17 Wind Turbine Technician Interview Questions and Answers

Wind turbine technicians are the people responsible for inspecting, repairing, and maintaining wind turbines. They are also responsible for ensuring that turbines are running at peak performance. This is a critical job, as turbines provide clean and renewable energy to homes, businesses, and municipalities across the country.

If you’re looking for a career in the renewable energy industry, you’ll need to be prepared to answer some tough wind turbine technician interview questions. In this guide, you’ll find sample questions and answers that will help you ace your interview and land the job of your dreams.

Are you comfortable working at heights?

Wind turbines are often located at high altitudes, so the interviewer wants to make sure you’re comfortable with heights. If you have any reservations about working at heights, be honest and explain why you feel that way. You can also talk about how you overcame your fear of heights in the past.

Example: “I am definitely not afraid of heights, but I do take safety precautions when working on wind turbines. For example, I always wear a harness while climbing up or down the turbine tower. I also use a spotter when performing maintenance tasks near the top of the turbine. These precautions help me stay safe while still allowing me to enjoy the view.”

What are some of the most important skills you have for this job?

Employers ask this question to make sure you have the skills they are looking for in a wind turbine technician. They also want to know if your skills match their job listing. Before your interview, read through the job description and highlight any skills that the employer mentions. Make sure these are skills you possess. If there are any skills you don’t have but would need to perform the job, explain how you plan to gain those skills.

Example: “I believe my problem-solving skills and attention to detail are two of my most important skills for this position. I am always willing to take on a challenge and find solutions to problems. My ability to pay close attention to details is what helped me get through school with good grades. It’s also why I’ve never made a mistake at work.”

How would you respond if you found a problem with a wind turbine that you weren’t able to fix on your own?

This question can give the interviewer insight into how you handle challenges and solve problems. Your answer should show that you are willing to ask for help when needed, but also that you have confidence in your own abilities as a technician.

Example: “If I found a problem with a wind turbine that I wasn’t able to fix on my own, I would first try to troubleshoot the issue myself. If I was still unable to find a solution after doing some research, I would call my supervisor or another experienced technician for advice. Once I had their input, I would implement their suggestions and monitor the situation until it was resolved.”

What is your experience with electrical systems?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience with electrical systems and how you apply that knowledge to wind turbines. Use examples from past experiences to highlight your skills, such as troubleshooting, repairing or installing electrical systems.

Example: “I have five years of experience working on electrical systems in both residential and commercial buildings. In my last position, I worked alongside an electrician who specialized in wind turbine installation. He taught me a lot about the unique electrical system requirements for wind turbines. For example, he explained that wind turbines require more power than standard electrical systems because they need to rotate at high speeds to generate energy.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to work outside in bad weather.

Employers ask this question to make sure you are willing to work in harsh conditions. They want technicians who can stay safe while working on wind turbines, even when the weather is bad. In your answer, explain that you will always put safety first and how you would handle a situation like this.

Example: “I am very aware of my surroundings at all times. I would never rush or take risks when working outside in bad weather. If it was too dangerous for me to continue working, I would tell my supervisor immediately. My main concern is keeping myself safe so I can continue doing my job.”

If you were working on a wind farm and saw a storm approaching, what would you do?

Employers ask this question to make sure you know how to keep yourself and your coworkers safe. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to ensure the safety of everyone on the wind farm.

Example: “I would first check if all technicians were inside their towers or other structures. If they weren’t, I would radio them to get into a safe place immediately. Then, I would start shutting down the turbines one by one so that no one was in danger when the storm hit. This is important because it’s easy for people to forget about the dangers of working on a wind turbine during a storm.”

What would you do if you noticed another technician was not following safety procedures?

Employers ask this question to make sure you understand the importance of following safety procedures and how they can help keep your coworkers safe. In your answer, explain that you would first talk with them about the situation and try to resolve it. If you are unable to do so, you would report the technician to a supervisor or manager.

Example: “I believe in being honest with my coworkers, so I would first approach the other technician privately and speak with them about their actions. If they were unresponsive, I would report the issue to a supervisor or manager. I think it is important to follow all safety procedures because doing so helps protect both myself and others.”

How well can you read a schematic and interpret technical drawings?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to assess your ability to read technical drawings and interpret them. Use examples from previous experience that show how well you can understand diagrams, charts and other types of technical drawings.

Example: “In my last position as a wind turbine technician, I was responsible for reading the schematics of each component on the turbines. This included the electrical components, such as the inverters, generators and transformers. I also had to read the mechanical parts, including the gearboxes, brakes and bearings. Understanding these drawings is essential when working with wind turbines because they provide detailed instructions on how to repair or replace certain parts.”

