Advanced Cost Engineering & Value Optimization Lead

Advanced Cost Engineering & Value Optimization Lead supports vehicle programs by driving cost optimized design decisions from early concept through hardware and software readiness. This role partners closely with Advanced Design Engineering, Product Development, and Cost Engineering to embed Design to Cost and Value Engineering principles directly into vehicle architecture, system design, and component development.
Operating within the Cost Engineering & Total Production Cost organization, the specialist ensures that cost targets, functional value, and design intent are aligned early, enabling competitive vehicles without sacrificing performance, quality, or customer value.
Key Responsibilities:

Design to Cost & Value Engineering Leadership

Lead Design to Cost and Value Engineering activities from early Advanced phases through Tooling Kickoff (TKOM), ensuring cost is treated as a design parameter, not a post design constraint.
Identify high-impact commodities, systems, and architectures for Value Engineering loops (Loop 1 & Loop 2), focusing on functional optimization, design simplification, and material/process efficiency.
Facilitate cross-functional Design to Cost workshops that generate actionable design changes tied to function, performance, manufacturability, and supplier capability.
Drive Value Analysis activities, challenging over-design, redundancy, and cost drivers while preserving customer-relevant features.
Design Convergence & Technical Collaboration

Partner with Advanced Project Engineering, Product Development Engineering, Manufacturing, Purchasing, and Suppliers to translate Value Engineering proposals into feasible design solutions.
Actively challenge designs to improve cost-to-function ratios, including architecture choices, part integration, material selection, tooling strategy, and manufacturing processes.
Support design convergence by ensuring cost-driven trade studies and alternatives are evaluated early and documented for leadership decision-making.
Cost Targeting & Benchmark-Driven Design

Support development of Total Production Cost (TPC) targets based on competitive benchmarking, reference vehicles, and "Best in Class" architectures.
Translate competitive benchmarks into clear, component level and system level cost guidance for engineering teams.
Promote a value based benchmarking mindset, focusing on how competitors achieve similar or better functionality at lower cost.
Program Economics & Decision Support

Collaborate with the Project Economics Manager to:

Monitor Design to Cost savings and track Value Engineering implementation.
Provide cost based insights for Chief Vehicle Engineer arbitration and major design decisions.
Support project convergence on vehicle TPC and vendor tooling investments.

Bring structured cost and value insights to stakeholders to provoke early action and informed design trade-offs.
Basic Qualifications:

Bachelor of Science in Engineering or related education field(Degrees in Accounting, Finance, or Business considered with strong engineering exposure)
A minimum of 8 years of experience in theautomotive industry, advanced manufacturing or related industries
Strong understanding of automotive systems, vehicle architectures, and production processes
Proven ability to lead cross-functional, technical discussions and influence design outcomes
Data driven mindset with strong analytical skills and attention to detail
Advanced proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook, and Word
Preferred Qualifactions:

Direct experience in Design to Cost, Value Engineering, and Value Analysis
Experience linking functional requirements to cost drivers
Background in vehicle cost, product engineering, or manufacturing engineering
Ability to synthesize complex technical and cost data into clear recommendations for leadership
Our Benefits — Designed with You in Mind

Comprehensive Health & Well-being Coverage
From your very first day, you'll have access to medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage — ensuring you and your family stay healthy and protected.
Generous Paid Time Off
We believe in work-life balance. That's why we offer: 17+ paid holidays, including shut-down from December 24th through New Years Day every year. Vacation, float & wellbeing days, sick time and fully paid parental leave when your family needs you most.
Competitive Retirement Savings Plans
We help you plan for the future with:
An employer match on contributions to your 401k, Roth, and Catch-Up plans
An employer contribution, even if you don't contribute
Income Protection & Insurance Options
Benefit from included and optional disability, life, and other insurance programs — because your peace of mind matters.
Company Vehicle Lease Program
Eligible employees and their immediate families can enjoy company vehicle lease options with included insurance, maintenance, and unlimited mileage. Plus, take advantage of exclusive discounts on Stellantis products.
Family Building Benefit
We proudly support all paths to parenthood- including fertility and infertility treatments, adoption services, and gestational surrogacy.
Support for Your Growth and Giving Back
We believe in investing in your future and your passions:
Tuition reimbursement
Student loan refinancing programs
18 paid volunteer hours each year to make a difference in your community
And so much more!
When you join us, you're not just building a career — you're joining a company that supports you, inside and outside of work.

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