Senior Mechanical Technician

Wind turbine blade testing is a critical factor in maintaining high levels of reliability and evaluating the latest technological developments in airfoils and materials. Adequate testing will allow wind energy to be more competitive. In addition, blade testing is required as part of turbine certification to meet international design standards including IEC, GL, DNV. Meeting international standards allows developers to mitigate the technical and financial risk of deploying mass-produced wind turbines.

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center's (MassCEC) Wind Technology Testing Center (WTTC) offers a full suite of certification tests for turbine blades up to 90 meters in length. WTTC also offers the latest wind turbine blade testing and prototype development methodologies to help the wind industry deploy the next generation of land-based and offshore wind turbine technologies.

The WTTC's principle technical team includes blade engineers from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) trained in blade testing at the current test facility in Colorado. Expertise and personnel from NREL are playing key roles in commissioning and overseeing the operation of the WTTC. NREL has tested numerous blades ranging in size from 9 to 47 meters over the last 15 years. In addition, WTTC/NREL engineers have previous experience testing blades at leading wind turbine design and manufacturing companies.

The WTTC is expected to begin commissioning soon and we are conducting a search for a Senior Mechanical Technician.

Responsibilities:

• Work on a team with engineers and other technicians to set up and execute structural tests of large turbine blades with scientific precision
• Assemble and maintain 3000 psi servo hydraulic equipment
• Take the lead on hoisting and rigging of large bulky items including turbine blades, adapter plates, etc.
• Assemble complex mechanical structures, torque or tension bolts, perform machining and welding of components
• Supervise the work of other mechanical technicians to ensure blade tests are performed safely and experiments provide high quality scientific results

Qualifications:

• Associates degree in Mechanical Technology or equivalent and 5-15 years experience working with large mechanical and hydraulic systems and components
• Read and understand hydraulic schematics and mechanical technical drawings
• Comfortable working at elevated heights and in confined spaces
• Experience rigging and lifting large objects using overhead cranes, experienced operator of forklifts and other heavy equipment.
• Experience welding steel and aluminum and with basic machining including drilling, tapping, and cutting structural steel