R&D Senior Engineer-UX designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: R&D Senior Engineer - UX Designer

Company: ABB

Location: Shanghai, China

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Engineering / User Experience (UX) Design

Date Posted: 2026-04-21

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (3+ Years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the user experience strategy and execution for innovative robot products within ABB Robotics' R&D division.

• Architect user-centered interaction models and intuitive interface designs that align with customer needs and business objectives.

• Leverage design thinking principles and user research methodologies to identify and solve complex interaction challenges.

• Collaborate closely with global R&D teams, product managers, and engineering stakeholders to deliver high-quality, user-friendly robotic solutions.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of UX processes and standards within a leading global robotics company.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within ABB's Robotics division, which is undergoing a significant transition with a planned acquisition by SoftBank Group. This context suggests a dynamic environment focused on AI, robotics, and next-generation computing. The UX Designer will play a crucial role in shaping the user-facing aspects of these advanced robotic products.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the design and architecture of user interactions and interfaces for robot products, ensuring they meet evolving customer needs and market demands.

• Conduct comprehensive user research, including requirements gathering and analysis, to inform design decisions and validate feature sets.

• Develop detailed interaction flows, wireframes, and high-fidelity prototypes using industry-standard design tools.

• Execute iterative user testing cycles to gather feedback, identify usability issues, and refine design solutions.

• Translate complex technical concepts and user requirements into elegant, intuitive, and user-friendly interface designs.

• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams across China, Sweden, Germany, India, and the US to ensure design feasibility and successful implementation.

• Validate implemented designs against user requirements and performance metrics, driving continuous improvement initiatives.

• Create and maintain comprehensive design documentation, including style guides and user journey maps, to ensure consistency and clarity.

• Support product promotion efforts through layout design and potentially contribute to video creation for marketing materials.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for proactive engagement in problem-solving and solution delivery. The emphasis on "independently work on strategic design" and "deliver well documented design solutions" indicates an expectation for autonomy and a structured approach to the design process, common in senior engineering roles. The global collaboration aspect necessitates strong communication and cross-cultural awareness.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• A minimum of three (3) years of progressive experience in User Experience (UX) design, with a proven track record of designing and delivering user-centered digital products.

Required Skills:

• UX Design Expertise: Deep understanding of UX principles, user-centered design methodologies, and information architecture.

• Interaction Architecture: Proven ability to design complex user flows and interaction models for intuitive product experiences.

• Rapid Prototyping: Proficiency in creating interactive prototypes to effectively communicate design concepts and test usability.

• User Testing: Experience in planning, conducting, and analyzing user testing sessions to gather insights and drive design improvements.

• Visual Design Tools: Advanced proficiency with industry-standard design software such as Figma, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Photoshop.

• Problem Solving: Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to identify design challenges and devise effective solutions.

• Time Management: Excellent organizational and time management skills to handle multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Teamwork: Ability to collaborate effectively within a diverse and global team, fostering a positive and productive working environment.

• English Communication: Fluent command of written and spoken English for clear and effective communication with international stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

• Layout Design: Experience with layout design principles and tools, such as Adobe InDesign.

• Video Making/Editing: Familiarity with video editing software (e.g., Adobe Premiere) for creating product demonstrations or promotional content.

• Robotics/Industrial Design: Prior experience or understanding of user interfaces within industrial or robotics contexts would be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a Bachelor's degree in a design-specific field, coupled with 3+ years of experience and proficiency in core design tools like Figma, Illustrator, and Photoshop, positions this as a mid-to-senior level UX design role. The emphasis on problem-solving, time management, and teamwork highlights the need for a candidate who can operate independently while also being a strong collaborative team member within a global structure.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive design portfolio is mandatory, showcasing at least two (2) UI/interaction design related projects.

• Each project within the portfolio should clearly articulate the design challenge, your role, the design process undertaken, and the final solution.

• Demonstrate a strong understanding of user-centered design principles and how they were applied to solve specific user problems.

• Showcase the ability to create intuitive and engaging user interfaces, supported by wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups.

