Quality Inspector Wind Turbine Blades Port Logistics

Quality Inspector Wind Turbine Blades (Port Logistics)

Role Overview.

As a Port Quality Inspector for Wind Turbine Blades, you will be the final line of defense before massive, highly engineered wind components leave the port for transit to their installation sites. You will conduct rigorous structural and cosmetic inspections on newly arrived wind turbine blades, identifying shipping or manufacturing damage (such as cracks, laminations, or transport scuffs). This role requires a sharp eye for detail, a strong understanding of composite materials, and the ability to work safely in dynamic port environments.

Key Responsibilities

1. Visual & Structural Inspection

• Perform comprehensive incoming visual inspections of wind turbine blades upon offloading at the port terminal.
• Identify, document, and classify defects such as fiberglass delamination, gelcoat cracks, leading/trailing edge damage, structural buckling, or transportation-induced stress marks.
• Utilize specialized inspection techniques, including tap testing (using an inspection hammer to detect internal voids/delamination by sound) and tactile assessments.
• Inspect critical hardware components, including root bolts, lightning protection systems (LPS), and internal blade cavities where accessible.

2. Documentation & Reporting

• Maintain precise inspection logs, tracking sheets, and photographic evidence for every blade inspected.
• Generate detailed Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs) for any damaged or defective blades, specifying the location, severity, and potential root cause of the issue.
• Communicate daily inspection findings directly with site managers, logistics partners, and the manufacturer’s quality engineering team.

3. Logistics & Safety Coordination

• Monitor lifting, rigging, and staging operations at the port to ensure blades are handled according to strict manufacturer guidelines.
• Verify that transport frames, root covers, and tip clamps are secure and undamaged during port storage.
• Adhere strictly to port safety protocols, including wearing required PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and maintaining high situational awareness around heavy machinery and cranes.

Qualifications & Skills

Required Experience

• Composite Materials Background: Minimum 2–3 years of experience working with fiberglass, carbon fiber, epoxy resins, or composite manufacturing/repair (preferably directly in the wind energy or aerospace sectors).
• Inspection Experience: Proven track record as a Quality Control (QC) or Quality Assurance (QA) inspector.

Technical Competencies

• Ability to read and interpret technical blueprints, engineering drawings, and manufacturing quality specs.
• Familiarity with blade inspection standards and terminology (e.g., trailing edge, leading edge, root, chord, gelcoat).
• Proficiency using digital inspection tools, high-resolution cameras, and tablet-based quality management software.

Physical & Environmental Requirements

• Ability to work outdoors in variable weather conditions (wind, rain, heat, cold) common to maritime port environments.
• Comfort working at heights or inside confined spaces (such as crawling into the root end of a blade for internal inspections).
• Physical stamina to walk long distances across port terminals, climb ladders, and bend/kneel frequently.

Preferred (Nice-to-Have)

• GWO (Global Wind Organisation) Certification: Basic Safety Training (BST).
• NDT (Non-Destructive Testing) Certifications: UT (Ultrasonic Testing) or PT (Dye Penetrant Testing) Level I or II.
• Experience with drone-based autonomous blade inspection data.