Head of Instrumentation & Automation

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,

Head of Automation & Instrumentation

to join our Engineering organisation in Porvoo, Finland. We have applied a Smart Work Concept which enables flexible working practices.

As part of the Neste strategy for sustainability and decarbonization of society, a series of strategic investment projects will be executed during the coming years. Engineering is the backbone of our investment strategy, ensuring our projects are technically robust and efficient. We drive continuous improvements for our way of working, personnel and partner network. We are looking for a Head of Automation & Instrumentation to lead and develop our Automation & Instrumentation operations.

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).

More about the job

Your role in our team

• Lead and develop the Automation & Instrumentation Engineering organisation to ensure the successful delivery of our CAPEX investments in alignment with Neste’s strategy.

• Plan and implement initiatives to improve performance in A&I operations, targeting increased project efficiency and personnel engagement.

• Secure and develop competences and resources for A&I both internally and with our external partner network.

• Cooperate closely with the Engineering organisation and all disciplines in investment project operations, ensuring seamless integration between process control and physical assets.

You will report to the Head of Engineering and be a member of the Engineering Leadership team. Work will be done in close cooperation with the whole Neste Investment Project and Governance organisation as well as key stakeholders across the global Neste group. This position offers high visibility into the large investment portfolio and engineering projects of a large stock listed company. The work also entails close cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder engagement.

The best combination to success in this role

• Good knowledge and many years of experience from Automation & Instrumentation Engineering for industrial assets

• 5+ years of experience and proof of successful performance in management positions for a professional engineering organisation.

• Understanding and experience of modern engineering processes, digital tools and automation systems lifecycle management.

• Strong drive for performance and efficiency and experience from development projects.

• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing in English.

• MSc (or similar higher university degree) in Automation Engineering, Process Control or a related field.

We also value

• Past experience from working with investment projects and project management experience

• Experience from contract management and co-operation with external partners or system integrators.
  
  

In addition to the experiences above, a people-centric leadership style with the ability to listen, empower and lead experts through complex technical and organizational changes is essential. A pragmatic attitude and resilience to truly drive development initiatives forward while keeping the team engaged will be critical in this position.

Let’s get you started

We look forward to receiving your CV and application by May 10, 2026.

If you have any questions regarding the process or the position, please get in touch with Ville-Mikko Ojala, Head of Engineering, +358 50 458 1606 on Tuesdays at 13-14 (EEST).

To ensure security and confidentiality, please submit your application through our recruitment system, as we are unable to consider applications sent via email. The recruitment process will include interviews and a potential aptitude assessment. 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) is the world's leading producer of renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), with production on three continents. The company’s renewables production capacity is expected to reach 6.8 million tons annually in 2027. Neste also produces high-quality oil products at its Porvoo refinery in Finland. The company has a network of nearly 1,000 fuel stations with expanding service offering, such as EV charging, in Finland and in the Baltics.

Neste’s strategy focuses on growth in renewable fuels, which help its customers to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Neste is included in many international indices for its sustainability performance. In 2025, Neste's revenue stood at EUR 19.0 billion. Read more: neste.com



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