Technical Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Technical Design Manager

Company: ABB

Location: Remote (Preference for Houston, Dallas, or Kansas City)

Job Type: Full Time

Category: Revenue Operations / Sales Operations / GTM Strategy

Date Posted: August 20, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Remote OK

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is pivotal in driving ABB's Electrification business growth within the US by cultivating strategic relationships with top-tier design firms, acting as a key liaison between ABB's technical solutions and architectural/engineering design specifications.

• The Technical Design Manager (TDM) will be instrumental in ensuring ABB products and solutions are specified in major projects across diverse market sectors, directly influencing revenue through technical advocacy and strategic account management.

• This position requires a blend of deep technical expertise in electrical distribution systems and strong interpersonal skills to build and maintain long-term partnerships with influential design professionals.

• The TDM will also play a critical leadership role in mentoring and guiding a team of Field Application Engineers (FAEs), enhancing their effectiveness in supporting regional sales efforts and customer engagements.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Technical Design Manager," the responsibilities—focusing on managing relationships with design firms, influencing project specifications, driving revenue through design wins, and mentoring field application engineers—align closely with a strategic GTM (Go-to-Market) or Sales Operations role focused on technical pre-sales and partner enablement within the Electrical distribution industry. The emphasis on influencing specifications and driving design wins is a core component of the "design-in" strategy common in B2B technical sales operations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Manage and nurture technical relationships with the top 10 strategically designated Design Firms across the US, serving as the primary point of contact for headquarters-level engagements.

• Develop and execute comprehensive account growth strategies, identifying and capitalizing on opportunities to expand ABB's product and solution specifications within these key firms.

• Provide expert technical consultation and engineering guidance to Design Firm teams during project design and specification phases, ensuring ABB's offerings are positioned competitively.

• Lead and mentor a distributed team of Field Application Engineers (FAEs), sharing best practices, technical knowledge, and account intelligence to enhance their effectiveness and drive consistent technical messaging.

• Collaborate closely with regional sales teams and FAEs to align account development strategies, support proposal efforts, and address complex technical challenges that impact project wins.

• Monitor and manage budget targets related to ABB project designs within assigned accounts, tracking performance against revenue goals and ensuring effective resource allocation.

• Present technical solutions, product capabilities, and value propositions to key decision-makers and engineering leads at design firms, building strong, long-term partnerships.

• Coordinate with various ABB internal business units and product groups to deliver integrated and competitive solutions that meet the specific needs of large-scale projects across healthcare, data centers, semiconductor, industrial, utility, and commercial construction markets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a strategic account management and technical advocacy function, which is a specialized area within Sales Operations or GTM. The focus on influencing specifications and driving design wins is a critical pre-sales operations function.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• B.S. degree in Engineering, with a strong preference for Electrical Engineering. Experience:

• A minimum of eight (8) years of experience within the electrical distribution industry.

• Demonstrated experience in establishing and nurturing partnership relationships with the regional engineering consulting community.

• Proven track record in technical sales, account management, or field application engineering roles within the electrical power systems domain. Required Skills:

• Technical Expertise: Deep understanding of MV/LV switchgear, switchboards, panelboards, transformers, and arc flash mitigation technologies.

• Industry Codes & Standards: Proficient knowledge of ANSI, IEEE, NEC, NEMA, NFPA 70E, UL standards.

• Account Management: Proven ability to manage key accounts, develop growth strategies, and nurture long-term partnerships.

• Interpersonal Skills: Strong ability to consider multiple viewpoints, resolve technical issues collaboratively, and build rapport with diverse stakeholders.

• Problem Solving: Enjoyment and aptitude for problem-solving and customer development, with a proactive approach.

• Self-Starter Mentality: Accountable for results, capable of working independently with minimal detailed direction.

• Technical Consultation: Ability to provide engineering guidance and support during the design and specification phases of projects.

Preferred Skills:

• Previous field, plant, or design engineering experience in electrical power systems at major oil and gas companies, electric utilities, or industrial facilities.

• Experience in leading or mentoring technical teams (e.g., Field Application Engineers).

