R&D Project Manager

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 Department/Local Unit Lead

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In this role, you will have the opportunity to create products, systems, services, or technologies for ABB´s business units. Each day, you will lead and facilitate the execution of one or more Research and Development (R&D) sub-projects of limited complexity. You will also showcase your expertise by achieving associated milestones, targets, and desired outcomes.

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

This role is contributing to the Electrification Distribution Solutions in Mebane, NC

You will be mainly accountable for:

• Lead new product development projects for low-voltage switchgear and busway and related power distribution equipment from concept through launch, defining scope, deliverables, timelines, and priorities.
• Develop and manage project plans, schedules, budgets, resources, risks, and mitigation actions to keep projects on time, within scope, and aligned with cost, quality, and performance targets.
• Lead and coordinate cross-functional teams across R&D, Product Management, Supply Chain, Laboratory, Operations, Quality, Sourcing, and manufacturing partners to support execution and maintain milestone alignment.
• Manage deliverables through design reviews and engineering changes, and support timely completion of technical documentation required for product release.
• Coordinate prototype builds, design verification, qualification testing, and factory introduction activities to support transfer from R&D to manufacturing and production readiness.
• Prepare project status updates, key decisions, risks, and recovery plans for leadership, and lead milestone or stage-gate reviews.

Qualifications for the role

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, preferably in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.
• Minimum 6 years of experience in R&D, project management, or product development within low-voltage switchgear, power distribution equipment, or a similar complex industry.
• Demonstrated project coordination skills, including scope tracking, schedule management, and milestone follow-up on cross-functional new product development projects.
• Travel up to 10%, domestically and internationally, to support supplier coordination, factory activities, testing, and project reviews.
• Exposure to product validation activities for low-voltage equipment, including prototype evaluation, design verification, or qualification testing, is preferred.
• Ability to collaborate with suppliers, operations, quality, and manufacturing engineering to support component readiness and production transfer.
• Working knowledge of medium-voltage industry standards and compliance requirements is preferred, including ANSI, IEEE, NEMA, CSA, UL, or similar specifications.
• Candidate must be authorized to work for ABB in the United States.

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.

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