Human Factors & UX specialist

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Human Factors & UX Specialist

Company: Vattenfall

Location: Solna, Stockholm County, Sweden (with options for Gothenburg and Västerås)

Job Type: Full-time (Heltid)

Category: Human Factors & User Experience (UX) Operations

Date Posted: October 17, 2025

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the development of user-centric digital solutions within the energy sector, ensuring human needs are paramount in technological advancements.

• Conduct comprehensive user research and behavioral analysis to inform the design and functionality of digital interfaces, directly impacting operational efficiency and safety.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including developers, designers, and other specialists, to integrate Human Factors principles into product lifecycles.

• Utilize design and prototyping tools like Figma to translate user insights into tangible interface designs, optimizing user experience and task completion.

• Contribute to a specialized Human Factors unit, fostering a collaborative environment for knowledge sharing and continuous improvement in areas like safety culture and change management.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role title is "Human Factors & UX Specialist," the context provided by Vattenfall's business unit (Power Solutions) and the emphasis on operational efficiency and safety in the energy sector suggest a strong alignment with GTM (Go-to-Market) enablement and internal operations support. The role will likely involve improving internal tools, training platforms, and operational interfaces that directly support Vattenfall's core business in nuclear power, energy generation, and project management. This is not a typical customer-facing UX role but rather one focused on internal operational excellence through user-centered design.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Plan and execute operational user research initiatives to gather critical insights into end-user behaviors and needs within the energy sector.

• Coordinate user studies with designers, developers, and other stakeholders to ensure a holistic approach to understanding user requirements.

• Identify and prioritize the most effective methodologies for user research and analysis that directly support the operational goals and needs of end-users.

• Analyze results from user studies, translating complex findings into actionable recommendations for the development team and relevant stakeholders to drive system improvements.

• Create and iterate on user interface prototypes using tools like Figma, visualizing design concepts and user flows for internal digital solutions.

• Conduct usability testing on prototypes and existing interfaces, incorporating user feedback to refine designs and enhance overall user experience and efficiency.

• Contribute to the broader Human Factors unit's objectives, potentially engaging in areas such as safety culture analysis, change management initiatives, and organizational development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of research, design, and cross-functional collaboration, typical of a mid-level operations-focused UX role. The focus on "operational user studies" and "internal digital solutions" points towards optimizing internal processes and tools rather than external customer-facing products, which is a key differentiator for operations professionals.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Several years of practical work experience in a Human Factors, UX Design, or similar user-centric role, with a proven track record of applying research and design principles to solve complex problems.

• Demonstrable experience in planning and conducting user studies, including qualitative and quantitative research methods.

• Hands-on experience with prototyping tools, with a strong emphasis on Figma.

Required Skills:

• Human Factors Principles: Deep understanding of human capabilities and limitations, and how to apply this knowledge to system design for optimal performance, safety, and usability.

• UX Design & Research: Proficient in user-centered design methodologies, user journey mapping, persona development, and various user research techniques (interviews, surveys, contextual inquiry).

• Prototyping & Wireframing: Skilled in creating interactive prototypes and wireframes using tools like Figma, to visualize and test design concepts effectively.

• Usability Testing: Experience in designing, conducting, and analyzing usability tests to identify and resolve user experience issues.

• Analytical Skills: Ability to analyze complex data from user studies, identify patterns, and derive actionable insights to inform design decisions and operational improvements.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively with diverse teams, including software developers, engineers, project managers, and other subject matter experts.

• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills in both Swedish and English, with the ability to clearly articulate complex design concepts and research findings to technical and non-technical audiences.

Preferred Skills:

• Safety Culture & Change Management: Familiarity with concepts related to safety culture within critical industries and experience in supporting change management initiatives.

• Energy Sector Knowledge: Understanding of the energy sector, particularly nuclear power operations, and its unique human factors considerations.

• Wireframing Tools: Proficiency with a range of wireframing tools beyond Figma.

• Data Analysis Tools: Experience with statistical analysis tools or software for deeper behavioral data interpretation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "operational user studies," "internal digital solutions," and potential application in "safety culture" and "nuclear power" highlights the role's connection to operational excellence within a highly regulated industry. This goes beyond typical consumer-focused UX and requires an understanding of system safety and process optimization.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies in User Research & Design: Showcase projects where you planned, executed, and analyzed user research to drive design decisions for digital systems.

