Principal Power Electronics Engineer - VFDs

ABB Inc; New Berlin (WI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

ABB Drive Products in New Berlin, WI, is seeking a Design and Reliability Manager to lead failure analysis and root cause investigations for low‑voltage VFDs. You will work with an interdisciplinary team to improve product quality and reliability on site.

The role requires a bachelor’s in electrical engineering and 5+ years in reliability or failure analysis, with strong FMEA/8‑D skills, and travel both domestically and internationally. ABB offers robust benefits and career growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and 5+ years of reliability engineering or failure analysis in power electronics.
• Strong knowledge of root cause analysis techniques (FMEA, DFMA, 5 Whys, 8-D, fault trees).
• Excellent communication, documentation, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Domestic and international travel; valid US Driver’s License and US Passport.
• Work authorization to work in the US.

Responsibilities

• Provide root cause analysis for factory and field failures of low voltage (120V-600V) VFDs.
• Document investigations and root cause categorization in a database.
• Operate, select, and maintain lab electrical and scientific instrumentation to investigate failures.
• Provide data analytics to spot trends to improve product reliability.

Skills

Root cause analysis

Reliability engineering

FMEA

DFMA

5 Whys

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Lab instrumentation

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

Design and Reliability Manager

In this role, you will focus on hands on failure analysis to improve product quality and reliability. You will provide root cause analysis. You will work with a dynamic interdisciplinary team of engineers and cross functional support teams to support & improve VFDs (variable frequency drives).

The work model for the role is: On-Site in New Berlin, WI. This role support the Motion Drive Products Division.

Your role and responsibilities

• Provide root cause analysis for both factory and field failures of low voltage (120V-600V) VFDs. Thoroughly and professionally documenting the analysis investigations and root cause categorization in a database.
• Utilize your knowledge and lab instrumentation to investigate the root causes of failures and recommend corrective actions.
• Operate, recommend selection, and maintain a variety of lab electrical and scientific instrumentation.
• Provide data analytics to spot trends to improve product reliability.

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.

Qualifications for the role

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and 5+ years of experience in reliability engineering, failure analysis, or a related role in the power electronics industry.
• Strong background in and passion for troubleshooting and root cause analysis techniques (e.g., FMEA, DFMA, 5 Whys, RRCA, 8-D, Fault trees, Affinity Diagram etc.).
• Excellent communication, database, documentation, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• This role involves domestic and international business travel, requiring a valid US Driver’s License and US Passport.
• Candidates must already have a work authorization that would permit them to work for ABB in the US.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong background in digital, analog, FPGA, micro-processor, variable frequency drive, and AC motor drive background.

More About Us

ABB Drive Products serves the industries and infrastructure segments with world-class drives and programmable logic controllers (PLC). With its products, global scale and local presence, the Division helps customers to improve energy efficiency, productivity and safety.

What’s In It For You

We give you the space to lead, the support to grow, and the chance to make a difference. Whether you’re solving problems, building something new, or helping others succeed, your impact is real. You’ll be part of a team that values your voice and celebrates your progress.

ABB is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Aff…

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

As an Equal Employment Opportunity and Aff… applicants may request to review the plan of a particular ABB facility between the hours of 9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. EST Monday through Friday by contacting an ABB HR Representative at 1-888-694-7762.

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.