Vehicle Cost Engineer - Chassis Job Auburn Hills area,Michigan USA,Engineering

Cost Engineer – Chassis & Engine Systems

Position Summary

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.
Success in this role requires curiosity, agility, and a collaborative mindset within a fast-paced, global environment.

Key Deliverables
Cost Estimation & Analysis

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.
Provide global cost comparison analysis in partnership with the broader Cost Engineering community.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Collaborate closely with the internal global team, Engineering, Buyers, and Suppliers.
Work with global engineering, purchasing, finance, and supplier teams to support competitive and transparent cost structures.

Required Qualifications
Education

Experience

Minimum of 5 years of experience in the automotive industry or a related technical field.
5+ years of relevant experience in design, manufacturing, tooling, cost engineering, or deep process/commodity expertise; relevant internships may be considered.
Experience in at least one high-volume manufacturing environment; automotive strongly preferred.

Technical Skills

Strong technical understanding of parts and how they are manufactured (materials, processes, assembly flow).
Ability to interpret drawings, specifications, and Bills of Material (BOMs).
Comfort learning and using standardized cost models, formulas, and tools (prior formal costing experience is a plus, not mandatory).
Proficiency with Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, and Word.

Professional Skills

Strong English verbal and written communication skills to support key role deliverables.
Ability to manage a high volume of parts and varying levels of complexity.
Ability to work effectively across multiple levels of the organization, functions, and global regions.
Ability to work cross-functionally with Engineering and Purchasing.

Preferred Qualifications

Familiarity with cost model structures and activity-based costing for component development.
Experience with in one or multiple areas:
- Design Responsible Engineering
- Manufacturing
- Component Tool Development
- Component Purchasing

Work Environment