Engineering career opportunities

Answers for energy

www.siemens.com/wind

It takes the brightest minds to be technology leadersCareers for engineers at Siemens Wind Power

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With highly efficient, solid and reliable wind turbines, Siemens Wind Power offers solutions to meet both energy and environmental needs. Our Wind Power ser-vice team is dedicated to keeping any turbine running optimally throughout its entire life cycle.

With an experience of more than 30 years in the onshore wind power business and more than 20 years in offshore we are one of the World’s market leaders.

When it comes to turbine technology, experience counts. Since Siemens entered the wind power business 30 years ago, we have invented, developed, and designed high-quality components that continue to set new industry standards. It’s all about reliable performance.

Based in Brande, Denmark, but working from offices all around the World, the Technology organization provides the product-related basis for our company’s market leadership.

For sending us your application or seeing current job openings, go to www.siemens.com/jobswindpower.

As the demand for energy is higher than ever before, the world needs new ideas for clean power generation. We have the answers.

About us

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Siemens has played a leading role in modern wind power generation from the development of our first 22 kW turbine in 1980 to our current state-of-the-art tur-bines. Our visionary, enthusiastic, and professional employees ensure that we stay at the forefront of wind power technology.

Our Technology department forms the core of our techno-logical leadership, and building on values like excellence, innovation and responsibility, the personal and profes-sional development of our employees is essential to us. Cooperative working methods and an informal atmo-sphere throughout the organization is central, and this brochure will give you an insight into the exiting and inspiring tasks performed in Siemens Wind Power Technology.

“At Siemens you can be part of the technological development of a dynamic and fast growing industry.”

Morten Pilgaard Rasmussen, Head of Technology, Siemens Wind Power

Research and Development at Siemens Wind Power

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Wind turbine development requires measurement of extreme loads and fatigue loads relevant to the struc-tural design of main components.

Load calculation is a fundamental aspect of development projects, and also part of many sales projects. Work focuses on refinement of existing turbine and blade designs, development of turbine controls, and develop-ment and testing of new computation methods.

In offshore projects load computations are important at an early stage in the design and sales work, thus providing opportunities to cooperate with customers and founda-tion designers throughout the course of the project. Load computations must be approved by an impartial third party, presenting further challenges.

Another central function of load calculations is to gain an overview of the inputs and postulates for simulations, and understand, control, and communicate results based on fundamental knowledge of dynamics and wind loads.

Work is performed individually, in groups, and in cross-divisional projects. Loads are primarily determined through dynamic time domain analyses carried out using our FEM-based aeroelastic program BHawC. Models and computations are verified with the aid of full-scale mea-surements on prototype turbines. The engineering depart-ment develops all of its own software tools and adapts them to the tasks at hand.

“Making the control algorithms for wind turbines is extremely exiting. We are increasing the wind power output and reducing the loads by combining the big picture with the deepest details, the most advanced models and algorithms with hands-on experience from the field.”

Per Egedal, BSc, Electrical Engineering

Loads and controls

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Design, simulation, and verification of the turbines’ grid properties are preconditions for connecting mod-ern wind turbines to the power grid.

In order to be connected to the grid, compliance with grid connection requirements must be achieved. This is ensured through preparation of technical proposals based on simulation studies aimed at continuously enhancing grid properties and adapting them to the latest Danish and foreign requirements regarding voltage quality, active and reactive power regulation, and stability in short-cir-cuit situations.

Support is provided for the sales and project departments through static and dynamic studies which determine if wind power plants meet existing grid requirements.

Numerical computation models representing the electrical properties of a turbine in response to different types of electrical events are developed.

Work primarily includes modeling within dynamic and har-monic areas. A number of different computation tools are used such as Matlab/Simulink, PSS/E and DlgSILENT.

Grid connection

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Structural design of wind turbine components is an exciting challenge, on the frontier of engineering and manufacturing capabilities.

The challenge is to design the components for optimal strength while minimizing price and weight, and consider-ing that the massive structures can actually be manufactured.