• Prototyping Examples: Include interactive prototypes created in Figma or similar tools, demonstrating your ability to translate user needs into functional interface designs.

• Usability Testing Documentation: Present examples of usability test plans, findings, and how user feedback led to specific design improvements.

• Impact & ROI Demonstration: Where possible, quantify the impact of your design work on user efficiency, task completion rates, error reduction, or system adoption for internal tools or processes.

Process Documentation:

• User Research Methodologies: Detail your approach to selecting and applying appropriate user research methods based on project goals and constraints.

• Design Iteration Process: Illustrate how you iterate on designs based on user feedback and testing results, emphasizing a continuous improvement loop.

• Collaboration Workflows: Document your process for collaborating with development teams, designers, and stakeholders to ensure seamless integration of UX principles into the development lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations-focused roles like this, a portfolio should emphasize process optimization, efficiency gains, and measurable improvements. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate how their UX work directly contributed to better operational outcomes, rather than just aesthetic improvements.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Flexibility: Offers flexibility in working hours and arrangements to support work-life balance.

• Work From Home: Provides the possibility to work from home as needed, facilitating hybrid work arrangements.

• Reduced Working Hours: Potential for reduced working hours schemes, contributing to employee well-being.

• Pension Benefits: Competitive defined-benefit pension agreements for long-term financial security.

• Parental Leave Supplement: Enhanced parental leave benefits beyond statutory requirements.

• Development Opportunities: Access to training, courses, and knowledge transfer initiatives for continuous professional growth.

• Employee Benefits Program: Comprehensive package including health and wellness programs, potential for employee discounts, and more.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time employment is typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility in scheduling to accommodate operational needs and individual preferences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on typical compensation for this role in Sweden and Vattenfall's corporate structure. Specific salaries will depend on the candidate's experience, qualifications, and negotiation. The provided benefits are directly sourced from the job description.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Energy (specifically Nuclear Power, Generation, and Technical Services)

Company Size: Large (Vattenfall is a major European energy company with a significant global presence).

Founded: 1909 (Vattenfall has a long history, indicating stability and established operational practices).

Team Structure:

• Human Factors Unit: Comprises approximately 20 specialists with diverse expertise, including MTO (Human, Technology, Organization), safety culture, change management, and UX. This interdisciplinary structure fosters rich collaboration and knowledge exchange.

• Reporting Structure: The role reports into the Human Factors unit within Vattenfall Power Solutions, a business unit of Vattenfall Generation. This suggests a clear hierarchy with opportunities for cross-unit collaboration.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The role necessitates close collaboration with developers, designers, project managers, and other technical specialists across various Vattenfall operations.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Emphasis on user research, analysis of behavioral patterns, and evidence-based insights to inform design and operational improvements.

• Continuous Improvement: Active engagement in continuous improvement initiatives, focusing on optimizing models, processes, and digital solutions.

• Human-Centered Approach: A core philosophy of placing the human element at the center of technological development and operational processes.

Company Website: https://group.vattenfall.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Vattenfall's deep roots in the energy sector, particularly in nuclear power, mean that safety, reliability, and meticulous process adherence are paramount. The company culture likely reflects this, with a strong emphasis on responsibility, precision, and a commitment to long-term sustainability. For a Human Factors & UX specialist, this translates into designing systems that minimize risk and maximize operational efficiency in high-stakes environments.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Level Specialist. This role is for an experienced professional who can independently conduct user research, design interfaces, and collaborate effectively. It's a step towards senior specialist or lead roles within Human Factors or UX.

Reporting Structure: The specialist will report to a manager within the Human Factors unit and will work closely with project teams and stakeholders across Vattenfall Power Solutions and potentially other business areas. This structure allows for visibility and influence on operational projects.

Operations Impact: The Human Factors & UX Specialist will directly influence the efficiency, safety, and usability of digital tools and systems critical to Vattenfall's operations. This includes improving training platforms, operational dashboards, and interfaces for complex machinery, thereby contributing to overall business performance and risk mitigation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization Expansion: Opportunities to broaden expertise into other Human Factors domains like safety culture, change management, or MTO, as encouraged by the unit.

• Skill Development: Access to internal and external training, courses, and knowledge transfer initiatives to enhance UX, Human Factors, and relevant technical skills.