Do you have experience using specialized tools and machinery?

Wind turbine technicians use a variety of tools and machinery to complete their work. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the necessary experience using these tools and machines. In your answer, share what types of specialized tools and machinery you’ve used in previous roles. Explain how comfortable you are using them. Share any additional training or certifications you may have.

Example: “I am very familiar with working on wind turbines because I worked as an electrician for five years before moving into this role. During my time as an electrician, I learned how to use many different types of specialized tools and machinery. Some of these include power drills, screwdrivers, wrenches and soldering equipment. I also completed a certification program that taught me how to safely operate cranes.”

When inspecting a wind turbine, what are the most important things you look for?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you know what to look for when inspecting a wind turbine. Use examples from previous experiences where you found something wrong with the equipment and how it was fixed or replaced.

Example: “The most important thing I look for when inspecting a wind turbine is any signs of wear and tear on the blades, which can cause vibrations in the system. If there are any issues with the blades, I make sure they’re properly balanced so the turbines don’t shake too much. Another thing I check for is loose bolts or screws on the tower because these can also affect the balance of the entire system.”

We want to ensure our technicians are familiar with the latest technology. Are there any new innovations in wind turbine technology that you would like to learn more about?

This question can help the interviewer determine your interest in learning about new technology and how you might apply it to your work. Use examples from your own experience or research a specific innovation that interests you.

Example: “I’ve been following developments in wind turbine technology for several years now, so I’m always excited to learn more. One of the most exciting innovations is the development of offshore wind turbines. These turbines are much larger than traditional ones, which means they produce more energy. They’re also safer because they’re out at sea where there’s less risk of injury.”

Describe your process for completing a maintenance checklist.

The interviewer may ask you this question to understand how you prioritize your tasks and complete them in a timely manner. Use examples from previous experience to explain the steps you take when completing maintenance checklists, such as prioritizing tasks based on urgency or importance.

Example: “I first read through the entire checklist to get an idea of what needs to be done. Then I start with the most urgent task, which is usually inspecting the blades for any cracks or other damage. After that, I move onto checking the bearings and electrical components. Finally, I make sure all safety precautions are followed before starting each task.”

What makes you stand out from other candidates for this job?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their company. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills and experiences that qualify you for this role. Focus on highlighting your most relevant skills and abilities.

Example: “I have five years of experience working as a wind turbine technician. I also hold an associate’s degree in mechanical engineering technology. In my previous job, I was responsible for maintaining the turbines’ safety features, including the emergency shutdown system. This responsibility taught me how to troubleshoot problems with complex systems. It also helped me develop my problem-solving skills.”

Which types of wind turbines have you worked with in the past?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience working with the type of wind turbines they use at their facility. Try to answer honestly and explain which types of turbines you’ve worked with in the past, including any that are similar to the ones used by your potential employer.

Example: “In my previous position as a wind turbine technician, I worked on both horizontal-axis and vertical-axis wind turbines. The company I was employed by primarily installed vertical-axis wind turbines, but we also had some customers who wanted horizontal-axis wind turbines instead. I am comfortable working with either type of wind turbine.”

What do you think will be the biggest challenge of working on our wind farm?

Employers ask this question to make sure you are prepared for the unique challenges of working on a wind farm. They want to know that you have done your research and understand what it will be like to work in their environment. In your answer, try to identify two or three challenges that you think might be most common. Explain why these challenges may be difficult and how you plan to overcome them.

Example: “The biggest challenge I anticipate is the weather. Working at high altitudes can be challenging because of the cold temperatures and strong winds. To prepare myself for this, I am going to take some additional training courses on how to dress properly for extreme conditions. Another challenge I expect is the long hours. Wind farms operate 24/7, so I am used to working overtime when needed.”

How often should wind turbines be inspected?

This question can help the interviewer determine your knowledge of industry standards and practices. Your answer should include a specific time frame for inspections, as well as how often you perform them yourself.

Example: “In my experience, wind turbines should be inspected every six months to ensure they’re operating at peak efficiency. I personally inspect all of our company’s turbines twice per year, once in the spring and again in the fall.”

There is a problem with a wind turbine and the replacement part won’t be available for another week. What do you do?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills. You can answer this question by describing a time when you had to solve a problem without the right tools or resources and how you did it.

Example: “I once worked on a wind turbine that was malfunctioning because of a loose wire connection. The part I needed to fix the issue wasn’t available for another week, so I used my knowledge of electronics to reroute the wires in order to make the system work until the replacement part arrived. This allowed me to complete the job while also saving the company money since they didn’t have to pay someone else to do the job while we waited for the part.”