Director, R&D

Valmet; Jyväskylä; On-site; EUR 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Valmet is seeking a Director, R&D to lead the Board and Paper Machines technology portfolio, guiding pilot centers and driving digital development. You will shape long‑term technology strategy, collaborate with customers and partners, and lead a global team to deliver competitive, sustainable solutions.

You will bring a strong engineering background, proven leadership, and expertise in data analytics or AI to align R&D with business goals and industry needs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering or a related field.
• Solid knowledge of the pulp and paper industry is preferred.
• Proven leadership experience and strategic decision‑making.
• Strong project management and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience with data analytics, digital solutions, IT systems, AI technologies, or technology architecture.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Board and Paper Machines R&D portfolio, ensuring alignment with business strategy and customer needs.
• Drive Digital Transformation and Operations Development initiatives to enhance performance and innovation.
• Lead line‑level technology development and support advancement of board and paper machine solutions.
• Collaborate with customers, research organizations, universities, and development partners to drive innovation.
• Represent Valmet in customer meetings, Technology Days, and industry forums to present technology initiatives.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders (Service, Sales, Procurement, Production) to ensure alignment and execution of strategic initiatives.
• Support business and technology decisions through understanding of processes, performance, and financial drivers.
• Serve as a member of the Technology Unit Leadership Team and contribute to strategy execution.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Stakeholder management

Communication

Data analytics

AI technologies

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Engineering

Job description

Lead the Future of Paper Machine Technology as Director, R&D

Join us at the forefront of innovation in the pulp and paper industry. As Director, Line R&D, you will shape the future of Board and Paper Machine technologies by leading a strategic R&D portfolio, guiding pilot technology centers, and driving digital and technology development across the business. You will work closely with customers, research partners, and senior stakeholders to turn ideas into impactful solutions that strengthen competitiveness and support sustainable industry transformation. This is a unique opportunity to influence the future direction of technology development while leading highly skilled teams in a global environment.

Your responsibilities

• Lead the Board and Paper Machines R&D portfolio, ensuring alignment with business strategy, customer needs, and long-term competitiveness.
• Drive Digital Transformation and Operations Development initiatives to enhance performance, innovation, and ways of working.
• Lead line-level technology development and support the advancement of board and paper machine solutions.
• Build strong collaboration with customers, research organizations, universities, and development partners to drive innovation and technology development.
• Represent Valmet in customer meetings, Technology Days, and industry forums, presenting technology and R&D initiatives to internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate closely with several internal stakeholders like Service, sales, procurement, production and other Valmet business area R&D heads to ensure alignment and successful execution of strategic initiatives.
• Support business and technology decisions through a broad understanding of business processes, operational performance, and financial drivers.
• Serve as a member of the Technology Unit Leadership Team, contributing to strategy execution and organizational development.

Expectations for you

• You hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Technology, or another relevant field.
• You have solid knowledge of the pulp and paper industry and understand project, service, and agreement business processes.
• You have proven leadership experience, including people leadership, organizational development, and strategic decision-making.
• You possess strong project management, communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• You have experience with data analytics, digital solutions, IT system development, AI technologies, or technology architecture.

To succeed in this role

You combine deep technology expertise with strong business understanding and can connect R&D priorities to long-term business success. You are comfortable working across organizational boundaries and effectively engaging customers, research partners, and senior stakeholders. You have a passion for innovation and technology development and can inspire teams to deliver impactful results while strengthening Valmet’s future competitiveness.

We also expect you to align with Valmet’s Leadership Principles—practical behaviours that guide how we lead, collaborate, and succeed together:

• Take accountability – Act with ownership, set clear expectations, and follow through
• Lead with courage – Champion change, try bold ideas, and learn quickly
• Build on trust – Listen to understand, be open, and create psychological safety
• Collaborate for growth – Work across boundaries, value diverse perspectives, and focus on customer value

When everything works together

Valmet is where the best talent from a wide variety of backgrounds comes together. We work together with our customers throughout the entire lifecycle, delivering cutting-edge technologies and services as well as mission-critical automation and flow control solutions. Backed by more than 225 years of industrial experience and a global team of over 19,000 professionals close to customers, we are uniquely positioned to transform industries toward a regenerative tomorrow.

At Valmet, diversity of thought drives innovation.

We are committed to a respectful and inclusive environment, where people can be themselves and are supported to contribute at their best. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and make hiring decisions based on skills, experience, and potential, never on personal characteristics such as gender, gender identity, age, ethnicity, nationality, disability, neurodiversity, religion, sexual orientation, or political views.

Join the team – and lead the way with us!