• Familiarity with data center, semiconductor, or advanced industrial market specifications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of 8+ years and the specific technical knowledge (MV/LV switchgear, arc flash) suggest a mid-to-senior level role. The emphasis on both technical depth and relationship management points to a hybrid sales engineering and strategic account management function, common in operations roles focused on driving adoption and specification.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Design Specification Influence: Examples demonstrating how you've successfully influenced project specifications with electrical distribution equipment and solutions at major design firms or their equivalent.

• Account Growth Strategy: Case studies showcasing the development and execution of strategic account plans that led to measurable increases in specified products or revenue from key accounts.

• Technical Presentation Delivery: Evidence of impactful technical presentations or consultations provided to engineering teams, highlighting your ability to articulate complex solutions clearly.

• Problem Resolution Case Studies: Documentation of how you've resolved complex technical challenges or customer escalations, leading to successful project outcomes or strengthened relationships.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Ability to document and present workflows related to technical specification processes, from initial engagement with design firms to final specification inclusion.

• Collaboration Protocols: Examples of established communication protocols or process flows for collaborating with internal sales teams, FAEs, and product management to deliver unified customer solutions.

• Performance Measurement: Methods used to track and report on the success of specification efforts, including key performance indicators (KPIs) related to design wins, project pipeline influence, and revenue impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role focused on influencing design specifications and managing relationships with design firms, a portfolio should highlight strategic account management, technical advocacy, and successful "design-in" processes. Demonstrating the ability to translate technical features into specification language and manage a pipeline of influenced projects is crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The expected salary range for this position is between $119,000 and $190,400 annually. This range is based on the provided information and industry benchmarks for a Technical Design Manager role with the specified experience level and responsibilities in the US. The final salary will depend on the applicant's qualifications, experience, and location. Benefits:

• Health, Life & Disability:

  • Choice of two medical plan options (Copay Plan or High Deductible Health Plan with HSA).
  • Choice of two dental plan options (Core and Core Plus).
  • Vision benefit.
  • Company-paid life insurance (2X base pay).
  • Company-paid Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance (1X base pay).
  • Voluntary life and AD&D insurance (employee paid).
  • Company-paid Short-Term Disability (up to 26 weeks).
  • Company-paid Long-Term Disability (60% of pay, with option to buy up).
  • Supplemental benefits (Accident, Hospital Indemnity, Critical Illness, Pet Insurance) - employee paid.

• Parental Leave & Support:

  • Paid Parental Leave.
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
  • Health Advocate support for mental/behavioral health, general health navigation, virtual health, and infertility/adoption.

• Retirement:

  • 401k Savings Plan with Company Contributions.
  • Employee Stock Acquisition Plan (ESAP).

• Time Off:

  • 11 paid holidays.
  • Permissive time away policy for vacation for salaried exempt positions.

• Other Perks:

  • Employee discount program. Working Hours:

• Standard full-time employment, typically around 40 hours per week. While the role is remote, maintaining consistent availability during core business hours for collaboration and client engagement is expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific and competitive for a senior technical sales or operations role in the US. The comprehensive benefits package is typical for a large, established corporation like ABB. The "permissive time away" policy for vacation is a flexible approach to PTO management.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Electrical Equipment Manufacturing, Industrial Automation, Energy Solutions. ABB operates at the forefront of electrification and automation, providing a wide range of products, systems, and solutions that enable industries to improve efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and enhance reliability.

Company Size: ABB is a large, global corporation with a significant presence worldwide. The company's size offers stability, extensive resources, and opportunities for international collaboration.

Founded: ABB was formed in 1988 through the merger of Asea AB of Sweden and Brown Boveri of Switzerland. Its history is rooted in innovation and engineering excellence dating back over a century.

Team Structure:

• The Technical Design Manager will report to the US Director of Field Application Engineering, indicating a position within a broader engineering and technical support function.

• This role involves leading and mentoring Field Application Engineers (FAEs) located across multiple US regions, requiring strong leadership and team coordination skills.

