Ventilation Specialist

Job Posting End Date / last application date:

Shape the future of mine ventilation at LKAB – a global leader in sustainable mining

LKAB is looking for a Ventilation Specialist to drive innovation in one of the world’s most advanced underground mining environments. In this key role, you will lead R&D projects, develop smart ventilation strategies, and collaborate with top researchers and industry experts. Join us in redefining ventilation for a safer, more efficient, and climate-smart mining future.

The most important jobs of the future
We want to lead the transformation of our industry towards a sustainable future. And just as we want to change the world, we want to develop everyone who joins us on the journey, personally and professionally. 
Do you want to help shape the future of the world's mining and minerals industry?

Your role

As a Ventilation Specialist at LKAB’s Department of Mining Technology, you will play a key role in advancing the future of mine ventilation through research, development, and collaboration. Your work will contribute to developing ventilation strategies, standards, and performance indicators that support safer, more efficient, and more sustainable mining operations.

You will lead and contribute to R&D projects focused on ventilation management, automation, and heating/cooling technologies. This includes evaluating existing and emerging technologies and analyzing their potential for integration and innovation. You lead studies and integration work related to mine ventilation control and monitoring systems and modelling tools such as Ventsim Design, Ventsim Control, and Deswik. You will also support the development of our ventilation management plans and roadmaps.

The role includes close cooperation with universities, consultancy partners, and industry networks – requiring a strong interest in applied research, system-level thinking, and cross-functional collaboration.

You serve as a specialist for 

Ventilation automation and control and ventilation management, including leading impactful projects in topics such as:

• Ventilation control and monitoring systems
• Ventsim/Deswik integration 
• Effect of future BEV fleets 
• Ventilation-on-demand 
• Cooling-on-demand

What you bring

We are looking for a technically skilled and collaborative professional with solid experience in mine ventilation. You have strong communication and leadership abilities that enable you to lead complex research and development projects, often in collaboration with consultants, universities, and industry partners.

You have experience in a ventilation-related role within the mining industry, with a preference for hands-on industry experience over purely academic work. Advanced modelling skills in Ventsim are preferable, and you have practical experience working with mine ventilation automation and control systems, such as ventilation-on-demand applications or air quality monitoring system design. Knowledge of Ventsim Control, Deswik software, and other mine ventilation control software like ABB Ability Ventilation Optimizer is considered a strong asset.

Your ability to build trust, take initiative, and navigate both strategic and technical challenges makes you an excellent fit for this role.

• M.Sc. level or higher education in mining is required. An emphasis, additional, or continued education in mine ventilation and ventilation research experience are considered highly beneficial
• A good understanding of cave mining, especially sublevel and block caving, is seen beneficialHave good communication skills and proficiency in English, both spoken and written
• A driver's license (Swedish B-class minimum) is a requirement for all positions at LKAB

What we offer

• Relocation support for you and your family. 
• Excellent conditions for settling in. We guide you through the official procedures necessary to settle in the country if you come from outside Sweden. We also provide temporary accommodation for a reasonable period and help you find a permanent place to live according to your personal needs.
• Reward program.
• Free access to LKAB’s own gym and our partners’ facilities in Norrbotten.
• Wellness allowance and educational support, along with access to an art association, leisure club, mountain cabins, and family activities.
• Enhanced parental pay with up to 90% of your regular salary for up to six months (after one year of employment).
• Support and assistance in cases of illness or questions about work environment, health, wellness, and rehabilitation.
• Compensation for dental care and protective eyewear, including terminal glasses.
• Opportunity to apply for scholarships for both your and your children’s studies
• Access to our pension and insurance program with favourable rates.

Additional information

You will be based in the city of Kiruna or Malmberget in Gällivare area situated in Swedish Lapland, above the Arctic Circle. The communities of the same name are spread out over vast areas and offer great opportunities for fantastic outdoor activities, such as hunting, fishing, hiking, skiing, and ice climbing. See also Kiruna Lappland and Gällivare kommun.

Start: According to agreement

Employment type: Permanent

Occasional travel is required for conferences, mine visits and audits

Recruitment is ongoing, and you are welcome to submit your application as soon as possible.

For more information about the role, please contact our hiring manager Anu Martikainen, anu.martikainen@lkab.com

Union representatives: 

Malmberget/Luleå

• Unionen Södra Katarina Paganus, 0970-762 98
• SACO-klubben Södra – Annika Taavoniku, 0970-795 32
• Ledarna Södra – Johanna Dahlin, 073-804 58 16

Kiruna/Svappavaara:

• Unionen Norra: Sakari Alanko 0980-725 08
• Akademikerföreningen: Peter Johansson 0980-71879
• Ledarna Norra: Ingegerd Kyrö 0980-71050

About LKAB

LKAB is an international mining and minerals group with northern Sweden as its base and the whole world as its workplace. We lead the way towards carbon-free production and we do it together - in an open, warm and safe work environment with technology and development in focus. We welcome challenges, innovative ideas and initiative, always with equality and diversity in focus.

Do you work at LKAB today but are interested in a new role?

Then we would like you to submit your application via our internal career page. Log in to your Workday account and go to "Jobs Hub", where you can search for all available jobs and send your application.

Prior to recruitment, LKAB has considered recruitment channels and marketing. We kindly but firmly decline all contact from media marketers, recruitment sites and the like.