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Growing Forward: Tiago’s Journey from Intern to R&D Leader

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Growth can take many forms – learning new skills, embracing unexpected opportunities, or helping others take their next steps. For Tiago Prata, growth has defined every stage of his journey at ABB. From starting as an intern more than a decade ago to leading a diverse R&D team in Brazil today, his career reflects how curiosity, support, and a culture that encourages development can shape both people and possibilities.

Tiago Prata, R&D Team Lead, Brazil
Growth has never been a single moment or milestone for Tiago. Instead, it has been a continuous journey shaped by curiosity, new challenges, and the support of people around him. Over the course of more than thirteen years at ABB, Tiago has transformed from an intern eager to apply his engineering knowledge into a leader guiding a multicultural Research & Development (R&D) team in Brazil. His story is one of embracing change, stepping into the unfamiliar, and discovering what is possible when a company consistently invests in its people.

Tiago’s path began in 2012 when he joined ABB as an intern. Like many young engineers, he already knew the company by reputation. “If you have an academic background in engineering, you already know ABB,” he says. But what made him stay was something else: the people. “The culture was very open, and people were interested in supporting you and elevating you. It’s still like this today.”

That openness set the stage for Tiago’s growth. After the internship, he moved into a role as a project engineer, traveling frequently and working closely with customers. As he gained experience, he deliberately sought opportunities to expand his skills. “I was the one looking for different positions,” he says. He gradually transitioned toward development work, taking part in pre-R&D initiatives and eventually leading projects. Each shift represented not only a new responsibility but also a new way of growing professionally.

Yet his biggest step came unexpectedly: the opportunity to become the local coordinator of Brazil’s newly formed R&D team as part of a global structure connecting different countries across the globe. “I was not expecting it,” Tiago says. “The R&D area in Brazil didn’t exist before. When they decided to open it, I got the chance to join as a coordinator.” For him, it marked a turning point. “Maybe I was not totally prepared for that. But as they said, if you are 100% prepared for the position, this might not be the position for you.”

Stepping into leadership required a different kind of growth – one centered not just on technical expertise but on people. “Learning how to motivate people and talk to them about their careers is new, but very interesting,” he shares. With team members at different stages, experiences, and motivation levels, no situation is ever the same. It pushed him to listen more deeply, communicate clearly, and understand what each person needed to thrive. “There is no silver bullet for sure,” he says.

Working in R&D also added another dimension to his development. Unlike traditional engineering projects, research work is filled with uncertainty. Timelines shift, challenges appear unexpectedly, and ideas evolve constantly. “The Research and development area is very uncertain compared to engineering projects,” Tiago explains. “Managing expectations is key. Talking to people, understanding needs, getting alignment – this is essential.” Although the nature of R&D can sometimes be unpredictable, he describes the experience as ‘a good kind of chaos’ – one that continuously challenges him to grow as a leader. This is made possible by having a solid and supportive team and peers that provides stability amid the uncertainty.

“Managing expectations is key. Talking to people, understanding needs, getting alignment – this is essential.”

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One of the most rewarding areas of growth has been mentoring others. He speaks with pride about an intern in his team who joined the team about a year ago. Her enthusiasm reminds him of his own start at ABB. “Interns are always fun,” he says. “They learn very fast.” Although their relationship is not part of a formal mentoring program, Tiago takes his responsibility seriously. “It’s very clear for me that I’m responsible for her development,” he reflects. “Knowing you can build good things in someone else, it’s beautiful.”

Tiago has also experienced the importance of supporting others in their growth, even when it means seeing them move on. He shares the example of a team member who hopes to return to Germany. “Of course I will be sad to lose him,” Tiago says. “But he’s growing in his career. In the end of the day, it’s amazing.” For him, helping others advance is essential. As he puts it, “If you are not supporting people to grow, they will leave for sure. Especially the motivated and good ones.”

Throughout his career, Tiago has felt empowered by ABB’s culture, which encourages people to explore new paths. “Every time a colleague wants to change positions, managers are always supportive,” he says. That support fuels not only individual development but also the company’s collective strength.

When asked to choose one word or phrase to describe ABB, his answer reflects his long journey of personal and professional evolution: “ABB is my second home.” A home, he explains, is where growth happens – not because everything is easy, but because it is a place where people believe in each other.

In Tiago’s story, growth is not just something he has experienced – it is something he now passes on, shaping the next generation just as ABB shaped him.
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