Process Documentation:

• The portfolio should reflect a systematic approach to the UX design process, from initial research and ideation through to final implementation and validation.

• Clearly document the iterative nature of the design process, illustrating how feedback from user testing and stakeholder reviews was incorporated.

• Showcase the ability to deliver well-documented design solutions, ensuring clarity for engineering and development teams.

• Demonstrate proficiency in using design tools to create and maintain design systems or style guides for consistency across projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for a design portfolio with at least two UI/interaction design projects underscores the practical, hands-on nature of this role. Candidates are expected to not only possess design skills but also to clearly articulate their design process and decisions. This aligns with industry best practices for UX roles, where demonstrating a tangible body of work is crucial for evaluating problem-solving abilities and design thinking.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Estimated Range: ¥300,000 - ¥500,000 CNY annually.

• Methodology: This estimate is based on market research for Senior UX Designers in Shanghai, China, with 3-5 years of experience in the technology and engineering sectors. It considers the cost of living in Shanghai and the typical compensation structures for roles with similar responsibilities and required skill sets at multinational corporations like ABB. The specific salary will depend on the candidate's qualifications, experience, and the final negotiation.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Retirement Savings Plan: Contribution-based retirement or pension scheme.

• Paid Time Off: Generous annual leave, public holidays, and sick leave allowances.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, workshops, conferences, and further education to enhance UX and technical skills.

• Global Mobility: Potential for international assignments or collaborations within ABB's global network.

• Employee Assistance Program: Confidential counseling and support services for employees and their families.

• Performance Bonuses: Potential for annual bonuses based on individual and company performance.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work schedule is typically 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday.

• While on-site, there may be flexibility in start and end times, subject to team and project needs.

• Occasional overtime may be required to meet project deadlines, particularly during critical development phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the "Senior Engineer" title and the specific location in Shanghai, a competitive salary range has been estimated. The benefits listed are typical for large, multinational engineering firms and are tailored to attract and retain talent in specialized technical roles. The mention of global collaboration suggests potential benefits related to international exposure.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Industrial Automation, Robotics, Power Grids, Electrification, Motion. ABB is a diversified technology company operating at the forefront of the energy transition and industrial digitalization.

Company Size: ABB is a large, global corporation with over 105,000 employees worldwide. This scale offers stability, extensive resources, and broad career opportunities.

Founded: ABB was formed in 1988 through a merger of ASEA (Sweden) and Brown Boveri (Switzerland). This long history signifies deep industry expertise and a strong foundation.

Team Structure:

• The role reports to an R&D Team Lead within ABB Robotics in China.

• The UX design function likely operates within a broader R&D or Product Development department.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Emphasis on user research, data analysis, and iterative testing to inform design decisions and validate solutions.

• Agile Development: Likely adoption of Agile or hybrid methodologies, requiring flexibility and continuous collaboration with development teams.

• Global Standards: Adherence to ABB's global design guidelines and best practices, while also adapting to local market needs.

Company Website: https://global.abb/

📝 Enhancement Note: ABB's "Robotics" division is a key player in the global market. The planned acquisition by SoftBank Group indicates a strategic focus on AI and advanced robotics, suggesting a forward-thinking and innovative work environment. The company's size and global presence mean that processes are often standardized, but there's also ample opportunity for impact and growth within specialized teams.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a "Senior Engineer" position, indicating a mid-to-senior level role. It requires a significant degree of autonomy, expertise, and the ability to mentor or guide less experienced team members. The UX Designer is expected to take ownership of design projects from conception to implementation.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to an R&D Team Lead. This suggests a hierarchical structure within the R&D department, with opportunities to interact with higher management and project leads.

Operations Impact: The UX Designer's work directly influences the usability, adoption, and market success of ABB's robot products. By ensuring products are intuitive and meet customer needs, the role contributes significantly to customer satisfaction, reduced training costs, and enhanced brand reputation in the competitive robotics market.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in UX design for robotics, AI interfaces, or specific industrial applications.

