Master’s Thesis: Design for Automated Control Cabinet Assembly

At ABB, we help industries outrun - leaner and cleaner. Here, progress is an expectation - for you, your team, and the world. As a global market leader, we’ll give you what you need to make it happen. It won’t always be easy, growing takes grit. But at ABB, you’ll never run alone. Run what runs the world.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 Lead Automation 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 responsibilitiesYou 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 assemblyIntegration between design tools and production systemsRobustness and quality in assembly processesCost-efficiency and scalability in productionThe expected outcome is to propose concepts and solutions that enable higher levels of automation in our control cabinet production.Examples of tasksAnalyze current design and development processes from a manufacturing perspectiveIdentify design-related barriers to automation and propose improvementsInvestigate how digital tools (CAD, simulation, AI) can support design optimization and virtual validationDevelop general design guidelines for automation-friendly products (e.g., layout, interfaces, accessibility)Evaluate toolchains and workflows for digital continuity from design to productionCreate and validate concepts through simulations, prototypes, and/or physical mock-upsYour backgroundYou are studying:Mechanical EngineeringProduct DevelopmentMechatronics / Mechatronic EngineeringElectrical Engineering, Automation, or related fieldsYou have an interest in:Product design and developmentManufacturing and production systemsAutomation and roboticsDigital engineering tools (CAD, simulation, etc.)As a person, you are:Curious and analyticalHands-on and solution-orientedAble to work independently and structure complex problemsMore about usA Future OpportunityPlease 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.