Operations Engineer - CA, MA or ME

The Company

First Wind is an independent wind energy company exclusively focused on the development, financing, construction, ownership and operation of utility-scale wind energy projects in the United States. Based in Boston, First Wind has developed and currently operates wind energy projects in the Northeast, the West and Hawaii.  First Wind is committed to the communities it works with to achieve the most efficient and economic wind generation projects in North America. 

Job Purpose

Working in First Wind’s San Francisco, Boston, or Portland office, you’ll join an elite group of seasoned wind power professionals in the development, construction, and operations phases of wind projects across the US. The “Operations Engineer” will work with other professionals and technicians in a team environment and on a variety of engineering type projects, for the most part related to wind turbine and electrical power system performance. You will assume and manage fleet operating performance improvement initiatives, fleet retrofits, and major repairs in coordination with on and offsite support. The responsibilities for this position include the monitoring, remediation and reliability improvement of gearboxes and drive trains of operational turbines and balance of plant within the First wind fleet,  the implementation of cross disciplined standards and methods in the support of operational efforts. The day to day activities have a wide degree of variety involving multiple projects simultaneously. Required travel will vary from 25% to 50% as project implementation dictates.

This position can be based at either of the First Wind corporate offices in Boston, MA, San Francisco, CA or Portland, ME. 

Principal Responsibilities

• ·         Planning, coordination, budgeting, and supervising on-site and off-site activities related to retrofit and repair of the company's wind energy projects. As required communication and coordination with internal and external stakeholders.
• ·         Contribute to Construction, Development, Asset Management and Engineering-related activities during non-travel periods.
• ·         Coordinate operation, maintenance, and repair activities to obtain optimum utilization of machines and equipment as needed.
• ·         Evaluate asset performance, report and recommend design or operational modifications. Make clear concise recommendations taking considerations of performance, timing, capital expenditures, and budgeting.
• ·         Lead the root cause analysis and remediation plans for defective equipment, enhance the design of problematic parts for the purposes of improving reliability
• ·         Establish and manage relationships with service providers to perform repair work.  Ensure relevant standards are implemented for the successful return to service of repaired units in accordance with design and supplier standards.
• ·         Plan, prepare, and instruct training programs as required to share field engineering and/or product knowledge with operations staff.
• ·         Perform administrative functions, such as writing technical and/or job status reports, requesting quotes, ordering materials and services, preparing time and expense sheets in a thorough and timely manner.
• ·         Be knowledgeable of, and conduct work actions in compliance with industry standards for safety, quality and environmental protection.
• ·         Develop knowledge of relevant Terms and Conditions, both of the Company and of subcontractors, and perform activities so as to assure compliance and minimize risk.
• ·         Research and analyze design proposals, specifications, and manuals to determine feasibility of design or application.
• ·         Travel to wind farm sites within the United States. Visit operating wind farms as required.

Qualifications

• ·         B.S. Electrical Engineering preferred or comparable engineering experience.
• ·         3-5 years of experience in wind industry preferred, 3-5 years in power generation required.
• ·         Experience with vendors and independent service providers.
• ·         Computer and software skills.
• ·         Comfortable working at heights and the ability to perform essential physical functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation; this includes climbing 300’ wind turbines, lifting 50 lbs. above head, and meeting the weight requirement of safety gear, 310 lbs. or less.  
• ·         Valid driver’s license with the ability to qualify for DOT certification.
• ·         Preference given to those candidates with industrial wind experience.
• ·         This position can be based at either of First Wind’s location in California, Massachusetts or Maine.