Overview
Job Description:
Deriva Energy, a portfolio company of Brookfield Renewable U.S., who is a nationwide leader in sustainable energy provides wind, solar, resilient backup power, and managed energy services to over 1,000 projects across the U.S., with a total electric capacity of more than 5,100 megawatts of nonregulated renewable energy is seeking a Senior Renewable Technologist to join our team.
This position will be based in Brookings, South Dakota.
Job Summary
The Senior Renewables Technologist is the highest level of technical support within the Renewables organization. This position serves as the lead technical expert for wind turbine gearbox and generator maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, and reliability initiatives across the fleet. This role provides advanced technical expertise to solve complex mechanical and electrical drivetrain issues while overseeing fleet-wide governance and best practices related to major component repairs.
Incumbents are responsible for strategic oversight of gearbox, generator, main bearing, coupling, and drivetrain reliability programs with minimal supervision. This position requires advanced diagnostic and repair capabilities, strong leadership skills, and the ability to work independently. The Senior Renewables Technologist acts as management's "eyes in the field," ensuring safe work practices, quality repairs, and consistent execution across multiple sites.
Responsibilities
- Requires 50% travel throughout the United States and working outdoors in a wide variety of conditions from elevated platforms and wind turbine nacelles
- Serves as the subject matter expert (SME) for wind turbine gearbox, generator, and drivetrain troubleshooting, repair, and reliability improvements
- Leads major component exchange projects involving gearboxes, generators, main bearings, couplings, and related drivetrain equipment
- Provides technical guidance during root cause analysis of gearbox failures, generator faults, bearing failures, lubrication issues, vibration concerns, and drivetrain misalignment
- Reviews inspection findings and develops corrective action plans to improve fleet reliability and component life
- Performs advanced diagnostics utilizing vibration analysis, oil analysis, borescope inspections, thermography, electrical testing, and condition monitoring data
- Partners with OEMs and third-party contractors to evaluate repair methods, emerging technologies, and industry best practices
- Ensures accomplishment of business goals through effective leadership, planning, organizing, estimating, scheduling, and monitoring of work activities
- Develops and maintains technical procedures, repair standards, and quality assurance processes related to major component repairs
- Independently prepares detailed technical reports, repair documentation, failure analyses, calculations, and recommendations
- Assists in developing training programs and technical curriculum for drivetrain maintenance and major component repair activities
- Coaches and mentors other technologists and site personnel on gearbox and generator troubleshooting techniques
- Maintains accurate records and repair histories to support reliability engineering and asset management initiatives
- Supports facility personnel in troubleshooting and repair activities when not actively engaged in specialty work
- Represents the company professionally while promoting a strong culture of safety, operational excellence, and continuous improvement
Basic Qualifications
- Associate’s degree in Wind Energy, Electrical Technology, Mechanical Technology, Industrial Maintenance, or a related field, plus four years of relevant experience.
- In lieu of an associate’s degree, High School Diploma/GED and six years of relevant experience
- Experience leading major component exchanges and troubleshooting complex mechanical and electrical failures
Preferred Qualifications
- Extensive experience with wind turbine drivetrain systems, including gearboxes, generators, bearings, lubrication systems, and alignment practices
- Demonstrated knowledge of gearbox rebuilds, generator inspections, precision alignment, torque/tensioning practices, and vibration analysis
- Experience working with condition monitoring systems (CMS), oil analysis programs, and predictive maintenance technologies
- Familiarity with GE, Vestas, Siemens Gamesa, Nordex, or Mitsubishi wind turbine platforms
- Strong understanding of electrical and mechanical testing methods used for generator and drivetrain troubleshooting
- Demonstrated ability to work with individuals from diverse socio-economic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to obtain industry-standard certifications related to drivetrain maintenance, condition monitoring, or reliability engineering within six months of hire
Working Conditions
- Working from a suspended platform or lift
- Able to lift up to 50 pounds
- Must possess valid driver’s license
- While not required, we prefer candidates based in the Midwest or Southern U.S. to help streamline travel logistics and reduce transit time
- This position contains a weight restriction of 265 pounds as an essential function of the job. The purpose of this restriction is to ensure that all weight rated equipment is used in an appropriate and safe manner within maximum allowed weight loading
- Able to drive up to 40+ hours a week traveling from one wind farm to another
- Ability to be flexible with changing schedule due to unforeseen delays
- Proficient with tablets and computers
Benefits
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- 401(k) with matching
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
Additional Information
Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.
Deriva welcomes veterans of the United States Armed Forces to apply for this position. Deriva includes veterans of all branches and a diverse set of occupational specialties. We value the independent thinking, problem solving, leadership, and teamwork that our veterans have developed through their service. We welcome applications from any service and any military occupational specialty.
Deriva Energy is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer encouraging diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, family responsibilities, pregnancy, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, transgender, sex stereotyping, protected veteran or military status, and other categories protected by federal, state or local law.
