R&D Senior Mechanical Engineer

ABB Inc.; Fort Smith (AR); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k with company contributions

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

11 paid holidays

Parental leave

Health, dental and vision plans

Job summary

ABB is seeking an experienced electric motor design engineer to drive technical excellence. You will solve complex challenges, mentor juniors, and lead design optimization with rigorous testing and cross‑functional collaboration.

The role emphasizes manufacturing considerations, cost reduction, and documentation, with strong preference for advanced certifications and SAP/Ansys expertise. Onsite role in the US, reporting to Engineering Manager.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering and 8+ years experience with Electric Motors or rotating equipment design.
• Strong documentation skills: drawings, BOMs, engineering records; support revisions.
• Solid grasp of mechanical performance and manufacturing processes (die casting, machining, stamping, molding).
• Experience in engineering analysis, data reporting, and technical presentations.
• Preferred: Master's degree, Lean Six Sigma or PMP, SAP, Ansys, SolidWorks CSWP; regulatory knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Lead electric motor design and analysis for performance optimization.
• Mentor junior engineers and drive R&D initiatives with cross‑functional teams.
• Oversee design optimization projects, testing programs, and validation.
• Collaborate across teams to translate business needs into technical solutions.

Skills

Electric Motor Design

FEA

Documentation & BOMs

Engineering Analysis

Technical Presentations

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Manufacturing Processes

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

8+ years experience in Electric Motors or rotating equipment design

Tools

SAP

Ansys

SolidWorks CSWP

UL/CSA/CE/IEEE/IEC/NEMA knowledge

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:

Engineering Manager

The work model for the role is:

Onsite #LI-Onsite

Your role and responsibilities:

We're seeking an experienced electric motor design engineer to drive technical excellence and innovation. In this role, you'll solve complex engineering challenges independently, mentor junior team members, and contribute to R&D initiatives that create business value. You'll lead design optimization projects, manage comprehensive testing programs, and collaborate across teams to deliver high-quality products that meet customer needs and industry standards.

Our Team Dynamics

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.

You will be mainly accountable for:

• Electric Motor Design & Analysis - Expert-level competence in motor design, performance optimization, and complex problem-solving using both FEA and closed-form solutions
• Advanced Technical Analysis - Proficiency in airflow, vibration, and sound level analysis with ability to pro-pose and validate improvement opportunities
• Design Leadership & Optimization - Experience leading design initiatives with focus on manufacturing considerations, cost reduction, and comprehensive testing and validation
• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Innovation - Skilled at working across technical and functional teams, generating IP, documenting findings for diverse audiences, and translating business drivers into technical solutions

Qualifications for the role:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering and 8+ years experience with Electric Motors or rotating equipment design including knowledge in advanced design methodologies (FEA), manufacturing processes, and customer support experience.
• Proven ability to create accurate documentation, detailed drawings, BOMs, and engineering records, while supporting design changes and revisions.
• Strong command of mechanical performance fundamentals while considering manufacturing processes such as die casting, machining, stamping, plastic molding, and fabrication.
• Proficiency in engineering analysis, data reporting, and technical presentations.
• Preferred Experience Includes: Master's Degree in Engineering, Lean Six Sigma or PMP Certifications, SAP, Ansys, and SolidWorks CSWP. Working knowledge of UL, CSA, CE, IEEE, IEC, NEMA regulatory compliance
• Candidates must already have work authorization that would permit them to work for ABB in the US.

More about us:

ABB's NEMA Motors Division is the global leading electric NEMA motors manufacturer. With more than 4,500 employees across the globe and seven manufacturing locations that produce more than 1.6 million motors every year, the division powers its customers from many industries with safe, reliable energy-efficient and effective solutions. NEMA Motors Division is a trusted leader with the shortest lead time and the broadest modularized product offering.

What's in it for you

We want you to bring your full self to work-your ideas, your energy, your ambition. You'll have the tools and freedom to grow your skills, shape your path, and take on challenges that matter. Here, your work creates impact you can see and feel, every day.

ABB is an Equal Employment Opportunity and affirmative action employer for protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities at ABB.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their sex (gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation), marital status, citizenship, age, race and ethnicity, inclusive of traits historically associated with race or ethnicity, including but not limited to hair texture and protective hairstyles, color, religious creed, national origin, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal and state law.

For more information regarding your (EEO) rights as an applicant, please visit the following websites: https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf

Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access ABB's career site as a result of your disability. You may request reasonable accommodations by calling an ABB HR Representative at 1-888-694-7762 or by sending an email to [e-mail]. Resumes and applications will not be accepted in this manner.

ABB Benefit Summary for eligible US employees

[excludes ABB E-mobility, Athens union, Puerto Rico]

Go to MyBenefitsABB.com and click on "Candidate/Guest" to learn more

Health, Life & Disability

• Choice between two medical plan options: A PPO plan called the Copay Plan OR a High Deductible Health Plan (with a Health Savings Account) called the High Deductible Plan.
• Choice between two dental plan options: Core and Core Plus
• Vision benefit
• Company paid life insurance (2X base pay)
• Company paid AD&D (1X base pay)
• Voluntary life and AD&D - 100% employee paid up to maximums
• Short Term Disability - up to 26 weeks - Company paid
• Long Term Disability - 60% of pay - Company paid. Ability to "buy-up" to 66 2/3% of pay.
• Supplemental benefits - 100% employee paid (Accident insurance, hospital indemnity, critical illness, pet insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Assistance Program
• Health Advocate support resources for mental/behavioral health, general health navigation and virtual health, and infertility/adoption
• Employee discount program

Retirement

• 401k Savings Plan with Company Contributions
• Employee Stock Acquisition Plan (ESAP)

Time off

ABB provides 11 paid holidays. Salaried exempt positions are provided vacation under a permissive time away policy.

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?