• Leadership Development: Transition into roles such as UX Lead, Design Manager, or Product Owner, managing design teams and strategic initiatives.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Explore opportunities in Product Management, R&D Strategy, or even global design coordination roles within ABB.

• Industry Exposure: Gain experience with cutting-edge robotics technology and contribute to shaping the future of automation.

• Global Collaboration: Develop international working experience through collaboration with diverse teams across ABB's global offices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior Engineer" designation implies that candidates are expected to bring substantial experience and a proactive approach to problem-solving. Growth opportunities are likely tied to demonstrating leadership potential, technical depth, and the ability to contribute strategically to ABB's robotics innovation pipeline.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based on-site in Shanghai, China, within ABB's R&D facilities. This suggests a professional office environment conducive to focused design work and collaborative team sessions.

Office Location(s): Shanghai, China. ABB has a significant presence in Shanghai, likely with modern facilities that support engineering and R&D activities.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Access to meeting rooms, project areas, and potentially design studios for brainstorming and team collaboration.

• Tools & Technology: Provision of necessary hardware and software, including high-performance workstations and licenses for design tools like Figma, Illustrator, and Photoshop.

• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities for interaction with local and global R&D teams, fostering a dynamic and innovative atmosphere.

Work Schedule: The standard 40-hour work week is typical, but the nature of R&D and global collaboration may occasionally require flexibility to accommodate different time zones or critical project milestones.

📝 Enhancement Note: Being an on-site role in Shanghai implies a structured work environment with access to company resources. The emphasis on global collaboration suggests that communication tools and practices will be in place to facilitate remote interaction with international colleagues, even though the primary work location is physical.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and design portfolio to assess qualifications and experience.

• Technical Interview: Discussion focused on UX design principles, interaction architecture, and problem-solving methodologies. Candidates may be asked to walk through their portfolio projects in detail.

• Design Challenge/Case Study: A practical exercise or case study to evaluate design thinking, creative problem-solving, and ability to translate requirements into design solutions. This may involve presenting a solution to a given problem.

• Team/Cultural Fit Interview: Conversation with R&D Team Lead and potential team members to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and alignment with ABB's values.

• Final Interview: May involve discussions with senior management regarding strategic contribution and long-term vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Process: Clearly articulate your design process for each project, emphasizing user research, ideation, prototyping, testing, and iteration.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics to demonstrate the impact of your designs (e.g., improved task completion rates, reduced error rates, positive user feedback).

• Showcase Problem-Solving: Focus on how you identified and solved specific user or business problems through your design solutions.

• Tailor to Robotics: If possible, include projects or discuss how your UX skills can be applied to the unique challenges of designing for robotics and industrial applications.

• Clarity and Conciseness: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and clearly communicates your skills and contributions.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand ABB Robotics: Research ABB's products, target users, and the competitive landscape in industrial robotics.

• Practice Design Thinking: Be ready to articulate your approach to problem-solving using design thinking frameworks.

• Prepare for UX Scenarios: Anticipate questions about user research, usability testing, and designing for complex systems.

• Articulate Trade-offs: Be prepared to discuss design decisions and the trade-offs involved, especially in a complex engineering environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio and a potential design challenge indicates that practical application of UX skills is paramount. Candidates should be prepared to deeply discuss their past work and demonstrate their ability to think critically and creatively within the context of industrial robotics.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX/UI Design: Figma (primary), Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop.

• Prototyping: Figma's built-in prototyping capabilities, or potentially tools like InVision.

• Collaboration: Tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or ABB's internal communication platforms for global team interaction.

• Project Management: Familiarity with Agile project management tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence) is likely beneficial.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly a data analyst role, understanding how to interpret user testing results and potentially analytics data (e.g., from product usage) is important.

CRM & Automation:

Additional Tools (Preferred):

• Layout Design: Adobe InDesign.

