Field Support - Blade Engineer

Vestas; iBhayi; On-site; ZAR 499 000 - 834 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading manufacturer of wind turbines seeks a Technical Support professional to join their team in iBhayi, South Africa. The role involves managing blade inspections, assisting in failure analysis, and providing both on-site and remote support. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, with 2-5 years of relevant experience, and be proficient in English. The position offers opportunities for skill development within the renewable energy industry.

Benefits

Opportunity for skill development

Professional working environment

Encouraging workplace atmosphere

Qualifications

• 2-5 years of experience in engineering with a background in solving problems.
• Experience with glass or carbon fiber design and construction.
• Proficient in English, both written and spoken.

Responsibilities

• Manage failure analysis to support commercial decisions and contribute to component forecasting for service planning.
• Act as a technical point of contact for blade technicians and customers regarding blade condition.
• Offer on-site and remote support for blade damage evaluation.

Skills

Problem-solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Proficient in MS Office

Effective communication

Autonomous work

Education

Bachelor's degree in Materials or Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree in Mechanical, Polymer or Chemical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Job description

Region MED >

SBU MED Service >

Technical Support MENA-TK & SEAF

The Blades group within the Turbine technical support department plays a pivotal role in providing technical support for wind turbine blades, supporting the ongoing service of existing blades, optimizing the blade care and following up with the blade CIM cases. This team is responsible for conducting thorough blade analyses, defining maintenance needs and serviceability, resolving field issues, facilitating continuous improvement in blade performance, reliability, and participating in on-site activities when necessary. Additionally, the blades team also contributes to aerodynamic upgrades, customer interactions, and strategic initiatives that aim to enhance the overall efficiency and durability of Vestas' wind turbine blades.

Responsibilities

Technical responsibilities

• Follow up and develop new blade inspection initiatives, such as robotic internal blade inspections or improve the drone inspection process
• Manage failure analysis to support commercial decisions and contribute to component forecasting for service contract planning
• Managed the blade repair backlog mainly in the cluster (Turkey, South Africa, MENA)
• Support VTO and MED Function team by coordinating ongoing product development and blade care enhancement projects
• Develop customer reports, method statements and internal documentation
• Conduct focused activities requiring advanced knowledge in blade technology, such as structural evaluations and repair strategies
• Attend blade repairs on-site to familiarize yourself with the actual blade repairs

Customer and stakeholder engagement

• Act as a technical point of contact for blade technicians, customer engineers, and customers regarding the blade condition and the actions to be taken
• Follow up with the planning team on the corrective actions and blade care activities till the task completion
• Visit sites under construction to ensure blade quality meets the standards
• Liaise with customer support to follow up on customer matters, attend customer meetings, technical support to customers for field issues, including damage assessments and repair recommendations

Operations and field support

• Offer on-site and remote support for blade damage evaluation, root cause analysis, and corrective action planning
• Respond to technical inquiries from field service teams and construction
• Support operational teams with tooling, up-tower repair solutions, inspection protocols, and specialized maintenance approaches

Cross-functional and project leadership

• Coordinate and support Continuous Improvement Management (CIM) projects with cross-functional international teams
• Maintain and develop region-specific technical documentation to align with evolving engineering practices and market needs

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Materials or Mechanical Engineering (other degrees considered with experience)
• Experience with glass or carbon fiber design and construction
• 2 - 5 years of experience in engineering with a background in solving problems
• Proficient in English, both written and spoken
• Master's degree in Mechanical, Polymer or Chemical Engineering is beneficial

Competencies

• Ability to work in demanding situations and handle multiple responsibilities in a deadline-oriented environment, effective oral and written communication skills, and effective organizational skills, and ability to maintain confidentiality
• Demonstrated ability to adjust in a progressive and changing workplace
• Cross-functional collaboration skills, work effectively with all relevant stakeholders
• Proficient computer skills, specifically in MS Office products and AutoCAD (would be beneficial)
• You are a highly motivated person who can work with little supervision and have experience with glass / carbon structural repair, especially on wind turbine blades
• Specific experience in the implementation, operation, system standards and service of wind turbines, experience in project management and systematic problem-solving methodology (8D, DMAIC, etc.)
• Solid commercial experience from exposure to / understanding of customers in either sales or service

What we offer

We offer a thriving and professional environment where people are valued over anything, opportunities will be provided for skill development, and your ideas will be considered.

Joining Vestas means working alongside a notable manufacturer of wind turbines and being part of an uplifting and encouraging workplace atmosphere. Joining the renewable industry will have the satisfaction and privilege of creating a better planet for the future.

Additional information

This position is based in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, and requires up to 30% travel per year (mostly national, however, some international travel may be required).

We will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis, therefore, early applications are encouraged. To apply for this opportunity, please submit your CV in English.

Please note : We reserve the right to amend or withdraw this job posting at any time.

Our commitment to a fair hiring

At Vestas, we evaluate all candidates solely based on their professional experience, education, and relevant skills. To support a fair recruitment process, we kindly ask that you remove any photos, dates of birth or graduation, gender pronouns, marital status, or other personal information not relevant to the role before submitting your CV / resume. Your CV / resume should focus on your professional and educational background, along with the necessary contact details (email and phone number). We train our hiring teams in inclusive evaluation and regularly review process outcomes to ensure fairness.

DEIB Statement

At Vestas, we recognise the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion in driving innovation and success. We strongly encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, particularly those who may hesitate due to their identity or feel they do not meet every criterion. As our CEO states, "Expertise and talent come in many forms, and a diverse workforce enhances our ability to think differently and solve the complex challenges of our industry". Your unique perspective is what will help us powering the solution for a sustainable, green energy future.

BEWARE - RECRUITMENT FRAUD

It has come to our attention that there are a number of fraudulent emails from people pretending to work for Vestas. Read more via this link, https : / / www.vestas.com / en / careers / our-recruitment-process

About Vestas

Vestas is the energy industry's global partner on sustainable energy solutions. We are specialised in designing, manufacturing, installing, and servicing wind turbines, both onshore and offshore.

Across the globe, we have installed more wind power than anyone else. We consider ourselves pioneers within the industry, as we continuously aim to design new solutions and technologies to create a more sustainable future for all of us. With more than 185 GW of wind power installed worldwide and 40+ years of experience in wind energy, we have an unmatched track record demonstrating our expertise within the field.

With 30,000 employees globally, we are a diverse team united by a common goal : to power the solution - today, tomorrow, and far into the future.

Vestas promotes a diverse workforce which embraces all social identities and is free of any discrimination. We commit to create and sustain an environment that acknowledges and harvests different experiences, skills, and perspectives. We also aim to give everyone equal access to opportunity.

To learn more about our company and life at Vestas, we invite you to visit our website at www.vestas.com and follow us on our social media channels. We also encourage you to join our Talent Universe to receive notifications on new and relevant postings.