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Senior R&D Engineer & Programme Lead – Industrial Decarbonisation

Vattenfall • Sweden • Added on Nov 5, 2026
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This role sets the direction for Vattenfall’s Industry Decarbonisation R&D programme and guides a team of engineers, analysts and project managers. It connects technical opportunities with business needs, turning ideas into defined initiatives and proposals that support decisions and deliver practical results.

The work sits within Vattenfall’s energy transition portfolio, where industrial electrification and decarbonisation are central themes. Its value lies in helping translate the company’s fossil freedom ambition into research and partnerships that could support lower-emission industrial processes. The posting highlights areas such as hydrogen, industrial heat and carbon capture, while leaving specific project choices to the programme’s priorities.

This suits an experienced technical programme leader who can move between energy and industrial systems, commercial considerations and collaborative research, and who can give teams direction without relying on formal line management.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The role would set priorities and maintain the roadmap for Vattenfall’s Industry Decarbonisation programme. It would translate business needs into research projects, partnerships and decision-ready recommendations, while coordinating technical work across multidisciplinary teams. Programme governance also includes defining scope and objectives, prioritising resources, managing risks and reporting progress. The stated aim is to ensure selected projects produce concrete outputs, rather than stopping at plans or proposals.

Key learning opportunities for this job

The position could deepen expertise in industrial electrification, energy systems and decarbonisation technologies, including hydrogen, industrial heat and carbon capture. It also offers exposure to how a large energy company assesses technical opportunities against commercial needs and strategic priorities. Working across internal teams, industry, academia and research institutes may build experience in partnership development, programme governance and preparing recommendations for senior decision-makers.

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

The posting calls for an experienced technical project or programme leader with a relevant degree in engineering, energy systems, industrial economics, business or a related field. Background in energy, process industries, industrial transformation or another technology-intensive setting would be relevant. A strong candidate would combine technical understanding with commercial judgement, structured delivery and clear communication. Experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams is important, as is fluency in Swedish and English. Industrial decarbonisation or related value-chain experience is desirable.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

Show how you have taken a technical or R&D opportunity from an initial need to a defined project and tangible result. Use examples that clarify your role in setting priorities, coordinating contributors, managing uncertainty and presenting recommendations for decisions. Connect relevant experience to industrial electrification or decarbonisation, such as energy systems, hydrogen, industrial heat or carbon capture, where applicable. Explain how you build partnerships across business, technical and research groups, and give evidence of working effectively in a matrix organisation.

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

The role is likely to focus on reducing industrial emissions through research and initiatives in electrification and other decarbonisation pathways. The posting names hydrogen, carbon capture, industrial heat and energy systems analysis as relevant areas, but does not identify selected projects or quantify expected emissions reductions. Its contribution would be to direct programme activity toward opportunities aligned with Vattenfall’s stated fossil freedom ambition and turn them into practical, technically grounded proposals and outcomes.

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

A key challenge could be choosing priorities across complex technical opportunities while aligning them with business needs, programme resources and Vattenfall’s strategy. Industrial decarbonisation projects may involve uncertain technologies, long development paths and partners with different objectives. The programme lead must also create momentum and accountability across project teams without line management responsibility, while ensuring recommendations and reporting are clear enough to support decisions.

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

A typical day could combine discussions with the Portfolio Manager and project teams on priorities, progress, risks and resource needs. The role may also involve reviewing technical proposals, shaping project scopes and preparing recommendations for decision-makers. Time could be spent building relationships with internal stakeholders or external industrial, technology and research partners. The balance would likely shift as programme priorities and project needs change.

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

The position could build a broader profile in energy transition leadership by combining technical R&D, commercial assessment and programme governance. It may also deepen knowledge of industrial decarbonisation technologies and how partnerships can move ideas toward practical results. Further development could come through leading higher-visibility initiatives or taking on wider portfolio responsibilities, though the posting does not specify a promotion path. The role offers scope to grow as a technical leader while coordinating teams without formal line management.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Internal stakeholders would likely include the Portfolio Manager, the Energy Systems & Processes section, programme engineers, analysts and project managers, as well as business teams whose needs inform project proposals. Senior decision-makers may receive recommendations and progress reporting. External collaboration is expected with industrial companies, technology providers, universities and research institutes. The programme lead would help align technical work, business needs and partner contributions.

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