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This role sits within ABB's Robotics business, a leading global robotics company. We're entering an exciting new chapter as we’ve announced the plan for SoftBank Group to acquire ABB Robotics. SoftBank is a globally recognized technology group and investor/operator focused on AI, robotics, and next-generation computing. By joining us now, you’ll be part of a pioneering team shaping the future of robotics—working alongside world-class experts in a fast-moving, innovation-driven environment.
This Position reports to:
R&D Team LeadAutomation is key to maintaining competitiveness in modern manufacturing. A critical challenge is ensuring that product design enables efficient, scalable, and reliable automated assembly.
In control cabinet production, certain design choices either enable or limit the use of automated manufacturing workflows. Poorly adapted designs increase complexity, error risk, and cost, while well-optimized designs can unlock higher levels of automation.
This thesis focuses on how product design decisions impact automated assembly in production. The emphasis is on decisions made in the design phase that directly impact the automation feasibility, including exploring challenges in automating the assembly of complex components.
This thesis project is suitable for 1–2 students.
Your role and responsibilities
You will explore how design decisions influence the feasibility and efficiency of automated assembly. The work includes developing principles, methods, and/or concepts that improve:
- Design for automated manufacturing and assembly
- Integration between design tools and production systems
- Robustness and quality in assembly processes
- Cost-efficiency and scalability in production
The expected outcome is to propose concepts and solutions that enable higher levels of automation in our control cabinet production.
- Analyze current design and development processes from a manufacturing perspective
- Identify design-related barriers to automation and propose improvements
- Investigate how digital tools (CAD, simulation, AI) can support design optimization and virtual validation
- Develop general design guidelines for automation-friendly products (e.g., layout, interfaces, accessibility)
- Evaluate toolchains and workflows for digital continuity from design to production
- Create and validate concepts through simulations, prototypes, and/or physical mock-ups
Your background
You are studying:
- Mechanical Engineering
- Product Development
- Mechatronics / Mechatronic Engineering
- Electrical Engineering, Automation, or related fields
You have an interest in:
- Product design and development
- Manufacturing and production systems
- Automation and robotics
- Digital engineering tools (CAD, simulation, etc.)
As a person, you are:
- Curious and analytical
- Hands-on and solution-oriented
- Able to work independently and structure complex problems
More about us
A Future Opportunity
Please note that this position is part of our talent pipeline and not an active job opening at this time. By applying, you express your interest in future career opportunities with ABB.
We value people from different backgrounds. Could this be your story? Apply today or visit www.abb.com to learn more about us and see the impact of our work across the globe.
Skills Required
- Currently studying Mechanical Engineering, Product Development, Mechatronics, Mechatronic Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automation, or a related field
- Interest in product design and development
- Interest in manufacturing and production systems
- Interest in automation and robotics
- Interest in digital engineering tools such as CAD and simulation
- Curious and analytical approach
- Hands-on and solution-oriented approach
- Ability to work independently and structure complex problems
ABB Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about ABB and has not been reviewed or approved by ABB.
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare coverage is described as comprehensive, with medical, dental, vision, mental health support, and disability and life insurance included. Immediate eligibility in some roles reinforces the sense of dependable core coverage.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time-off offerings are described as broad, including paid holidays, sick days, volunteer time, sabbaticals, and, in some cases, 25 days of PTO. Flexible scheduling and remote-work options add to perceived time-off and flexibility value.
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Retirement Support — Retirement benefits are positioned as robust, including a 401(k) with company contributions or matching and, in some cases, profit sharing or pension savings. Stock purchase/share acquisition programs complement longer-term savings options.
ABB Insights
What We Do
ABB is a leading global technology company that energizes the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future. By connecting software to its electrification, robotics, automation and motion portfolio, ABB pushes the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels. With a history of excellence stretching back more than 130 years, ABB’s success is driven by about 110,000 talented employees in over 100 countries. www.abb.com