• Leadership Potential: With proven performance, there's potential to move into senior specialist roles, lead UX initiatives on larger projects, or even transition into team leadership within the Human Factors unit.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "good opportunities to broaden one's scope" and learn about safety culture, change management, or other Human Factors areas suggests a clear career path for individuals looking to develop a comprehensive understanding of operational excellence within critical industries.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work environment. Employees are expected to work from the office a couple of days a week, with the remainder of the week allowing for remote work.

Office Location(s): Solna (Stockholm County), Gothenburg, or Västerås, Sweden. This offers flexibility in choosing a primary work location.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office environment likely includes collaborative areas designed for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and cross-functional work.

• Technology & Tools: Access to necessary hardware, software (e.g., Figma), and network infrastructure to support both on-site and remote work effectively.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with Human Factors specialists, developers, designers, and other operational teams, fostering a supportive and knowledge-sharing atmosphere.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is full-time (typically 40 hours per week) with a high degree of flexibility. This allows operations professionals to manage their time effectively, balancing demanding project work with personal commitments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model and multiple office locations indicate a modern, flexible work environment that caters to the needs of operational professionals who require focused work time but also benefit from in-person collaboration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Submit CV and respond to screening questions via the Vattenfall careers portal. No cover letter is required.

• Initial Screening: HR and/or hiring manager review applications and CVs to assess alignment with core requirements.

• Screening Questions: Candidates will answer specific questions to gauge their experience and fit.

• Portfolio Review: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio showcasing relevant projects, user research, and design work. This is a critical stage for demonstrating practical skills.

• Interviews: Multiple interview rounds may occur, including discussions with the hiring manager (Diana Knutsson), potential team members, and other stakeholders to assess technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit.

• Case Study/Challenge: A practical exercise or case study may be presented to evaluate problem-solving skills, approach to design challenges, and ability to articulate solutions.

• Final Interview & Offer: A final discussion to confirm fit and extend an offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Process & Impact: For this role, emphasize the process of your Human Factors and UX work – how you approached problems, conducted research, and iterated on designs. Quantify the impact of your work where possible (e.g., improved efficiency, reduced error rates, enhanced user satisfaction).

• Showcase Figma Proficiency: Include examples of your work in Figma, demonstrating your ability to create interactive prototypes and communicate design intent clearly.

• Highlight User Research: Detail your methodology for user studies, including how you identified user needs, selected research methods, and translated findings into actionable design recommendations.

• Tailor to Vattenfall's Context: If possible, frame your case studies to reflect challenges or scenarios relevant to the energy sector or large industrial organizations.

• Be Prepared to Discuss: Be ready to walk through your portfolio projects, explain your decisions, and answer questions about your role and contributions.

Challenge Preparation:

• Anticipate Operations-Focused Problems: Prepare for scenarios related to improving internal operational tools, designing interfaces for complex systems, or optimizing workflows for energy sector processes.

• Structure Your Approach: Practice articulating a clear, step-by-step approach to solving design and user research problems, starting with understanding the problem, gathering information, proposing solutions, and iterating.

• Demonstrate Human Factors Thinking: Be ready to explain how you would apply Human Factors principles to a given challenge, considering human capabilities, limitations, and system safety.

📝 Enhancement Note: The instruction to "not submit a cover letter" and "quickly and easily apply by answering screening questions and attaching your CV" suggests a streamlined application process. The emphasis on portfolio presentation and potential practical challenges highlights the importance of practical, demonstrable UX and Human Factors skills.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for prototyping, wireframing, and UI design. Candidates must demonstrate strong proficiency.

• User Research Tools: Experience with tools for surveys, interviews, and potentially session recording (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Google Forms, UserTesting.com, Hotjar).

• Wireframing Tools: Familiarity with various wireframing and prototyping tools beyond Figma is beneficial.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Software: Ability to interpret data from user studies, which may involve spreadsheets (Excel, Google Sheets) or basic statistical software.

• Reporting Tools: Experience in creating clear, concise reports and presentations to communicate research findings and design recommendations.

CRM & Automation:

• While not explicitly mentioned, an understanding of how UX integrates with internal CRM systems or workflow automation tools used by Vattenfall could be an advantage, particularly for internal-facing tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is a direct requirement. The other tools are inferred based on the nature of UX and Human Factors work, especially in an operational context where data analysis and clear reporting are crucial for influencing decision-making.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Active: Proactive engagement in projects, research, and team activities.

• Positive: Maintaining an optimistic and constructive attitude, especially when facing challenges.

• Open: Willingness to share knowledge, receive feedback, and embrace new ideas and perspectives.