• Close cross-functional collaboration is expected with regional sales teams, product management, and various ABB business units to ensure integrated solution delivery. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design Influence: The primary methodology involves leveraging technical expertise and market knowledge to influence design specifications, ensuring ABB's solutions are favored.

• Strategic Account Management: A structured approach to identifying, engaging, and growing relationships with key design firms is central to the role.

• Collaborative Solution Development: Working across internal teams to create and deliver comprehensive, competitive solutions tailored to customer project requirements.

• Continuous Improvement: Encouraging best practices and technical knowledge sharing among FAEs to enhance overall team performance and customer support.

Company Website: https://www.abb.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: ABB's global presence and long history suggest a culture that values engineering rigor, innovation, and long-term customer relationships. The focus on electrification and automation aligns with global trends in sustainability and industrial modernization. The company's size implies robust processes and structured career paths.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior-level position within the technical sales and operations domain. It combines deep technical expertise with strategic account management and leadership responsibilities, bridging the gap between product development/engineering and market adoption. It's a critical role for driving revenue through influencing the specification process.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to the US Director of Field Application Engineering, placing it within a structured technical leadership hierarchy. This provides opportunities for mentorship from senior leaders and exposure to broader strategic initiatives within the Field Application Engineering function.

Operations Impact: The Technical Design Manager has a direct and significant impact on revenue generation by ensuring ABB's products and solutions are specified in major projects. This role influences the market's perception of ABB's technical capabilities and competitive positioning, ultimately driving sales pipeline and project wins across key market segments.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to move into higher-level management roles within Field Application Engineering, Sales Management, or broader GTM strategy roles within ABB.

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific market segments (e.g., data centers, semiconductors) or advanced technologies within ABB's portfolio.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Opportunities to transition into roles in product management, strategic marketing, or global technical strategy based on demonstrated success.

• Global Exposure: Potential for involvement in international projects or collaboration with global technical teams, given ABB's worldwide operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a key contributor to ABB's go-to-market strategy within the US. The combination of technical leadership, account management, and mentorship provides a strong foundation for career progression within a large, global organization like ABB.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a remote position, offering flexibility and the ability to work from a home office. ABB's preference for candidates near Houston, Dallas, or Kansas City suggests a desire for potential in-person collaboration or client meetings in those regions, even within a remote framework.

Office Location(s): While the role is remote, the company has a significant presence in the US. The stated preference for locations near Houston, Dallas, or Kansas City indicates these are hubs with substantial design firm engagement or existing ABB operations.

Workspace Context:

• Autonomy and Flexibility: As a remote role, it offers a high degree of autonomy, requiring self-discipline and effective time management.

• Virtual Collaboration: Expect to utilize various digital collaboration tools for team meetings, project discussions, and client interactions.

• Access to Resources: While remote, access to ABB's technical documentation, internal experts, and potentially regional technical support resources will be available.

• Travel: While not explicitly detailed, roles managing key accounts often require some level of travel for client visits, industry events, or internal meetings.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is full-time, approximately 40 hours per week. Flexibility may be afforded regarding daily start/end times, but consistent availability during core business hours and responsiveness to client needs are paramount.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote work arrangement is a key feature, catering to modern work preferences. The preference for specific locations hints at strategic importance for those areas regarding design firm relationships or market access.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and application to assess alignment with the core qualifications, particularly electrical engineering background and industry experience.

• Technical & Behavioral Interview: Expect interviews with hiring managers and potentially senior technical leaders to evaluate your technical depth in electrical distribution, understanding of industry codes, and your approach to account management, problem-solving, and leadership.

• Case Study/Presentation: A common practice for such roles is a case study or presentation. You might be asked to prepare a strategy for engaging a hypothetical key design firm, outline how you'd approach a complex technical challenge, or present a past success story showcasing your ability to influence specifications.

• Cross-Functional Meet-and-Greet: Potential interviews with sales leaders or FAEs you would collaborate with to assess cultural fit and team dynamics.

