Head of Process Development & Optimization

About us: Stegra is on a mission to disrupt the global steel industry by producing green steel, with the end goal of bringing down CO2 emissions to zero. By using green hydrogen and fossil-free electricity instead of coal, water and heat will be our primary emissions. By 2030, our ambition is to produce 5 million tonnes of green steel annually in our fully integrated, digitalized, and sustainable plant in Boden, located in northern Sweden - currently in construction phase. But this is just the beginning – our expertise in green hydrogen will enable us to decarbonize other industries in addition to steel, and we look forward to what’s next in store for us. We are looking for talented, innovative, and purpose-driven people to join our rapidly growing and diverse team. Our employees get to learn every day, implement the latest technology, and test and put their ideas into practice. Together, we are building an impact company with sustainability at its core – for our people, customers, investors, society, and planet. What you’ll do The Head of Process Development and Optimization is responsible for leading plant-wide process performance, optimization, and asset effectiveness. The role acts as the central performance authority within the Technology function, supporting Operations to achieve stable, efficient, and reliable production. The role integrates process engineering, electrical and instrumentation, technical services, and plant support teams to drive continuous improvement and lifecycle performance. This position serves as the key interface between operations and technology, with a primary focus on plant safety and performance rather than design ownership. Key responsibilities (not limited to) Own and drive overall plant performance across hydrogen production and direct reduced iron systems. Define, monitor, and continuously improve key performance indicators. Lead structured performance reviews and implement corrective actions to close performance gaps. Optimize the full value chain: renewable electricity → hydrogen production → hydrogen distribution → Direct Reduced Iron process. Act as the primary technical interface with electrolyser OEMs and DRI technology licensors. Identify and eliminate system-level inefficiencies to improve overall plant economics. Drive continuous improvement of plant control strategies in collaboration with electrical and instrumentation teams. Lead implementation and optimization of advanced process control systems and model-based predictive control strategies. Act as the highest technical escalation point for complex process-related issues. Lead structured root cause analysis for process disturbances, trips, unplanned shutdowns, operational instability, and recurring efficiency or performance losses. Ensure that operational practices align with process safety requirements, particularly for hydrogen handling and high-temperature operations. Drive initiatives to reduce overall energy consumption and improve energy efficiency. Optimize the use of renewable electricity across hydrogen production systems. Build a performance-driven engineering organization focused on data-driven decision making, structured problem solving, and continuous improvement. Mentor and develop technical talent and future leaders.

Requirements Education and Certifications Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering or equivalent. . Experience Extensive leadership experience in a similar role, preferably in a plant producing HBI, HDRI, Hydrogen, or related process environments. Proven experience in improving plant performance and operations in high-demand industrial environments. Experience in greenfield projects, commissioning, or start-up phases.. Experience working with ISO standards (ISO 9001,ISO 14001,ISO 45001.).

Competences and Skills Strong knowledge of hydrogen production and DRI processes. Good understanding of maintenance, electrical, instrumentation, and automation systems. Solid understanding of metallurgy, thermodynamics, kinetics, and fluid dynamics. Excellent analytical and problem-solving capabilities. Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage and develop diverse teams. Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to produce clear and structured technical documentation. Very good oral and written communication skills in English. Basic Swedish skills are considered as an advantage.