Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Hub Height • Grid Connection • Tower

Yaw System

Term from Wind Energy Production industry explained for recruiters

A yaw system is like a turntable mechanism that sits at the top of wind turbines, helping them face the right direction to catch the wind efficiently. Think of it as the steering wheel of a wind turbine - it turns the top part (nacelle) and blades to follow the wind direction, much like a weather vane. This is crucial for wind farms to produce maximum power. When you see terms like 'yaw control,' 'yaw drive,' or 'yaw bearing' in resumes, they're all referring to different parts of this important turning system.

Examples in Resumes

Maintained and repaired Yaw System components on 50+ wind turbines

Led team responsible for Yaw Drive installation and maintenance

Optimized Yaw Control System performance resulting in 15% increased energy output

Typical job title: "Wind Turbine Technicians"

Also try searching for:

Wind Energy Technician Wind Farm Maintenance Technician Wind Turbine Engineer Renewable Energy Technician Wind Systems Specialist Wind Farm Operations Technician

Where to Find Wind Turbine Technicians

Professional Organizations

Job Boards

Industry Networks

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you handle a complete yaw system failure on a wind farm with multiple turbines?

Expected Answer: A senior technician should discuss emergency response procedures, safety protocols, diagnostic steps, coordination with team members, and creating action plans for both immediate fixes and long-term solutions to prevent future failures.

Q: What improvements would you suggest to extend yaw system life and reduce maintenance costs?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of preventive maintenance strategies, monitoring systems, cost-benefit analysis of different maintenance approaches, and experience with implementing system improvements.

Mid Level Questions

Q: Explain the common maintenance procedures for a yaw system.

Expected Answer: Should be able to describe regular inspection routines, lubrication requirements, brake system checks, and basic troubleshooting steps for common yaw system issues.

Q: What safety procedures do you follow when working on yaw systems?

Expected Answer: Should explain height safety protocols, lock-out/tag-out procedures, proper use of safety equipment, and communication procedures with ground teams.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What are the basic components of a wind turbine yaw system?

Expected Answer: Should identify main parts like the yaw bearing, drive motors, brake system, and controller, explaining their basic functions in simple terms.

Q: How do you identify when a yaw system needs maintenance?

Expected Answer: Should mention basic warning signs like unusual noises, vibrations, or error messages from the control system, and explain basic inspection procedures.