Ace Your Wind Turbine Technician Interview
Master technical, safety, and behavioral questions with proven answers and insider tips.
- Comprehensive technical and safety question bank
- STAR‑based model answers for behavioral queries
- Step‑by‑step answer outlines for quick review
- Tips to avoid common interview pitfalls
- Estimated prep time and difficulty breakdown
Technical Knowledge
During my shift at a 2 MW turbine farm, I was scheduled for the monthly blade pitch system check.
My task was to verify that the pitch actuators, sensors, and control wiring were operating within manufacturer tolerances.
I first accessed the turbine via the service lift, then used the manufacturer’s diagnostic software to read actuator positions while manually cycling the blades through their full range. I inspected hydraulic lines for leaks, checked sensor wiring for corrosion, and recorded all readings in the maintenance log. Any deviation triggered a deeper inspection of the actuator motor and a recalibration using the OEM toolkit.
The inspection confirmed all parameters were within spec, preventing potential over‑speed events. The log entry satisfied compliance audits and contributed to a 0% downtime record for that month.
- What tools do you use for pitch system diagnostics?
- How do you handle a pitch actuator that fails to respond?
- Clarity of step‑by‑step process
- Understanding of safety precautions (lockout/tagout)
- Knowledge of diagnostic software and OEM specs
- Emphasis on documentation
- Skipping safety lockout procedures
- Vague description of diagnostic steps
- Access turbine via service lift
- Run diagnostic software to read pitch positions
- Manually cycle blades through full range
- Inspect hydraulic lines and sensor wiring
- Record readings and compare to OEM tolerances
- Recalibrate or replace components if out of spec
While on call for a 3 MW turbine, the SCADA system flagged a generator overheating fault (code G‑HOV).
I needed to identify the root cause, mitigate the risk, and restore normal operation while adhering to safety and environmental regulations.
I first initiated an emergency shutdown using the turbine’s remote kill switch and verified lockout/tagout on the generator circuit. I then inspected cooling fan operation, checked coolant flow rates, and measured bearing temperatures with infrared thermography. The fan motor showed reduced amperage, indicating a bearing seizure. I replaced the fan motor, re‑filled coolant, and performed a controlled restart while monitoring temperature trends.
Generator temperatures returned to normal within 10 minutes, the fault cleared, and the turbine resumed power production without incident. The incident report was filed, and the corrective action was added to the preventive maintenance schedule.
- How do you prioritize safety when a fault occurs during high wind conditions?
- What preventive measures can reduce generator overheating incidents?
- Safety first approach
- Use of appropriate diagnostic tools
- Logical troubleshooting sequence
- Documentation of corrective actions
- Skipping the emergency shutdown step
- Unclear explanation of temperature verification
- Initiate emergency shutdown and apply lockout/tagout
- Inspect cooling fans and coolant system
- Use infrared thermography to verify bearing temps
- Identify faulty component (e.g., fan motor)
- Replace/repair component and refill coolant
- Perform controlled restart and monitor temps
Safety & Compliance
Before beginning a scheduled maintenance window on a 2.5 MW turbine, I was responsible for ensuring all work met OSHA and IEC 61400‑2 requirements.
My task was to coordinate the crew, verify permits, and conduct a safety briefing that covered both OSHA and IEC standards.
I reviewed the work permit to confirm lockout/tagout, confined space entry, and fall protection requirements. I then led a toolbox talk that highlighted specific IEC 61400‑2 clauses on electrical isolation, wind speed limits for work, and emergency evacuation routes. I ensured each technician wore a harness, inspected rescue equipment, and documented the briefing in the safety log. Finally, I performed a pre‑task inspection of all tools and verified that the turbine was in a safe wind condition (<10 m/s).
The maintenance was completed without any incidents, passed the internal audit, and the crew received positive feedback for adherence to safety protocols. The turbine returned to service on schedule, and the compliance documentation was accepted by the regulatory auditor.
- How do you handle a situation where wind speeds exceed the safe limit mid‑maintenance?
- What records do you keep to demonstrate compliance after the job?
