Senior Electrical Systems Engineer (BESS)

USTBC ABB Installation Products Inc.; Napier; On-site; NZD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

ABB Napier is seeking a senior Electrical Engineer to lead the hardware design and development of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS). You will validate energy management, protection schemes, and power quality while ensuring safety and standards compliance across multiple product lines.

The role requires 5+ years in power electronics design, proficiency with AutoCAD and simulation tools, and strong English communication across multi-site teams.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and power converters >200kW.
• Minimum 5 years designing/maintaining power electronic systems in specialist teams.
• Solid understanding of three-phase systems and power electronics, inverter/converter principles.
• Knowledge of grid compliance requirements, including grid codes and power quality standards.
• Foundational EMC knowledge including emissions and shielding.
• Foundational knowledge of thermodynamics, heat management in electrical cabinets.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD and circuit simulation tools (PSCAD, Matlab/Simulink).
• Understanding of control methods and integration with control engineering teams.
• Proven ability to apply innovative thinking across complex R&D assignments.
• Strong English communication across functions and sites.

Responsibilities

• Lead hardware design and development of BESS and UPS systems.
• Contribute to analysis/validation of energy management systems and protection schemes.
• Perform electrical design activities including cable sizing, routing, and protection devices.
• Conduct functional, performance, and safety testing to IEC/UL standards.
• Develop and maintain test procedures, commissioning guides, and manuals.
• Plan and execute system commissioning on customer sites with validations.
• Troubleshoot faults and advise on performance improvements.
• Develop deep expertise in ABB's power conditioning portfolio and stay updated with tech trends.

Skills

BESS & power converters

Power electronics design

Three-phase systems

Grid compliance

EMC fundamentals

Thermal management

AutoCAD/Simulink

Control system integration

Innovation in R&D

English communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Power Electronics Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

PSCAD

Matlab/Simulink

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:

Chapter Lead (ELSP Pilot)

In this role, you'll help run what runs the world, by taking on meaningful work that drives real impact. You will contribute significantly to successful project outcomes within technology, product, and solution development, including associated Intellectual Property (IP). You will act as a key point of expertise in Research & Development, troubleshooting, and product engineering support. You will also apply your deep technical knowledge to propose and implement innovative ideas that strengthen our technology roadmap.

Our product portfolio spans Battery Energy Storage Systems, and UPS systems, ranging from 150 kVA to 30+ MVA. Your focus will be on developing and enhancing Power Conditioning core technologies, driving innovation to improve performance, reduce cost, and increase operational efficiency, mainly around Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).

The work model for the role is: onsite #LI-onsite

Location: Napier, New Zealand.

This role is contributing to the Critical Power product group in New Zealand.

You will be mainly accountable for:

• Lead the hardware design and development of the Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS).
• Contribute to the analysis and validation of low and medium-voltage energy management systems, including system protection schemes, power quality optimisation, energy storage integration, and evaluation of magnetic components.
• Perform electrical design activities including cable and harness dimensioning, selection, routing and layout, and definition and selection of protection devices, sensors and power supplies.
• Conduct comprehensive functional, performance, and safety testing on BESS and UPS, ensuring compliance with industry standards (IEC/UL certifications).
• Develop, improve, and maintain accurate technical documentation including test procedures and plans, commissioning guides, user manuals, product drawings, and interface specifications for battery systems.
• Plan and execute system commissioning activities on customer sites, including pre-commissioning inspections, power-up sequences, functional verification, performance optimization, and troubleshooting across all product lines.
• Troubleshoot and diagnose electrical faults, power quality issues, and system performance problems; develop improvement strategies and provide technical guidance to support customer applications.
• Develop deep expertise in ABB's power conditioning portfolio (BESS and HiPerGuard) and stay current with emerging power and energy management technologies.

Qualifications for the role

• Strong understanding of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and power converters >200kW.
• Minimum 5 years of experience designing/maintaining power electronic systems within specialist teams; capable of leading engineering projects and guiding junior colleagues.
• Solid understanding of three-phase systems and power electronics, including inverter and converter operating principles, practical application and integration into systems, and the ability to interpret product specifications and operate within defined performance and safety margins.
• Knowledge of grid compliance requirements, including grid codes, power quality standards (harmonics, THD, power factor), fault ride-through, frequency and voltage regulation, and anti-islanding protection, with familiarity with relevant IEC and IEEE standards is desirable.
• Foundational knowledge of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) principles, including conducted and radiated emissions, immunity requirements, and common mitigation techniques such as filtering and shielding, with familiarity with relevant standards.
• Foundational knowledge of thermodynamics, including heat management and airflow optimization within electrical cabinets to ensure reliable and safe equipment operation.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD and circuit simulation tools (e.g., PSCAD, Matlab/Simulink) is a plus.
• Understanding of control methods with ability to communicate effectively with control engineering teams to ensure seamless system integration.
• Proven ability to apply innovative thinking and technical creativity across complex R&D assignments and challenging engineering problems.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and/or Power Electronics Engineering; postgraduate qualifications are desirable.
• Strong English communication skills with demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across multiple functions, technical domains, and multi-site engineering teams.

More about us

ABB's Critical Power product group, within the Smart Power Division, is a global leader in advanced UPS and energy storage solutions serving mission-critical applications worldwide. We protect the world's most demanding o