The structural components are either cast iron or welded steel structures, and in both cases knowledge about the material and manufacturing processes is essential for the design of the product.

Tools used include a wide range of software such as FEM for static analyses, complete non-linear analyses, buckling analyses, contact analyses, transient and modal analyses, and in-house codes for processing large time series. Our computation methods and in-house codes allow us to design all components precisely in relation to extreme loads and fatigue loads as well as the overall dynamics of the turbine.

”Working as a structural engineer in Siemens Wind Power you real-ly get the possibility to apply all your theory and methods in the product design phase. Afterwards you can gain a lot of practical experience by testing and validating the strength and functionality of the design.”

Martin Fogh Rasmussen, Structural Engineer

Structural Design

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Design of a wind turbine requires a wide range of skills in mechanical engineering from complex 3D design to the advanced design of a gearbox.

Mechanical design is one of the cornerstones of designing a wind turbine.

Design and specification within the areas listed below are all part of the challenges facing the mechanical engineer when designing a wind turbine:

• Drive train incl. bearings, gearboxes, generators, brakes, structural components etc.

• Hydraulic systems for pitching the blades

• Cooling systems for cooling gears and generator

• Yawing systems for turning the turbine

• Internal cranes and other auxiliary systems

• Structural parts, brackets, bolts, surface treatment etc.

A wind turbine consists of thousands of parts, compo-nents and systems, and these are all brought together in large, detailed 3D assemblies comprising all parts to the last detail.

Siemens is using the high-end NX CAD system and the Siemens Teamcenter PDM system to manage the data.

The work for the mechanical engineer is not only about calculations and 3D design – we also value putting on work clothes, safety gear and getting our fingers dirty, when that is needed.

The cooperation with the production, with suppliers, with the purchasing-, quality- and service departments is essential – not only for the daily operation, but also for getting the valuable understanding of how the business and the turbines work and perform in the field.

Mechanical Design

“As a mechanical engineer, it is very inspiring to work with wind turbines, be-cause a turbine, from a mechanical point of view, has everything you could want in the machine industry. Things never get too theoretical because the production and development workshop is right next to the engineering depart-ment. So you can perform practical tests and monitor the changes in produc-tion at close quarters.”

David Seerup, Advanced Design Engineer

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Design of electrical components (hardware) is a diverse area of responsibility.

The tasks involved encompass a wide range of technical aspects, such as controls, power electronics, and high voltage equipment.

The main components include generators, frequency con-verters, and transformers. These components are part of the power circuit of the wind turbine and play an impor-tant role in the conversion of rotating mechanical energy to electrical energy, which can then be supplied to the power grid.

All electrical components are functionally designed to withstand mechanical and electrical impacts, including external environmental impacts such as lightning.

Engineers execute thorough verification of individual elec-trical components. Extensive measurements and tests are performed before and after installation of the turbines to validate interaction between the individual components.

Work is completed through cooperation with immediate colleagues, as well as interaction across the engineering department. Close contact with sub-suppliers and the project department is also necessary when specific cus-tomer requirements arise.

Electrical hardware

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We develop our own software for operation of Siemens wind turbines.

Software development encompasses a wide spectrum of projects dealing with embedded systems and server sys-tems. Embedded software development projects include development of control, regulation, and monitoring func-tions. The extent of projects varies between development and implementation of small changes in the control func-tions and development of advanced adaptive regulation systems with regards to minimization of loads, optimiza-tion of production, etc.

Other projects include development of central data collec-tion servers, graphic presentations of trend curves, and reports.

An array of different platforms is in use including Windows.NET and C#, UNIX-like operating systems and C++, ASP.Net and Java.

All project phases are handled by our software experts. Software is developed for a wide range of embedded hardware platforms, from 16-bit microcontrollers to x86 and DSP processors. The latest technologies in real-time operating systems, software development, and hardware platforms are applied.

Software is developed using continuously improving pro-cesses based on Agile, SCRUM and Lean. Projects are man-aged using a shared database of tasks and feature requests.

