Lead development engineer (Feedstock)

Are you looking for a career in an inspiring, global environment where your expertise makes a difference? At Neste, you will be working for the world’s leading producer of renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel. Together we can help our customers to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

We are looking for you,

Lead development engineer (Feedstock Preparation)

to join our COO Office function, working within the Lignocellulose team.

This role offers the unique opportunity to lead the feedstock section development of an innovative new lignocellulose-to-fuels technology. You will work closely with R&D, engineering, business development and external partners to bring this breakthrough to realization.

You will work in a cross-functional, entrepreneurial team, driving one of Neste’s key long-term growth programs. Your contribution will play a significant role in developing and validating a new technology platform that unlocks access to previously untapped waste and residue raw materials, supporting our ambition to grow as the leader in the renewable fuels sector.

At Neste, you’ll find a culture that values curiosity, collaboration, and purpose. Together, we can create innovative solutions that help us deliver on our promises for tomorrow.

Reasons to join

We operate in an inspiring and evolving business environment as a global leader in renewable fuels. We contribute to Neste’s success by living our values every day: we care, we have courage, we cooperate.

We prioritize safety at all times and in every location. We strive to create a positive and impactful work environment.

Transformation brings new possibilities and fosters our courage and curiosity. As a global company, we support personal development with versatile learning and career opportunities. Collaboration is key, and we believe in flexible, smart ways of working. We work at the office at least three days a week to ensure seamless teamwork and a sense of belonging.

In addition, our benefits for employees in Finland include, for example, a personnel fund as part of the overall remuneration, good occupational health care, a membership in a sickness or health insurance fund and leisure time accident insurance. We also support leisure time activities, e.g. by offering benefits for sports and culture (ePassi).

The job is located in our Espoo head office. Spending time also in Kilpilahti, Porvoo is a prerequisite. We organize free bus transportation to Kilpilahti for our employees from the capital region, Porvoo and the nearby areas. 

More about the job

Your role in our team

• Feedstock Processing & Handling Section Design & Engineering: Develop and optimize process concepts for woody biomass processing such as milling, drying and sieving. Evaluate equipment suitability for requested service. Identify and select equipment vendors. Perform engineering activities such as flow diagrams, and equipment sizing. Develop feed slurry preparation concepts including slurry mixing and pumping.

• Partner Management: Act as an interface with external partners including Licensor and equipment vendors, commenting on their work and ensuring that Neste’s technical interests are protected. Participate in vendor negotiations, including NDA’s and Test agreements

• Equipment testing & validation: Plan and oversee various test campaigns at Neste technology center, research institutes and equipment vendors.

• Feedstock characterization: Create methods to assess feedstock characteristics. Strive for understanding root causes behind phenomena impacting the feed system

• Facility-wide optimization: Coordinate work with internal stakeholders and other project streams such as Piloting, R&D, Engineering and Business to ensure that feedstock solution serves end-to-end process optimization.

Keys to success in this role

• B.Sc. or M.Sc. in Engineering or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Senior-level experience (approx. 10+ years) in the process industry (operators, technology providers, equipment manufacturers) within sectors such as biofuels, pulp & paper, panel industry or minerals processing

• Demonstrated experience from technology development and/or test campaign planning

• Basic understanding of commercial discussions and legal frameworks like Non-Disclosure Agreements

• Effective stakeholder management and communication skills in English both verbally and in writing. Ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear solutions.

• Willingness to travel

• Responsible attitude and safety-oriented mindset.
  
  

Other strengths we value

• Operational background: experience in industrial operations, commissioning, or start-ups

• Knowledge of solids handling and solid-liquid slurries

• Finnish language skills are considered an asset
  
  

Let’s get you started

We look forward to receiving your CV and application by April 22, 2026.

If you have any questions regarding the process or the position, please get in touch with Pekka Nurmi, Head of Initiative, +358 50 458 2587, on Thu 2nd April 1000-1100 or Wed 8th April 0900-1000.

To ensure security and confidentiality, please submit your application through our recruitment system, as we are unable to consider applications sent via email.

We will do our best to contact you within 1 week after the application time has ended. The recruitment process will include interviews and a possible aptitude assessment. The first interviews are preliminarily scheduled to take place on week 18. The person selected for the position must pass a health examination including a drug test. Depending on the position’s requirements, a security clearance may be conducted with your consent.

Neste in brief

Neste (NESTE, Nasdaq Helsinki) creates solutions for mitigating climate change and accelerating a shift to a circular economy. The company is the world’s leading producer of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel, enabling its customers to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Neste refines waste, residues and other renewable raw materials to high-quality renewable fuels at its refineries located on three continents. The company’s annual renewable fuels production capacity will be increased to 6.8 million tons in 2027.

Neste has high standards for sustainability and the company has consistently been recognized by several leading sustainability indices. In 2024, Neste's revenue stood at EUR 20.6 billion. Read more: neste.com