R&D Associate Engineer

Abb; Hawke's Bay; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

ABB in Napier seeks engineers, electricians and technicians to help advance energy-generation hardware. You will run high‑power electrical tests, prototype test rigs, and apply reliability principles in a lab environment focused on UPS and energy storage systems.

Onsite in Napier, you’ll work with a team to innovate, ensure safety compliance, and deliver clear test reports supporting product development and global impact.

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering or equivalent qualification (e.g., industrial electrician, technician diploma, trade certification).
• Experience with 3‑phase systems and high-power testing.
• Familiarity with UPS, energy storage, variable speed drives or PLCs.
• Knowledge of CE & UL safety standards and reliability practices.
• Strong problem-solving and debugging in a laboratory environment.
• Familiarity with test equipment and report writing.

Responsibilities

• Define product test requirements and conduct electrical/electronics testing for high-power systems.
• Prototype and develop hardware test rigs and ensure safety compliance.
• Apply reliability engineering principles and international standards (CE & UL) to product testing.
• Automate testing processes and produce clear, high-quality reports for product development.

Skills

3‑phase systems

Problem solving

Report writing

Laboratory testing

Innovation mindset

Reliability engineering

Electrical test equipment

Prototype test rigs

Education

Electrical/Electronic Engineering degree or equivalent

Tools

Electrical test equipment

Prototype test rigs

Job description

At ABB, we help industries run leaner and cleaner—and every person here makes that happen. You’ll be empowered to lead, supported to grow, and proud of the impact we create together. Join us and help run what runs the world.

This position reports to:

R&D Lab Team Lead

Your Role and Responsibilities

In this role, you’ll help run what runs the world, by taking on meaningful work that drives real impact. Join our R&D Centre of Excellence (lab organization) based in Napier and you’ll get to shape the future of energy. Our products range from Power Protection (UPS) to Battery Energy Storage to Static Frequency Converters, with power ranges from 300kW to 3600kW. Our team was proud to be named Exporter of the Year at the ExportNZ ASB Hawke’s Bay Export Awards and to receive the Ziwi Excellence in Innovation Award, recognizing our commitment to innovation and global impact.

We are looking for a range of skills from qualified engineers to industrial electricians to technicians who want to contribute to the future of energy.

Work model: Onsite #LI-Onsite

• Define product test requirements and conduct electrical/electronics testing, including high power systems.
• Prototype and develop hardware test rigs, ensuring compliance with safety protocols.
• Apply reliability engineering principles and international standards (CE & UL) to product testing.
• Automate testing processes and provide clear, high-quality reports to support product development.

Our teams support each other, collaborate, and never stop learning. Everyone brings something unique, and together we push ideas forward to solve real problems. Being part of our team means your work matters – because the progress we make here creates real impact out there.

Qualifications for the Role

• Degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering or equivalent qualification (e.g., industrial electrician, technician diploma, trade certification)
• Previous exposure to and experience with 3‑phase systems
• Experience with products such as UPS, energy storage systems, variable speed drives, or PLCs
• Knowledge of international product safety standards (CE & UL) and reliability engineering practices
• Strong problem-solving and debugging skills in a laboratory environment
• Familiarity with electrical/electronic test equipment and report writing
• Mindset to innovate, take ownership, and drive continuous improvement

More about us

ABB Smart Power provides energy distribution solutions for data centers, industrial and manufacturing plants, critical infrastructure and commercial buildings. The Division’s technical teams work closely with industry partners, delivering advanced solutions that support rapid growth, energy transition, and sustainability objectives. The Division’s portfolio includes industrial circuit breakers, low-voltage systems, motor starting applications, and safety devices like switches and relays. Its Power Protection unit supports the world’s largest data center companies with advanced energy-efficient UPS solutions. The Division’s ABB Ability™ Energy Manager provides a scalable, easy-to-use platform that helps organizations save energy and reduce CO2 emissions.

Building a cleaner, smarter future takes all kinds of minds: the curious, the courageous, and the creative. That's why we welcome people from all backgrounds and experiences.

Ready to make an impact?