We work in self-managing teams. Teams co-operate with other teams both within the department and across the entire organization.

“There is something fascinating about developing the soft-ware that makes these enormous power plants function fully automated. This software enables you to operate turbines all over the world from a central location.”

Jesper Behrens Andersen, BSc, Electrical Engineering

Software

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Aerodynamics is one of the company’s core areas. Blade-related aerodynamics encompass profile design, blade design, and analysis of load and power curve measurements.

In the aerodynamic design of new blades, advanced tools are applied to achieve the perfect design – new profiles are developed, the blade shape, twist, and thickness are optimized, and the RPM, pitch angles, and tip design are adjusted to obtain efficient and noiseless operation. To a large extent we use CFD computations, wind tunnel mea-surements, and custom-designed optimization tools for this task.

Aerodynamic design work is performed in a variety of projects, ranging from new technology development, to new blade design and upgrades of existing blades. Aerodynamics is part of multi-disciplinary blade design efforts, being closely linked to loads, structures and con-trols. We ensure our position at the cutting edge of aero-dynamics research by participating in various Danish and

international research projects, attending conferences, and publishing in scientific journals. Wind tunnel testing and full-scale testing of operational turbines are implemented.

We work in a very multi-cultural environment from offices in Denmark (Brande and Ballerup) and in the US (Boulder).

“Modern wind turbine blades are long enough to sweep an area greater than one hectare in a single turn. The design of a blade is a complex optimization task, involving a range of engineering disciplines like aerodynamics, loads, controls and structures. The blade design process is constantly developing as new tools and technologies are matured and brought into the design cycle. Aerodynamic design is a field where innovation and creativity are the key words.”

Buşra Akay, Computational Fluid Dynamics Expert

Aerodynamics

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Design and production of new blade types require focus on safety, quality, and cost in specifying materi-als and casting processes.

Sizing and design of new blade types are performed using Siemens’ unique IntegralBlade® technology. The aim of the design process is to obtain an ideal balance between optimum mechanical properties, weight, and cost. The structure is optimized for different load situations using advanced structural methods, including non-linear FE analysis (Ansys). Verification is achieved via static and dynamic testing of full-scale prototypes and field mea-surements. Production documentation and blade certifi-cation are important elements in the development of new blade types.

The qualification of blade materials and specification of processes used in the production units are essential tasks. Materials are developed for blade laminates in close coop-eration with blade structure teams and sub-suppliers. Further development of the advanced casting concept

used in production and surface treatment ensures Siemens’ technological leadership.

Daily work combines experimental and theoretical tools, such as lab testing of individual materials, advanced FEA simulations, sectional casting, and complete blade cast-ing. The scope of design tasks ranges from components of a few grams to molding equipment of 50 tons. Part of the development of new blade types is the design and devel-opment of a variety of custom-made production tools, such as blade casting molds which generate external and internal blade geometries, and blade handling equipment used for the blade finishing processes.

Blade development

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Siemens looks for competencies among the most spe-cialized people.

Competence centers are an integral part of the technology department. Siemens has established a number of compe-tence centers in Europe, the US, Asia-Pacific, and in uni-versities or other research institutions with competencies in specific professional fields that are vital to Siemens Wind Power. Fields, in which it can be difficult to recruit the necessary specialists to the main Technology office in Brande, Denmark. A location in close proximity to a uni-versity or a research institution gives Siemens Wind Power the opportunity to cooperate with external partners through research projects or PhD theses. The competence centers are constantly developing, while we also work to establish new cooperative agreements.

