Human Factors & UX specialist

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Human Factors & UX Specialist Company: Vattenfall Location: Solna, Stockholm County, Sweden Job Type: Full-time (Heltid) Category: User Experience (UX) / Human Factors Date Posted: October 23, 2025 Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years) Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the integration of Human Factors principles into digital product development to enhance user experience and operational efficiency within the energy sector.
• Lead user research initiatives, translating complex user behaviors and needs into actionable design insights for intuitive and accessible digital solutions.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with design, development, and business stakeholders to ensure a user-centered approach throughout the product lifecycle.
• Contribute to a specialized Human Factors unit, fostering knowledge sharing and continuous improvement in human-technology interaction within Vattenfall's critical infrastructure operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role sits within Vattenfall Power Solutions, a unit focused on training, fuel supply, project execution, and technical specialist services for Vattenfall's nuclear power operations. The Human Factors & UX Specialist will specifically support the development of digital solutions that enhance safety, efficiency, and user effectiveness in these critical areas. The emphasis on "humanity at the center" and the broad scope of the Human Factors unit (including MTO, safety culture, change management) suggests a role that bridges technical design with organizational and safety considerations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Plan, execute, and analyze operational user research studies to gather critical insights into end-user behaviors and needs.
• Coordinate user studies and feedback loops with designers, developers, and key stakeholders to ensure alignment and effective implementation of findings.
• Identify and prioritize methodologies that best support end-user goals and requirements, ensuring a strategic approach to UX research.
• Translate research findings into clear, actionable insights and design recommendations for development teams and other relevant stakeholders.
• Create interactive prototypes of user interfaces using tools such as Figma, visualizing design concepts and user flows.
• Conduct usability testing sessions, iterate on designs based on user feedback, and ensure a high standard of user experience across digital products.
• Contribute to the broader Human Factors unit's objectives, potentially engaging in areas like safety culture, change management, or other human-system interaction projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on role involving the entire UX process, from initial research and analysis to prototyping and testing. The expectation to "coordinate with designers, developers, and other stakeholders" and "communicate insights to the development team and other stakeholders" emphasizes strong collaboration and communication skills, crucial for operations roles that bridge technical and business functions. The mention of potentially broadening scope into safety culture and change management indicates a strategic and impactful position within the organization.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Master's degree in Interaction Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a closely related field.

Experience:

• Several years of professional work experience in a similar Human Factors or UX specialist role.
• Demonstrated practical experience in conducting user studies, creating prototypes, and performing usability testing.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in user-centered and interactive design principles.
• Strong understanding of user research methodologies and best practices.
• Hands-on experience with design tools, specifically Figma.
• Familiarity with wireframing tools and various user research techniques.
• Excellent analytical skills for interpreting user data and behavioral patterns.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly.
• Proficiency in both Swedish and English, written and spoken.
• Valid B driver's license.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience within the energy sector or other critical infrastructure environments.
• Knowledge of MTO (Man-Technology-Organization) principles.
• Familiarity with safety culture frameworks and change management principles.
• Experience with agile development methodologies.
• Ability to adapt and learn new Human Factors or UX-related disciplines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required qualifications emphasize a blend of academic background and practical, hands-on experience. The "several years" of experience suggests a mid-level role where candidates are expected to operate with a degree of autonomy. The requirement for a B driver's license indicates that on-site work and potential travel to different Vattenfall facilities is part of the role. The preferred skills, particularly MTO, safety culture, and change management, point towards a role that is deeply integrated with operational safety and organizational effectiveness, common in high-stakes industries like nuclear energy.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a portfolio showcasing a strong understanding of user-centered design principles and practical application in real-world projects.
• Include case studies that detail the user research process, from problem identification and methodology selection to insight generation and design solutions.
• Present examples of interactive prototypes created in tools like Figma, illustrating user flows and interface design decisions.
• Showcase usability testing results and how user feedback influenced design iterations and final outcomes, highlighting process improvement.
• Quantify the impact of design solutions where possible, demonstrating efficiency gains, error reduction, or improved user satisfaction.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of structured approaches to planning and executing user research, including clear methodologies and stakeholder alignment.
• Documentation of the iterative design process, including how user feedback was incorporated into wireframes, prototypes, and final designs.
• Examples of how insights from user studies were communicated effectively to cross-functional teams, including developers and management.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Human Factors & UX specialist, a portfolio is critical. It should not just showcase aesthetics but the process behind the design. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their thought process, decision-making rationale, and how they addressed user needs and business objectives. The emphasis on "operational user research" and "translating insights into design solutions" means the portfolio should highlight projects that solved specific operational challenges.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for UX specialists with 2-5 years of experience in Stockholm, Sweden, a competitive annual salary range is estimated to be between SEK 450,000 and SEK 650,000. This estimate considers the cost of living in the Stockholm region and Vattenfall's position as a major employer.

