Senior R&D Engineer – Alloy Design and Materials Performance
AxÖ Consulting AB · Hofors · Tills vidare · Deadline 2026-12-01
AxÖ Consulting is managing recruitment on behalf of Ovako for a **Senior R&D Engineer – Alloy Design and Materials Performance**, based in Hofors, Sweden. The role combines computational modelling, experimental investigations and external research to develop specialty steels. Approximately 60% of the working time is dedicated to customer projects, where the engineer investigates material behaviour, translates performance requirements into practical solutions, and supports product development across Ovako’s European production mills. Key duties include designing new steel grades using Thermo-Calc, evaluating corrosion testing and hydrogen embrittlement data, driving funded research consortia, and supervising university students. The position includes occasional travel to research institutes and European sites, with **remote work up to two days a week**. Candidates must hold a **PhD in metallurgy or materials science** with a strong focus on steels and metallic materials, followed by at least three years of post-PhD research experience at a university, corporate R&D centre or research institute. Requirements also include documented expertise in steel alloy design with hands-on Thermo-Calc experience, participation in nationally or internationally funded research collaborations, and excellent communication skills in English. Prior research or development experience involving corrosion of metallic materials or hydrogen embrittlement of steels is considered an advantage.
Advancing specialty steel through research and innovation
From metallurgical research to real-world applicationsDeveloping specialty steel for demanding applications requires a deep understanding of materials, a curiosity to investigate complex problems and the ability to turn scientific findings into practical solutions. At Ovako, this also means working with customers to understand their challenges and exploring how steel can help them develop new products, improve performance and bring new ideas to life.
As a leading European producer of specialty steel, Ovako combines more than 300 years of industrial expertise with modern technology and a strong commitment to sustainability. As part of Nippon Steel, the company also benefits from an international network of metallurgical knowledge.
Ovako is looking for a Senior R&D Engineer with expertise in alloy design and materials performance to strengthen its R&D organisation in Hofors, Sweden.
This role offers the opportunity to combine advanced metallurgical research with customer-driven industrial development. You will investigate how steel composition and processing influence material properties, develop new alloy concepts and tackle complex challenges arising from real applications. Working closely with customers and sales, you will help translate specific performance requirements into material solutions, gaining insight into a range of industries and seeing how your research contributes to customers’ development journeys.
About the roleAs a Senior R&D Engineer, you will drive research activities in alloy design, steel development and materials performance, combining computational modelling, experimental investigations and collaboration with external research partners.
Approximately 60% of your time will be dedicated to customer projects. You will investigate material behaviour, assess application requirements and develop steel solutions to meet demanding performance needs. The challenges will vary across applications and industries, giving you the opportunity to apply your scientific expertise to a broad range of practical problems. You will also support product development at Ovako’s production mills, helping connect customer requirements, material performance and industrial processes.
Collaboration with universities and research institutes is an important part of the role, alongside participation in nationally and internationally funded research projects. You will have opportunities to expand your technical network through research partnerships, conferences and occasional travel to research institutes and other Ovako sites in Europe.
Your responsibilities
- Developing new steel grades and alloy concepts, from composition to processing route
- Computational alloy design using Thermo-Calc and related tools
- Planning and evaluating corrosion testing data and hydrogen embrittlement investigations
- Driving nationally and internationally funded research projects and consortia
- Collaborating with universities and institutes, including supervision of students
- Supporting sales and customers with qualified answers on material behaviour and selection
- Identifying new research directions that strengthen Ovako's product portfolio and long-term competitiveness
The position is placed in Hofors, Sweden, with possibilities to work 2 days a week from home.
Your profileYou are a scientifically driven metallurgist or materials scientist who enjoys exploring the mechanisms behind material behaviour and applying research to complex industrial challenges. You are motivated by understanding why materials behave the way they do and using that knowledge to develop solutions to problems without obvious answers.
We are looking for someone with:
- A PhD in metallurgy or materials science, with a strong focus on steels and metallic materials.
- At least three years of research experience after your PhD, gained at a university, company R&D centre or research institute.
- Documented expertise in steel alloy design, including hands-on experience with Thermo-Calc.
- Excellent communication skills in English and the ability to explain complex technical findings to different audiences, including customers.
You should also have experience in nationally or internationally funded research collaborations.
_Meritorious experience:__Experience from research or development projects related to corrosion of metallic materials and hydrogen embrittlement of steels is considered an advantage, as these topics represent important current and future challenges within several of Ovako’s research collaborations and customer-driven development projects._
Who are you?You are curious, analytical and persistent in your approach to research. You enjoy challenging established assumptions, investigating mechanisms and building the evidence needed to understand complex materials problems.
You combine scientific rigour with a collaborative mindset. You communicate clearly, share knowledge and work effectively with colleagues, customers, production teams and external research partners.
Ovako's core values are Innovative, Skilled and Responsible. The company looks for people who demonstrate these values through their expertise, curiosity and commitment to continuous improvement.
Why Ovako?At Ovako, you will work with advanced specialty steel in an environment where scientific research meets real industrial challenges. You will collaborate with experienced specialists, customers, universities and research institutes, with opportunities to deepen your expertise and contribute to the development of future steel solutions.
As part of Nippon Steel, you will also benefit from an international network of metallurgical knowledge and research collaboration.
Application and information
This recruitment is managed by AxÖ Consulting on behalf of Ovako. If you have any questions please contact the responsible recruitment consultants for this process:
- Emma Domare emma.domare@axoconsulting.se
- Fiddelie Nyvall fiddelie.nyvall@axoconsulting.se