R&D Leader Grid Components

USTBC ABB Installation Products Inc.; Pinetops (NC); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

ABB is seeking an experienced R&D Team Leader to guide innovation in ANSI Grid Components, Instrument Transformers and Sensor technology. The role requires leading a team in an onsite setting at the Pinetops, NC facility, coordinating with Product Managers and leadership to drive development through the product lifecycle.

You will oversee planning, resource allocation, and portfolio optimization for R&D projects, while ensuring compliance with UL, IEEE, IEC, and NEMA standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering (Electrical/Electronics) required.
• Minimum 12 years of product development and design experience in electrical equipment.
• 2+ years of leadership/direct managerial experience.
• 5+ years blended with Project Management and Operations.
• Experience with MV/HV Instrument Transformer & Sensor, Cutouts, Switches, reclosers preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support Technology Center Manager in planning and managing R&D activities and resources.
• Assist in cross-functional design reviews and evaluate cost effectiveness of designs.
• Plan capacity, people, and resources for R&D projects and ensure timely, quality execution.
• Collaborate with local management to reflect needs within R&D projects and strategy.
• Travel up to 20% domestically as needed.

Skills

Leadership

Project Management

Electrical Engineering

Strategic Operations

Cross-functional Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical or electronics engineering

Master's degree in electrical or electronics engineering

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: Technology Center Manager, NAM

Your role and responsibilities

As R&D Team Leader, you will work on ABB's leading ANSI Grid Components Instrument Transformers and Sensor technology platforms, Cutouts, Switches, reclosers etc. developing new products that address critical market demands and meeting requirements, fully compliant with relevant ANSI- IEEE, NEMA & UL standards. As a leader of the R&D team, you will be supporting technology center manager to establish an open and innovative culture with clear technology vision and strategy.

If you are interested in the opportunity to grow in your professional engineering career, challenge the technology status quo, maintain ABB's leading industry position in global technologies, and want to make significant contributions to the strategic technology plans and to the product portfolio, we invite you to join the ABB Electrification R&D team!

The work model for the role is: ONSITE; Pinetops, NC #Li-Onsite

You will be mainly accountable for:

• Support the Technology Center Manager for an assigned domain in the planning and management of research and development (R&D) activities and resources. Ensures quality of monthly activity reporting including project cost tracking and forecasting; Work closely with Product Managers, Project Managers, and leadership team throughout the product development life cycle in a highly collaborative team environment.
• Support Project Leader with establishing cross-functional design reviews, analyze concepts, and evaluate cost effectiveness of the component/assembly designs; Manages assigned resources for R&D activities, assigns tasks to team members, and supervises workload and work allocation within the project team. Ensures appropriate competencies are developed and acquired within the team to support development of future products and systems.
• Prepare Plans and ensures an optimal project portfolio for the team. Plans capacity, people, and resources for R&D projects. Oversees efficient, timely and quality project execution using the most appropriate internal and external resources and partners (e.g. universities, Corporate Research Centers (CRCs)).
• Partners with Local Business Unit management to ensure appropriate representation of needs within R&D projects. Evaluates local market requirements and innovation and provides feedback to appropriate product, manufacturing, and R&D strategies.

Our team dynamics

You will join a dynamic, talented, high-performing team, where you will be able to thrive.

Qualifications for the role

• Bachelor degree in engineering required (electrical or electronics engineering preferred) PLUS a minimum of 12 years experience in product development and design of related electrical equipment, preferably with electrical power distribution equipment such as MV/ HV Instrument Transformer & Sensor, Cutouts, Switches, reclosers etc..; Masters degree in electrical or electronics engineering engineering, a plus
• Must have at least 2 years of prior Leadership/direct Managerial experience
• Must have at least 5 years of prior Strategic Operations experience blended with Project Management experience (this role is 20% technical and 80% Operational/Supervisory)
• Must have strong analytical skills with a solutions-oriented, engineering problem-solving mindset; Ability to work collaboratively in a project team environment, as well as, working independently to support and deliver effective solutions for assigned engineering projects required.
• Experience in MV/ HV Instrument Transformer & Sensor, Cutouts, Switches, reclosers etc. is preferred
• Experience in Communication and protective relays and ANSI /IEC Power System knowledge, preferred
• Experience with and application of product standards such as UL, IEEE, IEC, NEMA, etc.; experience coordinating simulations for dielectric, static or dynamic forces for various products, preferred
• Knowledge of Switchgear design, Motor Control Center and SCADA operation principles of protection in electrical power systems are desirable.
• Ability to travel is required, estimate up to 20% travel (mostly domestic).
• Candidates must already have a work authorization that would permit them to work for ABB in the US.

More about us

ABB's Distribution Solutions Division facilitates the efficient and reliable distribution, protection and control of power by improving electric power quality while strengthening the resilience of the grid. The Division offers segment-specific products and solutions that largely serve utilities, industry and infrastructure segments, often providing the requisite medium voltage link between high-voltage transmission systems and low-voltage users. With ABB Ability enabled connected solutions at its cor