Benefits:

• Flexibility in working hours and location, offering a good work-life balance.
• Opportunities for remote work when needed, supporting a hybrid work model.
• Reduced working hours (Arbetstidsförkortning), a significant benefit for work-life balance.
• Competitive occupational pension schemes (Tjänstepensionsavtal).
• Parental leave supplement (Föräldraledighetstillägg), enhancing support for employees with families.
• Access to Vattenfall's comprehensive benefits package, including potential wellness programs and employee discounts.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time role, likely around 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is an estimate based on typical market rates for this role in Stockholm. Final salary will be determined by candidate experience, specific skills, and internal Vattenfall compensation structures. The benefits listed are explicitly mentioned in the job posting and are highly attractive, particularly the reduced working hours and parental leave supplement, reflecting Vattenfall's commitment to employee well-being.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Energy (Nuclear Power, Generation, and Services) Company Size: Large (Over 10,000 employees globally for Vattenfall Group) Founded: 1909 (Vattenfall Group), Vattenfall Power Solutions operates within this established framework.

Team Structure:

• The Human Factors unit within Vattenfall Power Solutions comprises approximately 20 specialists with diverse backgrounds (MTO, safety culture, change management, UX), fostering a collaborative and multidisciplinary environment.
• This specialist unit reports within Business Unit Vattenfall Power Solutions, which is part of Business Area Vattenfall Generation, indicating a clear hierarchy within a large, structured organization.
• Cross-functional collaboration is inherent, with the UX specialist working closely with developers, designers, project managers, and other subject matter experts across Vattenfall's operations.

Methodology:

• Emphasis on data-driven decision-making, utilizing user research and behavioral analysis to inform design and operational strategies.
• Commitment to continuous improvement initiatives and the development of models for enhanced project management and technical disciplines.
• Adoption of user-centered design principles to ensure digital solutions are functional, intuitive, and meet the specific needs of users in critical operational environments.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Vattenfall is a major European energy company with a significant presence in critical infrastructure, including nuclear power. This context implies a strong emphasis on safety, reliability, and rigorous processes. The company culture, as described, values proactivity, positivity, openness, and safety consciousness. The size of the organization suggests established processes and opportunities for career development, while the specialized nature of the Human Factors unit implies a focus on in-depth expertise and collaborative problem-solving.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-level Specialist role, acting as a key contributor within the Human Factors unit, with potential for growth into senior specialist or lead roles. Reporting Structure: The role reports within the Human Factors unit, which is part of Vattenfall Power Solutions. This structure allows for focused development within UX/Human Factors while benefiting from the broader organizational support and resources of Vattenfall Generation. Operations Impact: The Human Factors & UX Specialist will directly influence the design and usability of digital tools and systems critical to Vattenfall's nuclear power operations. This impact extends to improving operational efficiency, enhancing safety outcomes, and ensuring effective human-system interaction in high-stakes environments.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in UX design for critical infrastructure, focusing on areas like human-system integration in control rooms or advanced data visualization for operational monitoring.
• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gain exposure to other Human Factors disciplines within the unit, such as MTO, safety culture, or change management, offering a broader understanding of organizational effectiveness.
• Leadership Potential: Develop skills in leading user research projects, mentoring junior team members, or taking on more complex design challenges, paving the way for senior or lead UX positions.
• Industry Exposure: Work on diverse projects within Vattenfall's generation portfolio, providing exposure to various operational contexts and technological challenges within the energy sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job description explicitly mentions that "for the right person, with interest and willingness to develop, there are good opportunities to broaden oneself and take on assignments within other areas that the unit is responsible for." This indicates a clear commitment to employee growth and offers a pathway beyond pure UX, into broader Human Factors and operational improvement initiatives.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work arrangement, combining office-based collaboration with remote work flexibility. Office Location(s): Solna, Gothenburg, or Västerås are potential placement locations, offering options across Sweden. Travel between these locations and to other Vattenfall sites is expected.

