Specialist, LPS and Electrical & Thermal Design

Are you interested in working with a highly skilled team in an inspiring work environment?

Vestas Technology & Operations > Research & Development (R&D) > Protective Systems

The Protective Systems (PS) team is a collaborative group of 8 engineers based across Portugal, the United Kingdom, and China. We are now expanding our presence in Portugal and seeking motivated individuals to join us. Our mission is to ensure the development, performance, and seamless integration of blade protection systems into the wind turbine, prioritizing safety, quality, and reliability. Our scope includes Lightning Protection Systems (LPS), Cold Climate, and Blade Condition Monitoring solutions.

Responsibilities

As a highly skilled and collaborative team, we work closely with senior functional leadership to deliver high-performance solutions that optimize performance and reliability, ensuring smooth integration with the overall turbine system. You will:

• Be responsible for implementing the system architecture for lightning protection
• Be responsible for leading a team of engineers in Electrical and Thermal design, analysis, and test, supporting lighting protection, cold climate, and condition monitoring
• Define and maintain the technical roadmap within the LPS and Electrical & Thermal design area, including the development and delivery of associated project proposals
• Align and standardize technical solutions and documentation across products and module projects within the functional domain
• Ensure high-quality deliverables into module and technology projects through thorough review processes
• Define and maintain the product scope within the functional area, ensuring alignment with platform strategy and cross-functional integration
• Ensure quality assurance of both platform and non-platform deliverables, including documentation, production quality and service-related issues
• Oversee the full product lifecycle, including technical reviews during Engineering Change Management (ECM) activities such as One Stop Office Shop (OSOS) and Change Requests (CRs)
• Participate in Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and contribute to quality improvement initiatives
• Identify and mitigate technical risks within the functional domain, ensuring high standards of safety, reliability, and performance
• Verify and continuously improve design and process elements, including methodologies, tools, guidelines, and templates, ensuring no maturity gaps
• Maintain and update best practice design guidelines, incorporating lessons learned and feedback from project execution
• Develop the cost-out strategies, design guidelines, and quality improvement plans within the function
• Guide and mentor team members within the functional domain, promoting technical growth and knowledge sharing
• Lead technical functional reviews and ensure the right maturity is reached for gate reviews
• Contribute to implementing design-for-safety principles and practices throughout the development process

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Physics or Engineering (e.g., Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, or related field)
• Minimum 8 years of experience in product development, engineering design, or technical leadership roles within the wind energy, aerospace, or automotive sectors
• Demonstrated experience in leading cross-functional technical initiatives and managing product lifecycle activities
• Experience with Engineering Change Management (ECM), Root Cause Analysis (RCA), and quality improvement methodologies
• Familiarity with design tools, simulation software, and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems (e.g., PTC Windchill)

Competencies

• Demonstrated ability to be accountable for technical decisions and to ensure high-quality outcomes across projects, collaborative mindset, with a history of working effectively across global, cross-functional teams to align solutions and share knowledge
• Communicates complex technical concepts with simplicity and clarity, adapting messaging to diverse audiences including engineers, stakeholders, leadership and customers
• Demonstrates commitment to innovation, sustainability, and continuous improvement, inspiring others and contributing positively to team culture
• Experience mentoring and guiding team members, promoting a culture of learning, openness, and collective growth
• Electromagnetics & Electronics: Solid understanding of electromagnetic principles and electronic systems, particularly in the context of Lightning Protection Systems
• Thermodynamics & Heat Transfer: Applied knowledge of thermal behavior and heat transfer mechanisms, especially relevant for cold climate solutions and blade material performance
• Numerical Modelling & Simulation: Proficient in using numerical techniques to model physical phenomena, including electromagnetic fields, thermal profiles, and structural behavior
• Experimental Design & Validation; Skilled in designing and executing experiments to validate technical hypotheses, system performance, and product reliability under real-world conditions
• Data Analysis & Programming: Proficient in analyzing engineering data using tools like MATLAB or Python, including signal processing, statistical analysis, and visualization to support design decisions and root cause investigations
• Lightning Protection: Solid understanding and background in lightning protection of wind turbine or aerospace systems
• Design Verification & Quality Assurance: Experience in verifying design elements and ensuring compliance with engineering standards, maturity requirements, and quality benchmarks across platform and non-platform projects. Proficient in applying structured risk assessment methodologies, including Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA) and Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA), to identify and mitigate potential failure modes early in the design and manufacturing process
• System Integration & Functional Performance: Ability to assess and optimize the integration of protective systems into blade and turbine architectures, ensuring safety, reliability, and functional excellence

What we offer

As a Specialist in the Protective Systems R&D team, you will take on a key role in shaping the technical direction of blade protective systems while contributing to the global energy transition. This position offers the opportunity to manage cross-functional engineering efforts, ensure high standards of quality and reliability, and coordinate innovation initiatives. You'll work in a collaborative, multicultural environment that values continuous learning, technical excellence, and delivering reliable results.

Additional information

This is a hybrid position based in Porto, Portugal, and requires up to 15 days of travel per year.

We will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis, therefore, early applications are encouraged. To apply for this opportunity, please submit your CV in English.

Please note: We reserve the right to amend or withdraw this job posting at any time.

Our commitment to a fair hiring 
At Vestas, we evaluate all candidates solely based on their professional experience, education, and relevant skills. To support a fair recruitment process, we kindly ask that you remove any photos, dates of birth or graduation, gender pronouns, marital status, or other personal information not relevant to the role before submitting your CV/resume. Your CV/resume should focus on your professional and educational background, along with the necessary contact details (email and phone number). We train our hiring teams in inclusive evaluation and regularly review process outcomes to ensure fairness.

DEIB Statement
At Vestas, we recognize the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion in driving innovation and success. We strongly encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, particularly those who may hesitate due to their identity or feel they do not meet every criterion. As our CEO states, "Expertise and talent come in many forms, and a diverse workforce enhances our ability to think differently and solve the complex challenges of our industry". Your unique perspective is what will help us powering the solution for a sustainable, green energy future.

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About Vestas
Vestas is the energy industry’s global partner on sustainable energy solutions. We are specialised in designing, manufacturing, installing, and servicing wind turbines, both onshore and offshore. 
Across the globe, we have installed more wind power than anyone else. We consider ourselves pioneers within the industry, as we continuously aim to design new solutions and technologies to create a more sustainable future for all of us. With more than 185 GW of wind power installed worldwide and 40+ years of experience in wind energy, we have an unmatched track record demonstrating our expertise within the field. 
With 30,000 employees globally, we are a diverse team united by a common goal: to power the solution – today, tomorrow, and far into the future. 
Vestas promotes a diverse workforce which embraces all social identities and is free of any discrimination. We commit to create and sustain an environment that acknowledges and harvests different experiences, skills, and perspectives. We also aim to give everyone equal access to opportunity. 
To learn more about our company and life at Vestas, we invite you to visit our website at www.vestas.com and follow us on our social media channels. We also encourage you to join our Talent Universe to receive notifications on new and relevant postings.