Giulf Wind Technology Logo
< Back to listing

Wind Turbine Blade Aerodynamics Engineer

Category: Engineering
Location: New Orleans, LA

THIS ROLE HAS NOW BEEN FILLED

Summary

Gulf Wind Technology is dedicated to improving the economic performance of onshore and offshore wind farms by pioneering innovation in the design, manufacture, and operation of wind turbine blades. Our team members have the experience and expertise needed to deliver innovation to products, helping clients solve some of the most pressing needs of the Wind Energy Industry.

We have ambitions to change the way the wind industry thinks about blade and rotor technology, and we are looking for colleagues who are motivated to join us on this exciting journey. We like to take on complex and challenging projects because they give our teams opportunities to truly collaborate, experiment, and innovate. Our team members are comfortable with deep technical analysis, hands on prototyping and testing, and leading cross functional programs. Each team member brings their own unique set of skills, knowledge, and experience to the project, allowing us to work through complex technical projects by applying a principled approach to the design and analysis of wind turbine blades. Our teams are also hands on, fully engaged with lab and factory prototypes, running testing trials, and leading field installation campaigns up-tower. We also use a structured approach based on Six Sigma principles to running projects, and we’re expected to lead teams of colleagues to deliver on business-critical projects for clients.

To help our team grow and tackle new projects, we’re looking for a wind turbine aerodynamics engineer who is excited to tackle new and innovative blade and technology projects. The aerodynamics engineer will help to shape and grow our aerodynamic design and testing capabilities, where you will be leading the development of new and innovative airfoil and blades. Working alongside your colleagues, you will build wind turbine blade aerodynamics models that are coupled with detailed structural, controller, wind, and wave resource models, creating a world class analysis tool-suite.

Job description

As a member of Gulf Wind Technology’s Research and Development Team, the Aerodynamics Engineer will play a key role in the aeroelastic design and analysis of new and existing blades. As a member of the engineering team, you will have a variety of opportunities to learn new skills while leading projects for customer, leaning into your own skills and expertise to help the team succeed. At Gulf Wind Technology you will be responsible for:

  • Creating new and innovative airfoil and blade aerodynamic designs, leading the analysis using appropriate panel, BEM, lifting line, and CFD tools.
  • Conduct experimental airfoil and blade aerodynamic measurement campaigns, from wind tunnel to field validation experiments.
  • Build new engineering tools, methods, codes, and scripts that improve the accuracy, capability, and speed of deliverables.
  • Contribute to Gulf Wind Technology’s blade and product certification processes, according to IEC 61400-1 and 61400-5.
  • Create and manage detailed test and analysis records, pre and post processing tools, and documentation.
  • Managing cross functional projects, cradle to grave, including developing a business case, coordinating team member activities, managing project budgets and customer reporting.
  • Perform system and component level DFMEA.
  • Lead field performance, loads and vibration measurements to gather firsthand understanding of blade and turbine operation.
  • Integrating technical and market research into GWT tools and processes to support the company goals and further the development of new products.
  • Contributing to the quality and safety culture at GWT.
  • Growing your expertise and knowledge beyond your own technical accountability or role.

Required qualifications

  • A Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or a related field.
  • Good working knowledge and experience of loads modeling processes and tools, such as OpenFOAM, PropID, WTPerf, CFX, Star-CCM, or similar tools.
  • Experience facilitating meetings and leading group discussions to achieve project goals.
  • Proven track record of working effectively in a team environment, including experience collaborating with cross-functional teams and building positive working relationships.
  • Strong presentation and interpersonal skills, including the ability to clearly convey complex information to a diverse audience.
  • A humble approach to your own knowledge and skillsets. We value team members who willingly share their expertise with the team, but also own their own learning and development plans.

Desired characteristics

  • Master’s degree in Engineering.
  • Previous relevant experience, preferably in the wind industry, but candidates with translatable experience are encouraged to apply.
  • Experience with modal analysis and loads measurements is beneficial.

A successful candidate will possess equal measures of creativity and passion, technical and interpersonal skills, and a drive and willingness to push the boundaries of blade innovation and technology development. The work environment at GWT creates opportunities for collaboration on projects with team members from multiple disciplines and backgrounds, where all perspectives and viewpoints are valued and respected.