Blade Engineer, Operations Engineering

Overview

COMPANY OVERVIEW

Pattern Energy is a leading renewable energy company that develops, constructs, owns, and operates high-quality wind and solar generation, transmission, and energy storage facilities. Our mission is to transition the world to renewable energy through the sustainable development and responsible operation of facilities with respect for the environment, communities, and cultures where we have a presence. 

Our approach begins and ends with establishing trust, accountability, and transparency. Our company values of creative spirit, pride of ownership, follow-through, and a team-first attitude drive us to pursue our mission every day. Our culture supports our values by fostering innovative and critical thinking and a deep belief in living up to our promises.  

Pattern Energy operates in the United States and Canada, with offices in San Francisco, Houston, San Diego, New York and Toronto.  Pattern Energy Group's corporate headquarters are in San Francisco. Pattern has a global portfolio of more than 46 power facilities and transmission assets, serving various customers that provide low-cost clean energy to millions of consumers.

Responsibilities

JOB PURPOSE

The Blade Engineer provides oversight and tracking of blade inspections and repairs across Pattern’s operating fleet, ensuring that all activities are coordinated effectively. This role requires maintaining a comprehensive and accurate database cataloguing every inspection, damage, and repair, as well as providing regular status reports to stakeholders. The Blade Engineer is also responsible for ensuring that all inspections and repairs are performed safely, completed on schedule and within budget, and thoroughly documented to maintain high standards of quality and accountability.

Key Accountabilities

The key responsibilities will include the following:

• Maintain a fleet-wide blade inspection and repair database
  • Locate and upload historic inspection and repair data not currently in the database
  • Ensure all relevant data is added to the database in a timely manner

• Blade Inspection Vendors:
• • Administer blade inspection requirements across Pattern’s fleet, including identification and tracking of blades requiring special inspections beyond the standard requirement.
  • Support scheduling of internal and external blade inspections across Pattern’s operating fleet.
  • Provide day-to-day oversight of inspections, working with site personnel, operations management, and inspection vendors to ensure efficiency and timely completion
  • Track and report inspection completion; provide campaign coordination to ensure vendors complete inspections on time and on budget.
  • Perform periodic audits of inspection reports to ensure inspections are high quality and damages are reliably identified
  • Escalate complex damages to Pattern blade engineering subject matter experts

• Blade Repair Vendor Oversight:
• • Maintain and manage database of all blade damages within Pattern’s operating fleet
  • With blade engineering subject matter experts, prioritize damages for repair based on severity and risk
  • With Operations personnel, coordinate and track blade repair schedules
  • Provide day-to-day coordination of repairs, working with site personnel, operations management, and repair vendors to ensure efficiency and timely completion
  • Provide regular reporting of fleetwide blade repair status
  • Ensure repair reports are received for each repair performed
  • Perform audits of repair reports to ensure high quality repairs and documentation
  • Track and report repair hours and costs for repairs
  • Escalate complex repairs to Pattern blade engineering subject matter experts
• Support initiatives for innovative technology on blade inspections, monitoring for damages, repair techniques, and reliability & performance improvements.
• Proactively communicate 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 turbine operations and maintenance. 
• Support Identification, vetting, and onboarding of new inspection and repair vendors as needed

Qualifications

EDUCATION/Experience/Qualifications Required

Educational Experience

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, civil, or chemical Engineering.  Or an individual with 2 -5 years of experience managing wind turbine blade inspections and repairs.

Work Experience

• Ability to plan, prioritize, and support multiple field projects for safe, on time, on budget completion
• A level of subject matter expertise in blade-relateed issues corresponding to 2-5 years experience.

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 35% travel)

Technical Skills

• Understanding of composite materials, blade repair techniques, and inspection methodologies
• Excellent communication and organizational skills, with the ability to coordinate across multiple internal and external stakeholders
• Demonstrated commitment to safety, quality assurance, and continuous improvement in field operations
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, project management tools, and data tracking/reporting systems
• 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 wind turbine blades.

The expected starting pay range for this role is $80,000 - $108,000 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

#LI-JH1 #LI-Hybrid