Blades Loads and Dynamics Engineer

ENVISION ENERGY USA LTD; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Envision Energy is seeking a Loads and Dynamics Engineer to join the GBIC team in Boulder. You will lead aeroelastic analysis, multi-body dynamics modeling, and tool development for wind turbine blades and subsystems.

The role requires strong background in dynamics, aeroelasticity, and programming with MATLAB/Python/C++, plus experience with industry tools and HPC/Linux. Collaboration across disciplines and travel up to 15% are expected.

Qualifications

• MS or PhD in engineering or similar.
• 5+ years of professional experience; wind/aerospace or related industry.
• Strong knowledge of dynamics, aeroelasticity, controls, aerodynamics, composite structures.
• Experience with wind turbine aeroelastic modeling using industry tools.
• Programming experience: MATLAB, FORTRAN, C/C++, Python; Git/Mercurial is an asset.
• Familiar with HPC systems and Linux.
• Cross-discipline collaboration and clear communication.

Responsibilities

• Multibody dynamic loads analysis of wind turbine systems and communicating findings to the design team.
• Performing parametric studies of wind turbine systems and informing design decisions.
• Developing new multi-body dynamics models and validating against field measurements.
• Creating tools/scripts to automate design and analysis tasks.
• Evaluating turbine control algorithms for load reduction and performance optimization.
• Planning loads validation studies to improve model accuracy against field data.
• Developing aeroelastic technology and methods for loads reduction and power capture.
• Developing novel solutions using first principles and computational modeling.
• Collaborating with Global Blade Design Team and internal stakeholders.

Skills

Dynamics & aeroelasticity

Aeroelastic modeling

Controls theory

Aerodynamics

Composite structures

Aero-acoustics

Modal analysis

MATLAB

FORTRAN

C/C++

Python

Git

Education

MS or PhD in engineering

Tools

FAST

BLADED

HAWC2

FLEX

ADAMS

SAMCEF

Job description

Envision Energy’s Global Blade Innovation Center (GBIC) was established in 2015 to develop an in-house blade design group. Blade design engineers from industry-leading OEMs, national labs, and top graduates have collaborated for the past 11 years, leveraging the best of their collective knowledge and experience to create a state-of‑art design capability. Envision’s in‑house blade designs and technology have disrupted the international blade market and resulted in significant cost of energy reductions (LCOE) and an expanded Envision market share. Envision is currently seeking talented and highly motivated engineers to expand our team and further develop exciting new blade design capabilities and technologies.

As a member of GBIC’s conceptual blade design team with a specialization in loads and dynamics, you will play a central role in the aeroelastic design, simulation, and analysis of new blades and blade technologies. Your work will provide the technical basis for the strategic direction of Envision’s next generation of market leading turbine products.

The successful candidate will have most of the following qualifications:

• MS or PhD in engineering or similar.
• 5+ years of professional experience; ideally in wind/aerospace or closely related industry. Highly qualified MSc or PhD graduates with relevant research experience are still strongly encouraged to apply.
• Deep understanding and experience with dynamics, aeroelasticity, controls theory, aerodynamics, composite structures, and possibly aero‑acoustics with demonstrated ability to apply these disciplines to solve complex engineering challenges.
• Wind turbine aeroelastic modeling experience with industry standard tools such as FAST, BLADED, HAWC2, FLEX, ADAMS, SAMCEF or similar with the ability to interpret findings, troubleshoot unexpected results and recognize model limitations
• Knowledge of modal analysis of structures and complex systems and the ability to analyze the results
• Programming experience in MATLAB, FORTRAN, C/C++, Python, or similar. Experience with revision control software like Git or Mercurial is also an asset.
• Experience in applying AI tools for engineering model development and automation of processes is an asset
• Familiar with HPC systems and Linux
• Experience working across engineering disciplines such as structures and aerodynamics.
• Demonstrated ability to make effective engineering decisions in face of uncertainty and delivery pressure, balance risk and performance and communicate recommendations with clarity. Manage time and resources effectively and establish professional working relationships with colleagues from many different backgrounds.

It is not expected that the ideal candidate has all the qualifications above. What is compulsory however, is a strong desire to quickly learn and adapt combined with a sense of technical curiosity and a self‑motivation/self‑starting open mindset that will enable easy knowledge transfer.

Your daily work will include some or all the following:

• Multibody dynamic loads analysis of wind turbine systems and concise communication of your findings to the design team and relevant stakeholders. Interpretation of results, troubleshooting, and studying means to mitigate challenges are expected.
• Performing parametric studies of wind turbine systems for both new and existing products and developing a deep understanding of overall design trends to inform strategic design decisions.
• Development of new multi‑body dynamics models of utility‑scale wind turbines and their respective subsystems and validation against full‑scale field measurements.
• Development of new engineering tools/scripts to improve the automation, speed, accuracy, and consistency of common design and analysis deliverables.
• Evaluate and apply turbine control system algorithms for load reduction and performance optimization on modern utility‑scale wind turbines while balancing theoretical performance and practical considerations
• Planning and performing loads validation studies to continually improve the accuracy of computational models vs. field performance measurements by identifying discrepancies and strategizing ways to address them
• Development of new aeroelastic technology and design methods for improved loads reduction and increased power capture.
• Develop and implement novel solutions for performance challenges in the wind industry using first principles, computational modeling, real‑world evidence while incorporating multidisciplinary factors.
• Collaborating with the Global Blade Design Team and all its engineering sub‑disciplines as well as providing technical support to internal stakeholders

The Loads and Dynamics Engineer should have strong interpersonal, collaboration and communication skills and be able to clearly articulate the conclusions from complicated engineering analysis to both expert and non‑expert groups alike. A minds‑on / hands‑on approach is expected within Envision’s highly entrepreneurial corporate culture as you tackle new challenges. Desire and ability to work across different cultures and international time zones is also critical.

Candidates should expect up to 15% international travel.

Envision is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.