• Safety-Conscious: A fundamental value in Vattenfall's operations, requiring a meticulous and risk-aware approach to all tasks, including design.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: A strong emphasis on working collaboratively with diverse teams (developers, engineers, project managers) to ensure Human Factors principles are embedded throughout projects.

• Feedback Exchange: A culture that encourages open feedback loops for continuous improvement of designs and processes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Opportunities to share expertise within the Human Factors unit and across the organization, fostering a learning environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Vattenfall's values (Active, Positive, Open, Safety-Conscious) provides direct insight into the expected behaviors and mindset of employees. For a Human Factors specialist, "Safety-Conscious" is particularly relevant and should be a guiding principle in their work.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Integrating Human Factors in a Traditional Industry: Applying modern UX and Human Factors principles in a long-established, safety-critical industry like nuclear energy can present resistance to change or require significant education of stakeholders.

• Balancing User Needs with System Constraints: Navigating the complex technical and regulatory constraints inherent in the energy sector while advocating for optimal user experience and safety.

• Quantifying UX Impact: Demonstrating the tangible business value and ROI of Human Factors and UX initiatives in an operational context, which may involve complex metrics.

• Keeping Pace with Evolving Technology: Staying current with advancements in UX/UI design, Human Factors research, and relevant technologies within the evolving energy landscape.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in Human Factors, UX design, or specific areas like safety culture, change management, or MTO analysis.

• Industry Exposure: Gain in-depth knowledge of Vattenfall's diverse operations, including nuclear power, renewable energy, and grid management.

• Professional Certifications: Potential for support in obtaining relevant certifications in Human Factors, UX, or project management.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to learn from experienced specialists within the Human Factors unit and other parts of Vattenfall.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the unique complexities of applying UX/HF in a regulated, industrial environment, offering significant opportunities for professionals seeking to develop specialized expertise.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Operational Problem-Solving: "Describe a time you used user research to solve a complex operational problem. What was your approach, what were the challenges, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your process, research methodology, and quantifiable results).

• Stakeholder Management: "How do you effectively communicate UX/HF recommendations to technical teams and non-technical stakeholders, especially when there might be conflicting priorities?" (Highlight your communication skills, empathy, and ability to build consensus).

• Design Philosophy: "How do you balance user needs with technical constraints and safety requirements in a critical industry like energy?" (Demonstrate your understanding of trade-offs, risk assessment, and user advocacy).

Company & Culture Questions:

• Vattenfall's Mission: "What aspects of Vattenfall's vision and your potential contribution to shaping future energy solutions resonate with you?" (Show you've researched the company beyond the job description).

• Human Factors in Energy: "What do you see as the biggest Human Factors challenges in the energy sector today, and how would you address them?" (Demonstrate industry awareness and proactive thinking).

• Team Collaboration: "Describe your ideal collaboration with developers and designers. How do you ensure effective integration of UX/HF into the product lifecycle?" (Align your style with Vattenfall's collaborative approach).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly outline: the problem, your role and approach, the research methods used, the design solutions, the testing and iteration process, and the measurable outcomes/impact.

• Showcase Figma: Be prepared to demo specific Figma files, explaining your design choices and interactive elements.

• Focus on Process, Not Just Polish: While polished visuals are good, emphasize the thinking behind your designs – your research, analysis, and iterative improvements.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the effectiveness of your work (e.g., "reduced task completion time by X%", "decreased error rate by Y%").

• Connect to Vattenfall: If possible, draw parallels between your past projects and the potential challenges or opportunities at Vattenfall.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation advice is tailored to highlight the operational aspects of the role, emphasizing problem-solving, stakeholder management, and the specific context of the energy industry and Vattenfall's values.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Human Factors & UX Specialist position:

• Submit Your Application: Navigate to the Vattenfall careers portal and submit your CV.

• Answer Screening Questions: Carefully answer the provided screening questions, as these will be a primary basis for initial evaluation.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date, highlights relevant Human Factors and UX projects, and clearly demonstrates your skills in user research, Figma prototyping, and usability testing. Be ready to present key case studies.

• Research Vattenfall: Understand Vattenfall's business units, current initiatives in energy transition, and their commitment to safety and innovation. Familiarize yourself with their stated values (Active, Positive, Open, Safety-Conscious).

• Practice Interview Responses: Prepare for behavioral and situational questions, focusing on your experience with user research, design iteration, cross-functional collaboration, and problem-solving in complex environments.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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