experience working in multi-disciplinary, multi-shift teams in remote and challenging environments.
Time management and organization skills to prioritize work orders, manage travel and meet SLA targets.
Adaptability and resilience to work in changing weather conditions, remote locations and during emergency call-outs.
Customer-focused attitude and professionalism when engaging with asset owners, contractors and stakeholders.
Mentoring and training ability to upskill junior technicians and promote knowledge transfer within the team.
Attention to detail to ensure compliance with technical specifications, torque settings, sealing and documentation standards.
Cultural sensitivity and strong interpersonal skills for working on diverse crews and in multiple regions or countries.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED required; valid driver's license and ability to pass background and drug screening.
Completion of a recognized technical program/certification in electrical, mechanical, industrial maintenance, or wind energy preferred.

Preferred Education:

Associate degree or diploma in Wind Energy Technology, Electrical Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, or Industrial Maintenance.
Additional certifications such as GWO Basic Safety Training, SPRAT/IRATA, OSHA 30, First Aid/CPR, Confined Space Entry and Rescue.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Electrical Technology / Electrical Engineering Technology
Mechanical Engineering Technology / Industrial Maintenance
Renewable Energy / Wind Energy Technology
Mechatronics / Automation and Controls

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–5 years of hands-on experience in wind turbine maintenance or 2–7 years in heavy industrial/mechanical/electrical maintenance with wind-specific training.

Preferred:

2+ years of direct experience on wind turbines (onshore or offshore) OR substantial field experience in rotating equipment, electrical systems, and high-angle work.
Proven track record of safe work at heights, rescue competency and experience using CMMS systems.
Demonstrated experience with OEM service procedures, commissioning activities and predictive maintenance programs.