Senior Electrical Systems Engineer (BESS)

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:

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In this role, you'll help run what runs the world, by taking on meaningful work that drives real impact. You will contribute significantly to successful project outcomes within technology, product, and solution development, including associated Intellectual Property (IP). You will act as a key point of expertise in Research & Development, troubleshooting, and product engineering support. You will also apply your deep technical knowledge to propose and implement innovative ideas that strengthen our technology roadmap.

Our product portfolio spans Battery Energy Storage Systems, and UPS systems, ranging from 150 kVA to 30 MVA. Your focus will be on developing and enhancing Power Conditioning core technologies, driving innovation to improve performance, reduce cost, and increase operational efficiency, mainly around Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).

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

Location: Napier, New Zealand.

This role is contributing to the Critical Power product group in New Zealand.

You will be mainly accountable for:

• Lead the hardware design and development of the Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS).
• Contribute to the analysis and validation of low and medium-voltage energy management systems, including system protection schemes, power quality optimisation, energy storage integration, and evaluation of magnetic components.
• Perform electrical design activities including cable and harness dimensioning, selection, routing and layout, and definition and selection of protection devices, sensors and power supplies.
• Conduct comprehensive functional, performance, and safety testing on BESS and UPS, ensuring compliance with industry standards (IEC/UL certifications).
• Develop, improve, and maintain accurate technical documentation including test procedures and plans, commissioning guides, user manuals, product drawings, and interface specifications for battery systems.
• Plan and execute system commissioning activities on customer sites, including pre-commissioning inspections, power-up sequences, functional verification, performance optimization, and troubleshooting across all product lines.
• Troubleshoot and diagnose electrical faults, power quality issues, and system performance problems; develop improvement strategies and provide technical guidance to support customer applications.
• Develop deep expertise in ABB's power conditioning portfolio (BESS and HiPerGuard) and stay current with emerging power and energy management technologies.

Qualifications for the role

• Strong understanding of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and power converters >200kW.

• Minimum 5 years of experience designing/maintaining power electronic systems within specialist teams; capable of leading engineering projects and guiding junior colleagues.

• Solid understanding of three-phase systems and power electronics, including inverter and converter operating principles, practical application and integration into systems, and the ability to interpret product specifications and operate within defined performance and safety margins.
• Knowledge of grid compliance requirements, including grid codes, power quality standards (harmonics, THD, power factor), fault ride-through, frequency and voltage regulation, and anti-islanding protection, with familiarity with relevant IEC and IEEE standards is desirable.
• Foundational knowledge of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) principles, including conducted and radiated emissions, immunity requirements, and common mitigation techniques such as filtering and shielding, with familiarity with relevant standards.
• Foundational knowledge of thermodynamics, including heat management and airflow optimization within electrical cabinets to ensure reliable and safe equipment operation.

• Proficiency with AutoCAD and circuit simulation tools (e.g., PSCAD, Matlab/Simulink) is a plus.
• Understanding of control methods with ability to communicate effectively with control engineering teams to ensure seamless system integration.
• Proven ability to apply innovative thinking and technical creativity across complex R&D assignments and challenging engineering problems.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and/or Power Electronics Engineering; postgraduate qualifications are desirable.
• Strong English communication skills with demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across multiple functions, technical domains, and multi-site engineering teams.

More about us

ABB's Critical Power product group, within the Smart Power Division, is a global leader in advanced UPS and energy storage solutions serving mission-critical applications worldwide. We protect the world's most demanding operations - from data centers and semiconductor fabrication plants to pharmaceutical manufacturing, cable production, aerospace facilities, and critical infrastructure. Our solutions enable 24/7 uptime and energy efficiency for the world's largest hyperscale data centers and enterprise customers, directly supporting the digital transformation of society.

Our engineering expertise spans over 50 years of innovation in power conversion technology. We design and deploy cutting-edge UPS systems ranging from 150 kVA to 30 MVA, featuring advanced modular architectures and the latest energy storage technologies including traditional VRLA batteries, next-generation lithium-ion solutions, and innovative nickel-zinc battery systems. Our products achieve industry-leading efficiency exceeding 95-99%, with exceptional reliability standards including full online double-conversion architecture and redundant modular designs for mission-critical applications.

The Napier facility is home to our power electronics engineering hub and represents ABB's commitment to innovation in the Asia-Pacific region. We are actively developing next-generation technologies to support the global energy transition, including PowerExchanger grid support services that unlock revenue streams from UPS energy storage assets and enable broader renewable energy integration. Our focus on sustainability is evidenced by our comprehensive portfolio of environmentally certified solutions and our commitment to helping customers achieve their carbon reduction targets.

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.