17-2199.10 - Wind Energy Engineers

Partially updated 2012

Summary Report for:
17-2199.10 - Wind Energy Engineers

Design underground or overhead wind farm collector systems and prepare and develop site specifications.

Sample of reported job titles: Project Designer, Transmission and Distribution Engineering, Project Engineer, Senior Engineer/Practice Leader-Land Development and Engineering, Senior Project Engineer, Senior Wind Energy Consultant, Turbine Measurements Engineer, Utility Engineer, Wind Farm Siting and Development Consultant, Wind Science and Planning, Wind Turbine Design Engineer

View report: Summary Details Custom

Tasks

Create or maintain wind farm layouts, schematics, or other visual documentation for wind farms.
Recommend process or infrastructure changes to improve wind turbine performance, reduce operational costs, or comply with regulations.
Create models to optimize the layout of wind farm access roads, crane pads, crane paths, collection systems, substations, switchyards, or transmission lines.
Provide engineering technical support to designers of prototype wind turbines.
Investigate experimental wind turbines or wind turbine technologies for properties such as aerodynamics, production, noise, and load.
Develop active control algorithms, electronics, software, electromechanical, or electrohydraulic systems for wind turbines.
Develop specifications for wind technology components, such as gearboxes, blades, generators, frequency converters, and pad transformers.
Test wind turbine components, using mechanical or electronic testing equipment.
Oversee the work activities of wind farm consultants or subcontractors.
Test wind turbine equipment to determine effects of stress or fatigue.

Tools & Technology

Tools used in this occupation:

Anemometers — Cup anemometers; Propeller anemometers; Recording anemometers

Barometers — Barometric pressure sensors

Radarbased surveillance systems — Light detection and ranging LIDAR systems

Weather stations — Portable meteorological stations

Wind surface observing apparatus — Sonic detection and ranging SODAR equipment; Wind vanes

Technology used in this occupation:

Analytical or scientific software — ANSYS software; SKM Systems Analysis Power Tools; The MathWorks MATLAB; WindSim

Computer aided design CAD software — Autodesk AutoCAD software; Mathsoft Mathcad; PTC Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire; SolidWorks CAD software

Development environment software — Formula translation/translator FORTRAN; Microsoft Visual Basic

Map creation software — ESRI ArcGIS software; Geographic information system GIS software; Global Mapper Software Global Mapper; Google Earth Pro

Object or component oriented development software — C++; Microsoft Visual Basic.NET; Microsoft Visual C# .NET

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology — Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

Mathematics — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Design — Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Physics — Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.

English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Computers and Electronics — Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Administration and Management — Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Building and Construction — Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

Mechanical — Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Skills

Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Judgment and Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Mathematics — Using mathematics to solve problems.

Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Complex Problem Solving — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Systems Analysis — Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.

Writing — Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Operations Analysis — Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.

Abilities

Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Inductive Reasoning — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Mathematical Reasoning — The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.

Written Comprehension — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Number Facility — The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.

Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Written Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Work Activities

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Work Context

Electronic Mail — How often do you use electronic mail in this job?

Spend Time Sitting — How much does this job require sitting?

Telephone — How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Face-to-Face Discussions — How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?

Structured versus Unstructured Work — To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?

Work With Work Group or Team — How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?

Freedom to Make Decisions — How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

Duration of Typical Work Week — Number of hours typically worked in one week.

Job Zone

Title	Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Education	Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Related Experience	A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Job Training	Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Job Zone Examples	Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include accountants, sales managers, database administrators, teachers, chemists, environmental engineers, criminal investigators, and special agents.
SVP Range	(7.0 to < 8.0)

Education

Percentage of Respondents	Education Level Required
70	Bachelor's degree
20	Master's degree
6	Some college, no degree

Work Styles

Analytical Thinking — Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.

Attention to Detail — Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Initiative — Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Adaptability/Flexibility — Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

Dependability — Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Integrity — Job requires being honest and ethical.

Persistence — Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

Stress Tolerance — Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

Achievement/Effort — Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Cooperation — Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Work Values

Achievement — Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Working Conditions — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Independence — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Wages & Employment Trends

National

Median wages data collected from Engineers, All Other.
Employment data collected from Engineers, All Other.
Industry data collected from Engineers, All Other.

Median wages (2012)	$44.24 hourly, $92,030 annual
Employment (2010)	157,000 employees
Projected growth (2010-2020)	Slower than average (3% to 9%)
Projected job openings (2010-2020)	44,800
Top industries (2010)	Manufacturing Government

State & National

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2012 wage data and 2010-2020 employment projections . "Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2010-2020). "Projected job openings" represent openings due to growth and replacement.