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R&D Sustainability Specialist Intern

ABB • Italy • Added on Jun 13, 2026
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As a vital member of the Global R&D Sustainability team, you will support the end-to-end technical assessment of electrical hardware products. This hands-on role involves gathering complex data from internal engineering teams and external suppliers to build robust Life Cycle Assessments and prepare Environmental Product Declarations (EPD). You will also track regulatory shifts in circularity to ensure products are designed for efficient recovery at the end of their lifecycle.

This position is essential for translating high-level corporate decarbonization goals into tangible product improvements within the Smart Power Division. By identifying environmental hotspots through eco-design modeling, you directly contribute to reducing the industrial footprint of critical energy infrastructure. It is a rare chance to see how sustainability science influences large-scale manufacturing and global energy transition technologies.

This suits someone who is currently studying engineering or materials science and possesses a foundational understanding of LCA methodologies and a drive to solve technical environmental challenges.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The core of this role involves assisting the Center of Excellence in performing Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) for various smart power products. You will be responsible for the meticulous task of data collection, which includes reaching out to suppliers to understand the material and energy profiles of components. This data is then used to model environmental impacts and identify areas for improvement during the R&D phase. Furthermore, you will contribute significantly to the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) process. This entails preparing the necessary technical documentation and supporting the team through third-party verification phases. By monitoring regulatory trends, you also ensure that product end-of-life scenarios, such as recycling and reuse, are accurately accounted for in sustainability reports.

Key learning opportunities for this job

This internship offers deep immersion into professional LCA software like SimaPro, moving beyond academic exercises into industrial-scale modeling. You will learn the practical intricacies of high-stakes data collection within a global supply chain, gaining insight into how various materials and manufacturing processes contribute to a product's overall carbon footprint. Additionally, you will gain exposure to international eco-design standards and the rigorous verification processes required for EPDs. Working within a multidisciplinary R&D team will provide mentorship from senior engineers, helping you understand how to balance sustainability objectives with technical and commercial requirements in a corporate environment.

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

The ideal candidate is a proactive Bachelor's or Master's student in environmental, mechanical, or electrical engineering with a clear passion for circularity. You should already be familiar with the fundamental concepts of LCA and eco-design through your coursework, and any prior experience with modeling tools is a significant advantage. Strong communication skills in English are essential, as the role involves interacting with stakeholders across different countries and regions. The team looks for individuals who are analytically minded and curious enough to dive into the technical details of hardware products and regulatory frameworks.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, focus your application on any LCA projects or coursework you have completed, specifically highlighting the methodologies or tools used. Demonstrating a technical understanding of how industrial products—like circuit breakers or electrical systems—impact the environment will show you are ready for the R&D context of the Smart Power Division. Since this role involves dealing with the supply chain and end-of-life scenarios, briefly mentioning your knowledge of circular economy principles or specific regulations like the EU's Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) could demonstrate that you are ahead of the curve.

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

The primary focus is on Product Sustainability and the reduction of Scope 3 emissions. By conducting LCAs, the role helps ABB understand the 'cradle-to-grave' impact of its electronics, which is crucial for the company's commitment to enabling a low-carbon society. You will focus specifically on hardware circularity and eco-concept innovation. Another key aspect is transparency and reporting. Helping to generate EPDs ensures that customers have verified data regarding the environmental performance of the products they purchase, supporting the broader electrification and energy transition goals of ABB's client base.

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

One of the main challenges is data quality and availability. Obtaining precise data from a vast network of global suppliers can be difficult, requiring persistence and a methodical approach to ensure the LCA results are accurate. You will need to learn how to handle data gaps and make scientifically sound assumptions when necessary. Another challenge is keeping pace with rapidly evolving regulations. The landscape of product sustainability is changing quickly, and synthesizing complex scientific literature or legislative documents into actionable insights for the R&D team requires significant focus and sharp critical thinking.

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

A typical day might begin with a team meeting to discuss ongoing LCA projects and share updates on data collection. You could spend your morning modeling product components in specialized software, followed by an afternoon of coordinating with the procurement team or directly contacting suppliers to verify material certifications. You might also spend time researching End-of-Life (EoL) scenarios for specific materials, summarizing findings on current recycling rates. The day is likely to be a mix of independent analytical work at your desk and collaborative discussions with R&D engineers to understand the technical constraints of the products you are assessing.

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

Interning at a major multinational like ABB provides a significant boost to your profile in the ESG and green engineering sectors. Successful interns often find themselves well-positioned for junior engineering or sustainability consultant roles, having gained experience in a highly specialized and in-demand field like industrial LCA. Beyond technical skills, you will develop project management competencies and learn how sustainability is integrated into the business strategy of a global technology leader. This exposure to high-level R&D processes is invaluable for any career path in sustainable industrial transformation.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will primarily interact with the Global R&D Sustainability team and the Center of Excellence for LCA & Eco-design. These experts will provide the framework and mentorship for your daily tasks. You will also work closely with product design engineers to understand the technical specifications of the hardware. Externally, you will engage with global suppliers to gather environmental data. Internally, you may also interface with the procurement department and the EPD verification bodies to ensure that all documentation meets the required international standards for sustainability reporting.

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