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Senior Power Electronics Engineer - VFDs

ABB · New Berlin, WI · Full time

Posted Sep 9, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a root cause you found that changed a product design or process.

What they are checking: Whether their analysis has led to real corrective action, not just a report filed away.

How do you document a failure investigation so someone can trust it a year later?

What they are checking: Whether they write clear, categorized records, since the posting asks for a database others will mine for trends.

Tell me about a failure you could not explain at first and how you finally cracked it.

What they are checking: Whether they have the patience and curiosity that hard failure analysis demands.

What would you do

You see a rise in returns of one drive model. How would you use the data to decide what to investigate first?

What they are checking: Whether they can use reliability analytics to find patterns instead of only working one unit at a time.

The design team disagrees with your root cause because it points to their circuit. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they can defend findings with data and stay collaborative with the interdisciplinary team.

About the work

Walk me through how you would investigate a low-voltage VFD that failed in the field with a blown IGBT.

What they are checking: Whether they gather evidence carefully and consider electrical, thermal and application causes before naming a root cause.

How do you tell a component defect from a failure caused by how the customer installed or used the drive?

What they are checking: Whether they can separate design, manufacturing and misapplication causes, which decides who fixes the problem.

Which lab instruments do you rely on for failure analysis, and how do you use them safely on high-voltage circuits?

What they are checking: Whether they are skilled with scopes, differential probes, thermal cameras and similar tools, and respect the hazards.

Explain how DC bus capacitors age in a drive and how that shows up in failures.

What they are checking: Whether they understand a common VFD wear mechanism at the level of physics, not just symptoms.

What is a fault tree or 8D, and how have you used one?

What they are checking: Whether they use structured problem-solving methods that keep investigations rigorous and repeatable.

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The full job description

As published by ABB.

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: Design and Reliability Manager __ In this role, you will focus on hands on failure analysis to improve product quality and reliability. You will provide root cause analysis. You will work with a dynamic interdisciplinary team of engineers and cross functional support teams to support & improve VFDs (variable frequency drives). The work model for the role is: On-Site in New Berlin, WI. This role support the Motion Drive Products Division. Your role and responsibilities: • Provide root cause analysis for both factory and field failures of low voltage (120V-600V) VFDs. Thoroughly and professionally documenting the analysis investigations and root cause categorization in a database. • Utilize your knowledge and lab instrumentation to investigate the root causes of failures and recommend corrective actions. • Operate, recommend selection, and maintain a variety of lab electrical and scientific instrumentation. • Provide data analytics to spot trends to improve product reliability. Our Team Dynamics Our teams support each other, collaborate, and never stop learning. Everyone brings something unique, and together we push ideas forward to solve real problems. Being part of our team means your work matters - because the progress we make here creates real impact out there. Qualifications for the role: • Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and 5+ years of experience in reliability engineering, failure analysis, or a related role in the power electronics industry. • Strong background in and passion for troubleshooting and root cause analysis techniques (e.g., FMEA, DFMA, 5 Whys, RRCA, 8-D, Fault trees, Affinity Diagram etc.) • Excellent communication, database, documentation, and cross-functional collaboration skills. • This role involves domestic and international business travel, requiring a valid US Driver’s License and US Passport. • Candidates must already have a work authorization that would permit them to work for ABB in the US. Preferred Qualifications: • Strong background in digital, analog, FPGA, micro-processor, variable frequency drive, and AC motor drive background. More about us ABB Drive Products serves the industries and infrastructure segments with world-class drives and programmable logic controllers (PLC). With its products, global scale and local presence, the Division helps customers to improve energy efficiency, productivity and safety. What's in it for you We give you the space to lead, the support to grow, and the chance to make a difference. Whether you're solving problems, building something new, or helping others succeed, your impact is real. You’ll be part of a team that values your voice and celebrates your progress. 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. 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 Savings Account) called the High Deductible Plan. • Choice between two dental plan options: Core and Core Plus • Vision benefit • Company paid life insurance (2X base pay) • Company paid AD&D (1X base pay) • Voluntary life and AD&D – 100% employee paid up to maximums • Short Term Disability – up to 26 weeks – Company paid • Long Term Disability – 60% of pay – Company paid. Ability to “buy-up” to 66 2/3% of pay. • Supplemental benefits – 100% employee paid (Accident insurance, hospital indemnity, critical illness, pet insurance • Paid Parental Leave • Employee Assistance Program • Health Advocate support resources for mental/behavioral health, general health navigation and virtual health, and infertility/adoption • Employee discount program Retirement • 401k Savings Plan with Company Contributions • Employee Stock Acquisition Plan (ESAP) Time off ABB provides 11 paid holidays. Salaried exempt positions are provided vacation under a permissive time away policy. 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.

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