Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Private
Distraction; Time Pressure; Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Aircraft
On departure from ZZZ climbing through approx 4000ft msl we experienced a strong engine vibration from engine #1. We had a blinking N1 vibration of 9.9. We followed the QRH procedure which called for disengagement of the autothrust and retarding the throttle of affected engine until the vibration level was acceptable (around 50% N1) we had approx vibration level of 4.5. We leveled off at approx 10;000 ft; [notified ATC;] and was vectored back to runway XXL and landed without incident.Nothing we would have done differently.
Air Carrier Captain reported high engine vibration and an air return.