- Comprehensive reference to both OSHA and IEC standards
- Emphasis on pre‑task safety briefing
- Clear documentation practices
- Team coordination
- Omitting mention of wind speed limits
- No reference to documentation
- Review work permit for lockout/tagout, confined space, fall protection
- Conduct toolbox talk covering OSHA and IEC 61400‑2 clauses
- Verify harnesses, rescue equipment, and wind speed limits
- Document safety briefing and pre‑task inspections
- Proceed with maintenance only after all checks are signed off
During a routine gearbox inspection, I noticed a colleague attempting to start the turbine without completing the lockout/tagout steps.
I needed to stop the unsafe action, address the safety breach, and ensure the team understood the importance of the procedure.
I immediately called out, "Stop, lockout/tagout first," and physically placed the lockout device on the power circuit. I then escorted the coworker to the safety officer, explained the violation, and we reviewed the lockout/tagout checklist together. After the turbine was properly isolated, we resumed work, and I led a brief debrief to reinforce the policy with the entire crew.
The turbine remained safely isolated, the coworker acknowledged the mistake, and the safety officer documented the incident as a near‑miss. The debrief helped prevent future breaches, and the crew completed the inspection without further safety issues.
- What documentation is required after a near‑miss like this?
- How do you balance safety enforcement with maintaining crew morale?
- Prompt intervention
- Correct application of lockout/tagout
- Clear communication and documentation
- Leadership in safety culture
- Failure to stop the coworker
- Minimizing the seriousness of the breach
- Immediately halt the unsafe action
- Apply the correct lockout/tagout device
- Report the incident to the safety officer
- Review the lockout/tagout checklist with the coworker
- Conduct a crew debrief to reinforce policy
Behavioral
A 1.5 MW turbine went offline due to an unexpected vibration alarm during peak production hours.
I was tasked with coordinating the electrical, mechanical, and control engineers to diagnose and fix the issue within a tight timeframe.
I organized a quick huddle, assigned roles—mechanical team to inspect the rotor bearings, electrical team to check the drive‑train wiring, and control engineers to review SCADA logs. I facilitated real‑time updates via a shared tablet, ensured everyone followed lockout/tagout, and documented findings. The vibration was traced to a misaligned bearing, which the mechanical team replaced while the electrical team verified sensor integrity.
The turbine was back online in 3 hours, restoring 1.5 MW of generation. The collaborative approach was praised by management, and the incident report highlighted the effective cross‑functional communication.
- How do you handle disagreements between specialists during troubleshooting?
- What tools do you use to keep the team synchronized?
- Clear teamwork coordination
- Effective communication methods
- Safety adherence
- Result‑oriented outcome
- Blaming other teams
- Lack of safety mention
- Call a multidisciplinary huddle
- Assign clear roles to each specialty
- Use shared communication tool for real‑time updates
- Ensure safety procedures are followed
- Identify root cause and execute fix
Mid‑climb on a 2 MW turbine, the wind speed rose from 8 m/s to 18 m/s, exceeding our safe working limit.
I needed to ensure the safety of myself and the crew while minimizing downtime.
I immediately signaled the crew to halt the ascent, secured my harness, and initiated the emergency descent protocol. I communicated the wind change to the control room, which logged the event and halted turbine operation. Once on the ground, we performed a post‑event safety check, documented the wind data, and rescheduled the task for a later, calmer window.
No injuries occurred, and the turbine remained protected from potential wind‑induced hazards. The incident was logged, and the team received commendation for adhering to the wind‑speed safety threshold.
- What is your personal wind‑speed threshold for safe work?
- How do you ensure the control room is aware of sudden weather changes?
- Proactive monitoring
- Immediate safety actions
- Clear communication with control room
- Documentation
- Continuing work despite unsafe wind speeds
- No mention of communication
- Monitor wind speed continuously
- Signal crew to stop ascent when threshold exceeded
- Secure harness and initiate emergency descent
- Notify control room and log the event
- Reschedule task after conditions improve
- wind turbine maintenance
- blade pitch system
- lockout/tagout
- SCADA monitoring
- generator overheating
- IEC 61400‑2
- preventive maintenance
- troubleshooting