• Video Editing: Adobe Premiere Pro or similar video editing software.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is a key requirement, reflecting its industry dominance. The inclusion of Adobe Creative Suite tools (Illustrator, Photoshop) is standard for visual design. The mention of InDesign and Premiere suggests that candidates with broader multimedia design skills will be highly valued.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation: A drive to push boundaries and develop cutting-edge solutions in robotics and automation.

• Customer Focus: A commitment to understanding and meeting customer needs through user-centered design.

• Collaboration: Emphasis on teamwork and open communication across diverse global teams.

• Excellence: Striving for high quality and rigorous execution in all aspects of product development.

• Sustainability: Contributing to leaner and cleaner industrial processes through advanced technology.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Working closely with engineers, product managers, and researchers to ensure design feasibility and alignment with business goals.

• Global Mindset: Adapting communication and working styles to effectively collaborate with colleagues from different cultural backgrounds and time zones.

• Feedback-Oriented: Openness to receiving and providing constructive feedback to foster continuous improvement of designs and processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: ABB, as a large multinational, likely promotes a culture that values both innovation and rigorous execution. The specific mention of "leaner and cleaner" in the company description suggests a focus on efficiency and sustainability, which would be reflected in how design choices are made.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Complex Systems: Creating intuitive interfaces for sophisticated robotics requires balancing advanced functionality with ease of use.

• Global Stakeholder Alignment: Managing design expectations and ensuring consistency across diverse international teams and markets.

• Rapid Technological Evolution: Keeping pace with advancements in AI, robotics, and user interface technologies.

• Bridging User Needs and Technical Constraints: Finding optimal design solutions that satisfy user requirements while adhering to engineering limitations and project timelines.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized UX Training: Access to internal and external training programs focused on UX for complex systems, AI interfaces, or specific robotics applications.

• Industry Conferences: Opportunities to attend leading UX and robotics conferences to stay abreast of trends and network with peers.

• Mentorship: Potential for mentorship from senior designers or R&D leaders within ABB.

• Exposure to New Technologies: Working with state-of-the-art robotics hardware and software, providing hands-on experience with emerging technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges inherent in designing for advanced robotics are significant. Candidates should be prepared to discuss how they approach such complexity and how they stay current with rapidly evolving technologies. The growth opportunities are substantial, given ABB's position in the industry and its global reach.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design an interface for a complex system with many technical constraints. How did you approach it?" (Focus on process, problem-solving, and trade-offs.)

• "How would you go about understanding the needs of users for a new robotic application that ABB is considering?" (Focus on research methodologies, user empathy, and framing.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about ABB Robotics and its role in the future of AI and automation?" (Showcase research and alignment with company mission.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with engineers and product managers who may have different priorities?" (Focus on communication, negotiation, and teamwork.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame each project as a narrative: the problem, your approach, the solution, and the impact.

• Process Visualization: Use visuals (flowcharts, diagrams) to clearly illustrate your design process and decision-making.

• Highlight Collaboration: Explain how you worked with cross-functional teams and incorporated their input.

• Demonstrate Iteration: Show how user feedback led to design changes and improvements.

• Concise Explanations: Be prepared to discuss complex projects succinctly, focusing on key takeaways and achievements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation for this role should emphasize not only design skills but also strategic thinking, problem-solving within technical constraints, and the ability to navigate global collaboration. The portfolio presentation is a critical component, requiring candidates to effectively communicate their value and process.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this R&D Senior Engineer - UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the ABB Careers portal via the provided link.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your design portfolio is up-to-date, clearly showcases your best UI/interaction design projects (at least two), and highlights your process, problem-solving skills, and impact. Tailor the projects or your descriptions to demonstrate relevance to complex systems or industrial applications if possible.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to prominently feature keywords related to UX design, interaction architecture, Figma, user testing, and robotics. Quantify achievements where possible and clearly state your years of experience and educational background.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, walking through your portfolio projects, and answering behavioral and technical questions related to UX design, problem-solving, and collaboration. Prepare specific examples for common interview scenarios.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research ABB, its Robotics division, its mission, recent news (including the SoftBank acquisition plans), and its product offerings. Understand the company culture and its commitment to innovation and sustainability.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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