Wind Energy Engineers

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

Median wage

$117,750

$62,840–$183,510

Projected growth

+2.1%

Slower than average

Annual openings

330

per year

Employed (US)

150,750

Job Zone 4

Typical preparation

Considerable preparation

Stackable credential programs

920 mapped

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Core skills

Critical ThinkingReading ComprehensionMathematicsJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem SolvingSystems AnalysisActive ListeningWriting

Knowledge areas

Engineering and TechnologyMathematicsDesignPhysicsEnglish Language

Technology & tools

Data base user interface and query softwareAnalytical or scientific softwareDevelopment environment softwareFile versioning softwareComputer aided design CAD software

Representative 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 Create models to optimize the layout of wind farm access roads, crane pads, crane paths, collection Analyze meteorological data.Design electrical interconnections.Design wind turbine components.Estimate energy production by analyzing wind data.

Competency framework

Skill expectations by proficiency level.

emerging

Wind farm layout drawings — produce basic schematics using CAD software under direct supervision in an entry-level engineering environment.Technical documentation — review and interpret wind farm design drawings and specifications with guidance from senior engineers.Mathematical calculations — apply foundational engineering mathematics to support wind resource assessments on assigned projects.Geographic information systems — enter and organize spatial data for wind farm sites under direction using GIS tools.Wind turbine schematics — identify and label major turbine components on visual documentation prepared by the project team.Engineering standards and regulations — recognize applicable codes and compliance requirements for wind energy projects with supervisor oversight.Data entry and query tasks — retrieve and input wind performance data into database interfaces following established protocols.Site access road layouts — assist in drafting preliminary crane path and access road configurations using CAD software on greenfield projects.Technical reports — draft routine sections of engineering reports using clear written expression under the direction of a project engineer.Team meetings and briefings — listen actively and record key decisions during project coordination meetings on wind energy development sites.

developing

Wind farm layout documentation — develop and maintain updated schematics, one-line diagrams, and site plans for active wind projects with moderate oversight.Turbine performance data — analyze operational datasets using analytical software to identify recurring underperformance patterns across a wind fleet.Collection system models — build and refine electrical collection system layouts in CAD and GIS environments for mid-scale wind farm projects.Infrastructure improvement recommendations — formulate written proposals for operational cost reductions or regulatory compliance adjustments based on performance reviews.Access road and crane pad optimization — apply routing models to minimize civil construction footprints on wind farm sites in varying terrain.Systems analysis — evaluate interdependencies among turbine arrays, substations, and switchyard configurations to identify design inefficiencies on assigned projects.File versioning and revision control — manage drawing revision histories using version-control software to ensure documentation integrity across project phases.Engineering mathematics — perform mathematical reasoning tasks including load calculations and energy yield estimates with limited supervisory review.Stakeholder communication — present design options and performance findings clearly in written and verbal formats to internal project teams.Regulatory research — read and comprehend government regulations and utility interconnection requirements relevant to wind energy project permitting.

proficient

Wind farm layout optimization — independently design and validate complete wind farm layouts, integrating turbine placement, roads, and electrical infrastructure to maximize energy yield.Performance improvement recommendations — autonomously evaluate turbine and balance-of-plant data to recommend process or infrastructure changes that reduce operational costs and satisfy regulatory requirements.Substation and switchyard models — develop detailed analytical models for substations, switchyards, and transmission line routing using industry-standard engineering software.Complex problem resolution — apply inductive and deductive reasoning to resolve non-routine technical failures in wind turbine systems across an operating fleet.Multi-discipline documentation — create and own comprehensive wind farm documentation packages including layouts, schematics, and as-built records throughout the project lifecycle.System optimization modeling — build and run advanced optimization models for crane paths, collection systems, and road networks on utility-scale wind projects.Cross-functional coordination — lead technical coordination across civil, electrical, and environmental disciplines to align wind farm design with project constraints and client expectations.ERP and enterprise systems — configure and utilize enterprise resource planning tools to track engineering deliverables, budgets, and schedules on large wind energy projects.Regulatory and standards compliance — interpret and apply evolving government regulations, grid codes, and safety standards to wind farm engineering decisions without supervisory input.Technical writing and reporting — author high-quality engineering reports, design basis documents, and technical specifications that serve as authoritative project references.

advanced

Wind farm design strategy — set organization-wide standards and methodologies for wind farm layout, documentation, and infrastructure optimization across a portfolio of projects.Engineering process innovation — lead the development and implementation of new analytical models and software workflows that improve design efficiency and turbine performance at enterprise scale.Cross-portfolio performance governance — establish performance benchmarking frameworks and direct systematic infrastructure change programs to optimize output across an entire wind energy fleet.Technical leadership and mentoring — guide and develop mid-level and senior wind energy engineers, building internal capability in systems analysis, complex problem solving, and design best practices.Executive recommendations — advise senior leadership and investment committees on infrastructure upgrade strategies, regulatory risk mitigation, and technology adoption for wind energy assets.Industry standards influence — represent the organization in industry working groups and regulatory forums to shape engineering standards and policy frameworks for the wind energy sector.Enterprise technology roadmap — define and oversee adoption of CAD, GIS, analytical software, and ERP platforms across the engineering organization to support wind project delivery.Major project technical authority — serve as the final technical decision-maker for complex, high-value wind farm projects where design risk, regulatory exposure, or innovation is significant.Organizational knowledge management — direct the creation and curation of engineering knowledge bases, design libraries, and lessons-learned repositories for wind energy engineering teams.Strategic stakeholder engagement — lead executive-level communication with utilities, regulators, landowners, and partners to secure project approvals and build long-term organizational relationships.

Also known as

20 alternate job titles map to this occupation.

Wind Energy ConsultantElectrical Engineer, Power SystemWind Farm Siting and Development ConsultantWind Turbine Performance EngineerWind Farm DesignerWind Turbine Electrical EngineerWind Turbine Design EngineerSCADA Engineer (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition)Wind Farm EngineerUtility EngineerTurbine Measurements EngineerTurbine EngineerEngineerWind Turbine EngineerWind Energy EngineerWind Turbine Mechanical EngineerWind Farm Electrical Systems DesignerProject EngineerWind Turbine Controls EngineerWind Power Specialist

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