Master thesis: Developing Organizational Capabilities for Dark Factory Automation
Skövde, SE, 541 87
Shape the Future of Manufacturing. Automation, artificial intelligence, machine vision, and connected production systems are transforming the manufacturing industry. As organizations move toward highly autonomous production environments, often referred to as "Dark Factories", success depends not only on technology but also on the organizational capabilities that enable implementation and scale.
We are now looking for two Master's students who are interested in exploring how organizations can successfully develop, deploy, and scale automation solutions across a global manufacturing network.
Thesis Scope
The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the organizational capabilities required to support Dark Factory automation and assess Volvo's current readiness in relation to these future requirements.
The thesis is expected to:
- Define the organizational capabilities needed to support Dark Factory operations
- Assess Volvo's current capabilities through interviews, workshops, and document studies
- Identify gaps between the current state and future needs
- Recommend actions and initiatives to strengthen Volvo's automation capabilities
This project offers a unique opportunity to combine strategy, innovation, and manufacturing transformation while collaborating with experienced professionals within Volvo.
Who We Believe You Are
You are currently pursuing a Master's degree within:
- Industrial Management
- Industrial Economics
- Production Management
- Innovation Management
- Or a related field
Experience or interest in manufacturing environments, automation, digitalization, or organizational development is considered an advantage.
You are analytical, curious, and enjoy investigating complex challenges from both a business and organizational perspective.
What You'll Gain
- Hands-on experience within one of the world's leading manufacturing organizations
- Exposure to cutting-edge automation and production concepts
- Opportunities to collaborate with experts across technology, operations, and strategy
- Valuable insights into the future of industrial transformation
Practical Information
Thesis Level: Master's Thesis
Number of Students: 2
Location: Volvo Group
Language: English (mandatory), Swedish is a plus
Semester: Spring 2027
Application Deadline: November 30, 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 decentralized 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.