We are looking for multiple Cost Engineers with a Design/Release or Product Development background to fill various roles with experience in one or more of the following Automotive Systems:
DRIVELINE - Axles, Transfer Case, Assembly, Casting, Machining, Forging, Halfshaft, Rear Drive Unit, Front Drive Unit
ELECTRO-MECHANICAL - Electric Pump, Engine Ignition
HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRONICS - Electric Drive Module, Converter DC DC, Charger, Inverter
ENGINE - Casting, Engine Block, Oil Pan, Cylinder Head
The Cost Engineer role develops detailed cost estimates for components and tooling using an activity-based costing approach. This role works directly with bills of material, drawings, and physical samples to understand how parts are made and to estimate the associated component, manufacturing, and investment costs. In this position, you will use established methods and processes to analyze costs, provide guidance to internal teams, and support cost convergence activities. You will collaborate with global engineering, purchasing, finance, and supplier teams to ensure competitive and transparent cost structures from early concept through serial production.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Develop component cost estimates for new programs, including:
Early-phase cost engineering estimates
Detailed “should-cost” calculations using a bottom-up manufacturing approach
Provide idea generation and cost support during vehicle development to help achieve cost targets (Design-to-Cost)
Support purchasing during supplier negotiations by completing gap analyses of supplier cost breakdowns (Piece Price, ED&D, Tooling)
Contribute to benchmarking and value optimization activities, including serial life should-cost assessments
Collaborate closely with internal global team, Engineering, Buyers, and Suppliers
Provide global cost comparison analysis in partnership with the broader Cost Engineering community
REQUIREMENTS
Bachelors Degree in Engineering, or a related technical field
5+ years of experience in the automotive industry or related technical field
Strong English verbal and written skills to support role job key deliverables
Ability to manage a high volume of parts and varying levels of complexity
Proficiency with Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, and Word
Ability to work effectively across multiple levels of the organization, functions, and global regions
All Cost Engineer roles – common must-haves
5+ years of relevant experience (design, manufacturing, tooling, cost engineering, or deep process/commodity expertise; relevant internships may be considered).
Strong technical understanding of parts and how they are manufactured (materials, processes, assembly flow).
Experience in at least one high-volume manufacturing environment; automotive strongly preferred.
Ability to work cross-functionally with Engineering and Purchasing, and to interpret drawings, specifications, and BOMs.
Comfort learning and using standardized cost models, formulas, and tools (prior formal costing experience is a plus, not mandatory).*
PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS
Familiarity with cost model structures and activity-based costing for component development
Experience in within one or multiple areas: Design Responsible Engineering, Manufacturing, Component Tool development, or Component Purchasing
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Full-time on site in Auburn Hills, MI
Standard day shift
Limited travel 5–10%
Numbers & Facts
Location
Auburn Hills, MI
Skills
Activity-Based Costing (ABC)unmatched
Automotive Industryunmatched
Automotive Technologyunmatched
Benchmarkingunmatched
Bill of Materials (BOM)unmatched
Castingunmatched
Clothes Makingunmatched
Cost Analysisunmatched
Cost Engineeringunmatched
Cost Estimatesunmatched
Cost Modelingunmatched
Cross-Functionalunmatched
Electric Motorunmatched
Electromechanicsunmatched
Electronicsunmatched
English Languageunmatched
Financeunmatched
Gap Analysisunmatched
High Voltage (HV)unmatched
Injection Moldingunmatched
Machine Toolunmatched
Machiningunmatched
Manufacturingunmatched
Manufacturing Costunmatched
Microsoft Excelunmatched
Microsoft PowerPointunmatched
Microsoft Wordunmatched
Negotiation Skillsunmatched
People Managementunmatched
Presentation/Verbal Skillsunmatched
Process Flowunmatched
Product Developmentunmatched
Pumpsunmatched
Purchasing/Procurementunmatched
Specimen Collectionunmatched
Technical/Engineering Designunmatched
Tool and Die Manufacturingunmatched
Vendor/Supplier Evaluationunmatched
Willing to Travelunmatched
Writing Skillsunmatched
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