1 OCTOBER 2026
From electrification and sustainability to digital production, three thesis students share how working at Scania gave them the opportunity to solve real engineering challenges while taking their first steps towards a future career.
At Scania, a thesis is more than the final step of a degree. It is an opportunity to become part of real development teams, work alongside experienced engineers and contribute to projects that shape the future of transport. Whether the challenge is advancing electrification, improving sustainability or making production smarter, thesis students quickly discover that their ideas can have a genuine impact.
For master's student Karthik Suresh, that meant helping develop lighter components for future battery-electric trucks. Working with simulation engineers and material specialists across the TRATON R&D network, he developed methods to predict how foamed plastics perform over time.
"I think Scania is a good place for young engineers because of the support system," he says. "You get space to learn, ask questions, make mistakes and slowly build confidence."
Karthik Suresh
For Teja Subhash Karumudi, the focus was sustainability. His Life Cycle Assessment of cable harnesses helps identify where environmental impacts occur, providing insights that can support future design decisions. Along the way, he collaborated with colleagues across purchasing, production, logistics, engineering and suppliers.
"I feel like a colleague in the team," says Teja. "Everyone has been very supportive and open. I can approach anyone for help."
Teja Subhash Karumudi
Master's students Josefine Lange and Ellinor Andersson tackled a different challenge: helping Engine Assembly make better use of production data. Working with production engineers, data specialists and Lean experts, they explored how industrial data can be evaluated based on its quality and value, giving them the freedom to develop their own approach.
Josefine Lange and Ellinor Andersson
"The organisation at Scania really lets you explore everything," says Josefine. "You're given the chance to be curious."
"We got a problem that needed to be solved, and we had the space to be creative and make our own path," adds Ellinor.
Although their projects span different disciplines, their experiences share a common thread. Each student became part of cross-functional teams, worked on real engineering challenges and contributed to projects with genuine business relevance. More than completing a degree, they gained practical experience, learned from experts and discovered what a career in engineering at Scania can look like.
