R&D Manager Traction Motors

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This position reports to:

Global R&D Unit Lead

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Your roles & Responsibilities

ABB Traction plays a critical role in shaping the future of electrified mobility. Through our traction motors and Mobile ePower solutions, we enable customers globally to achieve higher efficiency, reliability, and sustainability in rail and off-highway applications. We combine global scale with strong local execution to deliver performance, innovation, and long-term value.  

To drive sustained technology leadership and innovation, we are appointing a Global R&D Lead for Traction Motors. 

In this role, you will be at the forefront of shaping the future of traction motor technology. You will define and drive the R&D strategy and roadmap for Traction Motors, translating cutting-edge innovation into real business value for our customers and markets. You will lead the R&D teams in Sweden and China, to drive high performance and meet ambitious targets.

You’ll collaborate closely with the Engineering and Manufacturing teams to ensure seamless technology transfer and efficient industrialization of new developments, with Technology and R&D teams within Motion Traction to leverage synergies across the full value chain and align on shared technology directions, as well as with Corporate Research Centers to co-create long-term disruptive innovations and bring next-generation technologies into our product roadmap. You’ll report directly to the Global Product Line Manager – Traction Motors.

While the role has a global scope, the position’s location is Västerås, Sweden.

You will be mainly accountable for:

• Define and own the R&D technology roadmap for Traction Motors aligned with business strategy and market needs, ensuring innovation priorities translate to competitive advantage

• Manage and optimize the R&D project portfolio across Sweden and China, ensuring efficient resource allocation, timely delivery, and quality execution aligned with business objectives

• Build and nurture strategic relationships across the innovation ecosystem to identify breakthrough technologies and co-create next-generation solutions

• Lead, coach and develop the R&D teams in Sweden and China, including full line management responsibility in Sweden, foster a culture of innovation and continuous learning, ensure alignment with the global technology roadmap and facilitate cross-site collaboration

• Drive talent acquisition, capability development and succession planning to attract and retain world-class R&D teams

• Develop and maintain the competencies, tools, and infrastructure needed to support current and future product development

• Serve as the technical authority for the team, providing expert guidance on complex technical challenges and supporting both internal and external stakeholder needs

• Ensure a safe, inclusive, and compliant work environment across Traction Motors R&D locations

Qualifications for the Role

• A Master's degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering or a relevant technical field; a PhD is considered as a merit

• 10+ years of experience in industrial R&D environments, with proven ability to translate technology trends into actionable R&D strategies and roadmaps

• Extensive hands-on experience in the development of electrical machines, preferably for railway or off-highway vehicle applications, including permanent magnet motors

• Deep knowledge of design, engineering, simulation, CAD, PLM, and ERP tools related to electrical machines

• Demonstrated leadership experience, including line management, people development, portfolio responsibility, and managing large-scale, complex projects

• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to collaborate and influence across all levels of the organization

• Open-minded, self-motivated and result-oriented, with strong written and verbal communication skills in English

More about us

Recruiting Manager Cathy Y. Chen, +46 72 461 37 91, will answer your questions about the position. Union representatives – Sveriges Ingenjörer: Håkan Sjöberg, +46 703 96 00 02 ; Unionen: Katja Saari, +46 730 77 05 02; Ledarna: Lenny Larsson, +46 706 32 85 47. All other questions can be directed to Talent Partner Irma Leijon, +46 (72) 4612314. 

Welcome to apply the latest by August 3rd. As it is currently vacation season, we kindly ask for your understanding that our response time may be slightly longer than usual, but we will get back to you as soon as we can.

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?

Apply today or visit https://www.abb.com to learn more about the impact of our solutions across the globe.