Senior/Principal I Cost Optimization Engineer, Electric / Electronic

Are you someone who is passionate, motivated, and driven to make a difference?  If so, MSA Safety is the perfect fit for your career. 

At MSA, SAFETY is who we are AND it is what we do.  We are a purpose-driven company committed to deploying innovation and technology to deliver on our Mission to help protect people and assets all around the world.  We continue to be relentless in our pursuit of solving our customers greatest problems so they can go home safe each and every day. 

Are you in?  Read on for more details about this particular role.

Electrical Value Engineering & Cost Optimization

• Identify cost reduction opportunities through circuit redesign, component selection, and architecture simplification.
• Benchmark electrical designs, components, and technologies against alternative solutions.
• Drive design simplification including component consolidation, PCB optimization, and interface reduction.
• Apply DFX principles (DFM/DFA/DFS) to electrical redesign activities.

Electrical Design & Engineering Execution

• Perform electrical design work including embedded systems, analog and digital circuits, power supplies, and connectivity interfaces.
• Lead design changes from concept through prototype and release.
• Ensure designs meet product performance, safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Address component obsolescence and evaluate alternate components based on cost, performance, and availability.

Project Management & Cross-functional Execution

• Collaborate with sourcing, manufacturing, quality, and mechanical engineering teams to implement cost-out solutions.
• Support project scope, timelines, milestones, and execution for cost optimization initiatives.
• Align engineering changes with supplier capabilities and manufacturing readiness.
• Participate in cross-functional teams supporting new product development and sustaining product improvement.

Testing, Validation & Compliance

• Develop and execute test plans to validate redesigned electrical systems and components.
• Ensure compliance with internal standards and external regulatory requirements.
• Support prototype validation, lab testing, and technical investigations on existing products.
• Provide concise technical reports to support engineering decisions and cost validation.

Documentation & Engineering Change Management

• Prepare schematics, PCB layout documentation, specifications, and change records.
• Support release processes and ensure that all related documentation is complete.
• Maintain accurate technical records for design changes and validated savings.

Continuous Improvement & Technical Contribution

• Participate in VA/VE workshops and structured cost optimization activities.
• Support development of electrical cost models, standard work, and best practices.
• Drive continuous improvement in engineering efficiency and product cost competitiveness.

Special Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Strong communication skills (written, verbal and presentation). Able to effectively communicate technical information to audiences of all levels, including management and external stakeholders
• Highly motivated and self-directed. Ability to perform complex tasks/assignments with limited supervision
• Detail oriented, organized, with demonstrated analytical problem-solving skills
• Strong interpersonal skills. Must be able to work independently and in a team environment with multiple teams and challenging schedules
• Proven expertise in circuit design, component selection and PCB physical construction for EMC compliant electronic circuits.
• Design experience with low power electronics for agency compliance for hazardous environments.
• Working knowledge of statistics.
• Solid verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven ability to work in a team environment.
• Demonstrated customer centric approach.
• Proficient in the use of Altium Designer for schematic capture and PCB design
• Use of statistical tools (Mini Tab) and risk analysis (i.e. DFSS, FMEA)
• Experience designing electronics for hazardous environments using various protective measures such as intrinsically safe design concept

Education Required: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, or related discipline, preferably from an ABET-accredited program.

Education Preferred: 

• Lean Sigma certification (Green Belt or Blackbelt).

This position is available at one career level based upon experience, education, etc.

• Sr. Staff Engineer: 5 years relevant experience
• Principal Engineer I: 7 years relevant experience
  • MS degree may be substituted for up to 2 years of experience
  • PhD may be substituted for up to 4 years of experience

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