Senior Research Scientist – Optimization & Control for Energy and Industrial Applications

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 Team Lead

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The work model for the role is: Hybrid.

Key responsibilities

Are you passionate about shaping the future of autonomous, resilient, intelligent, and sustainable industrial systems and operations?

ABB Research is looking for a highly motivated scientist or engineer with expertise in optimization, control, modeling, and software development for complex industrial systems.

In this role, you will join an international team of researchers working at the interface of applied research and industrial innovation. Together, we develop technologies that transform advanced concepts into practical software solutions, prototypes, and demonstrators with tangible business and customer impact.

You will contribute to the development of next-generation solutions for automation, resource and energy management, industrial processes, and intelligent decision support for engineering and operational applications. Your work will support ABB's vision of enabling a more productive and sustainable future.

Your role and responsibilities:

• You develop advanced algorithms for the analysis, control, optimization, and autonomous operation of industrial systems, processes, and sites.
• You design and validate innovative concepts through modelling, simulation, software prototypes, and demonstrators.
• You develop and integrate scalable software solutions with industrial control systems, cloud platforms, and digital ecosystems.
• You translate industrial challenges and business needs into research questions, use cases, and technical solutions.
• You shape, initiate, and lead research activities with high strategic relevance and business impact for ABB.
• You collaborate closely with ABB business areas, customers, and external partners to transfer research into industrial applications.
• You communicate, disseminate, and protect technical results through publications, patents, conference contributions, and presentations to expert audiences and senior management.
• You build and strengthen strategic collaborations with universities, research institutions, and industry partners while driving innovation from concept creation to implementation and validation.

You will work across the full innovation chain — from problem definition, data analysis, and modelling to simulation, algorithm development, software implementation, and project execution. Your work will enable new ways of operating, controlling, optimizing, and automating industrial systems, processes, sites, and energy infrastructures.

Qualifications for the role

• You hold a PhD in electrical engineering, energy engineering, control engineering, process engineering, applied mathematics, computer science, or a related field, or an M.Sc. with relevant professional experience and a proven track record.

• You bring deep expertise in one or more of the following areas: optimization, control engineering, energy systems, industrial automation, process systems engineering, or modeling, analysis, and operation of complex industrial systems.

• You have hands-on experience in software development and the implementation of efficient, reliable solutions. Experience with data-driven methods, machine learning, or AI-based methods applied to industrial, energy, automation, or optimization challenges is considered an asset.

• You have experience with simulation tools for modelling, analyzing, and validating systems behavior.

• You demonstrate excellent programming skills in Python, C#, C++, or similar languages, and you have solid knowledge of object-oriented software design.

• You combine analytical thinking with the practical ability to bridge research and industrial applications.

• You have successfully led projects or work packages and have ideally contributed to the acquisition or execution of publicly funded research projects.

• You bring excellent communication and networking skills, with the ability to work effectively in international and cross-cultural environments.

• You are fluent in English, written and spoken.

Benefits

• Flexible work practices
• Career development and training opportunities, on and off the job
• In-house canteen
• Employee Share Acquisition Plan
• Mobility benefits, such as JobRad
• Company pension scheme

Please note: in the case of equal suitability, people with severe disabilities and their equals are given preference.

ABB AG

+49 (0) 621 381 3500 

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.