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Environmental & Sustainability Engineering, Graduate Trainee

Nissan Motor Corporation • Spain • Added on Aug 31, 2026
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This role places you at the center of Nissan’s environmental operations at their Cantabria facility. As a graduate trainee, you will support the implementation of energy efficiency projects, manage renewable energy initiatives, and assist in identifying new circular economy opportunities to reduce waste. You will own the monitoring of environmental KPIs while ensuring the plant remains compliant with evolving European and Spanish regulations.

The position is a critical link in Nissan’s journey toward carbon neutrality, translating high-level corporate climate goals into actionable industrial improvements. By working on the ground in a manufacturing environment, you directly influence the decarbonization of the automotive supply chain and help pilot sustainability software that digitizes energy tracking. It is a rare chance to see the immediate environmental impact of engineering decisions in a large-scale metallurgical context.

This suits someone who is a proactive engineering graduate with a deep interest in industrial sustainability and a desire to combine technical data analysis with hands-on project management in a global setting.

FAQ de l’offre

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The trainee will be deeply involved in project management related to carbon neutrality and energy efficiency. This includes collaborating on the implementation of renewable energy sources and driving circular economy initiatives that prioritize waste valorization and reuse. Beyond physical projects, the role involves heavy regulatory analysis. You will evaluate the impact of European Commission directives and Spanish environmental laws on the plant’s operations, ensuring that the facility stays ahead of compliance requirements. Operational support is also a key pillar. You will monitor energy consumption, track performance indicators (EnPIs), and assist in managing public subsidies and grants that fund the company's green transition.

Key learning opportunities for this job

This program offers a unique blend of academic and professional growth through a subsidized Master’s degree in Management and Innovation. You will gain formal education while applying those concepts to real-world industrial challenges. On the technical side, you will master environmental KPI tracking and learn how to navigate the complex landscape of industrial subsidies and public funding. Exposure to digital tools for energy optimization will provide highly marketable skills in the growing field of Green IT. Mentorship is a core component, allowing you to learn from senior environmental engineers. You will gain a deep understanding of how the automotive industry adapts its supply chain and manufacturing processes to meet global climate targets.

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

The ideal candidate is a recent graduate in Environmental, Energy, or Industrial Engineering who has a solid analytical foundation and a passion for project management. Fluency in both Spanish and English is essential for navigating the international corporate structure. Technical proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel for data analysis, is expected. Any prior exposure to environmental regulations or experience with metallurgical industrial environments will be viewed very favorably during the selection process. Soft skills are equally important. Nissan looks for individuals with proactive curiosity and the ability to work effectively across different departments, as sustainability initiatives require buy-in from various operational teams.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, highlight any specific academic projects or internships where you applied engineering principles to solve environmental problems. Quantifiable results, like energy saved or waste reduced, are particularly impactful for an industrial role. Research Nissan’s global 'Ambition 2030' strategy. Demonstrating that you understand how the Cantabria plant fits into their electrification and carbon neutrality roadmap will show a level of commitment and strategic thinking that sets you apart from other graduates. Your cover letter should emphasize your adaptability and willingness to learn. Since this is a trainee program, showing that you are coachable and eager to take on responsibilities from day one is just as important as your technical degree.

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

The role focuses heavily on decarbonizing industrial processes. This involves moving away from fossil fuels by integrating renewable energy and optimizing the energy performance of heavy machinery and production lines. Circular economy is another major pillar. You will work on keeping materials within the value chain longer, which is vital in metallurgical and automotive manufacturing where resource intensity is high. Finally, there is a strong focus on transparency and reporting. By monitoring KPIs and EnPIs, this role ensures that the plant's sustainability claims are backed by rigorous data, supporting the company's broader ESG disclosures.

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

One of the primary challenges is balancing environmental goals with production targets. In a busy manufacturing plant, sustainability initiatives must be implemented without disrupting the efficiency of the assembly lines. Navigating complex bureaucracy regarding subsidies and European regulations can also be taxing. It requires significant attention to detail and patience to ensure all documentation meets the strict standards of public administrations. Driving cultural change can be difficult. You may need to influence colleagues who are focused on traditional manufacturing metrics to adopt new sustainable habits or digital monitoring tools.

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

A typical day might start with monitoring energy dashboards to check for anomalies in the plant's consumption. You might then meet with the maintenance team to discuss the progress of a new solar panel installation or a waste segregation project. Afternoons are often dedicated to research and reporting. You could be analyzing a new EU directive to see how it affects the plant's emissions limits or preparing a presentation for management regarding a potential grant opportunity. Collaboration is constant. You will likely spend time liaising with external suppliers for green technologies or coordinating with the Health and Safety team to ensure that new environmental equipment meets all workplace safety standards.

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

The two-year duration of the EVolve program provides a structured career path that transitions from a trainee to a fully integrated professional. The inclusion of a Master's degree significantly boosts your internal mobility prospects. Successful trainees often move into permanent Sustainability Engineer or Project Manager roles within Nissan. The international nature of the company also opens doors for future assignments in other regions like Japan or the wider AMIEO area. Developing expertise in industrial energy management and ESG compliance makes you a high-value asset, as these roles are increasingly critical for the future of the automotive sector.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will work closely with the Plant Management and Operations teams to implement green initiatives on the shop floor. Their cooperation is vital for the success of any technical sustainability project. External stakeholders include environmental consultants and technology providers who assist in installing renewable energy systems or digital monitoring software. You will also interact with government agencies regarding subsidies. Internal corporate stakeholders include the Global Sustainability and ESG teams, to whom you will provide the data and KPIs that demonstrate the Cantabria plant’s contribution to Nissan’s global environmental targets.

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