Quality Control and R&D Manager

Stegra is on a mission to change the global steel industry by producing green hydrogen, iron, and steel - with the goal of eliminating CO₂ emissions. Instead of coal, we use green hydrogen and fossil-free electricity, meaning our primary emissions will be water and heat.
By 2030, our ambition is to produce 5 million tonnes of green steel annually at our fully integrated, digitized, and sustainable plant in Boden, Northern Sweden, currently under construction. But this is just the beginning. Our expertise in green hydrogen will enable us to decarbonize industries beyond steel, paving the way for a cleaner future.
What you’ll do
The QC and R&D Manager is responsible for ensuring product quality, laboratory excellence, and driving research and development initiatives for the Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) and Hydrogen (H₂) plants.
This role acts as the technical authority for product quality, process chemistry, and material performance, ensuring that DRI output meets required specifications while supporting continuous improvement and innovation aligned with green steel objectives. The role bridges operations, technical services, and product development to enable consistent quality and future-ready solutions.
Key responsibilities (not limited to)
Establish and manage quality control systems to ensure DRI product meets specifications for metallization, carbon content, chemistry, and physical properties.
Lead and manage laboratory operations, including chemical analysis, metallurgical testing, and material characterization. Ensure accuracy, reliability, and timely reporting of results.
Monitor and analyze process parameters affecting product quality. Work closely with Operations and Technical Services to identify deviations and implement corrective actions.
Ensure compliance with internal quality standards, customer requirements, and applicable industry standards. Manage product certification and quality documentation.
Develop, validate, and standardize testing methods and procedures for raw materials, intermediates, and finished DRI products.
Develop and execute R&D roadmap aligned with green steel strategy, focusing on: hydrogen-based reduction optimization, product quality enhancement, and process efficiency improvements.
Collaborate with universities, research institutes, and technology partners to drive innovation in hydrogen-based ironmaking and material science.
Ensure compliance with ISO standards (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, where applicable). Lead internal and external audits related to quality systems.
Develop and mentor QC and R&D team members, building strong expertise in laboratory techniques, metallurgy, and process chemistry.

Requirements
Education and Certifications
Master’s degree in Metallurgical/ Chemical/ Materials Engineering.
PhD is an advantage for R&D-focused candidates.

Experience
Strong experience in quality control, laboratory management, and metallurgical analysis.
Experience in laboratory techniques (wet chemistry, XRF, XRD, SEM, etc.).
Experience in DRI, pellet quality, or hydrogen-based processes is highly desirable.
Experience with Advanced Process Control (APC) and data analytics tools is preferred.
Experience in R&D, product development, or process innovation is an advantage.

Competences and Skills
Strong knowledge of metallurgy, material science, and process chemistry.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Ability to interpret complex data and translate it into actionable insights.
Strong technical knowledge of DRI processes and hydrogen systems.
Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
Strong leadership and team management capabilities.
Very good oral and written communication skills in English. Basic Swedish skills are considered an advantage.