Early-phase and Project Readiness Lead

Volvo Group; Göteborgs kommun; On-site; SEK 900,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Job summary

Volvo Group in Gothenburg is looking for an experienced Early-phase and Project Readiness Lead to steer left-shifting activities within COT Engineering and interfaces with TT I. You will coordinate data, simulations and engineering knowledge to support robust concept decisions and accelerate early project readiness.

You will collaborate across engineering, manufacturing and purchasing, benchmark practices, and communicate risks and opportunities to engineers and senior stakeholders, driving

Qualifications

• Solid knowledge of automotive development processes.
• Experience leading cross-functional projects in complex organisations.
• Understanding of project preparations and early phases.

Responsibilities

• Lead left-shifting activities within COT Engineering and towards Trucks Technology and Industrial Division, TTI.
• Drive project preparation and early-phase activities, ensuring data, simulations and engineering knowledge support decisions before concept selection.
• Contribute to road maps, strategies and improved ways of working.
• Coordinate cooperation between COT Engineering, COT Manufacturing, COT Purchasing, Powertrain, Function and Software Defined Vehicle, as well as Truck Technology.
• Strengthen collaboration and alignment between COT and TTI.
• Benchmark the speed and development practices of the Chinese automotive industry and identify relevant improvements for COT.
• Identify risks, dependencies and opportunities, and communicate recommendations to engineers, project teams and senior stakeholders.
• Drive action-oriented solutions that create business value within TTI.

Skills

Automotive development

Cross-functional leadership

Early-phase project management

Data-driven decision support

Engineering data & simulations

Collaboration

Communication

Business acumen

Job description

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Transport is at the core of modern society. Imagine using your expertise to shape sustainable transport and infrastructure solutions for the future. If you seek to make a difference on a global scale, working with next-gen technologies and the sharpest collaborative teams, then we could be a perfect match.

Who we are Within our department, Cab Over Trucks (COT) Engineering, we work across technology, product development and industrial interfaces to prepare and deliver competitive transport solutions for the future. We create value by bringing the right knowledge, data and decisions into projects at the right time. As part of our team, you will lead activities that move engineering and cross-functional work further upstream, enabling better-informed decisions before concept choices are made. The position Early-phase and Project Readiness Lead , you will lead left‑shifting activities within COT Engineering and towards our interfaces within Volvo Trucks Technology and Industrial Division (TTI). The role focuses on project preparations and early project phases, while also contributing to road maps, strategies and the long‑term development of our ways of working. You will ensure that relevant data, simulations and engineering knowledge are available early enough to support robust concept decisions. By coordinating cross‑functional activities and strengthening collaboration across the organisation, you will help improve project readiness, accelerate decision‑making and increase business value within TTI. The role involves close cooperation with Engineering departments, COT Manufacturing, COT Purchasing, suppliers, as well as Truck Technology including Volvo Group Design. You will also benchmark the speed and development practices of the Chinese automotive industry and assess how relevant findings can be implemented within COT.

In this role, you will:

Lead left‑shifting activities within COT Engineering and towards Trucks Technology and Industrial Division, TTI.

Drive project preparation and early‑phase activities, ensuring that data, simulations and engineering knowledge support decisions before concept selection.

Contribute to road maps, strategies and improved ways of working.

Coordinate cooperation between COT Engineering, COT Manufacturing, COT Purchasing, Powertrain, Function and Software Defined Vehicle as well as Truck Technology.

Strengthen collaboration and alignment between COT and TTI.

Benchmark the speed and development practices of the Chinese automotive industry and identify relevant improvements for COT.

Identify risks, dependencies and opportunities, and communicate recommendations to engineers, project teams and senior stakeholders.

Drive action‑oriented solutions that create business value within TTI.

Success in this role means that projects are better prepared, critical knowledge is available earlier and technical decisions are supported by reliable data and simulations. You will help COT Engineering move from late problem‑solving towards earlier, fact‑based and value‑driven decision‑making. You will have the opportunity to influence both individual projects and the broader strategies, processes and collaboration models used across COT Engineering and its interfaces with TTI.

Are you the right fit? We are looking for an experienced project manager with a strong interest in automotive development, research and early‑phase project work. You combine technical understanding with the ability to create alignment across organisational boundaries and drive progress towards clear results. We believe that you have:

Solid knowledge of automotive development, research and related development processes.

Experience of leading cross‑functional projects in complex organisations.

An understanding of project preparations, early project phases and concept development.

The ability to work with engineering data, simulations and fact‑based decision support.

Strong collaboration skills and the ability to build effective relationships across functions.

A clear action‑and‑solution‑oriented mindset.

Strong communication skills, enabling you to engage effectively with engineers, senior managers and other stakeholders.

Business acumen and the ability to connect technical activities to business value within TTI.

The ability to work independently, create structure and drive progress in uncertain or ambiguous situations.

An international mindset and an interest in learning from developments across global automotive markets.

Experience from manufacturing, purchasing, supplier collaboration, vehicle development or cooperation across engineering and industrial functions is considered an advantage. Experience from the Chinese automotive industry or from benchmarking international development organisations is also valuable.

Join us in strengthening early‑phase project preparation, improving cross‑functional collaboration and creating an even more competitive development environment within COT Engineering and TTI.

Curious and want to know more?
You are welcome to reach out to Anna Thulin, Talent Acquisition Partner, [e-mail]

Final application date: 12 th of October 2026

We value your data privacy and therefore do not accept applications via mail.

Who we are and what we believe in We are committed to shaping the future landscape of efficient, safe, and sustainable transport solutions. Fulfilling our mission creates countless career opportunities for talents across the group’s leading brands and entities.

Applying to this job offers you the opportunity to join Volvo Group. Every day, you will be working with some of the sharpest and most creative brains in our field to be able to leave our society in better shape for the next generation. We are passionate about what we do, and we thrive on teamwork. We are almost 100,000 people united around the world by a culture of care, inclusiveness, and empowerment.

Trucks Technology & Industrial Division hire team players who are ready to create real customer impact. Our decentralised teams work close to our customers, with speed and autonomy, to build what they truly need. Join us to collaborate on innovative, sustainable technologies that redefine how we design, build, and deliver value. Bring your curiosity, your expertise, and your collaborative energy, and together, we’ll turn bold ideas into tangible solutions for our customers and contribute to a more sustainable tomorrow.

Job Category: Technology Engineering

Organization: Trucks Technology & Industrial

Every day, Volvo Group products and services ensure that people have food on the table, children arrive safely at school and roads and buildings can be constructed. Looking ahead,we are committed to driving the transition to sustainable and safe transport, mobility and infrastructure solutions toward a net‑zero society.

Joining Volvo Group, you will work with some of the world’s most iconic brands and be part of a global and leading industrial company that is harnessing automated driving, electromobility and connectivity.

Our people are passionate about what they do, they aim for high performance and thrive on teamwork and learning. Everyday life at Volvo is defined by a climate of support, care and mutual respect.

If you aspire to grow and make an impact, join us on our journey to create a better and more resilient society for the coming generations.