Vice President R&D Engineering

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: USLATAM Region Managing Director __ Job Summary ABB Installation Products is embarking on an exciting transformation journey focused on accelerating growth, innovation, advancing engineering capabilities, and strengthening our leadership position across North and Latin America. We are seeking a visionary and results-driven Vice President, R&D Engineering to lead this transformation and build the next generation of products, technologies, and engineering capabilities that will define our future. This is a unique opportunity to lead a team of approximately 80 engineering professionals and influence a diverse portfolio serving critical electrification markets. As the Vice President, R&D Engineering for the region, you will drive the innovation agenda, shape the technology roadmap, accelerate new product introductions, and foster a high-performance culture that challenges the status quo and transforms ideas into profitable growth. Working closely with Business Line leaders, Product Management, Sales, Operations, Supply Chain, and global R&D teams, you will play a pivotal role in advancing innovation, and positioning ABB as the partner of choice for customers across the US and Latin America. If you are energized by transformation, passionate about building high-performing teams, and have a proven track record of turning technology and innovation into business results, keep reading. Key Responsibilities Lead Regional Technology & Innovation Strategy: Define and execute the R&D and technology roadmap, aligning innovation initiatives with business objectives, market trends, and growth opportunities to strengthen competitive advantage and accelerate commercialization. Drive Product Development Excellence: Oversee the regional R&D portfolio, prioritizing investments and resources to deliver high-quality products on time while establishing engineering standards, technical governance, and best practices. Foster Cross-Functional Collaboration & Operational Excellence: Partner with Product Management, Sales, Operations, Supply Chain, and external stakeholders to improve speed to market, enhance customer value, and drive continuous improvement across engineering processes. Lead Organizational Growth & Governance: Manage an 80-person engineering organization, developing talent and succession plans while overseeing budgets, resource allocation, risk management, intellectual property protection, and strategic technology leadership. Qualifications Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or related scientific field required; Master’s Degree preferred. 15+ years of experience in product development, engineering, or related technical fields, including high-volume manufacturing, complex systems, and electrification or adjacent industrial markets. 7+ years of leadership experience managing multiple engineering or technical functions and leading high-performing technical teams. Proven success driving innovation commercialization, accelerating new product introductions (NPI), and delivering profitable growth through technology and product leadership. Experience with Stage-Gate methodologies, Lean Product Development, R&D governance, and continuous improvement processes. Demonstrated expertise in advanced manufacturing technologies and process modernization initiatives that improve competitiveness, quality, cost, and speed to market. Proven ability to develop and execute technology roadmaps, manage innovation portfolios, and drive vitality index performance through differentiated products and solutions. Strong business acumen with a track record of partnering across Product Management, Sales, Operations, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Finance, and customers to achieve strategic objectives. Proven ability to lead organizational transformation, business turnarounds, and culture change while fostering innovation, accountability, and high performance. Exceptional strategic thinking, analytical, communication, negotiation, and leadership skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels and deliver sustainable business results. More about us: ABB Installation Products Division (formerly Thomas & Betts), helps manage the connection, protection and distribution of electrical power from source to socket. The Division’s products are engineered to provide ease of installation and perform in demanding and harsh conditions, helping to ensure safety and continuous operation for utilities, businesses and people around the world. The Commercial Essentials product segment includes electrical junction boxes, commercial fittings, strut and cable tray metal framing systems for commercial and residential construction. The Premier Industrial product segment includes multiple product lines, such as Ty-Rap® cable ties, T&B Liquidtight Systems® protection products, PVC coated and nylon conduit systems, power connection and grounding systems, and cable protection systems of conduits and fittings for harsh and industrial applications. The Division also manufactures solutions for medium-voltage applications used in the utility market under its marquee brands including Elastimold™ reclosers and switchgear, capacitor switches, current limiting fuses, Homac™ distribution connectors, Hi-Tech Valiant™ full-range current limiting fuse for fire mitigation, faulted current indicators and distribution connectors, cable accessories and apparatus with products for overhead and underground distribution. Manufacturing includes made-to-stock and custom-made solutions. What's in it for you: We want you to bring your full self to work—your ideas, your energy, your ambition. You’ll have the tools and freedom to grow your skills, shape your path, and take on challenges that matter. Here, your work creates impact you can see and feel, every day. ABB is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer for protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities at ABB. 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 Affirmative Action Employer for Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities, 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 US-AskHR@abb.com. Resumes and applications will not be accepted in this manner. #LI-Hybrid 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 S