Workspace Context:

• The role involves working within a collaborative team environment that values knowledge sharing and cross-functional interaction.
• Access to modern design and collaboration tools, including Figma and other relevant software, will be provided to support effective workflow.
• Opportunities for direct interaction with end-users, developers, designers, and operational specialists to foster a deep understanding of needs and challenges.

Work Schedule:

• Full-time position with inherent flexibility, allowing for adaptation to project needs while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. The company actively promotes work-life balance and offers reduced working hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model, combined with potential travel and office locations in major Swedish cities, suggests a dynamic work environment. The emphasis on using "technical aids to reduce travel" indicates a modern approach to managing distributed teams and optimizing work efficiency, a common practice in large, forward-thinking organizations like Vattenfall.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Application review focusing on CV and responses to screening questions (no cover letter required).
• First Interview: Likely with the hiring manager (Diana Knutsson) and potentially an HR representative, focusing on general fit, motivation, and foundational UX/Human Factors knowledge.
• Portfolio Review & Technical Interview: A session dedicated to reviewing the candidate's portfolio, discussing specific case studies, and assessing technical skills in UX research, design, and prototyping tools. This may include a practical exercise or scenario-based questions.
• Team/Cross-functional Interview: Meeting with potential colleagues from the Human Factors unit or other departments (e.g., development, operations) to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and cultural fit.
• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader, focusing on strategic alignment, long-term career aspirations, and overall suitability for Vattenfall's mission.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure your case studies: For each project, clearly outline the problem statement, your role, the methodologies used, the design process, key challenges, your solutions, and the outcomes (quantifiable if possible).
• Highlight operational context: Emphasize how your UX solutions addressed specific operational needs, safety requirements, or efficiency improvements within a complex environment.
• Showcase your process: Detail your approach to user research, how you translated insights into design, and how you iterated based on feedback. Demonstrate your proficiency with tools like Figma.
• Be prepared for questions: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, how you handle conflicting stakeholder requirements, and how you measure the success of your UX interventions.
• Practice your presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio concisely and engagingly, ensuring you can clearly articulate your contributions and the impact of your work.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready for potential scenario-based questions or a small design challenge related to a typical Vattenfall operational scenario. Focus on demonstrating your problem-solving approach, user-centric thinking, and ability to work within constraints.
• Prepare to discuss how you would approach understanding the needs of users in critical infrastructure roles (e.g., control room operators, field technicians).

