Skip to main content

—
Growing through curiosity: Daan journey as a young engineer  

Meet the people in ABB Ireland, a dynamic team that is making a real difference through being part of a supportive and inclusive work environment where we encourage each other to grow and develop skills, and contribute to impactful work that matters. 

Together, we are building a sustainable future for generations to come. 


Starting a first job can be both exciting and uncertain. For Daan Bosselaar, joining ABB as a service engineer marked the beginning of a journey defined by learning, curiosity, and continuous growth. Just a year and a half into his career, Daan has already discovered that growth is not only about gaining technical knowledge – it is also about stepping out of your comfort zone, trusting yourself, and embracing every opportunity to learn.

Daan Bosselaar, Field Service Engineer, Netherlands
When Daan Bosselaar graduated as a mechanical engineer from Delft University, he knew one thing for certain: The start of his career should be about learning. Searching for opportunities near Rotterdam, he came across ABB and was immediately intrigued by the range of possibilities within such a large global company.

“I already saw many opportunities on the website because it’s a very large company with a lot of business areas,” Daan recalls. “But the one that stood out to me was service engineer for process automation.” Soon after applying, he started his professional journey with his very first full-time job.

From day one, growth became the central theme of his experience. Early in his role, Daan began working with a mechanical scanner used in the paper industry to measure paper quality. The technology combines mechanical systems, sensors, and automation – an environment where learning never stops.

“I want to learn new things,” he explains. “Especially at the beginning of my career.” That mindset quickly paid off. ABB sent him to Ireland for an intensive two-week training course with the research and development team responsible for the scanner technology. For Daan, it was an invaluable opportunity to build deep knowledge in a short time. “It was no problem at all for me to go there and learn so much about it – especially since my manager actively encouraged me to take part,” he says. “I got to ask all the questions I wanted and then put it into practice at the customer site.”

“During my trainings, I got to ask all the questions I wanted and then put it into practice at the customer site.”

Our values are the cornerstone of our culture. They shape everything we do, guide our behavior and interactions with our colleagues, customers, partners and society as a whole, and help us realize our purpose. By living our four ABB values, we lead by example in how we do business and behave.
Back in the field, the transition from classroom learning to real-world responsibility happened quickly. At first, Daan accompanied experienced colleagues on customer visits. Soon after, he was trusted to handle visits on his own. “The next time they let me go to a customer by myself because they trusted me,” he says. “I was a little nervous, but I trusted myself and the customer was happy with the work I did.”

Moments like these have defined his growth. Moving from university to professional life required stepping outside his comfort zone many times. One example came early in his career when he had the chance to explore two engineering specializations within his team: Quality Control Systems (QCS) and Drive Control Systems (DCS). Rather than making an immediate choice, he joined projects in both areas to understand what suited him best. “That was really stepping out of my comfort zone,” he explains. “The customer can ask you questions that you don’t know the answer to.” Despite the challenge, the experience helped him confirm that working with Quality Control Systems (QCS) was the right path for him.

Growth has also meant learning how to handle unexpected situations in the field. During one maintenance visit at a paper mill, Daan encountered a sensor that required additional attention during service. “I remember thinking, ‘Let’s take a step back and see how to solve this,’” he recalls. By carefully assessing the situation and troubleshooting step by step, he was able to restore the sensor to full operation. These experiences have reinforced his belief that growth comes from taking responsibility and learning through real challenges. “You will make mistakes,” he says. “And you learn from your mistakes.”

Beyond his technical role, Daan is also passionate about sharing his experiences with the next generation of engineers. As part of ABB’s Talent Ambassador program in the Netherlands, he visits career fairs and speaks with students about engineering opportunities within the company. “Not all technical students know about ABB,” he says. “I’m trying to change that.”

Looking ahead, Daan’s learning journey continues. He is expanding his expertise into automation systems and preparing for further training. For him, growth is not a phase, it is a continuous process. “Along the way you learn about yourself – what you like and what you don’t like,” he says. “And slowly you become a very useful engineer for the team.”

For Daan, that journey is only just beginning.
—
What if your ideas could run the world?
Run what runs the world. Join the team. 
Browse open positions
Career Site Cookie Settings
Personal Information