• Final Interview: Likely with a senior executive (e.g., Director of Field Application Engineering) to finalize the decision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Quantify Impact: For each project or initiative presented, clearly state the quantifiable results—e.g., "Increased specification of ABB switchgear by X% in Y projects," "Secured Z million in project pipeline influence through strategic engagement."

• Focus on Specification Influence: Highlight specific examples where your technical expertise and relationship-building directly led to ABB products being included in design firm specifications. Detail the process you followed.

• Showcase Relationship Building: Provide examples of how you built and maintained strong, long-term partnerships with key decision-makers at design firms.

• Demonstrate Leadership/Mentorship: If possible, include examples of how you've guided or mentored technical teams, shared best practices, or improved team performance.

• Technical Acumen: Ensure your portfolio clearly demonstrates your understanding of electrical distribution systems, MV/LV equipment, and relevant industry codes and standards.

Challenge Preparation:

• Account Strategy: Be prepared to discuss how you would approach developing a strategy for a new key design firm account, including research, engagement tactics, and value proposition articulation.

• Technical Problem-Solving: Anticipate questions about how you would handle a complex technical inquiry from a design firm or resolve a conflict related to product specifications.

• Market Trends: Familiarize yourself with current trends in electrical distribution, smart grids, data center power, and sustainability initiatives relevant to ABB's markets.

• ABB Portfolio: Research ABB's key products and solutions within the Electrification business to demonstrate your understanding of their offerings.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's focus on influencing design firms, interview preparation should emphasize strategic account management, technical advocacy, and presentation skills. A well-curated portfolio demonstrating past successes in "design-in" activities will be crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• CRM System (e.g., Salesforce): Likely used for account management, tracking sales activities, pipeline management, and reporting on design wins and revenue influence. Proficiency in maintaining accurate customer data and utilizing CRM for strategic planning is expected.

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint): Essential for creating technical documents, proposals, presentations, and managing data. Advanced Excel skills for data analysis and PowerPoint for impactful client presentations will be beneficial.

• Collaboration Platforms (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Slack): For day-to-day communication, team meetings, and project collaboration, especially given the remote nature of the role.

• CAD/Design Software (Familiarity): While not expected to be a primary user, understanding the basics of CAD software (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit) used by design firms will aid in comprehending project specifications and discussions.

Analytics & Reporting:

• CRM Reporting Tools: Generating reports on account performance, pipeline status, and specification trends.

• Data Analysis Tools (Excel, potentially BI tools like Power BI or Tableau): For analyzing sales data, market trends, and performance metrics to inform strategy.

CRM & Automation:

• Sales Automation Tools: Understanding how CRM and other sales enablement tools automate workflows for lead nurturing, follow-up, and sales process management.

• Specification Software/Databases: Familiarity with platforms or databases that design firms use to access manufacturer product information and specifications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role requires a strong understanding of CRM systems for account management and sales operations. Familiarity with common office productivity tools and an understanding of how design firms operate (CAD software) are also important.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Focus: A deep commitment to understanding and meeting the technical needs of design firms and their end clients.

• Excellence in Execution: Striving for high-quality technical specifications, accurate product positioning, and effective relationship management.

• Collaboration: Working seamlessly with internal sales teams, FAEs, and product experts to deliver integrated solutions.

• Innovation: Embracing new technologies and approaches to electrification and automation, and translating those into compelling specifications.

• Integrity: Upholding ethical standards in all interactions and ensuring accurate representation of ABB's capabilities.

• Accountability: Taking ownership of assigned accounts, driving results, and demonstrating a proactive, self-starter attitude.

Collaboration Style:

• Proactive Partnership: Actively engaging with design firms, not just reacting to requests, but seeking opportunities to add value and influence designs early.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring clear communication and shared objectives with sales, engineering, and product management teams to present a unified front to customers.

• Mentorship & Knowledge Sharing: A culture of supporting and developing FAEs, fostering an environment where best practices and technical knowledge are shared freely.

• Data-Informed Decisions: Utilizing performance data and market insights to refine strategies and improve engagement effectiveness.