📝 Enhancement Note: The instruction not to submit a cover letter but to answer selection questions suggests a streamlined application process focused on direct evidence of skills and experience. The portfolio review will be a critical component, so candidates should prepare thoroughly to articulate their UX process and its impact, especially within an operational context.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for user interface design, prototyping, and collaboration. Candidates must be proficient in its features for creating wireframes, interactive prototypes, and design systems.
• User Research Platforms: Experience with tools for conducting surveys, interviews, and usability tests (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics, UserTesting.com, Lookback).
• Prototyping Tools: Proficiency beyond Figma, potentially including tools for more advanced interactivity or specific platform development.
• Wireframing Tools: Familiarity with tools like Balsamiq, Sketch, or Adobe XD in addition to Figma.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics Tools: While not explicitly mentioned for UX, understanding how to interpret analytics (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) can inform user behavior analysis.
• Data Visualization Tools: Familiarity with tools like Tableau or Power BI could be beneficial for presenting research findings and user behavior data.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly in scope for this UX role, an understanding of how digital products integrate with broader business systems (like CRM or operational management systems) would be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is explicitly mentioned as a required tool. Proficiency in this area is non-negotiable. The role implies working with digital products that support Vattenfall's operational activities, so understanding how these products fit into a larger ecosystem, even if not directly managing CRM or automation tools, is valuable.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Active: Proactive engagement in projects and problem-solving, taking initiative in user research and design.
• Positive: Maintaining an optimistic and constructive attitude, especially when facing challenges in complex projects.
• Open: Willingness to share knowledge, accept feedback, and engage in open dialogue with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Safety-Conscious: A deep commitment to safety in all aspects of work, understanding the critical nature of Vattenfall's operations and the role of Human Factors in ensuring safe and effective human-system interaction.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Working seamlessly with developers, designers, project managers, and operational experts to achieve common goals.
• Process Review and Feedback: Actively participating in design critiques, user feedback sessions, and team retrospectives to foster continuous improvement.
• Knowledge Sharing: Contributing to the collective expertise of the Human Factors unit by sharing insights from research, best practices, and lessons learned.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "safety-conscious" is paramount given Vattenfall's industry. Candidates must demonstrate an understanding of how UX and Human Factors contribute to operational safety and reliability, not just user satisfaction. This value will likely be assessed through their approach to problem-solving and design decisions.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Operational Constraints: Ensuring that user-friendly designs meet stringent safety regulations, technical limitations, and business objectives in a critical infrastructure environment.
• Designing for Complex Systems: Creating intuitive interfaces for sophisticated operational systems where user error can have significant consequences.
• Stakeholder Alignment: Navigating diverse perspectives and priorities from various departments (engineering, operations, IT, management) to gain consensus on design solutions.
• Adapting to Evolving Technology: Staying current with advancements in UX design, Human Factors research, and relevant technologies within the energy sector.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Training: Opportunities to attend industry conferences, workshops, and pursue certifications in advanced UX, Human Factors, or related fields.
• Mentorship: Learning from experienced Human Factors specialists within the unit and potentially from senior leaders across Vattenfall.
• Project Variety: Exposure to a wide range of projects across Vattenfall's generation portfolio, allowing for skill development in different operational contexts.
• Cross-functional Exposure: Gaining deeper insights into areas like MTO, safety culture, and change management, broadening overall impact and career options.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for roles in critical infrastructure. Candidates should be prepared to discuss how they would approach these challenges, demonstrating strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, and a collaborative mindset. The growth opportunities highlight Vattenfall's investment in employee development, encouraging a culture of continuous learning.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance conflicting user needs with technical or business constraints. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your problem-solving process, stakeholder management, and prioritization skills.)
• "How would you approach understanding the needs of a control room operator in a nuclear power plant for a new monitoring system?" (Demonstrate your user research methodology, empathy, and understanding of critical operational environments.)
• "Walk us through a complex UX project from your portfolio. What was the problem, your process, your key decisions, and the impact of your solution?" (Be ready to articulate your design rationale, methodology, and quantifiable results.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Vattenfall and the energy sector, particularly our work in nuclear power generation?" (Show genuine interest and understanding of Vattenfall's mission and industry.)
• "How do you contribute to a safety-conscious culture in your work?" (Connect your UX/Human Factors approach to safety outcomes and operational reliability.)
• "Describe your experience working in cross-functional teams. How do you ensure effective collaboration and communication?" (Highlight your teamwork and communication skills.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select 2-3 strong case studies: Focus on projects that best demonstrate your core UX skills, problem-solving abilities, and impact. Prioritize projects with operational relevance if possible.
• Structure for clarity: For each case study, present the problem, your role, the process (research, design, testing), key decisions, challenges, and outcomes (quantifiable results are a plus).
• Emphasize your contribution: Clearly articulate what you did and the specific value you brought to the project.
• Be ready for technical deep dives: Prepare to discuss your methodology, tool choices (especially Figma), and how you handled specific design challenges.
• Connect to Vattenfall: Briefly explain how your experience and approach align with Vattenfall's values and the specific requirements of this role.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the critical nature of Vattenfall's operations, interviewers will likely probe deeply into how candidates ensure safety, reliability, and efficiency through their UX work. Candidates should be prepared to link their design decisions directly to these operational imperatives. The portfolio presentation should clearly articulate the "why" behind design choices, not just the "what."

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Human Factors & UX Specialist position:

• Submit your application through the Vattenfall careers portal via the provided link.
• Tailor your CV: Ensure your CV highlights your experience with user research, prototyping, usability testing, and proficiency in tools like Figma. Quantify achievements where possible, focusing on efficiency gains, error reduction, or improved user satisfaction.
• Prepare for selection questions: Since a cover letter is not required, be ready to answer screening questions thoroughly, providing specific examples that demonstrate your qualifications and alignment with the role's requirements.
• Curate your portfolio: Select your strongest UX case studies that showcase your process, problem-solving skills, and impact, particularly in complex or operational environments. Be ready to present these effectively.
• Research Vattenfall: Understand the company's mission, values, and its role in the energy sector, especially its commitment to safety and sustainability. Consider how your UX expertise can contribute to these goals.

⚠️ 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.