Job Title: Technical Expert – Wind Turbine Blade Maintenance

Department: Global Maintenance Services (GMS) AMEA

Location: Pune, India

Reporting To: Lead – GMS  AMEA

Role Overview:

The Technical Expert – Wind Turbine Blade Maintenance is a specialist role focused on the inspection, repair, and reliability improvement of wind turbine blades. This position requires extensive hands-on experience at site level, deep understanding of blade materials and aerodynamics, and strong collaboration with OEMs and internal engineering teams. The expert will serve as the immediate technical support for site teams, lead root cause investigations, and contribute to the development of blade maintenance strategies, leveraging the latest technologies, market solutions, and diagnostic platforms.

Key Responsibilities:

Blade Inspection & Repair:

• Lead and support blade inspection campaigns, damage assessments, and repair activities across operational wind farms.
• Perform hands-on blade repairs, including surface restoration, leading-edge protection, crack sealing, and composite patching.
• Guide site teams during complex blade maintenance operations, ensuring safety, quality, and compliance with OEM standards.

Early Failure Detection & Weather Impact Analysis:

• Expert in detecting early blade failures based on site observations, inspection data, and operational trends.
• Identify and assess blade damage caused by lightning strikes, hail, UV exposure, and other accelerated weather impacts.
• Recommend mitigation strategies and preventive measures based on environmental risk profiles and historical data.

Root Cause Analysis & OEM Engagement:

• Carry out detailed Root Cause Analyses (RCAs) for blade failures, erosion, delamination, lightning damage, and structural anomalies.
• Challenge OEMs with evidence-based findings and technical feedback to drive design improvements and accountability.
• Coordinate with OEMs and blade manufacturers for technical clarifications, material evaluations, and warranty discussions.

Site-Level Technical Support:

• Act as the immediate point of support for site teams during blade-related issues and interventions.
• Provide on-site guidance during major blade repair campaigns, inspections, and retrofits.
• Analyze field data including visual inspections, drone imagery, ultrasonic testing, and thermographic scans.

Monitoring Platforms & Diagnostic Tools:

• Maintain detailed knowledge of blade monitoring platforms such as drone-based inspection systems, LPS monitoring, acoustic sensors, and vibration analysis tools.
• Interpret data from blade condition monitoring systems to detect early signs of damage and degradation.
• Integrate monitoring insights into maintenance planning and RCA processes.

Material, Design & Market Awareness:

• Maintain deep understanding of blade material specifications, composite structures, bonding techniques, and aerodynamic profiles.
• Stay updated on manufacturing processes, resin systems, reinforcement fabrics, and latest blade design trends.
• Evaluate and recommend repair solutions available in the market, including advanced coatings, retrofit kits, and OEM-approved repair technologies.
• Monitor industry research, innovation, and best practices in blade maintenance and reliability.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Work closely with the engineering department and internal wind technology experts to align on blade maintenance strategies, design feedback, and reliability improvements.
• Share field insights and RCA findings to support design enhancements and future procurement strategies.

Advisory & Stakeholder Support:

• Provide technical advisory services to internal teams (O&M, engineering, asset management) and external stakeholders.
• Recommend preventive actions, inspection intervals, and repair methods based on field experience and RCA outcomes.
• Support documentation of lessons learned and contribute to Return on Experience (RoE) initiatives.

Process Standardization & Compliance:

• Contribute to the development and refinement of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for blade inspection, repair, and diagnostics.
• Ensure all interventions and technical findings are documented in compliance with internal governance and safety standards.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Renewable Energy, or related field.
• Minimum 10–15 years of hands-on experience in wind turbine blade inspection, repair, and diagnostics.
• Proven experience in conducting RCAs and working directly with OEMs and blade manufacturers.
• Strong understanding of composite materials, aerodynamic design, and blade failure modes.
• Familiarity with blade monitoring platforms, inspection tools (drones, ultrasonic testers, thermographic cameras), and rope access techniques.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Key Competencies:

• Hands-on blade inspection and repair
• Early failure detection and weather impact analysis
• Blade failure diagnostics and RCA execution
• OEM collaboration and technical negotiation
• Site-level technical leadership and support
• Composite material and aerodynamic design knowledge
• Blade monitoring platform expertise
• Market awareness of repair technologies and trends
• Collaboration with engineering and technology experts
• SOP development and process standardization
• Technical advisory and stakeholder support
• Safety and compliance awareness
• Cross-functional collaboration