📝 Enhancement Note: ABB's stated values often revolve around safety, integrity, customer focus, and innovation. For this role, emphasis will be placed on technical integrity, customer partnership, and collaborative problem-solving within a global organizational context.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Influencing Complex Decision Trees: Navigating the intricate decision-making processes within large design firms, which often involve multiple stakeholders and long specification cycles.

• Competitive Landscape: Competing against established manufacturers and new entrants in the electrical distribution market, requiring continuous innovation and strong value proposition articulation.

• Maintaining Remote Team Engagement: Effectively leading, motivating, and ensuring consistent performance of a geographically dispersed team of FAEs.

• Rapid Technological Evolution: Keeping pace with advancements in electrification, automation, and digital technologies to ensure ABB's solutions remain cutting-edge and relevant.

• Balancing Strategic vs. Tactical: Effectively allocating time between high-level strategic account planning and direct technical engagement or FAE support.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Technical Training: Access to ABB's extensive training programs on new products, technologies, and industry standards within electrification and automation.

• Leadership Development Programs: Opportunities to enhance management and leadership skills through internal ABB programs, preparing for future leadership roles.

• Industry Certifications & Conferences: Support for attending relevant industry events, gaining certifications, and networking with peers and potential clients.

• Cross-Business Unit Exposure: Gaining insights into other ABB business areas, fostering a broader understanding of the company's integrated solutions and market strategies.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to be mentored by senior leaders within ABB's engineering and sales organizations, and to mentor junior team members.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a senior role in a competitive technical market, emphasizing strategic thinking, leadership, and continuous learning. Growth opportunities are substantial within a global company like ABB.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to identifying and prioritizing the top 10 design firms in the US for engagement." (Focus on research, market analysis, and strategic selection criteria.)

• "How would you develop a long-term partnership strategy with a major design firm to ensure ABB's products are consistently specified?" (Emphasize relationship building, value proposition, and ongoing technical support.)

• "Walk me through a time you successfully influenced a critical project specification. What was your strategy, what challenges did you face, and what was the outcome?" (Prepare a STAR method response highlighting your process, technical acumen, and impact.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about ABB's Electrification business and its position in the market?" (Research ABB's products, key markets, and recent news.)

• "How would you foster collaboration and knowledge sharing among a remote team of Field Application Engineers?" (Discuss communication strategies, performance management, and team-building initiatives.)

• "How do you measure the success of your technical advocacy efforts and their impact on revenue?" (Focus on metrics like design wins, pipeline influence, and customer satisfaction.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: Organize your portfolio around key achievements, focusing on specific case studies that demonstrate your ability to influence design specifications, manage key accounts, and lead technical initiatives.

• Quantify Everything: Use numbers and data to illustrate your impact. For example, "Secured specification in 5 major data center projects totaling over $10M in potential revenue."

• Highlight Process: For each case study, briefly explain the process you followed—from initial engagement to specification, and any challenges overcome.

• Tailor to ABB: If possible, connect your experiences to ABB's product lines and target markets (e.g., healthcare, industrial, data centers).

• Practice Your Pitch: Rehearse your presentation to ensure a smooth, confident delivery, focusing on clarity and conciseness. Be ready to answer detailed questions about your examples.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, technical depth, leadership potential, and a clear understanding of how to drive revenue through influencing design specifications. A strong portfolio is key for this role.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the official ABB careers portal link provided.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight experience in electrical distribution, technical sales/design, account management, and leadership. Use keywords from the job description such as "MV/LV switchgear," "project specification," "design firms," and "technical consultation." Quantify achievements wherever possible.

• Portfolio Preparation: Compile a concise portfolio that showcases your most relevant projects. Focus on case studies demonstrating your ability to influence design specifications, manage key accounts, and overcome technical challenges. Prepare to present 2-3 key examples in detail.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research ABB, its Electrification business, its key competitors, and its target markets (healthcare, data centers, industrial, etc.). Understand ABB's mission and values to articulate your fit.

• Interview Practice: Prepare for behavioral and situational questions using the STAR method. Practice answering questions related to technical problem-solving, account strategy, and leadership. Be ready to discuss your portfolio items confidently.

⚠️ 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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