Global research and development

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Denmark: Brande, Aalborg and Ballerup Brande: R&D head quarter Aalborg: Blade Design and testing Ballerup: Design and validation of control features and implementation in products

UK: Keele and Sheffield Keele: Power converters, software Sheffield: Permanent magnet generators

The Netherlands: The Hague Structural dynamics

Germany: Hamburg Software, Towers

US: Boulder Aerodynamics, controls, structural dynamics, atmospheric science, Blade Design

India: Delhi (Gurgaon) and Bangalore Delhi (Gurgaon): Structural engineering Bangalore: Software development

Competence centers

Brande: R&D head quarter

Aalborg: Blade Design and testing

Ballerup: Design and validation of control features and implementation in products

Keele: Power converters, software

Sheffield: Permanent magnet generators

Boulder: Aerodynamics, controls, struc-tural dynamics, atmospheric science, Blade Design

The Hague: Structural dynamics

Hamburg: Software, Towers

Delhi (Gurgaon): Structural engineering

Bangalore: Software development

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Meteorological measurements, noise and vibration measurements, as well as measurements on turbines and turbine components are important when a design is to be validated, and when new knowledge is needed.

Every phase of working with wind turbines involves mea-surements throughout the sales, project, and engineering departments.

One of the more visible measurements is full-scale blade testing. For this purpose several test stands are used to perform accelerated blade fatigue and extreme tests.

Structural measurements are carried out on turbines all over the world. Once a measurement has been commis-sioned and the equipment calibrated, it must continue to operate unmanned for up to several years at a time. This requires extremely robust equipment and software.

In addition to structural measurements, yield and noise measurements on turbines erected for sales projects are also performed. Early on in the development projects, numerous lab tests are performed on key components. This allows for optimization of the product before even the first prototype is built. Testing of new sensor types is an important task in this area.

Working with testing and validation requires close inter-faces and cooperation between a wide variety of engi-neering disciplines, e.g. electronics, mechanics, software and hydraulics. In the end, our comprehensive testing pro-gram on industry-leading technology is what ensures that our customers get new technology that is already tried and proven.

Testing and validation

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If you are motivated by building great turbines, under-standing the systems perspective of wind power and by working closely with some of the best Project Managers and Chief Engineers in the industry, then R&D Project Execution is the place to be!

We turn product requirements from markets into design specifications, break down the solutions to module level, ensure reuse and application of modularization principles and complete and deliver a product definition and config-uration available for production in our advanced PLM System ‘Teamcenter’. Last but not least, we ensure that the required documentation and legal certifications are in place.

Projects are organized around Product Platforms, and we work in teams. We have both Direct Drive and Geared plat-forms directed towards both the Offshore and Onshore markets. This means that we concurrently have to master up to 100 projects. This requires portfolio- and project planning systems that are second to none – able to handle a complex portfolio, but still simple to use.

R&D Project Execution

“Our overall goal of bringing down Cost Of Energy calls for people, who understand a full value chain, master innovation, and who can turn ideas into products. That’s why we come to work every day!”

Anders Helbo Mortensen, Head of R&D Project Execution

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Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) provides the basis for all product-related decisions aimed at secur-ing market leadership and a long term stable profit-able portfolio.

Within both the Onshore and Offshore Market Unit in Siemens Wind Power, we have established a PLM organiza-tion. The PLM organization owns the products within Siemens and its main objective is therefore to:

• Ensure that Siemens has the right products at the right time and at the right cost

• Define the technical and commercial requirements for the future Siemens Wind Power products based on the market news, e.g. new wind turbines and new perfor-mance upgrades

• Maintain and improve standard products as well as their variants and options

Product Lifecycle Management is about creating and maintaining a product portfolio strategy, and making product decisions throughout a product’s life cycle, which are based on relevant and up-to-date information about markets, competitors, and technologies. The PLM col-leagues develop analyses of market requirements and pro-duce business cases, prioritize R&D activities, define target cost as well as monitor the performance, cost develop-ment and quality of platforms.

“In Product Lifecycle Management we initiate the development and define the requirements for new wind turbines. We follow and moni-tor the performance of the turbines in their lifetime to secure that they live up to specifications - and finally we decide when a turbine has done its duty and is ready to be phased out. In order to be suc-cessful, we need not only to be in close contact with our customers – but also all other parts of our own company. All in all a very broad and motivating challenge, where no working day is the same!” Einar Ritterbusch, Onshore PLM

“My work offers exciting engineering challenges, and I am motivat-ed by the fact that it contributes to the continuing development of environmentally friendly wind power. I care deeply about energy supplies and the environment, so I am proud of the solutions and results that we help produce.” Jan Thisted, Senior Engineer, Offshore PLM

Product Lifecycle Management

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Customer Order Engineering (COE) exists to deliver project-specific engineering solutions – from design through sales and execution.

Engineers in Siemens Wind Power are not only employed in the Technology organization. Within the Offshore and Onshore Market Units, we have special engineering units – the Customer Order Engineering organizations.

While our Technology department ensures a catalogue of standard products and components, the COE organiza-tions adapt these standard designs to any project-specific requirements, our customers might have. COE is engaged from sales through project execution and handover, set-ting the standard for the most value-creating project solu-tions for our customers.

We offer project management and design for the technical solutions of the individual project, and we ensure that all project-specific certification requirements are met.

COE is home to a broad range of technical roles: the Technical Sales- and Technical Project managers are the responsible technical interfaces to the customer, as well as to our sales-, project management- and service organi-zations. Our design engineers possess expertise in a wide range of disciplines, e.g. electrical-, mechanical- and structural engineering as well as software expertise.

We work in a diverse, international organization, being present in the US, throughout Northern Europe and in China.

Customer Order Engineering

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Siemens offers unrivaled experience and reliability in offshore wind power. We have a proven track record in delivering offshore projects, and it is a major business for us.

Being number one in the World’s market for offshore wind power, Siemens has a proven track record. We installed the world’s first offshore wind farm more than 20 years ago, and are also the ones behind the largest offshore wind power plant in operation today.

The offshore environment is harsh, and it takes a special supplier to provide stable, long-term offshore partnership. Over the years, Siemens turbines have set the standard for robustness and reliability. Designed with offshore applica-tions in mind, the turbines have a rugged, conservative structural design, automatic lubrication systems with ample supplies, climate control of the internal environ-ment and a simple generator system without slip rings. These and many other high-quality design features pro-vide exceptional reliability with long service intervals.

Working with offshore wind power requires extensive expert knowledge, not only understanding the products, but also the entire marine working conditions. In Siemens, engineers can therefore be found in all areas of the Offshore Business Unit – covering a wide range of know-ledge areas:

• Aerodynamics

• Loads & Control

• Structural- and Mechanical design

• Electrical hardware

• Software

• Grid connections

In Offshore, engineers provide technical sales support, support in project management and advice on installa-tion, operation and maintenance. An engineering career in Offshore will give you a world of opportunities!

“My tasks as technical project man-ager span from highly technical discussions to commercial meet-ings and scheduling. Two workdays are never alike. During the project new challenges arise and you can never be certain what will happen next week. Through the develop-ment of new methods and the hand-ling of ad hoc assignments, the job as technical project manager en-ables me to feel the pioneering spirit that initiated the wind tur-bine adventure years ago.”

Thomas Moutsen, MSc, Civil Engineering

Offshore

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Energize your future with a job at Siemens Wind Power

Do you want to help shape the future of sustainable energy? Drawing on Siemens’ more than 165 years of experience and over 30 years as a major innovation driver in the wind power industry, Siemens Wind Power offers you the opportunity to make a difference for the environ-ment and your career. A global career can become yours in a company where people, excellence, innovation and responsibility are key.

As an engineer at Siemens Wind Power, you have the opportunity to impact the global environment. By contrib-uting to the continuous development of reliable, cost-effi-cient wind turbines, you can really make a difference!

www.siemens.com/jobswindpower

We make a difference!

“I appreciate experiencing the synergy that arises when representatives of different technologies com-municate and interact. And when the purpose of it all is creating green energy it is even better. R&D is a down-to-earth working en-vironment with a great and positive energy.”

Anne Wolsing, License Manager

www.siemens.com/jobswindpower

Siemens Wind Power A/SBorupvej 167330 Brande, DenmarkPhone: +45 99 42 22 22www.siemens.com/wind